The couple sat in silence over dinner. William was internally fuming, he said nothing quietly masticating, his resentment of Beverley growing by the minute. When they had finished the meal he went into the bedroom and began packing his case.

‘Where are you going?’

‘I need some time away to think.’

‘About what?’

‘Saving our relationship.’

‘What’s wrong with it?’

‘What’s right with it!’ He lugged the case into the hallway and called for a taxi to the airport.

‘Where are you going?’

He didn’t answer.

Beverley’s dreams were full of Miles, his silky blonde hair and rugged masculine features. She imagined him undressing her. She woke up wet, the sound of the police helicopter was hovering overhead.

***

Stacy smoked a cigarette and looked out of the grimy window. Whenever she thought about how she was getting used to life without him she missed him. A vase of carnations stood on the dresser, her birthday present from her dear boyfriend along with a trip to the Hungry Horse. They had had some fun she thought to herself.

‘Tea’s ready.’

The little girl and boy came running in from their bedroom.

‘Mummy…when is Daddy coming h….’

‘He’s not,’ she interrupted sharply.

‘Is Daddy in heaven?’ Asked Charlotte.

‘No he’s in hell, now I don’t want to hear any more about it.’

She served up the fish fingers and chips which had gone cold while she had been gathering her thoughts. The children sat and ate their meal in silence; they knew when mum was in one of her moods that they shouldn’t talk too much. Charlotte said she had read about Mum’s getting moody in a magazine. Something called PMT. Neither of them knew what it was but they both knew they should respect it. When the meal was finished they carried their plates into the kitchen, washed them in the sink and fed the cat.  Then They went to get ready for bed without saying good night to their Mum.

Stacy channel surfed, cider in one hand, cigarette in the other. She loved horror movies and the more gruesome the better. She was the only one who could sit through Saw one, two and three without flinching. People were surprised.