Page 106 of Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt

‘My mother still talks with such fondness of you both,’ Louise added. ‘And you’ve done such a wonderful job managing the bookshop for us.’

‘We will miss it terribly,’ Elle said honestly.

‘By the way, this voyage Down Under, it won’t be cheap,’ Rupert said. ‘How are you for funds?’

‘We’re okay, thank you.’ I gestured to the back of the shop. ‘The salary you pay us is generous.’

‘Jolly good, old man. In which case I suggest you pick up some things and we get you to Essex. I’ve got the car down here, I can take you.’

‘I’ll stay here in the shop with Laurence,’ Louise said.

‘No, you mustn’t!’ I said. ‘This man has a history of arson. I’d fear for your safety.’

‘Arson, you say? Well, we can’t let that fate befall Beatrix’s bookshop. I’ll make a couple of telephone calls and arrange for some subtle supervision. If he comes within ten feet, he’ll be apprehended.’

‘You are relatively useful sometimes, Rupes,’ Louise said with a wink.

‘I do my best. Now then, why don’t you go upstairs and sort yourselves out whilst I get on the blower?’

Elle and I hurried up to the flat and started to perform the routine which we were sadly used to by now. The suitcases were taken out from under beds, and only the bare essentials thrown in. We moved silently and robotically, both contemplating the enormity of such a decision, which had been so rapidly made.

‘I’m sure that Rupert will be able to help with the transfer of bank accounts and everything like that,’ I said. ‘He’s clearly very well connected.’

‘What happens to your affairs in Switzerland?’ Elle asked. ‘Didn’t Mr Kohler specifically ask you not to disappear off the face of the earth?’

‘He did. I’ll have to think of something on the voyage. I imagine that in itself will take weeks.’

‘Yes... I...’ Elle was unable to finish her sentence, and her eyes filled with tears.

‘Oh, my love.’ I dropped the shirts I was in the process ofstuffing into the suitcase and took her in my arms. ‘I’m so sorry. None of this is fair. Particularly not on you. I’ve added such a tremendous weight to your life.’ Her repressed tears grew into deep, full sobs as she nestled into my chest. ‘Forgive me, Elle. I have made your life so difficult.’

‘It’s not that, Bo. I just thought it was over. You always told me to trust in the universe. I thought Kreeg was dead. I dared to dream that we might be able to trulybeginour lives together. Marriage, children... So this is my own fault.’

I held her tightly. ‘Please, Elle. Never say that. Not an iota of this terrible, awful mess is your fault. It is my cross to bear, and you have been my strength and stay in bearing it with me. I do not know what I would have done without you.’ Now it was my eyes which began to fill with tears.

‘Stop that, Bo. Never talk in that way. Life is a gift, whatever the circumstances. So,’ she eventually said, ‘Australia.’

‘Australia,’ I replied.

She withdrew from my arms and clapped her hands together, attempting to remain positive. ‘A new adventure. I certainly shan’t be complaining about the weather over there. But I’ve heard gruesome things about the spiders.’

‘Don’t worry, Elle, I’ll protect you. After all, spiders may bite, but they cannot burn down a building,’ I said with a weary grin.

‘You’re quite right,’ she sighed. ‘With any luck, Kreeg won’t be able to track us to the other side of the planet. Maybe, rather than be sad for the security we’re losing in Switzerland, I should be excited for the safety we will gain “Down Under”. And it doesn’t matter where we are, my dearest Bo. As long as we are together, we are home.’ I cast my eyes down to look at Elle’s ring, and stared at it for a while. ‘What’s wrong?’ she asked.

‘I feel exactly the same way.’ I went to take her hand. ‘Aslong as we are together, we are home,’ I repeated. ‘I’ve spent too long not married to you, Elle Leopine.’

My statement caught her off guard. ‘I quite agree, my love,’ she replied.

‘I have an idea,’ I said, a glint in my eye.

Elle looked at me with a mixture of excitement and confusion. ‘An idea?’

‘A ship’s captain can legally marry two individuals whilst at sea, and provide a certificate to affirm the ceremony’s authenticity. Elle, we could marry on the voyage to Australia.’ I dropped to my knee. ‘Elle Leopine. You are the unquestionable, unparalleled, unassailable love of my life. Will you marry me?’

I had succeeded in surprising her, which, if I understand correctly, is the secret to a good proposal. ‘Oh Bo,’ she said, covering her mouth with her hands. ‘Yes. Of course!’

We both stood in the flat above Arthur Morston Books, laughing together. For a few moments, the rest of the world melted away.