When she awoke next morning, the memories of their night flooded back, causing a huge wave of elation and a smile to break over her face. She sat up with a start and planted a kiss on his cheek excitedly. All the vigor and energy of an excited child on Christmas morning.

‘You asked me to marry you!’ She declared in a bright cheerful voice, to no one in particular.

‘I did!’ Came the mumble from the pillow beside her; still half asleep, his eyes firmly closed and obviously unwilling to open. His body laid out in its normal pose and looking lifeless. She slid out of bed, pulling on...