“Did you hear her?” Jim stepped over me as I awakened from sleep and headed for the back door. “That was Brenda.” He looked ludicrous with heavy boots pulled over his white underwear and a long coat flapping around his ankles.
I sat up, automatically checking that the fire was still alive. “This is a queer time for Brenda to call! Are you sure? I didn’t hear anything.”
“It was Brenda.” Jim still favoured his injured leg. “She’s come to see me.” Jim’s smile could not have been broader. His eyes danced with the joy of meeting his girl again. For a minute, I envied him the complex pleasure of love, and then the implications hit me.
“Wait, Jim.” I rose, ensured that I was decently covered, and put a hand on Jim’s arm. “Wait. Are you sure that it’s Brenda?”
“Yes, I’m sure.” Jim drew back th
