Hero; Three Years

This is an original work, but is based on true events. Let's see how many of you can tell us who these two lovers are.

~Hero

*****

The train’s whistle caused him to look up from where he sat in the rattling compartment. He took a deep breath and straightened his coat. Dull and sooty clouds of acrid steam billowed from the engine, blurring his view out the window.

“Next stop, Cheltenham station,” said the conductor from the front of the train’s compartment. Harmless words, yet they sent a thrill through his pounding heart. Cheltenham station. His stop. Either she was there or she wasn’t. His pulse raged faster.

Please be here, he thought. Please come. He folded his arms and heard the crinkle of a letter in his breast pocket, penned by her elegant hand only days ago. He recalled the words:

Ronald,
I received your letter. Happy twenty-first birthday, dear friend. It 
has been a very long time. I do hope this note finds you well. I must 
confess I was surprised to hear from you. I thought you’d all but forgotten
about me. 
As for your request, I should be quite glad to meet at the Cheltenham Station Wednesday next at two o’clock. Three years is far too long a time among friends. I have much to tell you. I was recently engaged to be married to my school friend Molly’s brother, George Field. 

Ronald clenched his fists. Engaged. She was engaged. Of course, he couldn’t blame her. After three years of absence and silence, forbidden to see or even contact one another, Ronald felt that he shouldn’t be surprised Edith would move on. She was far too pretty to remain unattached.

But he hadn’t moved on. He hadn’t forgotten…

Their first conversation, even the first glance. Her eyes were so beautiful: grey and merry and hiding a soul that so poignantly mirrored his. Many hours he and Edith spent, talking of anything. They were like the two trees that grew outside the boardinghouse where they met—growing up on separate soil, but intertwined at the boughs until naught but a storm could part them.

Well, thought Ronald in ardent irritation, apparently this George Field has become the storm.

The train jerked and slowed. Ronald looked out the window again, but could see nothing of the platform. Edith, he hoped, was standing out there, waiting to receive him. He wiped his palms on his trousers. The train stopped with a high-pitched screech and one last jolt.

He jumped to his feet, hurried down the compartment isle, and down the steps to the platform.

He saw her at once. She wore a blue dress and matching coat. Beneath her hat, which she held on her head, her raven hair shone in soft curls around her face. She stood on tip-toe, searching the doors of the train carriages. For a moment, he couldn’t move.

Three years. Finally, there she was. As he watched her, trapped in his simultaneous heartbreak and elation, he decided: he was going to change her mind. She couldn’t marry George Field.

At last, she spotted him, met his eyes… and smiled.

~ Beren and Luthien, WIP by Hero London