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{\insrsid10176709 \par \'93She\rquote s inconsolable,\'94 Anne told him. \par \par Stan looked up. He was in his kitchen, filling the kettle. Tea all around seemed to be the best answer. \lquote God, I\rquote m so }{\cs16\i\insrsid10176709 English!}{\insrsid10176709 \rquote he thought, irrelevantly. \par \par Anne stood in the doorway of the kitchen, leaning tiredly against the doorframe. Her white blouse was stained with what Stan assumed were tears and makeup. She looked exhausted. Stan put the kettle on and went to her. \par \par He gathered the tall blonde figure into his arms and kissed her, softly, tenderly. \'93I know, Anne. Denise really was in love \endash }{\cs16\i\insrsid10176709 is}{\insrsid10176709 in love \endash with those two. I think especially Elaine.\'94 \par \par \'93Mmmhmm. I think Susan was wrong to spring that on Elaine, Stan. She was forced to choose, then and there, and it broke something in her. She was crying as they left.\'94 \par \par Stan held her. Anne had taken her shoes off, so he could nuzzle her neck without having to tilt up to do so. \par \par \'93\lquote Twas always going to be thus,\rquote you know,\'94 he said softly into her ear. \'93Elaine\rquote s first loyalty was to Susan. Denise knew that, really. Hell, even }{\cs16\i\insrsid10176709 I}{\insrsid10176709 could see that.\'94 \par \par \'93And you\rquote re nearly blind when it comes to people? You\rquote re not really }{\cs16\i\insrsid10176709 that}{\insrsid10176709 bad, Stan, you just don\rquote t pay enough attention most of the time. But still, it had to hurt Elaine as well as Denise. I hope }{\cs16\i\insrsid10176709 those}{\insrsid10176709 two, Elaine and Susan, don\rquote t split over this as well.\'94 \par \par \'93Me too. But we\rquote d better get back in there.\'94 Stan told her. \'93Finish making the tea, love? I\rquote ll go this time.\'94 \par \par In the living room he found Denise still crying, though more softly now. It was almost an hour since Susan\rquote s stunning departure and Denise had cried the whole time. \par \par She looked up as Stan walked in. Her face was blotchy red, eyes still watery and red-rimmed and she looked }{\cs16\i\insrsid10176709 miserable}{\insrsid10176709 . He smiled sympathetically to her as he crossed the short distance to the sofa and ga thered her in his arms. \par \par At first Denise was limp in his embrace, but suddenly she grabbed onto him with surprising strength. She burst into a fresh bout of tears. All Stan could do was hold her, whispering \'93I love you, Denise\'94 into her ear, and try to rea ssure her with the simple facts of his presence and his love. \par \par Stan became aware that Anne had come into the room when he heard the teacups rattle behind him. He heard Anne beg Denise, \'93Please, have a cup of tea with us Denise?\'94 \par \par He felt and heard Denise d raw a long, shuddering breath, then another. She nodded, and the arms around him relaxed their tight embrace, and he moved to sit on the sofa properly. Anne took a seat on the other side of Denise. Both had an arm around their partner. \par \par \'93Tea. Answer to all problems!\'94 said Denise, shakily. \'93Why is it we British always think we can solve a problem with a cup of tea?\'94 \par \par \'93Well, it can\rquote t hurt, can it?\'94 said Stan, which drew a snort from Anne and a shaky smile from Denise. Stan blew across his cup to cool the hot liquid. \par \par \'93It\rquote s a stimulant, it gives you something to do, it gives you time to think. It\rquote s also a tradition, and it helps everyone feel like they\rquote re }{\cs16\i\insrsid10176709 doing}{\insrsid10176709 something. Making a cup of tea is sort of like therapy for the rest of us,\'94 Anne said. \par \par \'93It\rquote s what we }{\cs16\i\insrsid10176709 do}{\insrsid10176709 .\'94 Stan finished, as he took a sip and exhaled, \'93Aaahhh!\'94 \par \par \'93Dope!\'94 Denise said, but the mood had lightened a little. At least now she had stopped crying. \par \par \'93Do you think I have any chance at all of winning them back?\'94 Denise asked, softly into the silence, not looking at either of them. \par \par Stan felt Anne\rquote s reluctance to say anything, but something }{\cs16\i\insrsid10176709 had}{\insrsid10176709 to be said. \'93I don\rquote t know, Denise. Perhaps. But some things, once said, can\rquote t be unsaid. Maybe once Susan\rquote s calmed down, and especially when her test results come back, she\rquote ll feel better about things.\'94 \lquote Only if they come back negative!\rquote he thought. \'93In the meantime, we\rquote re here, Denise, we\rquote re here.\'94 \par \par Stan }{\cs16\i\insrsid10176709 felt}{\insrsid10176709 her heartache. There was a lump in his chest, cold, inert, impeding breath. He felt his heart pumping, desperately trying to work around the barrier. But ultimately it wasn\rquote t something he or Anne could fix for Denise. They were reduced to holding her hand and letting her know she wasn\rquote t alone, and trying to make her feel better. It would have to suffice, because if Susan didn\rquote t relent, }{ \cs16\i\insrsid10176709 that}{\insrsid10176709 relationship was all over. \par \par }\pard\plain \s17\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10176709 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid10176709 - - - - - - - - - - \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10176709 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid10176709 \par Denise slept with Stan that night. Anne insisted, before she drove herself home. \par \par \'93To hell with calendars and schedules. She needs you tonight, and probably tomorrow too unless they kiss and make up before that. Let\rquote s hope!\'94 \par \par So it was that Denise woke up with Stan\rquote s arm around her waist, his warm presence against her back. She felt comforted, until she remembered. \par \par \lquote Still, maybe I can talk to Susan, get her to see I meant no harm\'85\rquote \par \par But her conscience weighed on her. She }{\cs16\i\insrsid10176709 had}{\insrsid10176709 neglected to say anything about the missed condom. She }{\cs16\i\insrsid10176709 should}{\insrsid10176709 have got herself tested as soon as she came home, she }{ \cs16\i\insrsid10176709 shouldn\rquote t}{\insrsid10176709 have put her lovers at risk. She\rquote d been irresponsible, she knew it, and Susan had called her on it. \par \par Susan was right about something else. She }{\cs16\i\insrsid10176709 had}{\insrsid10176709 thought of the two of them as possible vectors for the disease, and she }{\cs16\i\insrsid10176709 hadn\rquote t}{\insrsid10176709 said anything about that directly to them. This was }{\cs16\i\insrsid10176709 her}{\insrsid10176709 fault. \par \par Denise began to cry, softly. Not softly enough. \par \par \'93Denise? It\rquote s all right, love. It\rquote s all right. I\rquote m here. I love you.\'94 \par \par Stan\rquote s voice, soothing, crooned into the back of her neck She felt the bed shift as he propped himself up to tell her, again, \'93I love you, Denise.\'94 \par \par She wiped her eyes and twisted to face him. She buried her head in his chest, nuzzling at the hair there. In a small, lost voice she said, \'93I love you too, Stan. But I love Laney, and Suse\'85.\'94 \par \par \'93I know, I know. Come on, let\rquote s get dressed. You can see Elaine at work today, and check up on how things are.\'94 \par \par }\pard\plain \s17\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10176709 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid10176709 - - - - - - - - - - \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10176709 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid10176709 \par That things would be awkward became immediately clear. Elaine looked up, saw Denise walking in with Stan behind her, and said \endash nothing. Her mouth opened, but no words emerged. \par \par Denise looked, and saw immediately that things }{\cs16\i\insrsid10176709 weren\rquote t}{\insrsid10176709 going to just be \lquote all right.\rquote She stopped and felt Stan put his arms around her from behind. \par \par \'93Elaine, can you get Faye to come and cover for a moment? I think you and Denise need a little chat.\'94 \par \par Elaine looked a little startled by Stan\rquote s calm assurance, but nodded and picked up the phone. \par \par Stan turned to Denise. \'93Shh. It\rquote s okay. You talk to Elaine and then, when you\rquote re done, come and see me, or Elizabeth if you\rquote d prefer, or even Anne. We\rquote re all here for you.\'94 Then he kissed her cheek and was gone. \par \par Denise looked up at her friend and lover. She saw compassion and love, but also hurt and\'85 something else. Guilt. \par \par Faye came in to reception. \'93Thanks, Faye, I\rquote ll just be a minute or two,\'94 Elaine told her. \par \par In the canteen the two women got their coffees and sat at a table in a corner. \par \par After several false starts, Elaine said, \'93Susan\rquote s right, you know. You should have told us.\'94 \par \par Denise nodded, tears already splashing onto the table. \par \par She felt her chin being lifted by the soft yet firm hands of the woman she still loved. \'93Denny, Susan\rquote s really hurt. And she\rquote s }{\cs16\i\insrsid10176709 scared}{\insrsid10176709 , too. Not just of this time, but of other times. You get carried away, Denny, and that scares }{\cs16\i\insrsid10176709 me}{\insrsid10176709 , too.\'94 \par \par \'93I-I\rquote m }{\cs16\i\insrsid10176709 sorry}{\insrsid10176709 , Laney. You\rquote re right, you\rquote re }{\cs16\i\insrsid10176709 both}{\insrsid10176709 right, I should have said, but I won\rquote t let it happen again! I promise!\'94 \par \par Elaine regarded her, brown eyes sad under her short blond hair. \par \par \'93Sweetheart, I\rquote m not sure there\rquote ll }{\cs16\i\insrsid10176709 be}{\insrsid10176709 another chance for it to happen. Susan\rquote s pretty upset, and, well, there\rquote s also the other thing. She hasn\rquote t had her results yet \endash they\rquote re due today \endash and what if they come back positive? You as good as told us yesterday that you thought we might have infected }{\cs16\i\insrsid10176709 you}{\insrsid10176709 , not the other way around. Are you going to always believe that?\'94 \par \par \'93No, Laney, }{\cs16\i\insrsid10176709 no!}{\insrsid10176709 I don\rquote t think that, I\rquote ve always thought it was Jim. That one night, when I was so drunk I didn\rquote t think.\'94 \par \par \'93Well, I\rquote m not so sure Susan believes that. Besides, that\rquote s just what we were talking about, you get carried away.\'94 Elaine stood up to go. \par \par \'93Do-Does this mean you\rquote re breaking up with me then? For good?\'94 Denise felt the tears, and the sobs, getting worse, but couldn\rquote t stop herself. \par \par \'93Let\rquote s not say }{\cs16\i\insrsid10176709 for good}{\insrsid10176709 , but I think we\rquote d better cool things for a while. I think if we see what Susan\rquote s results are like first, and I talk things over with her, then perhaps I can get the two of you together and let you talk it out.\'94 \par \par She reached across the table and took Denise\rquote s hand. \par \par \'93Denny, I love you a lot, but for now I think its best we love each other as }{\cs16\i\insrsid10176709 friends}{\insrsid10176709 , not }{\cs16\i\insrsid10176709 lovers}{\insrsid10176709 . You can see that, can\rquote t you?\'94 \par \par \'93NO!\'94 Denise cried. It was just as well the canteen was empty, although one of the staff looked across at Elaine who made a face back. \par \par \'93No, I can\rquote t see that, but I\rquote ll have to live with it,\'94 said Denise, sadly, now controlling her sobs and wiping her eyes. \'93Come with me to the Ladies room? I need to redo my makeup, I expect.\'94 \par \par Elaine once again held her chin, turning her face to catch the light. \par \par \'93Hmm. There\rquote s been some damage, there, but we\rquote ll soon get you fixed up and ready to face the day. Come on, I\rquote ll fix you up.\'94 \par \par }\pard\plain \s17\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10176709 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid10176709 - - - - - - - - - - \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10176709 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid10176709 \par That evening Stan took Denise home with him. \par \par \'93Anne\rquote ll be around in a little while, she\rquote s just got to finish up some stuff at The Firm and pop into her home. You and I can get dinner started,\'94 he told her in his car. \par \par \'93Sure, fine.\'94 Denise answered. She didn\rquote t feel like talking a lot. \par \par Denise watched the scenery fly by, her head against the car window. \lquote Have I lost Elaine as well as Susan?\rquote she asked herself. \par \par At Stan\rquote s house she busied herself in the kitchen to try to take her mind off things, with moderate success. Most of the time she was preparing the meal \endash nothing fancy, just roast belly of pork with potatoes, carrots and broccoli \endash Stan was with her. He didn\rquote t say a lot, that wasn\rquote t his style she thought, but his presence helped. \par \par But whenever he had to leave her alone in the kitchen she felt }{\cs16\i\insrsid10176709 down}{\insrsid10176709 . She was just waiting for a phone call. \par \par They were cooking for three, as Anne wouldn\rquote t have had time to eat. She arrived at about half past seven. \par \par \'93Hi!\'94 she said to Denise as she walked into the kitchen. Denise thought she looked weary but excited. \par \par \'93Hi, Anne. Good day?\'94 \par \par \'93Yes, it was actually. Long but good. How are you bearing up?\'94 \par \par \'93So-so.\'94 She wiped a tear from her eye that had nothing to do with onion. \'93I\rquote m frightened it\rquote s all going to end, Anne.\'94 \par \par Anne came to her and pulled her into a hug. \'93What will be, Denise. You know you\rquote ve always got us. We both love you too, you know.\'94 \par \par Denise nodded, sniffling. \par \par Anne helped her to finish dinner. Although she was at best an indifferent cook, she could help where Denise directed her. Denise was a really }{\cs16\i\insrsid10176709 good}{\insrsid10176709 cook, and when the three sat down to dinner they ate their meal with gusto. Stan had \lquote popped out\rquote to get a bottle of wine, and for a short while the three simply sat and enjoyed good food, good wine and good conversation. \par \par Then Denise\rquote s cellphone rang. \par \par It was Elaine. \par \par \'93Hello, Elaine?\'94 Denise said after flipping her phone open. \par \par \'93Denise? Susan\rquote s result\rquote s come back. It\rquote s positive.\'94 \par \par \lquote Oh, God!\rquote thought Denise. \par \par \'93Um. Oh, dear. When\rquote s she going to the clinic?\'94 \par \par \'93Tomorrow.\'94 \par \par \'93Could you put her on, Laney?\'94 \par \par \'93I don\rquote t think that\rquote s going to happen, Denise. Susan says it\rquote s your fault, and she doesn\rquote t want to speak to you. Sorry.\'94 \par \par \'93Oh, God! Laney, It }{\cs16\i\insrsid10176709 was}{\insrsid10176709 my fault but I didn\rquote t mean it! You\rquote ve got to make her understand\'85\'94 \par \par \'93Denny, stop. I\rquote m still your friend, but at the moment Susan doesn\rquote t want to speak to you. I\rquote ll do my best, okay?\'94 \par \par \'93But please, Laney, tell her I didn\rquote t mean it\'85\'94 \par \par \'93Denny, this isn\rquote t going to help. Maybe we just need some time, eh? Look, I\rquote ve got to go. I\rquote ll talk to you tomorrow.\'94 \par \par Denise heard the silence as the call was ended. \par \par She looked up at Stan and Anne. \'93Positive. Susan refuses to talk to me.\'94 \par \par Then she once again burst into tears. \par \par Anne put her arm around Denise\rquote s shoulder and hugged her. Denise hardly responded at first, but when Stan joined in from the other side, kissing her cheek and nuzzling her neck as well, she giggled a little, still shaking with the after effects of her sobbing, but with a sh aky smile on her face. \par \par \'93I just realized,\'94 she said, \'93I can\rquote t even have comfort sex with you! Ironic, huh?\'94 \par \par Stan and Anne hugged and comforted her for a long time. \par \par }\pard\plain \s17\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10176709 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid10176709 - - - - - - - - - -}{ \cs16\i\insrsid10176709 \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10176709 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid10176709 \par The next day was Saturday, the second of December. Denise was still out of sorts but was now at least functional. \par \par Mid-morning she heard Stan on the phone to Anne, trying to arrange lunch together. \par \par \'93You can\rquote t? Oh, I see, well if you\rquote re busy, Anne, I\rquote ll just have to put up with the beautiful Denise!\'94 As he said this he turned and winked at her. Stan\rquote s good humour lifted Denise\rquote s spirits a little more. \par \par \'93Why, yes, Anne, she is here with me, listening. Sure, I\rquote ll put her on.\'94 He beckoned Denise to the phone. \par \par \'93Hello?\'94 she said. \par \par \'93Denise, I\rquote m incredibly busy with work here at the moment. Do you think you can look after our man for me today?\'94 Denise could hear the salacious grin on Anne\rquote s face. \par \par \'93Um, Anne, I\rquote m not allowed\'85\'94 \par \par \'93Yes, I know. That\rquote s not what I meant. Stan needs company and fun, too, it\rquote s not just the sex!\'94 Denise heard a giggle, and couldn\rquote t help but giggle herself. \par \par \'93No, but you can be sure he likes that part!\'94 she told Anne. \par \par \'93True, but can you keep him company for today? Please?\'94 \par \par \'93Well, Anne, it\rquote s a chore but because I love you, }{\cs16\i\insrsid10176709 yes!}{\insrsid10176709 \'94 \par \par They both laughed down the line at each other. Anne told her, \'93Denise, you look after Stan, get him to take you out to lunch somewhere nice and enjoy the day. I\rquote ll come over and see both of you later tonight. Okay?\'94 Denise agreed, happy for a moment. \par \par \'93Put Stan back on then, and I\rquote ll tell him!\'94 \par \par Not long afterwards, Stan was driving Denise to a pub that he\rquote d heard of but never visited. \par \par \'93Have you been to this place before, Denise?\'94 \par \par \'93Yes, I\rquote ve been a couple of times, though not for a year or so. It was good then. Typical country pub, but not the usual type of mementos hanging on the wall.\'94 \par \par The \lquote }{\cs16\i\insrsid10176709 Moon and Stars}{\insrsid10176709 \rquote was a small place, really just a traditional English country pub, but it looked cheery once you were inside and saw the brightly burning open fireplace and the smile from the barman. The owner evidently used to be a fireman as there were small items of equipment such as hose nozzles and helmets of various ages in nooks and crannies all around the place, and photographs of various men in fireman\rquote s uniforms looking proudly at the camera all over the wall. \par \par The bar was traditional wood, stained by many years of beer and polish. The barman seemed cut from the same material, all weatherbeaten skin and bluff good humour. \par \par Denise sat at a small table about ten feet from the bar, and Stan got the drinks ordered. Stan picked up a menu and the barman asked, \'93Do you want a tab, sir?\'94 Stan nodded and sat with Denise. \par \par Soon enough they were enjoying the food. Stan had an excellent cheese ploughman\rquote s while Denise just had a salad, but it really was delicious. Stan agreed with Denise, this }{\cs16\i\insrsid10176709 was}{\insrsid10176709 a good pub for lunch. \par \par So they enjoyed their lunch together, and Denise gradually came more out of the doldrums. \par \par Afterwards, Denise asked if they could go to the park. Although it was December it was a fine day, so Stan said \'93Sure!\'94 and drove home. On the way he asked her, \'93Do you have a bike, Denise? A pushbike, I mean?\'94 \par \par \'93No, Stan, not since I was a kid. Why?\'94 \par \par \'93I just thought we could ride there if you did, but no matter, we\rquote ll walk there.\'94 \par \par Denise enjoyed the walk in the fresh sunshine. The pair wandered through the park, just enjoying each other\rquote s company. It wasn\rquote t until they\rquote d walked back to Stan\rquote s house that Denise realized that the tension and heartache had left her, at least for a while. \par \par She wrapped her arms around Stan\rquote s neck and drew him into a long kiss. \'93Thank you for today, Stan!\'94 she told him, and she was rewarded by a wide smile. \par \par Later that evening Anne came over. Denise thought she looked tired but happy, and Stan noticed it too. \par \par \'93Finished?\'94 he asked the tall blonde, and Anne nodded. She had circles under her eyes that the makeup didn\rquote t quite conceal, but nevertheless she said triumphantly \'93It\rquote s done, and it\rquote s going to work!\'94 \par \par \'93You still can\rquote t tell us what it is, though?\'94 asked Denise, and Anne answered, \'93No, sorry, Denise. It\rquote s not my secret to give.\'94 \par \par The three snuggled up on Stan\rquote s sofa, with Stan the meat in a two-girl sandwich, and watched a movie on Stan\rquote s system. Well, actually, they didn\rquote t. Long before it finished they were all fast asleep. \par \par Denise woke up to find one arm had gone to sleep under Stan, while Anne was softly snoring on his other side. She tried desperately to remove the arm without waking Stan, but wasn\rquote t successful. He opened his eyes and said, softly, \'93Good morning , my love.\'94 \par \par \'93Morning, sweetheart. Help me get up?\'94 \par \par Together they carefully moved the sleeping woman so that she was lying on the sofa and stood up. Denise massaged the pins and needles out of her arm while following a limping Stan into the kitchen. There he stretched to unkink his back before starting some coffee while she rooted around in his fridge to see if she could find breakfast. \par \par \'93Christ, Stan, who does your shopping?\'94 she asked, knowing the answer. \par \par \'93I do!\'94 was the expected reply, and she immediately answered, \'93It shows, Stan! We\rquote ve got to get some decent food in here!\'94 \par \par Stan mumbled something under his breath and concentrated on making the coffee. Denise found eggs and some ham, and decided on ham omelettes for breakfast. \par \par A couple of minutes later a sleepy looking Anne wandered into the kitchen. She sniffed appreciatively and mumbled \'93G\rquote morning,\'94 sitting herself at the breakfast bar. \par \par Stan triumphantly announced, \'93Coffee!\'94 and began pouring. Soon they were all enjoying breakfast, and Stan was starting to feel more human. \par \par There was an unspoken agreement amongst them that going to \lquote }{\cs16\i\insrsid10176709 Iorio\rquote s}{\insrsid10176709 \rquote would be a bad idea this week, and the weather \endash it had begun raining overnight and hadn\rquote t stopped yet \endash reinforced that. \par \par \'93How about we just have a day together?\'94 Stan asked. \'93We can read, listen to music, watch some movies or such.\'94 \par \par \'93I can check up on my project from your PC upstairs, Stan, and check out your porn at the same time,\'94 smiled Anne. \par \par \'93And I don\rquote t mind making dinner tonight, but we\rquote ll have to do some grocery shopping. I\rquote m }{\cs16\i\insrsid10176709 not}{\insrsid10176709 putting up with pizza again!\'94 \par \par \'93I\rquote ll help!\'94 said Anne. \'93It\rquote s about time I learned to cook, you can teach me.\'94 \par \par The time flew by, and before they knew it they were looking at the clock in disbelief. \par \par Anne looked ruefully at Denise as she took Stan\rquote s hand, but Denise merely gave Stan a deep kiss goodnight, and Anne a peck on the cheek. She said, \'93Goodnight you two!\'94 as she closed the door to Stan\rquote s spare room. \par \par Knowing what was going to be happening only a few feet away set Denise\rquote s fingers on a course below the covers. She\rquote d already come once and was building up to a delicious second when she heard Anne cry \'93Stan!\'94 \par \par }\pard\plain \s17\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10176709 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid10176709 - - - - - - - - - - \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10176709 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid10176709 \par The following morning was Monday. As a result, of course, everyone was a little dour. Denise was also worried \endash she\rquote d have to see Elaine, and find out how the land lay there. \par \par Denise wondered what Stan\rquote s neighbours would be thinking as the three of them each got into their own cars and drove off in convoy. The short journey was quickly over, and the three of them parked close together in the car park. \par \par Stan led the trio into reception, where Elaine was already answering the phone. Denise looked at the small blonde hopefully, but was met with a slight negative shake of the head. Denise slumped a little, but carried on into work. \par \par Over the next couple of days Denise didn\rquote t exactly badger Elaine about Susan, but she did ask several times. \par \par Finally on Wednesday afternoon, Denise walked into reception as Elaine was herself about to leave. She turned to say goodnight to Elaine, but paused when she saw her face. Elaine said, \'93Denny, I\rquote ve tried but I can\rquote t bring Susan around. It \rquote s just not going to work, and she\rquote s getting annoyed with }{\cs16\i\insrsid10176709 me}{\insrsid10176709 for bringing it up. I wonder if Suse was really ready for a proper three way relationship anyhow, to be honest.\'94 \par \par \'93Regardless, I\rquote m going to stop pressing. I think that, at least for the moment, that\rquote s it. You and I can still be friends, and I\rquote ll always love you, but we can\rquote t be lovers, now. I\rquote m really sorry, Denny.\'94 \par \par Denise felt the tears staring to well up, but was able to say, \'93Oh, God, I\rquote m sorry too, Laney. I really am so sorry!\'94 \par \par Then Elaine was in her arms, giving her a hug. A final hug, and a kiss on the cheek, and she had tears of her own, Denise saw. \'93I told you, I love you Denny. But you said it yourself, Susan and I are all but married, and I }{\cs16\i\insrsid10176709 will not}{\insrsid10176709 jeopardize that. Please don\rquote t ask me to.\'94 \par \par She pulled away, holding onto Denise\rquote s hands for a moment, then turned and walked out of the door. Denise wistfully watched as the woman she\rquote d loved for a long time walked out, hips swaying a little as they always did, away from her. \par \par She felt an arm go around her shoulder, glanced up in shock and saw that Stan had come in, with Anne who came to her other side and put an arm around her too. \par \par \'93I\rquote m sorry, Laney!\'94 she said, quietly. \'93This is my fault, I should have told everyone what had happened. It\rquote s my fault!\'94 \par \par \'93Shh. It\rquote s okay, Denise. It\rquote s okay. Let her go, now. We\rquote ll look after you, won\rquote t we Anne?\'94 \par \par \'93Of course we will!\'94 she heard Anne say. \'93Come on, let\rquote s get you home. Do you want me to take you, or Stan perhaps? You can leave your car here, if you want?\'94 \par \par \'93N-no. No, thanks. I can drive myself home. But Stan, I got my \lquote all-clear\rquote today.\'94 She suddenly turned a little shy, and couldn\rquote t really see why. \'93Um \endash Can I come over, tonight, please?\'94 \par \par Anne smiled, and Stan looked embarrassed, but Anne said, \'93Of course you can. Stan will look after you, tonight! Won\rquote t you, Stan!\'94 \par \par }\pard\plain \s17\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10176709 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid10176709 - - - - - - - - - -}{ \insrsid11292439\charrsid8193564 \par }}