What Will Be Meant to Happen, Will Indeed Come to Pass

Dear Diary,

Today I watched my lad James off to his National Service, and my heart ached as I clung to him, resting my cheek on his shoulder. My blue eyes welled up; saying goodbye to the boy I love was almost unbearable.

Dont fret, love, James whispered, trying to look into my gaze. Time will fly, and Ill be back. Nothing will happen to me just wait for me.

Of course, James, I replied, grateful that we could still phone each other now and then. Mother once told me that in her youth there were no phones, only letters that sometimes vanished forever.

He smiled, Well keep in touch.

The drill sergeants voice boomed: Fall in! followed by a rollcall, then Take your seats on the lorry.

James, sitting by the window, waved at his mum and me, and he caught sight of Molly, whod always been a thorn in his side since school. She perched herself beside me, flashing a sweet smile that seemed to say, Im watching.

Whats she doing here? I wondered, watching James glance at me as I turned to leave. Probably crying again, he muttered, not fond of my tears.

Molly knew she was the eternal rival, so she slipped away early, lest she cause any more mischief.

I told myself the waiting would pass. I was still at college in the market town of Ripon, while my parents lived a short bus ride away in Knaresborough. Every weekend Id catch the last bus home, and James would meet me at the station, escorting me back to the village.

Wed been together since Year Ten, sitting in adjacent forms. Molly, once a classmate, had tried every trick to keep us apart, spreading gossip about me at every turn. Yet most of the school knew the truth.

Poppy, with her radiant smile, bright blue eyes and golden hair, turned heads at every school dance. I was a modest, fairhaired lad with a gentle grey stare, and we were the pair everyone whispered about. Some of Mollys friends loathed me, fed by Mollys scheming.

Poppy, Mollys spinning lies again, whispered Claire, our seatmate, She cant stand that youve won James over.

Let her babble, I replied. James knows who I am, and I dont care about the rest.

At our graduation feast we sipped a little champagne, just enough to toast our future. Afterwards we roamed the riverside park all night, singing with a guitar and shouting how grownup we felt. A few lads got so tipsy they fell asleep on the benches.

The night was a blur of laughter until Molly, clearly a bit too merry, lunged at James, clinging to his neck before planting a kiss on his lips. We all stared, stunned. James wrestled free and snapped, Molly, what on earth are you doing? You cant just jump on people. The champagne must have knocked you out.

Molly giggled, James, youll always be mine, and slipped away.

James took my hand and led me to the riverbank. Dont mind her, he said, shes just a foolish mess.

I smiled, feeling a warm glow in my light blue dress, the big bow on my shoulder matching my eyes. I know nothing can tear us apart, I replied.

By dawn I escorted James home, then headed back to college for my entrance exams. I passed with flying colours and enrolled in the local college, and from then on James met me after lectures and escorted me home.

Molly, hearing that I was staying locally, whispered, Finally Ill have time to win James over. She plotted to split us, even befriending Jamess mother, Margaret, who lived just two houses down. Margaret, a longstanding acquaintance of Mollys mother, often chatted with her in the garden.

One afternoon Molly barged into Margarets kitchen, Mum, could you give me Jamess address? He never answers my calls.

Margaret, wary, handed her a folded paper. Molly drafted a letter so sly it made her stomach churn, hoping James would believe Poppy was cheating.

For three months Molly pestered James in the barracks, filling his letters with insinuations. He even asked his mother if the rumors were true; she brushed them off, telling him to ignore the gossip. Unknown to anyone, Molly slipped away to the training camp, meeting James facetoface and feeding his doubts.

One evening James called, his voice cold and distant. Hello, Poppy, how are you? he asked, sounding almost a stranger.

Fine, but why the strange tone, James? Are you playing games? I replied, sensing something wrong.

Im tired of your lies. Youve betrayed me. I know everything, he snapped, then hung up.

I could only whisper, Is this Mollys doing? before the line died.

The weeks dragged on. James never returned from service, and rumors of Molly arriving pregnant swirled around the village.

When International Womens Day arrived, I spent three days at home, feeling the weight of the breakup. My grandmother and mother laid a modest spread, and my younger brother Tom, now sixteen and about to finish school, brought fresh tulips hed bought early that morning.

Poppy, may everything turn out for the best. Youll find happiness, he said, hugging me.

The day turned into a blizzard, heavy and wet, the roof beginning to creak under the weight. Tom rushed outside, looking for help, and returned with a stranger named Jack, a neighbours son who had stopped by to deliver flowers to Aunt Vera.

Jack, could you lend a hand? The roofs about to cave in, Tom pleaded.

Jack, warming his hands with a pair of gloves, climbed onto the slate. I fetched spare gloves and handed them to him, feeling a flush of gratitude. He laughed, For a beauty like your sister, well make sure the house stays standing.

Together they shored up the roof, and once the danger passed they all sat down to a hearty meal. Jacks eyes kept flickering to me, and I felt my cheeks blaze.

Shall we take a walk after dinner? he asked.

Lets, I replied, my heart racing.

My mother sighed with relief, Thank heavens the girl is alive again.

My brother added with a grin, A little mischief never hurt anyone.

Six months later, at my wedding to Jack, Aunt Vera smiled at the happy couple and whispered, Whats meant to be will always find its way.

I now live in the city with Jack, both of us content, having found each other after all the turmoil. Fate once told me, I have linked you; others need not wait for miracles, you must cherish what you have.

Lesson: Trust your heart, but keep your ears closed to idle gossip.