I saw her come through the double doors at the end of the corridor and my heart just melted. She looked so grown up, tall and willowy, womanly with a ...irlish air, her wild red hair fanning a still-freckled complexion. I’d never been so pleased to see her. ‘Oh, darling,’ I said, ‘I hadn’t expected you to be here.’ ‘Hi Mum, Dad! Simon gave me a lift.’ ‘Simon?’ ‘One of our lecturers. How’s it going?’ Becky gave me a kiss and I felt the warmth of her hug, the fragrance of her favourite perfume. She was overjoyed, embraced me, took possession of me, and treated me like a spoiled c***d, giving me full liberty in everything to do just as I liked: I might read, write, go about and set to work at my embroidery only when I was in the humour for it! It is evident that, when it is required to reproduce flowers accurately in embroidery, to do so faithfully, correctly and artistically demands the closest attention and entirely absorbs the worker. So that in this case God had been good enough to. Why can't we watch a film with someone I like in it?" Karen, if you're bored, you could always go to bed." I'm not tired." Who said anything about sleeping. You didn't let me finish," said Rachel. "I was going to suggest that you take Robbie with you. I'm sure you could find something to do." Rachel!" What's wrong, Robbie?" I'm not going upstairs for that, thank you very much," said Karen."Well if you don't want him," said Rachel. "I might just take him upstairs and bonk him myself. You. I walk slowly. Only as I pass right beside you do I meet your gaze. The air between us seems to flash as our eyes lock, but I keep on walking. In a mirrored column ahead of me I see you turn your head to watch as I walk away. I linger in the shadows at the back of the room, hidden from you. I see you glance around several times, a different expression on your face now. Eager, searching, almost pleading. I wait a few minutes, then walk by you again in the other direction, letting you observe me.