The colour of the hair had all gone and as she tended the roses around the garden of her cottage that looked out on some of the most magnificent views in the Garden of England, she stopped as she saw a car pull up outside.

He had lost none of his quick step, but she could see that ten years in Las Vegas had aged him. As she walked down the path to meet him, she could still feel a certain affection and buzz. They only pecked cheeks and did not kiss fully, but shook hands warmly like old friends.

'You must come in!' She led him towards the panelled oak door. 'Would you like a cup of tea? Or something stronger?'

'Tea would be fine!'

'So what brings you here?'

'I sold Zyzzx last week! And now I've nothing to do and I've decided to retire. So I've finally come back to everything that means so much!'

Copyright 1999 by Ewart Higgins