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Chapter Text

January 1942

Siegfried Farnon was in a pensive mood as he watched Audrey Hall set the dining room table from the comfort of his armchair. She was bustling around like a bee keeping her hive, but she was in all her glory, as her beloved son had finally come to Skeledale. Her Edward had come to recuperate from the injuries he’d sustained in the horrible Japanese attack on his ship.  Siegfried himself had insisted the lad come, insisted that her home was his home. So, at last, she was reunited with her precious boy and could make up for lost time by mothering and fussing over him. She could feed him, dress him and tend to his wounds. The lad was on the mend, but needed help with just about everything still, and she was more than happy to help. Siegfried watched her puff with pride at each of Edward’s tiny seps of recovery. He watched her glow with pleasure every time Edward called on her to assist with some menial task. It was ironic that such a tragedy could bring her this much joy.

She was buzzing around the table making sure everything was just right, when the doorbell rang. Before he could get the words out, she rushed to the door, “I’ll get it”.

He rounded the corner to see her pull yet another ‘son’ into her embrace, gushing, “oh Richard! You don’t have to ring the bell; this is your home!”

Carmody buried his face in her shoulder and uttered a muffled, “well, not strictly speaking.”

Siegfried’s face broke into an enormous grin as he reached down to pet Hamish who was having an animated reunion with Jess and Dash, then he squeezed Richard’s arm, “good to have you home, my boy.”

After he was released from the hug, Carmody shook Siegfried’s hand firmly, “thank you, Mr. Farnon, I look forward to my visit and to enjoying Mrs. Hall’s wonderful cooking again. I’m afraid I’ve been living off tinned fish and canned beans in my London lodgings.”

Siegfried laughed and clapped him jovially on the back, “oh she’ll feed you up good, I’m sure.” He quipped as he shot her a smile and a cheeky wink.

“Now, I’ve made you up a bed and supper will be ready in an hour or so. Don’t let Tris drag you off to the Drovers until after we’ve eaten, please,” she instructed sternly.

“Yes ma’am,” Richard agreed obediently, then set off with his luggage to the second floor.

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Supper was a grand affair, Audrey had pulled out all the stops, called in many favors and made sure Siegfried personally fetched the fat goose he’d forgotten at Christmas.

Siegfried took his seat at the head of the table, and as he laid his napkin across his lap, he glanced wistfully around the table at the noisy gathering of young people who made up their makeshift family.

His heart was unimaginably full as his eyes met those of the miraculous woman at the other end of the table.

Audrey Hall, his stalwart, his saviour and the wonderful woman who’d created the amazing family that surrounded them.

As his eyes scanned the warm and glowing dining room, overflowing with life and love, he was suddenly struck by a memory…a memory of a very different meal served at this very table.

January 1933

Siegfried Farnon sat alone at the head of the dining room table, one plate, one glass and a single set of silverware.

His new housekeeper entered the room with her eyes downcast and placed a tureen in the middle of the table.

She whispered quietly, her voice on the edge of tears, “shall I serve you or…”

“Mrs. Hall…”, he plead, but she fled the room in a rush, returning to the scullery, leaving him alone again, returning him to his painful solitary confinement.

He cursed his mercurial temper and inwardly cringed as he recalled his harsh words from a mere half hour ago, “Mrs. Hall, I’m afraid this isn’t working out. I don’t need some meddlesome woman snooping around my private things! In fact, you’re fired! I expect you to be gone in the morning.”

He’d found her in his bedroom attempting to dust the tiny table that sat beside Evelyn’s side of the bed. The table was caked with an inch of dust, Evelyn’s book, her reading glasses and her special hand cream were right where she’d always kept them, frozen in time since her death some six months prior.

Audrey Hall, his fifth housekeeper since his wife’s untimely death, had performed miracles in the two days since he’d hired her. She’d transformed the scullery and the entire first floor and was the first housekeeper to even make it far enough to move on to the second floor.

When he had returned from an especially rigorous calving up at Dobson’s he wanted nothing more than a hot bath and a warm meal. He could smell a deliciously meaty aroma coming from the kitchen, so he hurriedly rushed up the stairs to run a bath, quickly entering his room to fetch some clean clothes.

He’d torn off his shirt and was working the buckle on his trousers when he became disturbingly aware that he was not alone in his bedroom.

Mrs. Hall, the primly dressed, but unmistakably beautiful woman, whom he’d just hired was standing on Evelyn’s side of the bed, holding her special lavender scented hand cream in her own hand, staring wide-eyed at his bare chest.

He blushed furiously up to the tips of his ears and bent to retrieve his shirt from the floor where he’d hastily discarded it.

She implored, “oh Mr. Farnon, I beg your pardon…”

He interrupted, “OUT!!”

She furrowed her brow at his brusqueness but remained still, standing next to his bed.

His eyes were drawn to the little silver jar she still held lightly in her grip. The lavender scented hand cream that his Evelyn had applied religiously every night of their married life. Its earthy floral scent was the scent of her, his brave warrior of a wife, the miraculous love of his life whom he’d watched whither away to nothing in this very bed.

Each day he felt her spirit slip a little further away, so before he went to sleep, he drew the little tub up to his nose and breathed her in. He closed his eyes tightly and forced happy memories of her back to the surface, then screwed the lid back on, set it back on her table and went to sleep hoping she would come back to him in his dreams.

He stared at the precious jar resting in this other woman’s hands and he saw red, a blinding flash of anger. His grief crashed over him like a rogue wave, so he lashed out and sacked her, right on the spot.

Now, as he gazed into the vacancy of his empty plate, he felt an enormous pang of regret. He glanced around at the numerous empty chairs surrounding the dining room table, which was clearly designed for a large family and felt profoundly sad. He hated eating alone, hated this feeling of isolation and hopelessness. So, without another morose thought, he rose from his chair and made his way to the kitchen.

He found her sitting at the table sipping from a steaming cup, clearly seeking refuge in the most British of comforts.

He went to the sideboard and fetched a plate, then opened a drawer and plucked out a fork, knife and spoon.

He whispered, “Mrs. Hall, will you join me in the dining room please?”

She remained seated, defiantly sipping, so he repeated, “please…?”

He carried the dishware out of the kitchen, she watched his back as he vanished out of sight, then rose and reluctantly followed.

In the dining room he set a place just to the right of his, carefully laying out the silverware, then he pulled out the chair and nodded at her.

She tilted her head in confusion, so he calmly stated, “I would like you to join me for supper.”

She remained standing just staring at him, so he lifted the lid on the tureen and plucked out a fragrant chunk of meat, then he proceeded to cut it in half, placing a small piece on each of their plates, immediately following suit with the carrots and potatoes.

She pursed her lips, and he whispered again, “please,” as he gestured toward her chair.

They stood there in uncomfortable silence for several long seconds before she relented, “alright.”

He smiled, sat down tucking his napkin into his vest and popped a tiny sliver of meat into his mouth, murmuring an appreciative, “mmmm”.

He gestured at her plate, and she returned his shy smile before spearing a piece of potato.

They ate in silence for a few moments before he cleared his throat and began to eat his words, “I am very sorry for my outburst in the bedroom and would like very much for you to stay.”

She chewed thoughtfully and cast her eye toward the broken man beside her, then glanced around the elegant dining table that so clearly wished to be filled with family. She imagined this table buzzing with loved ones sharing a meal, she pictured in her mind’s eye the kind of family she’d always longed for, and whispered again, “alright.”

                                                                                ____________

Audrey Hall tucked into a succulent piece of goose, her tongue savoring the rich dark meat, as she cast her eye down the table at Siegfried Farnon. He sat proudly in his usual place at the head, but instead of tucking in, she watched him cut a tiny piece of goose from his plate and offer it to his godson.  

The simple gesture sparked a memory of her first supper at this very table and caused a little tug of gratitude within her chest.

She smiled at him and raised her glass before taking a sip.

She glanced around the table at the faces of all those she loved in the world gathered around sharing the food she’d lovingly prepared and found her heart full, her life complete.

She thought to herself that accepting his apology all those years ago had been one of the best decisions she’d ever made. That simple act of forgiveness had changed everything and given her the life she’d always dreamt of.

She was so moved by this thought that she felt compelled to rise and say a toast in honor of this occasion.

She held her glass aloft, “I’d like to take a moment to say how happy I am to have you all safe and well and gathered around me table…”, her gaze lingered on Edward when she said ‘well’ and tears prickled in her eyes. She paused to stem her emotions then Edward himself filled the gap, “actually Ma, if you don’t mind, I would like to say a few words...”

He stared up at her expectantly and she cleared her throat, “of course son, let me just…”

She leant over to grab him around the waist with practiced skill and helped him struggle to his feet. She kept hold of him and handed him his glass.

He held it aloft and started softly, “when me mother insisted I come here to Skeledale to recuperate, I were reluctant, afraid I would feel out of place, but you all have been so supportive and kind…”, his own emotions threatened so he hesitated for a breath, “I just wanted to thank you all for giving me mother the family she’s always wanted and for welcoming me into it.”

A tear broke free and tumbled down Audrey’s face as she rose on tiptoes to place a gentle kiss upon Edward’s cheek, then she eased him back down into his chair and picked up her glass.

“To family”, she said quietly.

“To family”, the rest repeated, with Siegfried Farnon’s booming voice drowning out all the others.

Chapter Text

After supper, with young Jimmy tucked safely into his bed, the Herriot’s slunk off to the Drovers with Tris, Richard and Edward.

Audrey worried over her son, who was not yet completely healed from his war wounds, going out with the young ones, but Helen assured her she would watch over him. She vowed to bring him straight home if he were showing any signs of pain or fatigue. So, Audrey nodded silently and squeezed Helen’s arm. She desperately wanted her son to feel like a normal young man again and not be treated like a child, but still she worried, she would always worry.

She sat on the sofa with Dash lovingly pressed to her side, his warm furry body insulating her from the chilly winter eve.

Siegfried poured an unbidden sherry and handed it to her thus completing the familiar ritual of the nightcap that needed no words.

He sat on the other end of the sofa and took a little sip of his whiskey before he assured, “he’ll be fine. They’ll look out for him; it’s just the Drovers.”

She took a sip and nodded, “I know, I just worry.”

Siegfried graced her with a sympathetic smile, he knew just how close she’d come to losing her son and how hard she was working to right the wrongs of the past.

He whispered, “I know.”

She set her sherry aside and hugged dash to her side, stroking his silky fur absentmindedly.

 She stared into the fire in deep contemplation, then changed the subject, “it were lovely to have everyone around the table tonight. I love having everyone home safe and being able to feed them. It felt like a proper family dinner.”

Siegfried chuckled, “so we’re finally a proper family?”

She scoffed, “you know what I mean…”

He nodded, “I do know, and I agree”.

He hesitated, took a sip, then mused “I never imagined…”

He didn’t finish, so she interjected, “well I did…imagine it,” she paused and met his eye, “I imagined it quite clearly almost ten years ago after you sacked me, that’s why I accepted your apology…”

Siegfried was dumbfounded, “I was just thinking about that, tonight…at supper.”

She smiled gently and gave Dash a little squeeze, “I had a feeling you were thinking about that, just as I was. The first supper we ever shared, the beginning of…everything”.

He was silent, so she continued, “back then, my gut told me that you were a good man who was just lashing out in pain and if I forgave you, it would all turn out well. I just knew that if I accepted your apology and stuck with you, someday you’d give me the family I’ve always wanted. Me Edward spoke the God’s honest truth in his toast…”

 She took a deep breath and said with certainty, “this is the family that I’ve always dreamt of and now that he’s here, it’s complete. My life is complete, and I have you to thank for that, Siegfried Farnon”

Siegfried stared at her quizzically, surely, she had that backwards.

He shook his head and stared down his glass for a second as his throat thickened with emotion, then he whispered hoarsely, “you my dear, are far too magnanimous, for it is you who created this family, who freed me from my lonely state of purgatory and made my life complete.”

She smiled and shook her head gently, silently agreeing to disagree, then took a deep sip of her sherry.

They slipped into silence, a feeling of heaviness hovering over them, an ominous feeling as if the next thing said may change everything…again.

After a weighted moment, Dash jumped down and ambled over to Jess who was sleeping near the fire. He plopped down, spooning his body into Jess’ and closed his eyes contentedly.

Siegfried smiled softly at the pair of canine cuddlers, “he’s so at home here, it’s hard to believe we almost let him go…”, he paused and met her eye, “like I almost let you go…”

She held his gaze and watched with interest as he put down his whiskey glass and pointedly draped his arm over the back of the sofa.

His eyes beckoned, silently pleading, until she relented and whispered, “aye…almost.”

Then she set her sherry down and scootched over to his side of the sofa and without another word she snuggled up into the crook of his arm and closed her eyes contentedly.

Chapter Text

As dawn broke the next day, Audrey rose from her bed, stretched, then smiled to herself as she wrapped her arms around her chest and pinched her arm. The memory of cuddling on the sofa with Siegfried until the clock struck midnight cause a happy little flutter in her chest, it seemed like a dream, but she was wide awake, they were finally awake.

She dressed quickly and went to the kitchen to get a start on breakfast. She whistled a merry little tune as she prepped the porridge and boiled the eggs. Her mood was chipper, her heart light and her head in the clouds. She stared down into the bubbling pot, stirring distractedly as her whistling turned to humming, her mind swirling with wonderful memories of her head on his chest, his breath in her hair.

He sauntered into the kitchen with a little Gilbert & Sullivan dripping from his lips, a glint in his eye and a spring in his step. He smiled broadly at the back of her, floral pinny tied neatly, her hips swaying to her own little song.

He approached confidently, his instinct demanding he embrace her from behind, drop a tender kiss behind her ear, but as soon as he reached her, he hesitated, realized that although they had shared such a tender moment last night, they hadn’t really spoken about their feelings, so he simply peered over her shoulder into the pot and whispered, “good morning”.

With his body so near, the hair on her neck stood on end, a chill ran up her spine, and a little twinge tugged in her abdomen. She smiled knowingly at those two very innocent little words causing a somewhat less than chaste reaction from her body.

A blush crept onto her cheeks and whispered back, “aye, ‘tis a very good morn.”

He lingered by her ear for a moment, a smile on his lips, words of adoration at the ready, but before they could make their way out, she cleared her throat, “I was thinking we could take a little walk after surgery, just the two of us, so we can…talk.”

He straightened up, took a step back and agreed, “good idea, that would be nice…umm grand…umm very sensible. I look forward to it…our walk…” he took his seat at the table, “…our talk.”

As she turned around to meet his eyes for the first time that day, she saw all the tenderness and love that she’d felt the previous night and knew their ‘talk’ would just be putting into words what their hearts had already communicated.

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Breakfast was a flurry of activity as usual; Tris, James and Edward all ate heartily as Helen fed Jimmy and they all laughed out loud as the cheeky wee lad proceeded to make a mess of epic proportions.

The chaotic cleanup head just begun, Helen wiping down Jimmy, Audrey clearing the plates as the men prepared to tackle the day ahead, when suddenly the doorbell rang out interrupting the morning routine.

Siegfried frowned and checked his watch, muttering with annoyance, “surgery doesn’t start for another hour…” as he set off for the front door.

Audrey shrugged and started the washing up only to be summoned by Siegfried seconds later.  His voice calling, “Mrs. Hall…” with repeating intensity, “Mrs. Hall!”.  His ominous pleas drifting from the foyer all the way into the kitchen.

She sighed wearily, her formerly light mood suddenly weighed down by a sense of foreboding that she couldn’t explain. Perhaps it was a telegram, the blooming government threatening to take one of her boys away…again…

The reality was much darker than a telegram and she stopped dead in her tracks as a figure from her past stood nervously on the front porch, shifting his weight from side to side.

Siegfried looked back at her with deep concern etching his face, “he says he’s here to see Edward.”

She stared blankly for a moment, convinced her eyes were playing tricks on her, but as soon as he heard his gravelly voice mutter, “hello Aud…been a long time”, a wave of bile rose in her throat, and a twinge of dread settled in her belly.

She whispered in disbelief, “Robert….?”

 Seeing her husband, no, Ex-husband’s face after all this time caused an eruption of painful memories, ones she’d tried valiantly to suppress for many years, and it all came crashing back, the drunken rants, the fights, the fear…

Her hand flew to her mouth, and she swayed unsteadily on her feet. She reached out for the wall, then Siegfried rushed to her side, put his arm around her shoulders and propped her up. Naturally, his first instinct was to protect her, to shield her from harm, so he held tight and waited.

 He knew not the reality of her marriage, only the vague details of their separation and its demise, but he knew without a doubt that the man stood before them had hurt her and therefore was considered ‘the enemy’.

 However, as he studied the pathetic figure standing on his stoop, he found that he felt no threat, could muster no anger, only pity.

 Perhaps because in this shattered looking wretch of a man, he saw a haunting image, the ghost of his past.

He’d been the same beaten down husk of a man not so long ago and if weren’t for the stalwart support from the wonderful woman currently pressed to his side, he could easily envision himself in this man’s position, pathetic, alone and broken.

 So, he took pity on the wretched soul and asked, “should I send him on his way, or do you want to let him in?”

She leaned heavily on Siegfried as she looked at Robert Michael Hall. He was no longer the handsome, strong man she’d married more than twenty years ago, but a shrunken husk of his former self, painfully thin, with sunken cheeks and hollow eyes. He stood meekly on the porch of Skeledale with his hat in his hand, his eyes silently pleading for mercy.

A memory of herself standing in that exact spot, lonely and desperate, surfaced and she felt a tiny pang of sympathy for the man who had so bitterly disappointed her, deserted her, but had also fathered her only child.

Before she could respond, Robert begged, “please Aud, I know I’m not your husband anymore, but I’m still his father. I need to see him…please.”

Siegfried tightened his grip on her shoulders and watched her nod almost imperceptibly, then he took a deep breath and extended his hand, “Siegfried Farnon.”

The man let out a sigh of relief and shook his hand firmly, “Robert Hall.”

Audrey stared down at the polite gesture, a simple handshake, the most civilized of rituals between men, the hands of her present and her past linked for mere seconds. The sight was unbelievable, almost surreal, but how naïve had she been to think she could leave Robert and that part of her life behind? He was right, he was still Edward’s father, no matter what he’d done. He’d mercifully granted the divorce, but they would always be tethered by their flesh and blood.

She steeled herself then said quietly, “do come in, Robert, I will fetch some tea…and Edward.”

                                                                                _____

Siegfried ushered the lanky, disheveled man into the living room and gestured toward the sofa, then he sat himself in his armchair and welcomed Jess to his side.

He rubbed her head vigorously to soothe the low growl she emitted as she stared suspiciously at the stranger perched upon their sofa.

 Dash, on the other hand, jumped up on the sofa next to Robert and placed his head on his knee.

Robert smiled ruefully and patted Dash’s head, “there’s a good boy, what’s your name, little fella?”

Siegfried smiled at the ever-trusting Spaniel, “that’s Dash, he turned up on our stoop a couple of years ago too.”

Robert chuckled, “sorry ‘bout that. I just had to see me boy.”

Siegfried softened a bit as he thought about Tris and fully admitted he himself would have walked into a lion’s den to get to that boy if this bloody war had nearly killed him. No, he couldn’t blame a father for wanting to see his son, especially one who’d survived such peril, but then he thought of Audrey and her anguish over the divorce. He had mercifully never learned the details, only that she’d fled, he had to assume this man had done unspeakable things for a woman so devout to have broken her vows.

 It was all too much to think about, so he rose abruptly and offered, “drink?”

Robert shook his head, “no thank you, I will wait for the tea. I’ve been off the hard stuff for nearly a year now, doctor’s orders.”

Siegfried stared longingly at the whiskey bottle for a second then returned to his chair, “quite right, it’s a bit early anyway,” he paused, then added, “good for you.”

Robert glanced down at his hand still stroking Dash’s soft fur, “I did a lot of damage over the years because of that bloody stuff. I know the things I done cannot be undone, but I need to make sure me Edward hasn’t turned into me…that war hasn’t…”, he stopped there, unable to put into words the horrific things that had happened because of ‘their war’.

Siegfried again felt a pang of sympathy, but before he could respond, Audrey appeared with a tray of tea and Edward by her side.

Edward stood stick straight and glared silently at his bastard of a father who appeared to be casually lounging on the sofa, petting Dash like he owned the place, and lashed lout, “what are you doing here dad? I wrote to let you know I was fine, but I told you NOT to come here.”

He took a deep shaky breath and repeated, “I specifically said do not come here. You’ve done enough damage to Ma and to me.”

Audrey blanched at Edward’s harsh words, she took his hand and held it to her heart, she said worriedly, “It’s alright, son, don’t get yourself worked up.”

Edward scoffed, “It’s NOT alright Ma. He…”

Audrey stopped him with an exceptionally firm jerk of his hand, “I know what he did, son, but he’s still your father.”

Robert silently met her eyes and tipped his head in thanks, “Edward, I know I can’t change the past, but I want you both to know that I’ve quit drinkin’ and gone back to church. I’ve done a lot of prayin’, a lot of thinkin’ and the only thing I need to do before I leave this earth is make sure you and your Ma are alright.”

Edward sat stoically staring but Audrey let out a little sob of relief, “we are, aren’t we son? We’re alright.”

Edward nodded reluctantly and whispered, “aye”.

To break the tension Audrey rose to pour the tea.  She fixed Robert’s tea just like she’d remembered with milk and two sugars and handed it to him. He sipped thoughtfully and looked around the cozy living room, “this is a lovely home, Aud, the kind of house you always wanted, I’m happy to see he has given you what you wanted…what I couldn’t.”

Siegfried sat up straighter, glanced over to meet Audrey’s eye, “oh, I…”.

Audrey held his gaze and interrupted, “aye, he has.”

                                                                                _____

Robert’s visit lasted a mere quarter of an hour, the conversation stilted and painfully awkward. Edward was petulantly quiet answering any question posed by his father with as few words as possible. Although the three of them were sat in the same room for the first time in many years, it was obvious that their familial bond was forever fractured. Audrey accepted the sad fact that her old family would never be whole again but took solace in the fact that their broken bond stood in stark contrast to the warm family feelings shared at the supper table the previous night. Her heart was soothed by the knowledge that her new family was intact and thriving.

So, she did her best to keep the conversation going, dancing deftly around their deeply painful past, but, let out a discreet sigh of relief when Robert suddenly announced, “well I best be goin’ now, I were planning to get back to Scarborough in time for my bible study group.”

Audrey sprang to her feet, “come on, son, let’s walk your dad to the door.”

Edward remained seated and just stared defiantly at his mother for a moment, but he hoisted himself to his feet after she tipped her head and gave him ‘the look’.

Siegfried smiled to himself in recognition that the Audrey Hall ‘look’ was indeed impossible for any man to resist.

He rose and followed the trio of Halls into the foyer, but hung back near his office, unsure of where he fit into this little ensemble.

Audrey escorted Robert to the door with Edward trailing reluctantly behind, she paused and felt the need to say, “take care of yourself, Robert.”

He chuckled, “I fear it’s too late for that Aud, but I know what you mean. I’m just glad you didn’t throw me out on me ear…you had every right to, but I’m mighty grateful you didn’t”.

He reached out to take her hand gently, he squeezed it tightly and said in a voice thick with emotion, “and I’m glad you landed on your feet, despite what I put you through…”

She nodded solemnly, “I did.”

He cleared his throat, “you were always the strong one, I’m sorry I was so weak…”

She shook her head, unable to respond to an apology that was too little and too late.

So, he turned his attention to Edward, “son, I’m glad to see the war has left you mostly whole, and I’m so relieved to see that you’re a better man than me”.

Edward cast his eyes toward the ceiling then back to the haggard face of the man that had failed them both so miserably and responded through gritted teeth, “I’m twice the man, no thanks to you.”

Robert nodded in agreement, “aye you are, son,” then he reached into his pocket, pulled out a crumpled piece of paper stuffing it into Edward’s hand as he forcefully shook it, and plead “I’ve moved, write to me…please?”

Audrey held back tears as she watched Edward stare down at the scribbled words on the scrap of paper and just nod.

Siegfried watched tense little exchange from his safe distance and hoped the boy would eventually put pen to paper and put things to rights…before it was too late.

He found himself glad that Robert Hall had dropped in for a visit, seen his son, said his peace and could be firmly relegated to their past. It really felt as if the future was solely ‘theirs’ and it was stunningly bright.

As Audrey closed the door after him, she glanced back to meet his eye and smiled.

It truly felt like the door was closed on one Robert Michael Hall, husband, no… EX-husband.

                                                                                     _____

Jess and Dash ran ahead as Siegfried and Audrey ambled slowly along the riverbank hand in hand.

Although the air was crisp and light, it hung heavy with unsaid words, neither of them knew where to start with the extraordinary events of the past twenty-four hours.

They walked in silence until Audrey could stand it no longer, “thank you for being so calm, with Robert’s surprise visit, I mean. I know you didn’t say much but I felt your support. It were quite a shock to see him after all these years.”

He squeezed her hand in response, “well, I find myself a bit glad that he came, believe it or not, I had built the bastard up in my mind, always thought I’d punch him smack in the mouth if I got the chance, but I found myself feeling nothing but pity for the man. He says he’s changed, quit the drink and found God”.

Audrey nodded, “I’ve heard that tale before, but I really hope it sticks this time.”

Siegfried glanced at her profile, wondered how on earth his miraculous woman survived such an ordeal and still could hold no grudge.

“He was right about you, you know? I’ve never met a braver, stronger more remarkable woman.”

She blushed and nudged his shoulder with hers, “oh give over.”

He stopped walking but held her hand firmly, forcing her to stop too, then turned to face her.

He held her gaze and pronounced with conviction, “I’m serious, my life is wonderful, my future bright… because of you. The best thing that has ever happened to me was finding you standing on my stoop, you saved my life and mended my broken heart. This morning, I stared at Robert Hall and thought to myself ‘there but for the grace of God go I’”.

She squeezed his hand, reached up to cup his cheek and chided, “don’t be daft, you are nothing like him.  But I do agree that landing on your stoop changed my life…made my life. Seeing him today has made me so grateful for the wonderful home and family that we have together.”

He broke into an enormous watery smile as he brought her hand to his lips, and whispered, “let’s go home our family, I’m suddenly very hungry…” he paused and placed a pointed kiss on the ring finger of her left hand then continued, “…but Audrey, after supper there’s something I need to ask you.”

She returned his tearful smile, dimples deepening with her abundant joy, then rose up and brushed her lips across his, “we’ve come a long way since our first supper, Siegfried Farnon, so I can assure you that my answer will be a resounding yes.”