Like One of the Family (62 page)

‘Oh Terry, hold me!'

And a little later, they made their plans and rejoiced in a future that they would share together. Claire spoke shyly of Jane's suggestion that she should live with them and continue to go to college until the child was born, and although Terry felt a reoccurrence of his earlier insecurity, he wisely decided that he would find out just how soon they could afford to marry and move to the married quarters at Baldonnel. Yes, of course, he trusted her, he said, when Claire gently chided him. It was the other fellows that he didn't trust.

The earth was growing cool. ‘Let's go and tell Mum,' Terry said, and when Claire thought how she would soon be living with the two people she loved most in the world she felt like Elena had once said, that truly her cup was overflowing.

Terry raised her solicitously to her feet, and sealed the pact with a long kiss.

Was this at last happiness?

Claire believed that it was. And when the earth steadied, she lovingly joined hands with him and together they walked down the blossom-scented hillside to the apartment.

THE END