“The Things We Do For Love”
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It’s a slow march to the end of the stay for both of them. By unspoken agreement, they partake in picnics, walks, and talk about anything other than parting.
And in the end, she alleviates his concerns for her by telling him about a fictitious job that might be available, if only to keep the truth from him. It’s not fair, but it is better than the alternative. She also tells him he can write to her.
And at the end, she realizes that on one hand, happiness was an option if she let it happen, and on the other, she had stronger feelings towards him than she should, and should not have let it happen. It had, and it would have to be dealt with.
His concern that Mrs Mac might be worried about them is not a concern, she tells him that Mrs Mac had been subtly drawing them together with candle-lit meals, subdued lighting and gentle hints.
The fact he tells her he loves her almost breaks her heart.
They remained together this time in his room that last night, and she had to use every reserve to stop them from making a mistake.
They have to go back to their lives, and maybe one day they could be together again.
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Henry takes the train back, an early call to return to the ship. At least he will not have time, at home or elsewhere to reflect on what just happened.
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When Michelle returns home, we learn exactly who she is and why she left him. But, after everything, was there a glimmer of a plan that might be her salvation.
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