{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\uc1\deff0\stshfdbch0\stshfloch0\stshfhich0\stshfbi0\deflang2057\deflangfe2057{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 02020603050405020304}Times New Roman;}{\f1\fswiss\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 020b0604020202020204}Arial;} {\f2\fmodern\fcharset0\fprq1{\*\panose 02070309020205020404}Courier New;}{\f3\froman\fcharset2\fprq2{\*\panose 05050102010706020507}Symbol;}{\f10\fnil\fcharset2\fprq2{\*\panose 05000000000000000000}Wingdings;} {\f36\fswiss\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 020b0604030504040204}Verdana;}{\f38\froman\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 02040502050405020303}Georgia;}{\f40\froman\fcharset238\fprq2 Times New Roman CE;}{\f41\froman\fcharset204\fprq2 Times New Roman Cyr;} {\f43\froman\fcharset161\fprq2 Times New Roman Greek;}{\f44\froman\fcharset162\fprq2 Times New Roman Tur;}{\f45\froman\fcharset177\fprq2 Times New Roman (Hebrew);}{\f46\froman\fcharset178\fprq2 Times New Roman (Arabic);} {\f47\froman\fcharset186\fprq2 Times New Roman Baltic;}{\f48\froman\fcharset163\fprq2 Times New Roman (Vietnamese);}{\f50\fswiss\fcharset238\fprq2 Arial CE;}{\f51\fswiss\fcharset204\fprq2 Arial Cyr;}{\f53\fswiss\fcharset161\fprq2 Arial Greek;} {\f54\fswiss\fcharset162\fprq2 Arial Tur;}{\f55\fswiss\fcharset177\fprq2 Arial (Hebrew);}{\f56\fswiss\fcharset178\fprq2 Arial (Arabic);}{\f57\fswiss\fcharset186\fprq2 Arial Baltic;}{\f58\fswiss\fcharset163\fprq2 Arial (Vietnamese);} {\f60\fmodern\fcharset238\fprq1 Courier New CE;}{\f61\fmodern\fcharset204\fprq1 Courier New Cyr;}{\f63\fmodern\fcharset161\fprq1 Courier New Greek;}{\f64\fmodern\fcharset162\fprq1 Courier New Tur;}{\f65\fmodern\fcharset177\fprq1 Courier New (Hebrew);} {\f66\fmodern\fcharset178\fprq1 Courier New (Arabic);}{\f67\fmodern\fcharset186\fprq1 Courier New Baltic;}{\f68\fmodern\fcharset163\fprq1 Courier New (Vietnamese);}{\f400\fswiss\fcharset238\fprq2 Verdana CE;}{\f401\fswiss\fcharset204\fprq2 Verdana Cyr;} {\f403\fswiss\fcharset161\fprq2 Verdana Greek;}{\f404\fswiss\fcharset162\fprq2 Verdana Tur;}{\f407\fswiss\fcharset186\fprq2 Verdana Baltic;}{\f408\fswiss\fcharset163\fprq2 Verdana (Vietnamese);}{\f420\froman\fcharset238\fprq2 Georgia CE;} {\f421\froman\fcharset204\fprq2 Georgia Cyr;}{\f423\froman\fcharset161\fprq2 Georgia Greek;}{\f424\froman\fcharset162\fprq2 Georgia Tur;}{\f427\froman\fcharset186\fprq2 Georgia Baltic;}}{\colortbl;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue255; \red0\green255\blue255;\red0\green255\blue0;\red255\green0\blue255;\red255\green0\blue0;\red255\green255\blue0;\red255\green255\blue255;\red0\green0\blue128;\red0\green128\blue128;\red0\green128\blue0;\red128\green0\blue128;\red128\green0\blue0; \red128\green128\blue0;\red128\green128\blue128;\red192\green192\blue192;}{\stylesheet{\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 \snext0 \sautoupd \styrsid5207135 Normal;}{\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\f1\fs32\cf9\lang1033\langfe1033\kerning32\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext0 \sautoupd heading 1;}{\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\f1\fs28\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext0 \sautoupd heading 2;}{ \s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\f1\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext0 \sautoupd heading 3;}{ \s4\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel3\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\f1\fs22\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext0 \sautoupd heading 4;}{ \s5\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel4\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\i\f1\fs22\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext0 \sautoupd heading 5;}{\*\cs10 \additive \ssemihidden Default Paragraph Font;}{\*\ts11\tsrowd\trftsWidthB3\trpaddl108\trpaddr108\trpaddfl3\trpaddft3\trpaddfb3\trpaddfr3\trcbpat1\trcfpat1\tscellwidthfts0\tsvertalt\tsbrdrt\tsbrdrl\tsbrdrb\tsbrdrr\tsbrdrdgl\tsbrdrdgr\tsbrdrh\tsbrdrv \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs20\lang1024\langfe1024\cgrid\langnp1024\langfenp1024 \snext11 \ssemihidden Normal Table;}{ \s15\ql \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext15 \sautoupd Normal (Web);}{\*\cs16 \additive \i \sbasedon10 Emphasis;}{\s17\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 \sbasedon15 \snext17 \sautoupd Centered;}} {\*\latentstyles\lsdstimax156\lsdlockeddef0}{\*\listtable{\list\listtemplateid29539150\listsimple{\listlevel\levelnfc0\levelnfcn0\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\'02\'00.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;} \fi-360\li1800\jclisttab\tx1800\lin1800 }{\listname ;}\listid-132}{\list\listtemplateid-1317086730\listsimple{\listlevel\levelnfc0\levelnfcn0\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\'02\'00.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;} \fi-360\li1440\jclisttab\tx1440\lin1440 }{\listname ;}\listid-131}{\list\listtemplateid1155044462\listsimple{\listlevel\levelnfc0\levelnfcn0\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\'02\'00.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;} \fi-360\li1080\jclisttab\tx1080\lin1080 }{\listname ;}\listid-130}{\list\listtemplateid1773824844\listsimple{\listlevel\levelnfc0\levelnfcn0\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\'02\'00.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;} \fi-360\li720\jclisttab\tx720\lin720 }{\listname ;}\listid-129}{\list\listtemplateid-1114886164\listsimple{\listlevel\levelnfc23\levelnfcn23\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\'01\u-3913 ?;}{\levelnumbers;} \f3\fbias0 \fi-360\li1800\jclisttab\tx1800\lin1800 }{\listname ;}\listid-128}{\list\listtemplateid-94998330\listsimple{\listlevel\levelnfc23\levelnfcn23\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext \'01\u-3913 ?;}{\levelnumbers;}\f3\fbias0 \fi-360\li1440\jclisttab\tx1440\lin1440 }{\listname ;}\listid-127}{\list\listtemplateid219575700\listsimple{\listlevel\levelnfc23\levelnfcn23\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0 {\leveltext\'01\u-3913 ?;}{\levelnumbers;}\f3\fbias0 \fi-360\li1080\jclisttab\tx1080\lin1080 }{\listname ;}\listid-126}{\list\listtemplateid-1372437844\listsimple{\listlevel\levelnfc23\levelnfcn23\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0 \levelindent0{\leveltext\'01\u-3913 ?;}{\levelnumbers;}\f3\fbias0 \fi-360\li720\jclisttab\tx720\lin720 }{\listname ;}\listid-125}{\list\listtemplateid691962692\listsimple{\listlevel\levelnfc0\levelnfcn0\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1 \levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\'02\'00.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}\fi-360\li360\jclisttab\tx360\lin360 }{\listname ;}\listid-120}{\list\listtemplateid125986958\listsimple{\listlevel\levelnfc23\levelnfcn23\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1 \levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\'01\u-3913 ?;}{\levelnumbers;}\f3\fbias0 \fi-360\li360\jclisttab\tx360\lin360 }{\listname ;}\listid-119}{\list\listtemplateid-1116671112\listhybrid{\listlevel\levelnfc23\levelnfcn23\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0 \levelstartat0\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid1109028194\'01-;}{\levelnumbers;}\loch\af36\hich\af36\dbch\af0\fbias0 \fi-360\li720\jclisttab\tx720\lin720 }{\listlevel\levelnfc23\levelnfcn23\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1 \levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698691\'01o;}{\levelnumbers;}\f2\fbias0 \fi-360\li1440\jclisttab\tx1440\lin1440 }{\listlevel\levelnfc23\levelnfcn23\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext \leveltemplateid67698693\'01\u-3929 ?;}{\levelnumbers;}\f10\fbias0 \fi-360\li2160\jclisttab\tx2160\lin2160 }{\listlevel\levelnfc23\levelnfcn23\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698689 \'01\u-3913 ?;}{\levelnumbers;}\f3\fbias0 \fi-360\li2880\jclisttab\tx2880\lin2880 }{\listlevel\levelnfc23\levelnfcn23\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698691\'01o;}{\levelnumbers;} \f2\fbias0 \fi-360\li3600\jclisttab\tx3600\lin3600 }{\listlevel\levelnfc23\levelnfcn23\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698693\'01\u-3929 ?;}{\levelnumbers;}\f10\fbias0 \fi-360\li4320 \jclisttab\tx4320\lin4320 }{\listlevel\levelnfc23\levelnfcn23\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698689\'01\u-3913 ?;}{\levelnumbers;}\f3\fbias0 \fi-360\li5040\jclisttab\tx5040\lin5040 } {\listlevel\levelnfc23\levelnfcn23\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698691\'01o;}{\levelnumbers;}\f2\fbias0 \fi-360\li5760\jclisttab\tx5760\lin5760 }{\listlevel\levelnfc23\levelnfcn23 \leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698693\'01\u-3929 ?;}{\levelnumbers;}\f10\fbias0 \fi-360\li6480\jclisttab\tx6480\lin6480 }{\listname ;}\listid626861858}}{\*\listoverridetable {\listoverride\listid-119\listoverridecount0\ls1}{\listoverride\listid-125\listoverridecount0\ls2}{\listoverride\listid-126\listoverridecount0\ls3}{\listoverride\listid-127\listoverridecount0\ls4}{\listoverride\listid-128\listoverridecount0\ls5} {\listoverride\listid-120\listoverridecount0\ls6}{\listoverride\listid-129\listoverridecount0\ls7}{\listoverride\listid-130\listoverridecount0\ls8}{\listoverride\listid-131\listoverridecount0\ls9}{\listoverride\listid-132\listoverridecount0\ls10} {\listoverride\listid626861858\listoverridecount0\ls11}}{\*\rsidtbl \rsid5207135\rsid8193564\rsid8747988\rsid11292439}{\*\generator Microsoft Word 11.0.6359;}{\info{\title Equal Shares - Chapter 25}{\author steveh11}{\operator SteveH} {\creatim\yr2006\mo11\dy15\hr20\min14}{\revtim\yr2006\mo11\dy15\hr20\min14}{\version2}{\edmins0}{\nofpages10}{\nofwords3622}{\nofchars15762}{\*\company -}{\nofcharsws19274}{\vern24703}}{\*\userprops {\propname Editor}\proptype30{\staticval Bob Hebert\'3b Just Jess}}\margl1325\margr1325\margt864\margb720 \widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\formshade\horzdoc\dgmargin\dghspace180\dgvspace180\dghorigin1701\dgvorigin1984\dghshow1\dgvshow1 \jexpand\viewkind4\viewscale100\pgbrdrhead\pgbrdrfoot\splytwnine\ftnlytwnine\htmautsp\nolnhtadjtbl\useltbaln\alntblind\lytcalctblwd\lyttblrtgr\lnbrkrule\nojkernpunct\rsidroot5207135 \fet0{\*\template C:\\Documents and Settings\\Steve Hamilton\\Application Data\\Microsoft\\Templates\\ES-DOT.dot}\sectd \psz1\linex0\headery432\footery432\endnhere\sectlinegrid326\sectdefaultcl\sftnbj {\*\pnseclvl1\pnucrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}} {\*\pnseclvl2\pnucltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl3\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl4\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl5\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}} {\*\pnseclvl6\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl7\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl8\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl9 \pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain \s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5207135 \b\f1\fs32\cf9\lang1033\langfe1033\kerning32\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid5207135 {\*\bkmkstart _Toc150669870}Chapter 25{\*\bkmkend _Toc150669870} \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5207135 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid5207135 \par Throughout that week, Stan kept trying. \par \par \'93Anne, I really would like to talk about what happened. There\rquote s no need to throw everything away.\'94 \par \par Anne turned to look at him. \par \par \'93Stan, I\rquote m not buying what you\rquote re peddling. You said you weren\rquote t ready for Denise, but you were, all the time. I don\rquote t really know what }{\cs16\i\insrsid5207135 you}{\insrsid5207135 thought you had with me, but I know what }{\cs16\i\insrsid5207135 I}{\insrsid5207135 thought it was. You said the right things, but your behaviour on Monday night showed something different to your words. You went beyond caring for a friend, Stan. Perhaps you ought to be mending fences with Denise, not me.\'94 \par \par Of course, that wasn\rquote t really possible. Denise was obviously seeing Tom, and continued to be upset with Stan. When she saw Stan, Denise was cold and she turned away from him at every opportunity. That she was }{\cs16\i\insrsid5207135 still}{ \insrsid5207135 with Tom was amply demonstrated to Stan on Thursday afternoon when Denise\rquote s cell phone bleeped during a discussion they were having about the documentation project. \par \par \'93Ooh. It\rquote s from Tom!\'94 she cried, gladly. \'93Wait a moment\'85\'94 \par \par Her thumb danced a jig over the keys for a few seconds, then she closed her phone with a flourish and dropped it back into her purse. \par \par \'93We\rquote re going out }{\cs16\i\insrsid5207135 again}{\insrsid5207135 tomorrow night!\'94 she told Stan, with more than a hint of challenge. Stan had learned - he kept his opinion behind his teeth. \par \par }\pard\plain \s17\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5207135 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid5207135 - - - - - - - - - - \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5207135 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid5207135 \par However, by Thursday night }{\cs16\i\insrsid5207135 Anne}{\insrsid5207135 was feeling fairly miserable herself. She finally admitted to herself that she had, perhaps, over-reacted a touch. \par \par So, she phoned him, at home. \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\tx6320\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5207135 {\insrsid5207135 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5207135 {\insrsid5207135 \'93Stan? Hi, it\rquote s Anne,\'94 she said as soon as he picked up the receiver. \par \par \'93Hi, Anne! How are you?\'94 came from the other end. \lquote Great,\rquote she thought, irritably, \lquote he only saw me a few hours ago, he }{\cs16\i\insrsid5207135 knows}{\insrsid5207135 how I am.\rquote \par \par But aloud she replied, \'93I\rquote m fine, Stan. Actually, I want to talk to you. You\rquote ve been bugging me all week, and, well, I might have gone a bit far. Can you come over now?\'94 \par \par \'93Of course, Anne, I\rquote ll be there in a few minutes.\'94 \par \par The phone went dead and Anne put a pot of coffee on. \par \par Stan was true to his word and was at Anne\rquote s door in a remarkably short time. \par \par Anne opened the door to find Stan there, looking damp and a little dishevelled. \'93Come in! Come in!\'94 she urged him. Before closing the door she checked - it wasn\rquote t raining. \par \par \'93You caught me just out of the shower,\'94 he told her in response to her quizzical look. \'93I didn\rquote t want to wait any longer than I absolutely had to, so I just threw clothes on and came straight over.\'94 \par \par Sure enough, he had odd socks on. Anne couldn\rquote t help but grin. \par \par \'93Sit down there and have a drink. I\rquote m going to wait for the coffee to finish filtering, but you\rquote d better have something now and warm up!\'94 \par \par Anne quickly grabbed a towel for his hair and fetched a drink for him \endash }{\cs16\i\insrsid5207135 Glenmorangie}{\insrsid5207135 with a separate glass of water. A few moments later they were comfortably seate d next to one another on the sofa. Anne took the lead\'85 \par \par \'93Stan, I think I over-reacted on Monday. I think I saw just how much you obviously felt for Denise, and it caught me. I just didn\rquote t know how to react to something like that. I haven\rquote t had a \lquote Love Rival\rquote since I was a teenager, and I\rquote d lost out every time back then, and\'85 well it frightened me.\'94 \par \par \'93I understand, Anne. But to be honest the whole thing surprised me, too. It seemed as if it were happening to someone else, and I wasn\rquote t in control any more. It just\'85 happened, and I\'85 I was a spectator.\'94 \par \par After Anne brought their coffee, they sat in silence thinking about what they\rquote d done. Stan sipped his coffee, then continued, \'93I\rquote m not very good at talking about things, Anne. So please, if this doesn\rquote t come out in a way you can understand, tell me before you turn on me, huh?\'94 \par \par Anne smiled. \'93Okay! I\rquote ll give you a warning.\'94 \par \par \'93I was wrong, Anne. I was wrong all along, but I didn\rquote t realize the depth of the feeling I had, or even understand what it was. Me and Denise, I mean. She\'85 I\'85 We\'85\'94 \par \par He looked down, unable to continue. Anne laid her hand on his. Stan looked up again, and she held his gaze. \par \par \'93Stan, it\rquote s all right, just think first and say it.\'94 \par \par \'93I think I do love her, Anne. But I really, really love you, too. I don\rquote t think I understand that.\'94 \par \par Anne gave him her slightly crooked grin, and said, \'93I don\rquote t either, Stan, it\rquote s something we\rquote ll have to work out. But first we have to look after our }{\cs16\i\insrsid5207135 own}{\insrsid5207135 relationship.\'94 She paused a second. \par \par \'93Do you love me, Stan?\'94 \par \par She held his eyes. He answered with a catch in his voice, \'93Y-yes, Anne, I love you, I love you deeply\'85\'94 \par \par \'93Right. I love you right back, Stanley Hinch. So, no matter what else, we can always come back to that and work from there, okay?\'94 \par \par Stan took her hand and squeezed it. \'93Always, Anne. Always!\'94 \par \par Again, Anne took the lead \endash she moved to him, put one hand behind his head, and drew him into a kiss. It wasn\rquote t a fiery, sexual kiss, but there was depth of feeling there, of that there was }{\cs16\i\insrsid5207135 no}{\insrsid5207135 doubt at all. \par \par Anne went into the kitchen to fetch herself a glass of wine, then sat back down. Anne shifted, and Stan moved, and they found themselves with her head on his belly, he half reclined, leaning against the corner of the sofa, she lying full out with her feet dangling over the other end. \par \par They talked about this and that, skirting carefully around the minefield of Denise, each occasionally shifting the bare minimum to reach for her glass of wine or his scotch. Anne made a long arm and found the remote control for her stereo an d turned on some music, it didn\rquote t really matter what it was, just something in the background. At some point she got up and brought the bottles in from the kitchen. They talked on, mostly about completely inconsequential things until the wee hours of the morning. Stan noticed that Anne \rquote s breathing had become slow and regular and felt his own eyes insisting on drooping. \par \par Anne woke up feeling cold. For a moment she wondered where she was, then worked it out - on her sofa, with her man. Stan had fallen asleep with one hand gently curled around a breast, and Anne smiled. But her feet had gone really cold, and she }{ \cs16\i\insrsid5207135 had}{\insrsid5207135 to move, it was already light outside. She glanced at her watch. \lquote Six in the morning, that must be early morning twilight,\rquote she thought. \par \par Anne carefully removed Stan\rquote s hand from its resting place and twisted and rolled until she was sitting up. She rubbed her calves, got the circulation going again and endured the pain as the feeling started to come back while she recovered. \par \par Anne stood and hobbled upstairs fetching a blanket. Carefully lifting his feet up onto the sofa, she picked up the blanket and draped it over Stan\rquote s still recumbent form. He was snoring softly, and she smiled, tenderly. She had plenty of time to get herself ready, and she could let Stan sleep a while longer. Besides, she just wanted to watch him. \par \par }\pard\plain \s17\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5207135 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid5207135 - - - - - - - - - - \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5207135 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid5207135 \par Stan woke up when he was }{\cs16\i\insrsid5207135 shaken}{\insrsid5207135 . He opened his left eye and peered to see who, what, where\'85 \par \par \'93Oh! Hi, Anne. We must\rquote ve fallen asleep\'85 what time is it?\'94 \par \par \'93It\rquote s a quarter to seven, Stan. You\rquote d better get yourself together and run home to get changed for work.\'94 \par \par Stan\rquote s eyes tracked, following his nose. He found coffee sitting on the table in front of the sofa, and he took a sip, gradually coming to full awareness. \par \par \'93Gah! I\rquote m stiff and sore and I feel like I\rquote ve gone 15 rounds, but I also feel better, inside.\'94 He reached up for her with his free hand, and the two exchanged a loving kiss. \par \par \'93Anne, you\rquote ve no idea how much\'85\'94 \par \par \'93Hush now Stan, later. Later. Now, you\rquote ve got to drink your coffee and get home. I\rquote ll see you at lunch-time, we can skip out and talk. I let you sleep, but now you\rquote ve got to get moving.\'94 \par \par Anne got up and went into the kitchen. Stan admired her as she walked away. She wore one of her wraparound skirts, but instead of her body language repelling, now it invited, even as she walked away. \par \par Stan looked at his watch again, gulped coffee down, and stood. He followed Anne into the kitchen, clasped his hands together around her waist from behind and snuggled into the back of the tall blonde\rquote s neck. \par \par \'93Hmm. Thank you, Anne. Thank you!\'94 \par \par \'93Go on, Stan. Go. I\rquote ll see you at work,\'94 she said, softly. She turned within his embrace and kissed him. \'93Go!\'94 \par \par Stan went. \par \par }\pard\plain \s17\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5207135 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid5207135 - - - - - - - - - - \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5207135 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid5207135 \par That day at work was a blur to Stan. Elizabeth had the day off, so Stan had to confide in Bob the reason for his good humour. \par \par He met Anne in reception at lunchtime, and they just went for a walk in the grounds, hand in hand, chatting. Anne pointed out a pathway that neither had explored, and the two went along it, to find themselves in a clearing among the trees and bushes of the extensive grounds belonging to The Firm. \par \par \'93I\rquote ve not walked through here before, Stan. Have you?\'94 Anne asked. \par \par \'93No, I don\rquote t think so,\'94 Stan replied. \'93It\rquote s not natural, though. I wonder what it is?\'94 \par \par \'93It\rquote s an auld formal garden. Musta\rquote belonged to the original soite owners many a year ago.\'94 \par \par The two spun at the unexpected voice. \par \par It was Ted, the groundskeeper. \par \par \'93Oh, hi, Ted. Didn\rquote t see you there!\'94 Stan said. \par \par \'93Oi gathered that,\'94 Ted answered in his slow Suffolk accent. \'93I was just clearing up over y\rquote ere,\'94 pointing to one side, where a pile of early autumn leaves were gathered, \'93when I \rquote eard you comin\rquote .\'94 \par \par \'93What did you say this place was?\'94 asked Anne. \par \par \'93It used to be a formal garden, like Oi sayed. The grounds y\rquote ere used to belong to the old Clifford Manor House, but it all got sold orf years ago. This would\rquote ve been part of the old gardens.\'94 \par \par When Stan looked, he could see the layout. As they walked around, Ted pointed out where the old flowerbeds and walkways were. \'93It must be over 50 years since anyone\rquote s done anything here. One day, when I get time, I want to have a run at this, but for now all I can do is tidy it.\'94 \par \par Anne thanked Ted, and the two lovers walked slowly back towards the main building. As they left the clearing Anne looked back. She grabbed Stan\rquote s hand again, and they walked on, lost in each other. \par \par }\pard\plain \s17\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5207135 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid5207135 - - - - - - - - - - \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5207135 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid5207135 \par That afternoon Stan felt like a teenager, waiting for school to let out. He and Anne were going to take a run into London to grab a play. Anne had rung up and arranged some last minute tickets, but it meant they\rquote d have to get up and }{ \cs16\i\insrsid5207135 go}{\insrsid5207135 at close of business that night. \par \par Stan had asked what the play was, but in truth it didn\rquote t matter to him. It turned out to be Tom Stoppard\rquote s \'93Rock and Roll\'94, and it wasn\rquote t really Stan\rquote s \lquote thing\rquote , despite the title. Just being with Anne was enough. \par \par Just as in the cinema before, Stan\rquote s abiding memory of the theatre had nothing to do with what he\rquote d seen. It was what he\rquote d }{\cs16\i\insrsid5207135 sensed}{\insrsid5207135 that he remembered, Anne\rquote s hand in his, sometimes her head on his shoulder. He\rquote d had to ask her what shampoo she\rquote d used as the smell was lovely. During the interval they\rquote d dashed to the bar for drinks, Gin and Tonic for Anne and a }{\cs16\i\insrsid5207135 Glenlivet}{\insrsid5207135 for Stan. During the whole of the interval it seemed that Stan and Anne held hands, or were at least touching somewhere \endash an arm, an elbow, a hip perhaps. As they finally left the theatre Anne gave Stan a kiss to wake the dead. \par \par They made their way home, to Stan\rquote s home this time. Anne took her overnight case out of the back of Stan\rquote s Mondeo and they walked quickly up the path to his front door together. They barely made it indoors before they were attacking one another, almost literally tearing the clothes off each other in their rush. \par \par Laughing, Anne managed to pull away and ran up the stairs to Stan\rquote s bedroom. She slipped off her dress and }{\cs16\i\insrsid5207135 yanked }{\insrsid5207135 off her panties, then shoved Stan\rquote s hands out of the way as she pulled his clothes off. \par \par The sex then was frenzied and uncontrolled, but later, when they woke up in the dawn twilight, they made leisurely, tender, caring love, finishing up with cuddling, nibbling of earlobes and nuzzling of necks. \par \par The bulk of Saturday they spent in Stan\rquote s living room, watching films on DVD, listening to music \endash Stan had bought \lquote }{\cs16\i\insrsid5207135 Renaissance}{\insrsid5207135 \rquote by The Opera Babes, and loved it \endash and reading, always close together, touching more often than not. They spoke little, in truth, but the love they had was demonstrated in the look, the touch. They decided that they might as well swap keys to each other\rquote s house. Anne suggested it, neither could see any objection, so they rode into town and had spare keys cut. \par \par There was one job that had to be done, though, and it was something Stan really didn\rquote t want to face up to. But it was necessary. \par \par He had to call Yves and Belinda and apologise, and ask if Anne and he could come on Monday. \par \par He rang the number. \par \par \'93Hello, }{\cs16\i\insrsid5207135 YB Dance Studio}{\insrsid5207135 , how can I help?\'94 came the cultured reply. Stan recognised Belinda\rquote s voice. \par \par \'93Hello Belinda, it\rquote s Stan Hinch.\'94 \par \par \'93Oh. Wait a minute, Stan, I think Yves wants to speak with you.\'94 \par \par Stan did NOT think that was a good sign, but at least she hadn\rquote t simply hung up. Maybe the disruption hadn\rquote t been }{\cs16\i\insrsid5207135 that}{\insrsid5207135 bad. \par \par \'93Stanley? Yves Navarre here. I assume you wish to come back and dance?\'94 \par \par \'93Hello, Yves.\'94 Stan put his hand over the microphone and called upstairs, \'93Pick up, Anne!\'94 He put the phone back to his ear, removed the hand over the microphone, and told Yves, \'93I\rquote ve got Anne on the upstairs extension . Yes, Yves, we would very much like to come to the dance lesson on Monday, please.\'94 \par \par Anne echoed the request. \'93Yves, Stan and I are very sorry about what happened.\'94 \par \par \'93Yes, we are. And it won\rquote t happen again, Yves,\'94 Stan went on. \par \par Yves\rquote voice came down the line to them both. \'93 Well. Look, your personal lives are your own affair, but when you disrupt a lesson like that it involves all of us at the class. I cannot allow anything like that to happen again. You understand this, I hope?\'94 \par \par \'93Of course, Yves.\'94 \'93Yes, Monsignor Navarre, of course.\'94 They both answered over each other. \par \par \'93Hmph! Well. If I have both }{\cs16\i\insrsid5207135 your words}{\insrsid5207135 , Mr. Hinch, Miss Berkeley, that nothing like that will }{\cs16\i\insrsid5207135 ever}{\insrsid5207135 happen again\'85 then I think we can extend an invitation to you. Young Miss Bottomley and Mr. Orbison have a right to their own personal lives as well. Both of them have made apologies and will be attending on Monday night. Once again, I trust you will make sure that }{ \cs16\i\insrsid5207135 nothing}{\insrsid5207135 of the fracas that happened on Monday will happen again. Yes?\'94 \par \par Stan imagined himself being frogmarched out of the hall by Yves. He was certainly a powerful enough man, even at his age, to do it. Both Anne and Stan promised, then confirmed that they\rquote d be on their best behaviour, and rang off. \par \par Anne came down, with a wry grin on her face. \'93I haven\rquote t felt like THAT since I nicked a couple of iced buns from the tuck shop and got hauled up in front of the headmaster when I was twelve!\'94 \par \par \'93I know what you mean! Still, you can see his point. I hope they don\rquote t get cancellations after what happened last Monday night.\'94 \par \par Anne was serious now. She approached Stan, put one hand on his shoulder, the other on his cheek. He leant into it. \par \par \'93Stan, will you be okay with Tom and Denise there?\'94 \par \par \'93Yes,\'94 he answered immediately. \'93Yes, even if I have to grit my teeth. I\rquote ll have to \endash I want to learn the Tango with you.\'94 \par \par \'93Hmm\'85 Yes!\'94 she answered. \'93What an idea \endash its one hell of a sexy dance. You\rquote ll be able to Tango me right into bed!\'94 \par \par \'93Why wait for the dance?\'94 he asked her, and laughing, she answered \endash by pulling him up the stairs! \par \par }\pard\plain \s17\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5207135 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid5207135 - - - - - - - - - - \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5207135 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid5207135 \par They watched an old Rock Hudson/Doris Day film on TV, listened to some of the Enigma boxed set that Anne had bought, and that Stan had discovered he }{\cs16\i\insrsid5207135 loved}{\insrsid5207135 . Finally they fell asleep, together. \par \par On Sunday morning they rode into town again and had breakfast at }{\cs16\i\insrsid5207135 Iorio\rquote s}{\insrsid5207135 . Elaine and Susan weren\rquote t there, since they didn\rquote t come back from their holiday until that afternoon, but the couple had fun \endash just the two of them together. They went home again, read a little \endash Stan had found Eric Flint\rquote s \'931632\'94 and }{\cs16\i\insrsid5207135 loved}{ \insrsid5207135 it \endash listened some more and finally, reluctantly, Anne went home \endash \'93I have housework that won\rquote t do itself, Stan \endash }{\cs16\i\insrsid5207135 and so do you!}{\insrsid5207135 . Time to get the vacuum out, the dishwasher going, and get some laundry done!\'94 \par \par Since Stan couldn\rquote t deny any of that, he kissed Anne and she turned and rode off back to her house. He watched until he could no longer see her, then went back inside and got on with his chores. \par \par }\pard\plain \s17\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5207135 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid5207135 - - - - - - - - - - \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5207135 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid5207135 \par On Monday morning Stan strolled into reception and brightly called out to Elaine, \'93Good morning!\'94 \par \par \'93Ooh, someone\rquote s in a good mood!\'94 she answered him. \'93}{\cs16\i\insrsid5207135 Some }{\insrsid5207135 of us have just come back from a week away. }{\cs16\i\insrsid5207135 Some}{\insrsid5207135 of us would rather }{\cs16\i\insrsid5207135 still}{\insrsid5207135 be away, in fact!\'94 \par \par Stan grinned at her, and she was smiling right back at him. It took a lot to upset Elaine when her relationship was going well, which it obviously was. \par \par \'93How }{\cs16\i\insrsid5207135 is}{\insrsid5207135 Susan?\'94 Stan asked her. \'93Susan\rquote s lovely, Stan!\'94 Elaine replied with an }{\cs16\i\insrsid5207135 outrageous}{\insrsid5207135 wink, and Stan laughed aloud. \par \par \'93You would know, Elaine\'85 You would know! Actually,\'94 Stan theatrically looked left and right, \'93I think she\rquote s lovely too. Shame she\rquote s not interested, you might have a rival!\'94 \par \par Elaine giggled. \'93I think Susan likes you, but she doesn\rquote t }{\cs16\i\insrsid5207135 desire}{\insrsid5207135 you, Stan! Something to do with being the wrong gender! Now maybe }{\cs16\i\insrsid5207135 Anne}{\insrsid5207135 on the other hand\'85 \'94 \par \par The two friends laughed again, then Stan walked through into his office. As he sat at his desk Elizabeth watched him from her seat. \par \par \'93You }{\cs16\i\insrsid5207135 obviously}{\insrsid5207135 had a much better weekend than you had a week leading up to it, Stanley. Made up, I assume?\'94 \par \par \'93You know what they say about assuming, Elizabeth \endash but yes, you\rquote re correct. Anne and I have made up. Extensively and often!\'94 \par \par Elizabeth\rquote s eyes widened, then she stood up. \'93I think I\rquote d better get you a glass of water to cool you down, Stan. You\rquote ll be flirting with }{\cs16\i\insrsid5207135 me}{\insrsid5207135 next! She\rquote s good for you, I can tell you that!\'94 \par \par \'93}{\cs16\i\insrsid5207135 She\rquote s}{\insrsid5207135 here, and the last thing she needs is Stan flirting with another love rival! Hello, Elizabeth. Good morning!\'94 \par \par Anne had appeared behind Elizabeth, who whirled around in her chair to look. Then Elizabeth turned back to him and said, \'93Oh! Oh, }{\cs16\i\insrsid5207135 you!}{\insrsid5207135 You didn\rquote t warn me, did you! You \endash you \endash }{ \cs16\i\insrsid5207135 rotter!\'94}{\insrsid5207135 \par \par Elizabeth wasn\rquote t really upset \endash her wide smile and laughing eyes testified to that. But that didn\rquote t stop her from throwing a wadded up piece of paper at Stan! \par \par \'93I just wanted to say, \lquote turnabout\rquote s fair play,\rquote Stan, and I\rquote ll pick you up from your house tonight. Okay?\'94 \par \par \'93Of course, Anne, whatever you say.\'94 Stan was still suppressing a chuckle at Elizabeth\rquote s reaction. \par \par \'93Don\rquote t forget that, Stan!\'94 she said with a giggle of her own, before walking off through reception back in the direction of the Lab. \par \par \'93Are you going to the dance class tonight Stan?\'94 Elizabeth asked him. \par \par \'93Yup. Tango tonight, I\rquote m looking forward to it. Of course, we both had to be very, very nice to the Navarres and promise to be very, very good. But yes, we\rquote re both going.\'94 \par \par \'93What about Denise?\'94 \par \par \'93Denise will be there, with Tom. Well, I expect so, anyway, unless by some happy chance she\rquote s seen her error. But according to the guy who runs the place, Yves \endash Have I told you that? \endash they\rquote ll both be there tonight.\'94 \par \par \'93Will you be okay, Stan? \par \par \'93Yes, I will, Elizabeth. I\rquote m not letting that Tom come between Anne and me again. What about you and James?\'94 he asked Elizabeth. \par \par \'93Not this weekend. I visited my son Harry, and James was in Ireland with his niece. So you can\rquote t live a vicarious love affair through me \endash you\rquote ll have to have your own. It seems to me that you\rquote re doing just fine that way! \'94 \par \par \'93Yes, Elizabeth, I am, I am! Anne and I had a }{\cs16\i\insrsid5207135 good}{\insrsid5207135 weekend.\'94 He fell silent for a moment, remembering. \par \par \'93Anyway\'85\'94 Stan said, finally, and the two friends go on with their work. \par \par The weekend had allowed Stan and Anne to come to terms with their love for one another. There remained a problem between them that was still unresolved. \par \par }{\cs16\i\insrsid5207135 Denise}{\insrsid5207135 . \par \par }\pard\plain \s17\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5207135 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid5207135 - - - - - - - - - - \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5207135 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid5207135 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8193564 {\insrsid11292439\charrsid8193564 \par }}