DAWN WILL RISE 

By Tessa Harvey

    Over the following weeks the two ladies gradually grew closer. Ella asked Sally one bright blustery autumn morning "Why were you in Sulkpot...! whatever?"
"Sulkpotland! I just made the name to describe my self-pity. We (my partner and I) were cruising along fairly comfortably - then I turned fifty..."
    "You don't need to say...." began Ella, guessing the outcome.
    They looked at each other. "Okay-y-y," Sally said slowly. "For some reason he acted like it was a slap in the face. He must have realised we were mortal!" She tried to laugh but could not. "For a few weeks he seemed to go on as usual, but there were signs of, not sure, imbalance I guess. Slowly he retreated like a prodded snail. Then I came home from my work and......he was gone. All of him, clothes - I had no use for those of course - but also stuff that mattered to me - some photos of us together on holiday or having a day out."
    Sally sighed, the twins alternately crawling or toddling, now grizzled, hungry. "I have to go," she said. "Wait," begged Ella, "Dawn has an operation tomorrow on her foot. Stay in touch."

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