The Sweet Proposal

By June Linscott

On the 5^th February 1953, twenty-one-year-old Freddie tucked his purchase into his national service overcoat pocket and made his way to the bus stop. If the bus was running late, he wouldn’t get to his interview on time therefore not making a good impression. He needed the job and, more to the point, he needed the money. He hadn’t realized that getting a job would be so hard. Freddie felt the parcel in his pocket. It somehow gave him courage.

He thought about the evening ahead when he would be taking his childhood sweetheart, Elizabeth, out for a meal. Well, not exactly a meal as in going to Lyons Corner House but more like a bag of chips which they could eat sitting in the park. Tonight, he was going to ask her if she would marry him.

He entered the Daimler Shadow 2 factory at Browns Lane in Allesley, which Jaguar had agreed to lease from the Ministry of Supply three years before, with time to spare.

Although he felt nervous, the interview must have gone well as they offered him a job straight away.

The offered weekly wage was slightly less than he had hoped for but, having been assured that there were opportunities for promotion for those who worked hard and were good time keepers, he only hesitated a few seconds before accepting. He would start the following Monday and a uniform- comprising two thick cotton brown coats- would be supplied.

As he arrived home, he realized that his parents had visitors. His Uncle Jack, not his favourite uncle, his Auntie Jacky, not his favourite aunt, and Billy and Barry, his attention seeking, spoilt, horrible twelve- year- old twin cousins.

“You going out tonight, Freddie?” asked his mother.

“Yes.”

“That’s a shame. I thought you might like to take Billy and Barry out for a little while. Get rid of some of their energy.”

“Sorry, Mum. I’m meeting Elizabeth.”

“Ooh. Is she still your girlfriend?” asked Barry.

“Can we come?” asked Billy.

“No, you can’t.” Freddie replied rather sharply.

“Mum, why can’t we go with Freddie? Make him take us. Please, please.”

Freddie hastily left the room and went to get ready. He definitely didn’t want to be lumbered with those two, especially tonight. After having a wash and shave at the kitchen sink, he dressed again in his best and only white shirt and brown woollen suit. He went to his parent’s bedroom to look in the mirror so that he could carefully knot his new, bright red, slim tie. The latest fashion which he had persuaded his parents to buy him for his last birthday. After all, wasn’t it Oscar Wilde who once said, ‘A well-tied tie is the first serious step in life’?

After taking one more glance in the mirror, he went downstairs with a spring in his step. The cousins met him in the hallway. “You’re going to take us out. You’re going to take us out,” Billy and Barry chanted.

“No, I’m not and that’s that”

“Yes, you are. My Mum said so. So there.”

“Look, you two. If you stay here. I’ll give you something.”

“What?”

“Well, you know that sweets came off ration today. What if I give you a sweet?” Billy and Barry’s faces lit up. “A sweet each, do you mean?”

“Yes, a sweet each.”

“A whole sweet each?”

“Yes, a whole sweet each.”

The two young lads looked at each other and went into a huddle.

“Give us two whole sweets each and we won’t come out with you.”

That means four of my sweets gone already, Freddie thought. Oh well, it would mean that he would have precious time alone with Elizabeth.

“Okay, two sweets each if you promise you won’t ask to come out with me tonight.”

As soon as they had them in their grubby little hands they went running into the parlour. “Look, Mum. Look, Dad. Freddie’s given us some sweets. He’s got a whole bag full.”

“Lucky Freddie.”

“Remember when they first came off ration in 1949? Demand was so great, they ran out. Four months later they were put back on ration,” said his uncle whilst guffawing loudly.

“Come on, lad. Share them round. We’ve waited long enough.”

Freddie had never thought of himself as a selfish person but he very much regretted the loss of his sweets. He made his exit as quickly as possible. His heart lifting as he neared Elizabeth’s house. He had everything planned. Chips, park bench, proposal…

Elizabeth somehow knew that tonight was going to be special. For the hundredth time she wished that it was summer. She had a new (well, almost new) red and white sleeveless polka dot dress which she was so looking forward to wearing but, she thought as she re-hung it in the wardrobe, too summery to wear on this cold, wintry evening even if she wore a cardigan with her coat over the top. She wondered about her slacks but decided, eventually, to feel a little more feminine and wear her navy pencil skirt with her pink, raglan sleeved jumper.

“What are you doing up there, Elizabeth? Freddie will be here soon.”

“Coming, Mum.”

She was almost out of the bedroom door when, at the last moment decided to wear her flat shoes instead of her heels. Taking one last look in the mirror she raced downstairs just as the door-bell sounded.

“Hello, Freddie. Almost ready. Just got to get my coat on.”

“You look gorgeous, Elizabeth. We’re not going anywhere special, I’m afraid.”

“Oh, didn’t the interview go well, then. I felt sure we would be celebrating you getting the job.”

“I did, I did, Elizabeth. They offered me a job straight away. I start Monday. Not great money to start with, but they said there were plenty of opportunities.”

“That’s great news, Freddie. I’m so pleased for you,” said Elizabeth giving him a loving hug.

“Oi, you two. Either go out, or come in. I’m trying to heat this house, not the whole street. Coal cost money, you know”

“Sorry, Mum.”

“Sorry Mrs Short. We’re just going.”

“Don’t keep her out too late now, Freddie. Remember she has to get up for work in the morning.”

“I won’t, Mrs Short. Bye for now.”

As Elizabeth licked her fingers free of salt and vinegar, she was surprised to see Freddie suddenly drop to his knees.

“Elizabeth, you know I love you. Will you marry me?” Elizabeth was quite taken aback.

Never in a million years did she think that tonight was going to be THAT special. “Elizabeth?”

“Oh, Freddie. Of course, I’ll marry you.” She flung her arms around his neck as they shared their first kiss as an engaged couple.

“I’m sorry I can’t give you a ring yet but, now I have a job, I’ll get you one as soon as I can.”

“Freddie. It doesn’t matter. A ring isn’t that important.”

“Well, I did buy you something today.” His hand went to the depleted package in his pocket.

“I managed to get you some of your favourite sweets. Pear drops.” With that, he put his hand into the almost empty crumpled bag and gave her his last sweet.

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June is a country girl at heart who has one son, two grandchildren and lives with her husband and French Bulldog, Milly. She loves writing poems and short stories, sometimes with a twist but always with some humour. June has had several poems published in anthologies and has self-published a picture book and a book of short stories. She belongs to two writing groups and loves the interaction with the other writers.