Basically, I am a sensible girl – like most primary school teachers are. (Well, except for my friend and colleague Veronica.) But even a sensible girl enjoys a bit of romance.

And this evening is turning into a one highly romantic time!

Gordon has come round with a bunch of roses for me – red roses! Plus a bottle of champagne with two fancy glasses. He says the glasses are called “champagne flutes”. And we are sitting here together on the small balcony of my flat while the sun slowly sets behind the tree line.

“Beautiful sunset, right?” says Gordon. He sounds a little anxious, his voice more high-pitched than normal. He takes my hand and kisses it. And I notice that his palm is sweaty – which isn’t normal either.

And why? What is making Gordon nervous? Could it possibly be …? Is this the moment I’ve been waiting for? Dreaming of? Is he about to ask the question?

Gordon and I have been dating for eighteen months now. He’s definitely everything I could want in a man. Sophisticated, interesting, handsome, smart. He’s taken me to all sorts of places I’ve never been before, introduced me to all sorts of fascinating people.

“Meet my beautiful girlfriend, Tiny,” he always says, being the perfect gentleman.

But I’m not really beautiful. I have a rather ordinary face as faces go. Although my friend at school, Veronica, says I have lovely eyes. Kind, gentle eyes.

And so here I sit on my balcony, waiting for Gordon to make his next move.

“You know I love you, Tiny,” he says. “These past eighteen months have been enjoyable, getting to know you. I believe we have a strong connection, a powerful bond between us.”

I smile at him. He is every inch a gentleman with the most excellent manners. Respectable, respectful. But do I love him? Do I love him enough to say ‘yes’ when he asks me the question I am hoping to hear? If he asks me the question I am hoping to hear.

I think so. Especially if he goes down on one knee. What girl can resist a man kneeling in front of her with the sun setting behind him? And the champagne bubbles bursting in her glass? Her ‘flute’, sorry! Not even the most sensible girl in the world could say ‘no’ after that!

“Tiny, there is something I need to ask you,” he says, still with his voice a little squeaky.

I take a deep breath. I want to remember every little moment of this romantic evening. I know my friend Veronica will want all the details tomorrow, before assembly.

Gordon is taking something from his pocket: a small, dark-blue velvet box. And oh! I just bet that inside it there is a diamond ring! I have to press my lips tight together so I don’t yell out ‘yes’ before he has a chance to ask his question.

But then instead, from behind us inside the flat, comes a loud thud. Followed by a little scream. My sister Nomvula of course. Her timing is always bad. The worst!

***

Tell us: What do you think Gordon will do now?