It was a hott summer day and robbie turner sat at a typewritter contemplating his letter to cecilia . "foolish and inconsiderate behavior"he mumbled trying to for a sentance in his mind.when he could think of nothing robbie began to think back on what happened today and why he felt as if he had to write an apology to her. the truth was he he had been feeling strange towards her lately and acting strange as well much to her annoyance especially today. he had whatched her carry the vase with the flowers out of the house and towards the fountin . he casually asked her if she was enjoying her book and she replied that she wasnt . they didnt speak until they reached the fountin where he asked her if he could help her fill the vase she declinied and said she could do it herself he reached out for the vase and she jerked it back hearing a loud thunk as a peice of the pot hit the wter and sank below another peice fell and landed by her foot . he had to work to stop from laughing as she glared she got up and was about to say something but he stopped her " careful " he said loudly she looked down and rolled her eyes before beggining to unbutton her shirt. he looked away to show respect and didnt look back until she was underwater . he fought the urge to look and see what she was doing. Instead waiting as she remained underwater, the seconds passed like hours and every second that passed he felt more and more guilty for breaking the vase . she came up so fast he didnt expect it they stood there for only a moment staring at eachother she quickly thew her shirt and skirt back on not even botheing with the flowers she grabbed the vase and the peice on the ground he opened his mouth to say something but she walked away too fast with long angry strides. he closed his mouth and looked at the water she had just come from. a few minutes later found himself talking to her brother leon who invited him to dinner not knowing of his argument with cecilia. Robbie excepted at once thinking that he could make things right between him and her . That was why he was writing this apology to make sure things were alright before he left to medical school .he would never forgive himself if he left things this way. he stared at the blank page trying to produce a letter that would have some sort of signifagance . But in the very back of his mind another letter was forming one he knew that he could never give her , that no one would ever see "do you understand what a letter like that would do to your career ?" he asked himself he said with a sigh and looked at the blank page again he placed his shaking hands on the keys and began to typed the only thing that made any sense to him at the moment "In my dreams . . . " it began even before that sentance was done he ripped the sheet from the typewriter and tore it up into tiny strips of pape whitch he then threw into the trashcan where it belonged . he angerly shoved the typewriter aside and took out a sheet of writing paper "Dear Cecilia you'd be forgiven for thinking me mad - the truth is i feel rather lightheaded amd foolish in your presence Cee and i dont think i can blame the heat. Will you forgive me ? Robbie " he found a thick envolope and sealed the letter inside. leaving it on the table as he left to get ready for dinner. he called goodbye to his mother and soon found himself walking out into the cool evening air towards the Tallis household letter in hand. he could see briony Cecilia little sister sitting among the trees "Briony?" he called soflty looking at her . she looked up and smiled running over to him "Robbie" she said happily " You are coming to dinner arnt you ?" she asked he nodded "yes . . ." he said looking away towards their house for only a moment before shifting his gaze back to briony "Do you think you could do me a favor ?" he asked looking at her carefully she only nodded " yes what is it ?" she asked curiously " can you run ahead a give this letter to your sister ?" he asked she nodded "yes" he smiled "thank you Briony" he said and handed her the letter "i shall see you at dinner then ?" she asked "Yes ill be there in a little while " he said as she walked slowly away breaking into a run as soon as she was clear of the thick trees and underbrush . Robbie smiled and whatched her until she was out of sigh then he began walking to the house. When he got there the whole house was in an uproar everyone was trying to do something productive he went inot the drawing room to see Briony and her brother Leon sitting in a chair reading from something he was mimaking diffrent voices and Briony was laughing he smiled and looked around the room once more she wasnt there yet so he sat and made himself wait with the rest he would have to ask her about the letter. "ROBBIE" Briony said when she saw him sitting there "Do you want to read my play Robbie ?" she asked he only nodded and she brought him a copy that was supposed to be for her younger cousins and Lola her older one unfortunatly the play hadnt worked out so everyone had just fogotten about except leon who was no doubt trying to cheer her up about the whole thing and robbie felt as if he had to because she had helped him ealier with Cecilia so he took the copy eagerly laughed in all the right places and nodded in others.when he was finished he told her how good it was and she offered to let him keep the play so he could add it to the collection of her books he had at home . "Of course i will" he said soon they were called for drinks in the dinning room and soon after that dinner . that was when he saw Cecilia he had to maintain the conversation that he was having with leon when she walked in but as soon as he saw her felt his thoughts jumble . he stared dumbly for one moment before turning away if she had seen that she took no notice. she sat down silently next to him and took her napkin setting in on he lap carefully and taking a drink from the water glass in front of her. Dinner passed far to quickly for him and yet moved to slow he was both anxious to here what she would say to his letter and not . . . finnally dessert came but he could not enjoy it he was onlt baly aware ofwhat he was eating he was only aware of Cecilia's presence beside him and that made it impossible to eat . . . think or even breath properly. When everything was cleared away all of them went out to the porch for drinks. Robbie stayed behind, near Cecilia until she excused herself and went itnto the library . Robbie hesitated to follow but his jugement got the better of him and he walked in closing the door behind him "Cecilia " he called soflty his voice seemed to loud for this quiet room. he saw her then looking at a book casually and looked up startled at the sound of her own name being called "Robbie?" she said confused he took a few steps closer " did you get my letter ?" he asked she only nodded a certain sadness coming over her face that he could not account for "whats the matter ?" he askd she shook he head and put the book down "Its been there for weeks and then this morning by the fountin i finnally realized . . . when i heard you were going to medical school i thougt id be happy . . . i wanted nothing more to be happy . . . for you and for myself . . . but i dont know how i could have been so ignorant about myself so . . .so stupid . . . ive been so blind " she whispered the last sentance tears now coming to her eyes. he saw her tears and felt his heart begin to break "Why are you crying ?" he aked still looking at her she backed away a little hurt "Dont you know?" she asked her voice starting to break as new tears filled her eyes " yes . . . yes i know exactly what you mean " he said stepping towards her taking her in his arms and kissing her at first she was hesitant but that didnt last long "Robbie ?" she whisperd pulling away he stepped back too "Cecilia ?" he asked carefully "i love you " she whisperd "i love you Cecilia " he said back she smiled he smiled too and could feel his heart soar as she kissed him again "we should go back out " she said with a smile he nodded and they stepped back looking at eachother only for a moment before stepping out of the library. They left that night together and took a train out of that rural area . their parents both got word a few weeks later that they were married and living happily in an apartment somewhere in londen . robbie had become a doctor and cecilia a nurse . they stayed together and always remmemberd that night in the library . where their old lives stopped and their new ones began
