Page 108 of Where Do We Go From Here?

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W: She does.

H: Which is all very reassuring and everything…

W: But notonlyreassuring.

H: Quite. So how was midnight in froggy-land?

W: Oh, I’m right in the middle of nowhere, here.

H: So…?

W: So it was very much like being in the middle of nowhere. But a friend called in with cake, which was nice.

H: That is nice. Your post lady friend?

W: Good guess. With her girlfriend and a bottle of Appletise.

H: God, Appletise. Does that still exist?

W: Apparently it does in France, though it’s called Chappony or something.

H: Well, I’m glad you had company, Wens. I worry about you, out there on your own.

W: And you? Do you have company?

H: I do as it happens. You.

W: Cute.

H: We try.

W: Haz, this is all very nice and everything. But I need to… Look, do you think I can maybe come home early?

H: …

W: Don’t sound too keen.

H: No, it’s not… I just thought we’d keep it light and fluffy tonight, for New Year’s Eve.

W: Oh, we can, if you want. Though it’s hard not to take that as a ‘no’.

H: Even though it isn’t. It really isn’t. It’s just, well, that’s quite a big discussion, isn’t it?

W: Is it?

H: Well, yeah. I mean, er… Are you sure you want to come back early? Are you sure it’s a good idea? Don’t you feel you might regret cutting things short later on? And, you know, home to where? And to do what? Which seems like a lot to be talking about at four minutes past midnight.

W: OK, fair enough. I get your point. Even if the answers are quite simple.

H: You think?

W: Yes. I mean: yes, I’m sure. And no I won’t regret it. And home to our house, to patch things up with you and the kids and Neil and Sue.

H: Gosh. OK.

W: Don’t sound so surprised, Haz. It’s hardly the plan from outer space.

H: No… But it sounds… I don’t know…

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