Can you identify this Jeffrey Archer short story?

August 8, 2014 4:23 PM

There's a short story by Jeffrey Archer that features a couple who meet as academic rivals at one of the old British universities and develop a sweetly antagonistic romance over many years. Can you help me find it?

As it's a short story I don't think there's much more of the plot I can usefully share. I recall a bit of tension over who would score higher on an exam or possibly take a graduating honor, and a bit where one needles the other over a crossword completion. I can't recall what the twist is, if there is one. It's from a collection that was published sometime before 2000, the latest I might have read it.

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer with this longshot question!

posted by chudmonkey to Media & Arts (4 answers total)

Old Love from A Quiver Full of Arrows?
posted by jabes at 4:30 PM on August 8, 2014 [2 favorites]

I think the twist is that she dies on the day she finally made a mistake on the crossword and he kills himself leaving a note saying "I had to let her know" along with the correct crossword or with the definition of the word in question. However, I can't figure out the title.
posted by carolr at 4:31 PM on August 8, 2014

Most (all?) of Old Love is here, if you think that's the right one.
posted by jabes at 4:34 PM on August 8, 2014 [2 favorites]

old love is the story you are looking for.
posted by TheLittlePrince at 12:18 AM on August 9, 2014