Will He, Won’t He? Coffee Break Tale

A Valentine’s dinner can easily turn into a comedy of errors…

Gilly closed the menu and smiled up at the waitress hovering to take their orders. “I’ll have the chicken curry, thanks,” she said. “And for you, sir?” Robert hesitated. “No, I’m not sure… perhaps the fillet steak? Yes, I’ll have the steak.” Then he had another thought. “What’s the paella like?” “It’s very good, sir.” “Right. Paella it is.” He gave a sigh of relief. Another decision made.

Gilly shook her head. Robert had such a problem making decisions, she wondered how he ever managed to choose which socks to wear.

He was such a lovely big bear of a guy who gave her a warm thrill of pleasure whenever they were close, she didn’t mind often having to make decisions for them both. Which movie to see. Where to park. Where to eat on Valentine’s Day.

But there was one decision she couldn’t make for him. Robert had to come to his own conclusion that they should be married.

When he did propose, she wanted it to be perfect. Perhaps a summer evening on a terrace, with gypsy violins playing and Robert on bended knee. To be honest, though, he wasn’t romantic enough.

Still, he ticked all the other boxes. Sexy, kind-hearted and in Gilly’s opinion, he’d make a perfect husband.

They’d nearly finished the wine and were discussing the weekend. She fancied a walk on the beach.

“A bit cold and windy,” said Robert. “How about a boat on the lake?”

“Rowing is hard work,” she returned, remembering their last expedition.

“I’ll let you off. You can just sit back and admire me,” he grinned.

“That’s what you said last time when you dropped the oar!”

The waitress had taken their plates and they hadn’t reached a decision when Gilly noticed a dollop of paella on Robert’s shirt. Add clumsy to in decisive, she thought wryly. Why do I love him so much?

“You’d better go and wash that off,” she said, pointing. “Darn it.” Robert headed for the gents. “Here we go, ma’am, special delivery!” Their waitress appeared bearing two huge glass bowls of ice cream, chocolate sauce and fresh strawberries.

“Enjoy!” The waitress had a huge smile on her face. Probably no one had ever ordered something so big, thought Gilly.

Absent-mindedly Gilly picked up the topmost berry and bit into it. Something in the chocolate sauce below twinkled and she poked it with her spoon. It was an enormous diamond ring!

Breathless, Gilly picked it out, wiped it on her napkin and examined it. So Robert was romantic after all! It looked a bit big for her finger but they could get it altered.

She saw him heading back to their table and couldn’t stop herself jumping up.

“I will, Robert! Yes!” She squeaked with excitement. “Of course I will!”

At that moment the waitress rushed back. “Ma’am, these desserts were meant for that table over there. I’m so, so sorry.”

She scooped up the bowls and scuttled off, leaving Robert staring at Gilly, her face scarlet and wishing she could die.

“So you’re keen to come rowing after all? Good,” he said sitting down. “How about a dessert, then? Crème brulée?” In decisive, clumsy and unobservant… “Um, Gilly, there was something I wanted to ask you.” “Shall I pack a picnic for Saturday?” “No, it’s just that…” Robert got up again, fumbling in his pocket. As he pulled out a small box, a tiny sparkling circle fell out and rolled under the table. “Darn it,” he said forcefully. “Hang on.” He dived under the tablecloth and came up smiling triumphantly holding a diamond ring. Not a big, vulgar one like the ring in that tacky dessert. A perfect one that would fit her finger exactly.

Still on his knees, he said, “Darling Gilly, will you marry me? Please?” He’ s proposed! And on bended knee. “I will, Robert, yes!” she whispered. “Of course I will.”