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

[feellikejumping]

Chris...

I'm sorry. You alright, then?

[justcautious]

Course I am, Boss. Ta, though.
Might take me day off today, cos I think I'm made of gingerbread.

[feellikejumping]

... excuse me, what? What did you just say?

[justcautious]

I'm takin' me day off today. Won't be in.

[orangetoughguy]

Sorry man.

[justcautious]

S'okay. I reckon... ... She'll be alright. Better off, I mean.

[orangetoughguy]

Any friend'd feel the same way the other way around right?

[justcautious]

Yeah. I know.

voice;

[heelsandlaw]

[ For a while, there's only silence, then ] I'm sorry for your loss.

voice;

[justcautious]

No, she ain't-- [Oh. Oh wait. Right.] Um...ta.

voice;

[heelsandlaw]

Huh? [ Okay, so that wasn't a very intelligent reaction, but honest. ]

Re: voice;

[justcautious]

...might as well say... Penny was dead the 'ole time she was in the City cos she died at 'ome. So, um. Dunno. I was goin' t'say she weren't dead, jus' gone, but... [He's shrugging now, even if she can't see it.]

[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...

[manofgnee]

[Hanna hasn't taken this well either.]

...I'm real sorry, Chris...

[justcautious]

She might come back for Christmas? Or maybe she'll be back after Christmas. That could be why she's gone: jus' the City bein' awful, yeah?

[manofgnee]

Yeah...yeah, I hope so.

[justcautious]

Wish I could just expect things for once, here.