Carol moved closer putting her arm around Mark as Helen brought the camera up. Another flash and then another again after that."Mark, take hold of you... skirt between your forefingers and thumbs." Helen said."What?" Mark asked not sure what Helen meant."Forefinger and thumb. Like this?" Helen said making an 'O' with her fingers."Like a girl?" Mark asked sounding shocked a little. He didn't exactly want to do that."Please?" His mother asked.Mark took up the skirt a little in that dainty sort of. Natalie asked herself why she couldn’t meet the man of her dreams too. After hearing of her good friends’ news Natalie wondered when it would be her turn too. Natalie continued to wonder when she’d meet a guy who seemed like Derrick, Chloe’s new boyfriend. Natalie wanted a guy like that who would love her in ways a man should love a woman as well. At one point it had Natalie’s head spinning in circles as she wondered when she’d have a boyfriend too. Natalie was sure of that. “So you want to. She quickly passed into folk law as someone who had shown bravery akin to that on the battle field. Rob didn’t fare so well and was universally shunned.Some months later, her doorbell rang. Leanne picked up the receiver on the door intercom.“Who is it?” She asked, not expecting anyone.“Um ... Hi Leanne. It’s Barry.” The disembodied voice announced.“Barry who?”“From the pub, you know, from the common.”“Oh.” The mental picture ran through her mind. “What do you want Barry?”“Well, I was hoping you. “Do you ride much Iris?” I asked peering into the stable. “Only a hack round the lanes when the weather’s OK; how about yourself?” “Well, I sometimes get my bike out on a fine day.” I quipped, “How many horses are there?” I inquired. Iris laughed, “Only my gelding now, he’s grazing in the meadow: several were stabled here before the war but with the price of hay in the winter...” “Is your husband in the war Iris?” I asked cautiously. There was an uncomfortable silence before she answered..