54. [Audio]

[justcautious]

[Chris doesn't sound sad so much as he sounds weary. And maybe a bit drunk: he was at Ken and Mara's party.]

Been 'ere a year, or sommat like. A year an' now Penny's gone.

[The following silence is decidedly pregnant. He wants to affirm that he's sure she's in heaven, or that she'll be back for Christmas. Also, the fact that he's pretty sure he

Comments

[freckleddoll]

'm sorry, Chris. [She's still dealing with the news herself.]

[justcautious]

Ta, luv. You goin' t' be okay?

[freckleddoll]

Don't know...she wouldn't want us to be upset. But I won't get to give 'er the Christmas present I got for 'er now an' I can't imagine not 'avin' 'er around the apartment...

[justcautious]

She might still be back...

[freckleddoll]

Oh, I 'ope so. I really do. She liked it 'ere, didn't she? An' she always said she was right fond of you, an'... [give her a minute, she's getting tearful]

[justcautious]

[Oh dear. Chris doesn't really know how to deal with crying girls. Or girls that sound like they're about to cry. Or emotions in general.] Yeah, I... She... You sure you're alright? Cos if there's sommat I can do, maybe, I could?

[freckleddoll]

[At least she manages to get herself under control quickly enough, swallowing a couple of times before she can talk again. She'll leave the crying until later when she's alone.] Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. There ain't anythin' to do but wait an' see now...

[justcautious]

S'pose so.

[freckleddoll]

What about you...d'you need anythin'?

[justcautious]

Nah, I'm alright.

[freckleddoll]

Alright, then. [Usually she'd try and say something more, but right now...she just can't.]