Christmas with the Queen

Chapter 41 Jack

Chapter 41

Jack

London, December 1945

I t had been a whirlwind romance between Andrea and me. After her initial reserve, everything suddenly clicked into place. We talked easily and for hours, spending every free minute together. What we enjoyed most was spending time alone, in a corner booth in the back of a pub, learning everything there was to know about each other. I felt as if I’d known her my entire life.

One chilly December night, I walked her home after an evening of dinner and dancing.

“I’ve been a little worried about Olive,” Andrea said as we stopped outside her boarding house. “It’s strange that she hasn’t introduced her new boyfriend to the gang, don’t you think? She doesn’t seem the sort to abandon her friends.”

Olive had been noticeably absent the past few weeks. When I’d asked about her, Rosie had mentioned that Olive was dating someone new that she’d met at work. I was pleased she’d finally ditched Peter Hall, but I couldn’t help but miss her when the group got together. Everyone liked Olive. It was impossible not to like Olive.

“I’m sure she’s just enjoying being with her new beau,” I said. “You know what it’s like to fall in love, no time for anyone but each other. She’ll be back, in time.”

“I hope you’re right.”

“She and Rosie live near the fish and chip shop where I work. Why don’t I stop by tomorrow on my way, make sure all is well? It would be no trouble.”

“Would you?” Andrea asked, sliding her hands beneath the lapels of my coat and gently tugging me closer. “I think that would be lovely. Put our minds to rest.”

“Of course.”

She leaned up onto her tiptoes to kiss me. “And yes, I do know what it’s like to fall in love. And lucky me that I found gorgeous you!”

I smiled as our lips met, and we lingered in a kiss. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Goodnight, darling,” she said and disappeared inside.

I walked back to my own place, thinking about our conversation. Some nagging part of me wanted to see Olive, new man on the scene or not. I wanted her to know that we all missed her.

The following morning, I headed to work earlier than usual. When I reached Olive and Rosie’s flat, I knocked on the door and waited a moment.

As the door swung open, I felt the smallest letdown to see Rosie, not Olive.

“Jack? What are you doing here?”

“I’m headed to work, and I thought I’d stop by to say hi to Olive. Is she home? We haven’t seen her in a while.”

Rosie studied my face a moment before replying, “She’s not here, Jack. She’s gone.”

“Gone?”

“Moved out.”

“Oh.” I felt my face fall. “Where to?”

Rosie looked anxious and awkward. “Sorry, Jack, but I promised Olive I wouldn’t tell anyone.”

I laughed, a little nervously. “But it’s me! Surely you can tell me?”

Rosie shook her head. “I’m sorry. I promised.”

“I understand. I guess that would explain why she hasn’t been around lately. And neither have you, come to think of it. I just thought... I don’t know what I thought. I wanted to say hi. Let her know she was missed.”

“It was kind of you to check on her,” Rosie said, her voice soothing. “But she isn’t likely to be back anytime soon.”

It all sounded so final, so unlike Olive. “Well, if you see her or talk to her, will you tell her I stopped by? And if she ever wants to call, she knows where to find us.”

“Us?”

“Andrea and me.”

Rosie nodded. “Right. Of course.”

As I turned to go, Rosie grabbed my arm. “Jack, wait. I...”

“Yes?”

“Nothing.” She released my arm. “See you sometime soon.”

As I walked away, I wondered what Rosie had wanted to say, and where Olive had gone. The only explanation I could imagine was a family incident, something terrible, perhaps, that had made her pack up and leave so suddenly. Or maybe she’d fallen head over heels with the new guy and they’d run off together. I shook my head. That didn’t sound like her either.

As I continued toward work, it occurred to me that I might never see Olive again. And at the same time, I realized that I cared for her more than I’d dared admit.

But I was engaged to be married to the woman I loved.

Olive and I were a moment. Andrea and I were a lifetime.