Until we meet again (A war romance) (#Wattys2015)

Diana

Matthew’s feet were getting better. He could walk now, though I could see him wincing every time he took a step. He still had sores on his feet, and they looked awful, but he was getting better.

That evening, after everyone had left after either presenting us with gifts and wishing us the best, or launching into a long, and laborious conversation about how I’d grown, Matthew and I headed up to the farm. Suzie had gone home early to give Matthew and I some space. Unfortunately the others hadn’t been as considerate. I had never particularly being in a crowded space for too long…

I was dressed in my overalls which I had previously worn for my job, and Matthew was wearing dungarees and a messy t-shirt. Matthew had told me he had a surprise for me, and he led me my the hand up to the farmhouse door. Suzie answered it, smiling as usual, “Are you here for…”

Matthew nodded, and Suzie let us in excitedly. She opened the back door that led out to the farm, “Have fun!” she smiled before shutting the door behind us and leaving us alone.

“What’s the surprise?” I asked, “Even your Mum’s excited!”

Matthew laughed, “If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise, would it?”

“Well hurry up and show me then!”

Matthew took my hand, and pulled me around the corner or the back of the house. I gasped in amazement as I saw it.

The horse looked down at me and snorted. It was tall and beautiful, the setting sun making its glossy coat shine in the light. It was white, with dark chocolate brown splodges all over its body. Its mane was long and hung down over its broad shoulders. It had soft, grey eyes that looked at me with innocence.

“It’s beautiful,” I breathed.

“It’s a she actually,” Matthew said, and patted the horse’s side.

“Why is she here? You can tell she’s never worked before, so she’s of no use to you,”

“Actually she’s for you,” Matthew laughed as my jaw dropped, “Wedding present.”

I stood there for a moment, my mouth open, “But I can’t keep a horse!”

“I’ll keep her here, and you can visit her here whenever you want,”

“But I’ve never ridden!”

Matthew grinned and I backed away, “Oh no no no no no no!”

“Why else did you think I got you to wear your overalls?”

“What if I fall?”

“Then I’ll catch you. Come on, say hello.”

I timidly stepped forward, and reached up to touch the horse’s nose, but she reared and I cried out.

“Do it slowly, then let her come to you,” Matthew said, and I nodded nervously. I reached up slowly, and held my arm there for a few moments. I’d never been so close to a horse before, so I had no idea what to expect. Just then, something warm nuzzled into my hand, and I looked. The horse nuzzled my hand again, and this time, she let me stroke her nose. It was soft, like velvet.

“Hello,” I said, letting out the breath I hadn’t realised I’d been holding, and the horse snorted. Matthew smiled,

“She likes you,”

“What’s her name?”

“She’s your horse, you decide.”

I patted The horse’s velvet nose again, pondering for a moment. I thought of all these different names, but none of them just seemed to fit. Then I suddenly remembered that one time I had tried chocolate on my special birthday, and something just clicked in my head.

“Truffle,” I said proudly, “Her name’s truffle.” Truffle bowed her head,

“She likes it too,” Matthew smiled, “Truffle it is!”

I grinned, “Let’s go and ride truffle,” I grinned, “That is the strangest sentence I’ve ever said!”

 

 

Matthew saddled her quickly, and we led her away from the farm and up to the hill where we liked to go together.

“Put one foot into the stirrups and I’ll push you up,”

I lifted my right foot, but Matthew shook his head, “Left foot,”

“But I’m sitting on one side,”

“No you’re not,”

“What- one leg on each side?”

“When you’re with me, you’re going to ride like a man,”

I tried to laugh, but now I was even more nervous; I’d never known many women who’d ever ridden a horse, and none of them had ridden like a man! I gulped, and put my left foot into the stirrup. Then I felt Matthews arms around my waist, and he lifted me up. I swung my leg over, and then I was on! Truffle moved slightly, and I gripped her mane,

“She won’t hurt you,” Matthew said, “Just hold on,”

Truffle felt warm beneath me, and when she started to move, her head bobbed up and down in a rhythmic pattern. After a few moments, I laughed; this was fun!

“Thank you for being my husband,” I said.

“Thank you for being my wife.”

 

 ***

I always wanted, for some reason, to include a happy romantic scene involving a horse, (don't ask me why,) so there you go!

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