Ruby realised it was useless to protest further so she snuggled into his embrace, her mind in a whirl of excitement that was tinged with fear, and a nub of resentment for being rushed into things. She was about to marry the man she adored, and set sail for a new life in a country where she’d be regarded as different, with her English ways and Cockney accent. She was sure Mike’s family were lovely people, but they were strangers to her and she’d be ignorant of how things were done over there. Would they like her? Would she like them – or more importantly, would Canada live up to the high expectations that had been instilled in her by Mike and his mother’s enthusiastic letters?

She’d known this moment would come, but had expected time to make reasoned decisions about her wedding day, and to really prepare for the journey. The original plan had been for them to marry and Mike to leave shortly after for Canada, and she would follow him at a later date. But now it had all changed, and she suddenly felt adrift from reality in an ocean of confusion.

Ruby closed her eyes and listened to the drum of Mike’s steady heartbeat. She’d have to give in her notice at the tool factory first thing Monday morning and warn Ron and Rosie she wouldn’t be doing any more shifts. Cordelia would have to be told she’d be leaving the bungalow earlier than planned, and of course she had to tell Peggy and Stan about the wedding and not leave such important things entirely to Mike.

She didn’t know how long she’d been lying against him, but she was getting stiff with cold and the street light had gone out. She became aware that Mike’s breathing had changed and realised that the long day of travelling, the beer and the excitement of this homecoming had finally taken its toll, and he’d fallen asleep.

She inched away from him, drew his legs up so he was full length on the couch, eased off his shoes and put a cushion beneath his head. Covering him with the blanket she used on cold nights when the fire had gone out, she stood for a moment looking down at him, her heart full of love, the thrill of their imminent wedding and voyage across the Atlantic overriding her fear of the unknown.

Softly kissing his forehead, she switched off the light and took the abandoned tray of tea and toast into the kitchen, then went to have a bath in the hope it would help her to sleep. However, the few inches of water were tepid and her over-active mind refused to let her relax, and when she finally climbed into bed, she lay there staring into the darkness wondering how on earth they could manage everything in such a short space of time.

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