But Kimhad that look on her face, one she hadn't seen since saving Beth."Bobbie, shut the fuck up. Seriously, you're worse than mom. Hell,worse than a..... a mother."The blonde girl flushed. "I just... just." It's casual, sis." Kim leaned forward and put her hand on Bobbie'sshoulder. "We all know you mean well. Just lighten up, okay?"Bobbie shrank back into her seat. "I miss him, dammit. I want..."Kim squeezed harder at her shoulder. "I know you do, Bobbie. We'll getthis sorted out. Getting all. Alice knew I would be, of course, and brought me over a bowl of cereal."Sorry, hun," she said, "that's all that's left."I didn't care. I ate it quickly and washed it down with a glass of water that Alice poured for me.We both sat and watched as nature passed us by. Finally Alice stood and took me by the hand. She led me into the tent, and zipped up the flap.She stripped for me, slowly, and looked me in the eye as she lay down. I curled up next to her. I moved my body in close, pressing myself. ‘How are you, Pearl?’ ‘I’m all right,’ she began in a distant voice. ‘My father and I were never close, which is not unusual for a father and a daughter, I imagine. I remember flickers of kindness and joviality when I was small, but none after I reached the age of eight. Mother didn’t pay much attention to me, either, they sent me to a boarding school. They sent Opal as well, so I wouldn’t be lonely. When we came back, all there was for me was the library. Needlepoint never interested me, but. “She has told me that it was foreseen that you and I would fall in love, and that she would too, but would be the one to lose out.” “Ann,” I said, reaching out my hand for her. “No! Don’t touch me. We mustn’t touch. I dare not touch you because I wouldn’t know where to stop if I did. It’s true what she said. I do love you, and…and because I do, I…I…oh I can’t help it,” and she started to sob quietly. I made to move towards her, but she held up her hand. “No Will, you mustn’t. I want to but we.