’ They went to the kitchen together. Mary Anne, who hadn’t seen Alice for couple of days, was happy to hear nothing untoward had happened, and eve... happier for her when Alice told her she and Dave were going to live together in the provinces. ‘Lovely, Alice,’ she said. ‘I hope you’ll be very happy together.’ She kissed her and shook hands with Dave. ‘Coffee?’ she said. Alice looked at Dave. ‘Yes, please,’ he said. They had coffee together in the kitchen, and spent a pleasant ten minutes. I am doing well, but I am alittle nervous as I have never had a spa and beauty treatment before." No need to worry. Ken had told me all about you. We just want you torelax, and I believe that after we are done you are going to feel like anew and proper woman. I know that there are all kinds of new thoughtsgoing through you mind right now and that you are probably wonderingabout certain parts of your body. Ken has wanted me to assure you thateverything will be taken care of in due time." Now the. "I'm so sorry. I was just trying to tease you a bit. Make you squirm. Ihad no idea," she blubbers.She gets herself under control."I also put the rumba pants on your laundry this morning," she admits. "Ithought it was funny." You really freaked me out!" I tell her. "I thought mom was getting ideasabout dressing me up like a baby or something!" Nope. That was me," she says."You ass!" I tell her. "I was so worried about the nightie and mom'shinting and the stupid note..." I say. "I couldn't relax. " There was a silence following her shattering statement."Oh." It was all he could manage. He knew instantly the consequence of those two words."You knew I always thought he would come back, didn't you Bill. We talked about it. We knew what it would mean ... to us," she said, her voice almost a whisper."Yes ... yes ... I knew." He paused for a minute. When Darla remained silent he spoke. "I'm happy for you, Darla. I know it's what you wanted. I'm happy for you." He was sincere, even though his.