try and get planning permission for a permanent home for Eddie.'
'Alright but I warn you I'm not going to be easy to convince.'
'I can hear Pru. Why don't you go and warm up the pies? After the kids are settled we can go through the plans.'
'Okay, but I don't want to be late to bed. We've got Willie and Julie's funeral tomorrow and I'm not looking forward to it one bit.'
When Steve had painstakingly explained things to her Dora rubbed her eyes.
'No more tonight- I'm really tired.'
'I'm ready for bed too. I'll be glad when we can make love again but I still feel a bit wary of hurting myself.'
'Well don't stress yourself on my account- that's the last thing I feel like doing tonight.'
She flounced off into the bedroom.
'Damn, damn, damn' said Steve and followed her.
'Do you mind if I have a quick bath love?'
'Fine-just don't sing!'
'You could join me.'
She didn't answer so Steve shrugged, ran his bath and was soon relaxing in the warm water almost but not quite falling asleep. He used his spicy bath soap and talc adding just a touch of the matching cologne. Once in bed he leaned over Dora who lay on her side with her eyes tightly shut. He brushed her cheek and whispered goodnight because he thought she was awake, then lay on his back beside her his hand on her thigh. Dora was not asleep but was lying thinking about the next afternoon and wishing that she was in Steve's arms and sharing her thoughts with him. When an hour had passed and she thought by Steve's regular breathing that he was asleep she slipped out of bed, put on her dressing gown and went into the kitchen to make a milky drink. A few minutes later Steve, also clad in his dressing gown came out of the bedroom. She was standing with the milk bottle in her hand staring down at the empty saucepan. Steve reached up and got two mugs.'Here-let me' he said taking the bottle and measuring out the amount needed. He placed spoonfuls of powder in the mugs and turned on the heat. Dora reached for the biscuit tin and began munching
on a digestive. They usually played a game with these-Dora would put one in her mouth and Steve would take a small bite of the other end, they would each take small bites until the biscuit was gone and their lips met. They licked away the crumbs and then shared a kiss. Tonight Dora merely offered him the packet and he took one. Dora took her drink and sat in one of the armchairs. Steve sighed and sat on the sofa his brown eyes looked troubled. Dora could feel tears coming and she hastily wiped her eyes.
'Oh Dora!' Steve said softly and suddenly she was beside him on the sofa sobbing as if her heart would break.
'I can't stop thinking about them Steve- so young and those two little ones growing up with no parents.'
'I know, I feel the same.' he said softly putting his arm round her and kissing her hair.
Dora gave in and snuggled close to him.
'Do I really have to come to the service- you could say I'm not well.'