We decided that we would not make public our unusual circumstance, just announcing our engagement as would any other couple. I bought Jean a modest en...agement ring with a caret of small diamonds. Her mom broke down and cried like a baby.We closed the barbeque stand for a week and the three of us flew to Amsterdam, where we were married. We spent a delightful three days exploring the old city and its museums, art galleries and music. We decided to return soon and spend a couple weeks there.When. I looked down at her face and for once fatigue had made her look her age. There were grey hairs amid the auburn at her temple. I moved the lock aside and bent to touch her forehead with my lips. I felt her stiffen and was in a sudden panic that I'd frightened her."Elizabeth..." She looked up at me, reaching up to touch my lips with a finger. Her nails were tiny, smooth and trimmed short like a child's. She seemed so vulnerable tonight compared with her usual contained and well-organised. Bunty sat close to her with excitement filling up his mind as though some floodgates were let open. His eyes gazed her beautiful round face and the sparkle in her grape eyes. Her lips looked extraordinarily red belying her age and but for just the one crease beneath her eyes, there wasn’t any hint to suggest that Mamta was as older as his mother. His hands reached out to hold her face and pull it closer to him. Her cheeks felt rather warm although the silky feeling of her skin on his palms was. Dan nodded wordlessly."But it looks worse than it is." Will she be scarred?" Very little if at all." Thank God."He rang Molly when he got back to school."That was not fun, Mum," he said. "Poor girl and yet she was very cheerful in many ways." Yes and she'll come through with flying colours. If nothing else she's got guts." Absolutely. Look, I'm not going to be able to get in tomorrow but I will do the day after." Don't worry, Dan dear. I'll go in tomorrow." OK, Mum."Dan did not manage to go in.