The English Lesson (The Greek Village Collection Book 11) by Sara Alexi Read Free Book Online Page A

hard to do as you asked. To not write to you, to not contact you and to go out and have my own life with people my own age—and I have.'
    A tiny gasp escapes Juliet and she looks at Michelle who is stony-faced.
    The frappes arrive and Michelle waits until the waiter has gone back inside before progressing.
    'After three weeks here, we then had to swear allegiance to Greece. Once we had sworn, we were allowed out on leave. I could have come to you, but I didn't. I did as you suggested. I have been out with groups of friends I have made here in the army, men my own age, or should I say boys. They seem so young. Nice, but young. They have lived such easy lives. Whilst on leave with them, I have met their sisters and their friends, girls who are also my own age and they are nice. Some of them are good fun, some even educated, but there is something (and forgive me if you find this word harsh but I can think of no better word in English), insipid (is that how you spell it?) about their characters and they cannot hold my attention for long.'
    Michelle stops to look at Juliet who, as she takes a sip of her drink, is eager to hear more and points at the letter to indicate that Michelle should continue.
    'I can honestly say I have tried. I have done as you ask, as you requested. I did it wholeheartedly with the intention of trying to forget you. It has been many months since I have seen you, coming up to a year now, and I am writing to you now to tell you that your method has failed. My feelings have not changed. If anything, they have grown stronger and I repeat again: Michelle, will you marry me?’
    Juliet explodes with a tight chortle and then smiles and pats Michelle’s knee. Michelle ignores her and continues.
    'I have eight months left to serve. I know nothing of your life since we parted. Did you manage to sell your house in England for the price that would allow you to buy that small hotel on Orino and the barn next to Juliet's? If so, have you made the barn so you can live in it? Or has none of this happened? Have you moved back to England and continued your life without me?
    'My only connection to you is this mailing address. I can only hope they are forwarding your mail. If I hear nothing from you, I will write to Juliet. I feel sure she would forward my letters to you.’
    Juliet nods as if Dino is present, assuring him that she would.
    'If, for whatever reasons, you have returned to England, I want to tell you that when I am released, I will follow. Whatever it takes, I am prepared to give.
 
    Please write to me. Let me know that you have received it.
    'With a heart full of love,'
    Michelle mutters these words.
    'Dino.'
    'Oh my, oh my,' Juliet says and with a big sniff, she throws her head back and looks at Michelle, who is still looking at the letter, her face unreadable. Two women walk past, arms linked, strolling in the heat, heads bent in to one another, talking quietly.
    'So, and I quote, "If he asks to marry me again in six months, I will take him seriously." So now you must take him seriously, what are you going to do?'
    Michelle says nothing.
    'How do you feel towards him? Do you want to be with him? Do you still feel the same as you did last summer or has all that emotion gained some perspective?' Juliet waits as Michelle considers her reply.
    'No.' Michelle says emphatically and takes a suck on her straw. Her face muscles are tight, her grip on the glass turning her knuckles white. Juliet waits.
    'No, the emotion has not gained any perspective, as you put it. I yearn for him.' She pulls a face as she says the word yearn . It is overly passionate for Michelle's usual vocabulary. 'But I have to question myself; am I yearning for the child I never had? Or am I wishing for a time that is now passed, wishing back my youth that never was because it was all exams and studying?'
    'Or are you over complicating it and thinking too much? I remember a time when you told me I was doing something like that. Maybe you just