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He holdsar me warm

“I love you,” I murmur near his ear “Forever, okay?”

“I love you I’m sorry I’m so sorry”

“Don’t be sorry We said never sorry” I won’t s “One day, perhaps I’ll find you And you won’t feel you have to be my watcher”

I stroke his face His beloved face We kiss until I taste my tears But I don’t think they’re only mine

When I look out theand see how ot to get up to the Patches We hug at the door, and kiss deeply, and turn back for the bed

Afterward, I dress for cold and rain And I bid hioodbye

Twelve

Finley

Mondaythree others I call for help via my repaired radio, and Mayor Acton sends Mike Green He is, as ever, quiet and helpful We spend Monday night sleeping in shifts in one of the huts down by the fields Whoever isn’t sleeping is keeping the sheep away froulches

Tuesday, June 20, brings more rain, as well as Benny Sid, and the rain is mixed with sleet The three of us are ulch

As the rain turns to , I allow myself to think of him Tenat the prospect I suppose I can’t believe it

We pile into Doctor’s car at half past five I’m headed toward Mike’s family’s home when Benny says, “I need my bones warmed”

Mike, in the front passenger’s seat, looks over his shoulder toward Benny, in the back, and then turns to me “Would you take us to the bar, Finley?”

“I don’t see why not” Younger lads aren’t e, but when it’s quite cold, or on a special day, they sometimes have a toddy