SCENE

She sat down across the table from him. He had turned his chair sideways and had his legs outstretched, crossed at the ankles. His head was down, watching his index finger as it tilted and rolled a salt shaker on the table top. "I've decided to stay", she said.

He did not react,the index finger continued rolling, tilting.After a moment he looked up at her from under his brows; "You sure?" She nodded once, her lips set in a determined line. "I like the work, and this will give me a chance to get myself back together." He said nothing, but lowered his eyes to the table again, then deliberately stood the salt shaker back on its' base, and rose to his feet.

As he stood, she suddenly realised how old he had become, the lines around his mouth carved deeply, and she wondered at herself for never noticing before. He walked into the bedroom. She sat and watched the light change through the window, as the sun began to set.

He emerged after a time, carrying a back-pack from one hand. She rose and followed him to the door, stopping on the porch as he continued to the gate. He walked to the car and looked a her across its' roof. "You'll call me if you get stuck...need anything?" She nodded, "Ok."

When he turned on to the road from the driveway, she raised one hand, palm outwards, in a gesture of farewell, even though she knew he would not see it through the dusk. Watching until the car was gone from sight, she held her hand in the gesture.

After it was gone, she dropped her hand and remained on the porch, staring at the spot she had last seen the taillights. She stood a long time in the gatherng gloom, but even then, she found she had to swallow hard several times before she could bring herself to turn and walk into the dark cottage.