"Will you marry me?"

Tom spoke those words with great conviction, looking into the eyes of the woman he loved. He did not notice the smiling faces around him as he perched on one knee in the middle of The Black Swan. It had taken him a long time to find the courage to ask Alex, but now he had said those words it just felt right. He loved her and wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.

"Tom . . ." Alex looked at him and then at everyone else in turn. Kerri smiled reassuringly in her direction. Will and Kate snuggled closer to each other. People were happy to be included in such an intimate moment. Alex felt uncomfortable and had not been expecting his shock proposal, especially somewhere so public. Her cheeks tinged with redness in embarrassment. Searching the gazing faces, she realised there was no way to let him down gently. They were all expectant, wanting to hear her say that three-letter word, "Yes!" She didn’t want to hurt him. Nodding slowly, Alex gave him an answer. A relieved and happy Tom hugged her tight amid an applauding audience. Everyone was happy for them. Alex hugged him back, but her mind was wondering. What was she going to do now?

****

"What’s the matter Alex?" Tom looked over to where she was sitting in the passenger seat of his car. She had not said anything during the journey on the way home from the pub and he was worried about her.

Alex looked at Tom. She loved this guy more than she had ever loved anyone, but she was afraid. "I can’t . . ." her words trailed off as she let their meaning sink in.

"But . . . I love you!"

"And I love you too. I just can’t marry you Tom!"

Alex let go of his gaze, unable to watch as the hurt began to show. She knew she was causing him pain and that hurt her too.

"Why?"

Alex wasn’t sure she could answer that one. She glanced at Tom, "I’m sorry!" Tears welled up in her eyes, but she fought to keep them back. Tom could sense her emotional struggle and didn’t like seeing her upset. He reached out his hand to hold hers. He didn’t want to lose her, so he let it drop.

"It’s ok. I said I would wait for you and I meant it! I am not going to hurry you. I’ll still be here when you are ready."

These kind words reminded Alex of her recent illness and guilt surged through her body. She couldn’t believe she was letting Tom down again! Why did he put up with her? His understanding and patience made her love him even more and she lent across the car to give him a hug. He was happy to hold her in his arms and didn’t really want to let her go when she pulled away. "Thankyou Tom!"

A slightly awkward silence followed, but the moment did not last long. Tom was happy to wait. He knew Alex loved him, but she was scared. He just had to find a way of reassuring her and that would take a bit of time. Alex found it hard to trust her feelings. She didn’t like it when she wasn’t in control of situations and she fought the confusion that reigned in her mind. Tom was very special and she didn’t want to lose him. She made a silent promise to herself – one day she would become Mrs Deneley.

****

"Morning!" Carol looked up from her work as Tom walked into the Beeches. Tom merely smiled back, walking straight past her to his room where he shut the door behind him. He couldn’t face telling them what had happened last night. Maybe they would get the picture if he said nothing.

Carol seemed surprised and slightly taken aback by his reaction. She turned to Bridget who was rifling through some files on the desk, "I thought you said he proposed last night . . . doesn’t look too happy this morning does he?" Bridget couldn’t understand it either but the discussion could not continue, as Alex walked into the surgery.

"Is Tom here yet?"

"He’s in his . . ." Carol didn’t need to finish the sentence. Alex thanked her and went to knock on Tom’s door. She opened it and entered before there was an acknowledgement from inside the room. The door shut behind her, leaving it up to Carol and Bridget’s imagination as to what was going on inside. They looked at each other bemused.

"Perhaps they’ve had a row." Bridget said and then she returned to the files on the desk to continue her work.

****

"You didn’t stay long last night?" Alex still felt bad for hurting Tom.

"I wanted to get back and see Joe. Leanne’s been looking after him all week and I haven’t really spent much time with him."

"It wasn’t because . . ."

"No." Tom answered quickly, but Alex couldn’t help feeling that it was.

"I just want to explain."

"You don’t have to . . ."

"Yes I do!" Alex was insistent. "Once people get married, everything just seems to fall apart. I found something out . . .when I went up to York that time. About my mother."

Tom remained silent. He felt guilty for keeping such a secret from Alex, but was relieved that she finally knew the truth. If she found out that he had known all along, it would only make matters worse. He let her continue to explain about her mother’s infidelity.

"I blamed my dad for not being there, but I didn’t understand . . . She had someone else who loved her."

Tom comforted Alex. The past few months had been an ordeal for the female doctor. All he could do was be there for her, to help her over each obstacle. Alex seemed so strong and together, but deep down she was insecure and frightened. She needed someone to lean on, even if she didn’t like to admit it. Tom was her rock; her support. In his arms, she felt safe and protected. Nothing could harm her – if only they could remain that way forever . . .

. . . There was a sudden knock at the door. Tom and Alex parted as Carol entered. "I’m sorry," she apologised for interrupting, "But, Maggie Rawlings has been on the phone. She wants a home visit - sounds quite urgent!"

"I’ll go." Tom stood up and kissed Alex on the forehead. "I’ll see you later." He smiled reassuringly at her and then left the office.

****

The house stood tall against a landscape of trees and hills. The owners were wealthy and well known. The couple had a major role to play in Cardale, but sometimes the pressure was just too much. Inside they stood arguing fiercely – it was all getting to them. Tom’s knocks on the door outside went unheard, so he ventured inside after hearing the raised voices. "Mrs Rawlings . . .can I come in?"

His presence seemed to surprise both of them.

"You called The Beeches . . ." Tom offered.

The couple stood staring for a moment, then an evil nature seemed to consume the man’s face. "What did you call him for?" he shouted, spitting at his wife with each word.

"Your hand Martin – it needs seeing to." The man held his hand clenched in a cloth. The material was stained with blood and it was obvious the injury caused him some pain.

"Do you want me to take a look at it?" Tom moved closer, feeling slightly uneasy about what he had just walked into.

"No," the man pulled his arm away. "It’s nothing!"

"Well, why don’t you let me be the judge of that."

As Tom examined the man’s hand he asked him to explain how it had happened. The guy seemed cagey. He didn’t want to give much away.

"It’s going to need stitches I’m afraid." Tom announced as he cleaned the cut. "It’s quite deep, looks like you’ve had an unfortunate meeting with a kitchen knife."

At this the guy snapped. He slammed Tom out of the way, "Bloody doctors!" He turned on his wife. "This is all your fault Maggie!" He thundered past her and slammed his fist into the wall. The woman was scared and it was obvious she had a right to be. The man was in a complete rage; out of control.

"Martin?" The woman cried, aimlessly ducking to avoid something that came hurling across the room. It made contact, striking her hard and fast on the shoulder, almost throwing her to the ground. She clutched her bad arm with her hand, blinking back tears of pain and utter amazement.

Tom decided to intervene. "Mr Rawlings, please!" He begged, "Just calm down!" The man began to mutter deliriously and Tom began to wonder if he was drunk. There was a faint smell of alcohol that hung in the air, tinged with cigarettes. Meeting his incessant stare, Tom searched the man’s eyes. They were dark and cold. His pupils were dilated, evil and dominating. He could not leave the woman alone in his company – she wasn’t safe. He didn’t like to intrude on this family feud, but it was his duty to ensure the wife’s safety.

"Why Maggie?" The man suddenly hit the woman with a direct question. It meant nothing to Tom until he had heard the answer.

"I wasn’t happy anymore . . .you were so caught up with work . . .Ian was a shoulder to cry on. He was there for me in a way that you weren’t."

That hurt him. Picking up on her last few words, he twisted it in his mind. Imagining all sorts, he filled in the gaps in his mind.

"Do you love him?"

"Yes." The voice was weak and timid, but she answered the question in all honesty. "Yes I do Martin, I’m sorry!"

The man lost all control at that moment. He grabbed his wife and shook her violently. Tom charged at him, trying to pull him off the screaming woman, but he was strong and fuelled by anger.

"How could you?" The man’s rhetorical question sounded in the room, as he finally let go of her. She slumped back and Tom moved to support the exhausted woman.

"Get away from her! Keep your hands off!" The man lunged at Tom. The move was unexpected, but Tom’s agile body moved just in time. In the guy’s hands was a flash of silver and Tom realised it was a knife.

****

Alex made her way down the stairs with her patient. She patted him gently on the back, "You’ll be alright Mr Hasham, just take it easy ok." The young man smiled and thanked the doctor.

Alex moved past him to the desk where Carol was dealing with a patient. Leaning over it, she spoke to Kerri who had just finished talking on the phone, "Is Tom back yet?"

"Not yet!" Kerri noticed the worried look on Alex’s face. "I’m sure he won’t be long."

"Yeah . . ." Alex mused over the possible reasons why he was so late back. She felt unsure and glanced at the clock.

Carol interrupted her thoughts, "I’m sure everything’s ok Alex."

"Where was it he went?"

"Rawling’s place – that big estate up on the hill."

"Hmmmm!" Alex decided that if he wasn’t back soon, she might go and check it out.

****

"Helllooooo!" Alex called as she banged on the door. There was no answer for a long time, but eventually she heard someone move on the other side. The door opened slightly and a young woman peered out.

Alex looked at her for a second, "Is Dr Deneley still here?"

"No, he left ages ago." The woman seemed eager to get back inside.

"It’s just that he hasn’t come back to the surgery yet." Alex continued, but the woman didn’t want to participate in conversation.

"I’m sorry, I can’t help," she said closing the door, leaving Alex stranded on the doorstep.

Bewildered Alex stood thinking. Something was wrong, but she couldn’t quite work out what it was. She turned around to face the way that she had come, and started walking back across the street. Then she remembered why it seemed so weird. Tom’s car was still parked on the side of the road. Surely he wouldn’t have left it here? He must still be inside!

Alex felt a panic rise inside her. Turning to run back to the house she called his name, but there was no reply. This time no one answered her banging on the door. "Tom!" Alex cried as she slumped down onto the step, "I’m here Tom!"

****

Will put his arm around Alex’s shoulders as she shivered from the cold. They stood back away from the crowd of coppers that had assembled outside the house, watching. There was nothing else they could do, but wait. Light was fading and the police were becoming increasingly worried, as time went on. Nobody had any idea what was happening inside and that was what was worst of all. Not knowing! It always made the waiting seem much harder.

Kate walked up to where they stood and handed a cup of warm tea to Alex. Alex shook her head, pushing it away from her. She felt nauseous and sick with worry. Why didn’t the police explain what was going on? She hated being left in the dark. Feeling helpless and exhausted, all she could do was wait and hope that everything was going to be all right.

Time dragged but after what seemed an eternity there was a slight commotion outside the house. "What’s going on?" Alex cried as she tried to push her way forward to see what was happening. Will held her back.

Moments later, the police led the crazed man from the house. "Mr Rawlings, I am arresting you for . . ." the officer in charge delivered the usual speech. "Do you understand?"

The guy looked at him and broke down in tears. "I’m sorry!" he pleaded. He was handcuffed and placed in the back of a van before being driven away.

Alex watched the door of the house with abated breath, her heart pounding in her chest. Mrs Rawlings was being led out by a paramedic, but there was no sign of Tom. Where is he? she thought.

Will wouldn’t let her go. He was worried himself and didn’t want her to see anything that might upset her. He watched her angst expression; her narrow and pleading eyes searched the area outside the house. She wanting more than anything to see Dr Tom standing alive and well in front of her.

Suddenly her face changed. "Tom!" she called, her eyes widening in surprise. Relief flooded through her body as she saw him and Will relaxed his grasp, as he turned to see what Alex saw.

Tom Deneley stood in the doorway of the house. His hair was tousled, his skin was pale and he looked like he had been in a fight. Bruised and battered, he made his way down the steps greeting Alex as she wrapped her arms around him. "Tom, I thought I’d lost you!" He looked out to where Will stood with Kate and gave them a half wave and a smile, then snuggled back into Alex’s embrace.

Tom and Alex stood in a quiet corner in all of the chaos. Amid the flashing lights of police cars, uniforms and interested onlookers, they found time to share a moment alone together.

"Wasn’t sure if I’d see you again!" Alex admitted. She smiled weakly and looked into Tom’s loving eyes. "I thought . . .I thought . . ."

"Don’t think about it!" Tom insisted. He smiled back at her, pulling her in closer to keep her warm. The night had become chilly, but here in his arms Alex felt safe and secure.

"Tom . . ." she said quietly.

"Yeah."

"Will you marry me?"

Tom was shocked at her question. It had taken him by surprise and he just looked at her for a moment. They gazed into each other’s eyes, before Tom gave his answer. "Yes Alex," he sighed, kissing her lightly on the forehead, "Of course I will!"