【】uldbenerryshouldbeherebesideher,rollinghiseyesuptoheavenandtryingtokeherlaughotheryappedon.sonytishollypedaroundthebedpullinghersilliestfaback.itseldoorked.

she“ued”and“ahhed”throughouttheion,listeningbutnothearingaword.

“itsalovelyday,holly.itefreshair.”

“uisuppose.”thereits.

“ybeillcallaroundlaterand.”

“nothanks,ik.”

silence.

“earingifyouind.ireeallday.”

“ok.”

anothersilence.

“thanks,though.”

“rightthen...takecare,love.”

“iothersvoiceagain.

“ohholly,ialstfot.thatenvelopeisstillhereforyou,youknoightightbeiortant.”

“idoubtit.itsprobablyjustanothercard.”

“no,idontthinkitis,love.itsaddressedtoyouandaboveyouaitsays...oh,holdoable...”thephonedohesoundofheelsoilestohetable,reechedagainstthefloor,footstepsgettinglouder,phonebeingpickedup...

“youstillthere”

“yeah.”

“ok,itsaysatthetopthelist.iotsureeans,love.itshjusttakinga...”

hollydroppedthephone.

two

“gerry,tuoffthelight”hollygiggledassheperfastriptease,slohisshoulders,caughtitinhisrighthandandsaroundoverhishead.

hollygiggledagain.

“tuoffthelightissallthis”hegrinnedhoursspent.hean,butheakehollyfeelsafeherheadlyjustbelohlightlybloigherhead.

herheartleaptashelooipsofhistoesandfluholly,heylandedonherhead.

“akeherlaugh.ehotiredandangryafterpathetifought,aheaughafteratnight.

gerryfinishedhisstripteaseanddivedintothebed.hesnuggledupbesideher,tuselfup.

“aaaaghgerry,yourfeetarelikeiubes”hollykhehadnoiionofbudginganinch.“gerry,”hollysvoicewaed.

“holly,”hecked.

“didntyetsothing”

“no,notthatireer,”heansheekily.

“thelight”

“ahyes,thelight,”hesaidsleepilyaeosnoreloudly.