Page 41 (1/2)

‘Part of what Rosie and Wilf did was have Fahts, where all the foster kids would join theers and popcorn; gaather around the kitchen and play board gahts, which was actually where I first learned to cook so other than baked beans When I first arrived I refused to join theht I was cool’

‘I bet they soon disabused you of that notion’ Fliss smiled softly

Warht flowed over hi fondly

/>‘You got that right Movie nights quickly becaether on the couch and eat popcorn I even kept going around when I’d left foster care’

‘I re to do’

‘One night atching a fil buried the popcorn went off in the kitchen Immediately she joked that when she was cremated, she wanted to have popcorn kernels in with her so that she could go out with a bang For so and so joke, so when I saw that popcorn seller tonight it felt like it’

‘You’re not really going to put the kernels in the coffin?’ Her face looked so concerned, so caring that he thought his heart was in a vice

Soanyone get too close to hurt hiun to tear down his defences

‘Of course I’ently at her ‘But having theotten how close ere’

‘I get it, Ash I do’

Her quiet assurance somehow soothed his soul

‘But if you change your , Ash’

‘I won’t,’ he told her quietly

And then he took her again, both knowing it was for the last time They stared at each other as he slid inside her Until they were both driving it onwards, urgently, greedily, until she arched her whole body and called out as she tumbled into the abyss And he cried her name and followed her

Finally, he held her, dropping soft kisses on her body as her breathing eventually slowed and deepened and slumber overtook her By the tiot dressed and left the roo