Romance blossoms in M&S

A car crash had ruined their first Valentine’s Day together, when Ray Ward came up with the perfect plan to cheer up his girlfriend.

As she sat in front of him in floods of tears, Ray decided to propose to Becki Shoare - in the staff canteen.

The couple had met while working at Marks & Spencer and at that moment it seemed just as if it was the right thing to do.

Becky had joined Ray at work on her day off because she had crashed her car and was too upset to go home alone.

She had planned a special dinner for him and he had been ring-shopping that very morning.

But the sparkler was safely tucked up at home when he decided on his impromptu surprise.

“Becki was just so upset and I couldn’t console her,” said Ray.

“I kept telling her that it would be better when we got home but she just thought she had ruined everything. So I just decided to ask her there and then in the canteen. She had to wait until she got home to try on the ring, but I don’t think she really minded too much.”

The couple were at a Leicestershire branch of Marks last year when Ray proposed, but they have since transferred to Telford and bought a new home in Malinslee.

“It was such a surprise,” said Becki, 19.

“We had become a couple the August before when I told people that I really liked Ray. There was just something about him that made me think he was special.

Some of the other staff at the store told him but the day before he went on a week’s holiday. I kept hiding from him because I didn’t know what his reaction would be.

“When he eventually found me just before he left we exchanged numbers and that week we were just constantly texting each other.

“On August 9, two days before his birthday and while he was still on holiday he officially asked me out.

“I was delighted and so were most of the staff who were asking for daily updates on how we were getting on.

“Then on Valentine’s Day we were hoping to have a really special time because it was our first together.

“I couldn’t believe I crashed my car and headed to see Ray. I really thought that I had ruined all our plans and was really upset.

“When Ray asked me to marry him there and then I was so surprised but delighted. I was so happy, it was very much what I wanted.

“It was a strange place for a proposal but now I can’t think of anywhere better because it was where we met and the staff had helped to bring us together.”

Ray said the couple moved over to Telford to be near Becki’s family and because house prices were so much higher in Leicestershire.

“We wanted a place of our own and Telford is so much more affordable,” he added.

“But now we have got our own house we need to start saving for the wedding and hope to set the date for sometime next year.”

Asked what plans they had for this year both Ray and Becki were staying tight-lipped.

“I suppose it will have to be a surprise but I don’t think it will match last year’s events,” said Becki.

“I think that was a one-off, but it is also now the anniversary of our engagement which means it’s a double celebration for us.

“And we love being here in Telford. We were just lucky to be able to get two vacancies together so we could keep on working at the same store.

“We are sure that Marks & Spencer will play some part in our big day.

‘I was very tempted to look into getting married in the aisles just to continue the theme.

“But at the moment we are just trying to decide whether to get married here or in Market Harborough because we have so many friends in both places and also Ray’s family are all still in Market Harborough.

“It’s just going to be lots of fun and we will enjoy planning it all. Ray is a real romantic.”