A ruined proposal

It was the moment Lucy had been waiting for, until disaster struck¼

I was ready to say yesÕ when Daniel got down on one knee. HeÕd been dropping hints for months

I twas the moment that every girl dreams of and, boy, was I prepared! I' d spent the day paying far too much money at the salon making sure my blonde curls sat in just the right position.

I' d bought a beautiful sapphire-blue dress that complemented my figure, and even slipped into those killer six-inch heels that made me look like a celebrity.

I was ready to say yes' when Daniel got down on one knee. He' d been dropping hints for months while he plucked up the courage. I can read him like a book, so when he told me we were going to Luigi' s Bistro, I knew exactly what was on the cards. And I' m not talking about the lasagne.

I really love you, I hope you know that,' he said, reaching across the table and squeezing my hand, a slight tremor to his face.

He was so nervous, I could feel his fingers trembling over mine. I wanted to say something and reassure him that he had nothing to worry about I was obviously going to be ecstatic when he proposed. But this was his moment, and I didn' t want to ruin it by letting on I knew where this was all heading.

I really love you too.'

The night was perfect. We gazed into each other' s eyes over copious amounts of beautiful wine and platefuls of tasty pasta, while Daniel waited for that perfect moment.

That perfect moment came when he walked me home. We stood at the top of the stairs outside my apartment and he took a deep breath. I knew what was coming next. And then it happened¼ Those six-inch heels that made me look so tall and elegant, suddenly gave way.

I don' t know why, but they did. And then I heard a loud crunch.

My leg was broken and the moment was ruined.

Lucy, don' t cry. You' re going to be OK!' Daniel clutched my hand in the back of the ambulance, but it didn' t stop me crying.

I wasn' t sobbing because of the pain, I was sobbing because I knew the moment had passed. The romance that had kindled between us was long gone. I doubted he' d want to marry me now.

What kind of woman can' t stand upright in a pair of heels? Maybe he thought

I' d just had one too many drinks, and who wants to marry one of those women?

The next few days were a blur. I lay in agony in a hospital bed, but my heart hurt much more than what was left of my right leg.

The painkillers helped with the sharp ache that travelled right down to my toes, but nothing could undo what I was feeling on the inside.

I' m sorry,' I apologised more than once to my boyfriend.

You have nothing to be sorry about!'

Oh, but I did.

I ruined his proposal and months of preparations. I' d killed any chance of that happily ever after. He hadn' t even hinted at the proposal since. I didn' t blame him.

He' d changed his mind and my clumsiness was to blame. He' d find another woman soon enough, I was sure of it. And I' d spend the rest of my life on crutches in a houseful of cats and cobwebbed walls.

I needed surgery for my leg and Daniel was by my side when they whisked me away for the operation.

I wondered if he would be there to greet me when I came round.

Probably not.

And I was right. A few hours later I opened my eyes and scanned the room. It was empty. My leg was in a cast and I was all alone.

I sighed and accepted my fate and cursed the day I ever bought those heels. If only I had worn sensible shoes to Luigi' s. If only I' d said no to that third glass of wine.

I sat up in the bed and wondered where he was.

I felt a lump rising in my throat and knew I was about to cry, but then I saw my leg cast¼

Scrawled in red ink and in Daniel' s best handwriting were the words: Will you marry me?

I hadn' t blown my chance after all.

He didn' t want to leave me. And I already knew the answer of course I would marry him.

It was going to take more than one pesky broken leg to stop me walking down the aisle into Daniel' s arms.