A Different World by Mary Nichols Page A

builder’s yard just outside Witham. Philip Walsh had built it to his own design and Peggy had added touches of her own in the decor and furnishings; it was not only a beautiful house, it was a home full of love. They welcomed Louise with hugs and kisses, inspected her small diamond engagement ring and said how happy they were that Tony had found himself a nice girl, and Tony had grinned, half in pleasure,half in embarrassment and said he knew how lucky he was.
    ‘Are you going to stay the night?’ Peggy Walsh asked. ‘I can soon make up a couple of beds.’
    Tony looked at Louise. ‘We planned to go on to Edgware and tell Louise’s parents our news.’
    ‘You can do that tomorrow. You’ve got the whole weekend, haven’t you? I see so little of you and I want to get to know Louise.’
    Louise knew it was cowardly but she seized the opportunity to delay what she knew would be a confrontation, and they stayed until Sunday morning, leaving after breakfast.
    Her parents had just come back from church when they arrived at the vicarage. ‘You could have made the effort to get here in time to attend morning service,’ her father said.
    ‘I’m sorry, Reverend,’ Tony put in before Louise could speak. She was hugging her mother. ‘We would have been but the train was late getting into London.’
    Henry looked at Tony. ‘Who are you?’
    ‘I’m Tony Walsh, a friend of your daughter. We met when you came to Cottlesham, you remember.’
    ‘So we did.’
    ‘He is more than a friend, Father,’ Louise said, holding out her left hand to display her ring. ‘We are engaged to be married.’
    ‘Engaged? Since when?’
    ‘Since last week when Tony asked me and I said yes.’
    ‘Without consulting your parents, what is the world coming to?’
    ‘I do not need to consult you, Father. I am of age.’
    ‘Years don’t necessarily make you wise. I should like to know a little bit more about this young man.’
    ‘Of course,’ Tony said, squeezing Louise’s hand to reassure her that he had the situation under control. ‘I’ll be pleased to answer all your questions.’
    ‘I must go and see about lunch,’ Faith said and disappeared into the kitchen, followed by Louise.
    ‘You are happy for me, Mum, aren’t you?’ Louise asked as her mother set about preparing vegetables. There was already a small joint of beef in the oven.
    ‘Of course I am, darling. He seems a nice boy.’
    Louise picked up a knife and stood at the kitchen table to shred a cabbage which she had brought with her along with other produce Jenny had given her. Vegetables were much easier to obtain in the country than the town. ‘Oh, he is. He’s kind and considerate and we agree about almost everything. And I love him dearly.’
    ‘I’m glad for you, but I wish you had said you were coming. I used up nearly all my meat coupons to buy a joint, your father does like his Sunday roast, but it’s so tiny, I’m afraid it won’t stretch to four.’
    ‘Never mind, Mum, I’m sure we’ll manage. You don’t need to give me any meat, just the gravy and Yorkshire pud. You always make such lovely puddings and gravy.’ She paused. ‘I wonder what they’re talking about.’
    ‘No doubt your father is grilling the young man about his prospects. I do hope he doesn’t mind.’
    ‘No, I warned him it might happen and he said that was as it should be.’
    ‘Have you decided on the wedding? I expect your father will want to officiate.’
    ‘We aren’t getting married for the moment. There’s the war, and Tony has joined the air force. He’ll be called up any day now, so we’ll wait a bit. It will give us a chance to save up.’
    Louise went back into the sitting room to find her father in what was, for him, a genial mood, opening a bottle of sherry tocelebrate. She breathed a sigh of relief. How Tony had done it she did not know, but it made her realise just what a treasure she had in him. He would always be a bulwark against her father’s tyranny and