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As I stood there, shivering on his doorstep in nothing but my swimsuit, flippers, snorkel and facemask I began to wonder whether Magnus would ever let me in. I admit, finding me like that was a bit of a shock - but at least I WAS his girlfriend, not some total stranger.

I met Magnus during my first year at university, I was studying to be an Occupational Therapist, and Magnus was in his last year of teacher training. We began dating after he had sent a rose and card on valentines day, and soon learned that we couldn't spend more than a day or two apart.

He had proposed within two weeks; and although I accepted instantly, I had told him to ask me again later as I didn't think either of our parents would have approved of such an early engagement.

We had been going out a whole year now, and he had never asked me, or even hinted at it again. I was beginning to wonder if I had put him off.

As part of my degree the students had to go on clinical placements. Being short of money it was always a good idea to go home for at least one of the placements, and I elected to do this for the longest one, 8 weeks, which took in February; Magnus's Birthday and of course Valentines day, our first anniversary.

Home for me at the time was Orkney, a small group of islands off the north coast of Scotland. We wouldn't see each other for 8 weeks.

Usually most Orkney students take the direct ferry from Aberdeen to Orkney to return home, however the boat went in for a regular service in spring, and this meant that I had to travel directly by air, or suffer a torturous journey by train followed by a sea or air crossing further north.

I had elected to fly directly as I had never been on an airplane before, and the University would pay for one return journey. However the return ticket was only valid for 4 weeks which would come half way into my placement. This meant I could either stay in Orkney and come back under my own steam at the end, or fly back to Aberdeen and book a second return journey. The idea of a second return journey sparked off a curious notion which transformed over the few weeks in January I was at university into the stunt I was now pulling off.

You see, I never told Magnus that there was a return ticket that had to be used up. As far as he was aware the boat between Aberdeen and Orkney was out of use, I was a penniless student and therefore any hope of seeing me before the end of the placement was pure fantasy.

Of course, it was the milk tray advert that was to blame, you know - the one where the mysterious man in black swims to shore, climbs a cliff, rappels into a window and leaves a box of chocolates mysteriously on the bedside table. I rather fancied myself as that mysterious man - albeit with a little role reversal. For certain it would be a birthday surprise Magnus would never forget.

Boarding the aircraft in Orkney was a curious affair, the steward emptied my hand luggage; snorkel, facemask, flippers, swimsuit and towel, milk tray chocolates and rose onto the counter, looked at me strangely and then repacked them without comment.
When we got to Aberdeen I quickly changed into the swimsuit, putting my clothes back over the top and ran to get a taxi.

Magnus lived in a tenement flat, so I buzzed another resident and gained access to the stairwell, quickly removed all my clothes, put on the gear and ran up the stairs before anyone else decided to come out.

After I knocked I heard the locks being opened and prepared myself for action.

And so, with a rose clenched between my teeth, the milk tray chocolates clutched in my hands I began to hum the familiar advertisment tune...

It took him a while to let me in shock I think. But the weekend was magic he proposed and were married in August later that year.

Learn more about this author, Joanne Smedley.
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