Amber is the color of your energy [Maddie]

It wasn’t necessarily a nice place for dinner, but it was his favorite little shack down in Hackney. It served breakfast all day and dinner with lots of gravy, and he really liked gravy. He waited outside, hand on the back of his neck, for the sight of her. It had been so long since he’d seen Maddie, he’d almost forgotten what she looked like. This was partly by design. She lived in Paris now, for one, but Jane loathed her and that made it hard for him to get a chance to hang with his friend. He supposed it would be like… Jane trying to go out for a dinner alone with Damian or, heaven forbid, Darren. Not that he and Maddie were even exes. He never dated her, at least not that he remembered… and he was pretty sure he would have remembered dating someone as pretty as her.

“Oy, Mads!” He called, seeing her in the distance and waving her over. “Hey, girl hey.” He smiled, wrapping arms around her in a hug. He didn’t look that great, he had lost some weight over the past few months and looked a little sickly on a good day. The bite hadn’t taken to him well, and he wondered if his lifestyle wasn’t making things worse.

He wasn’t a sedentary desk-job kind of guy. He was always running for his life and winging it. He was always getting hurt and into danger, and with the moon cycle he barely got one good week. He had PMS (pre-moon syndrome) like crazy, then during-moon syndrome, then post-moon syndrome… then one good week. Had women really lived like this all along?

“Come on in, looks like it’s going to rain and I wouldn’t want to get you all wet. Besides, it’ll ruin my hair.” He teased.

@Madeline Fletcher

Maddie debated on cancelling.

She had no reason to, of course, except the elephant in the room - his wife. She and Jane had never really gotten on. It must be close to a ten year feud by now and so much time had passed, it was easier just to carry on. That had worked for years but everything got messed up again since she'd married one of her best friends. They hadn't invited her to the wedding. Maddie had also heard from someone that Jane had flat out refused to let Madeline make hers and Piers' wedding cake. And she offered to do that for free. At least the patisserie chef had tried to be the bigger person.

London was cool and grey with the threat of rain in the air and her big dark eyes glanced up at the clouds with a frown; it had been sunny and warm in Paris. She thanked her forethought for her jumper and jeans as she neatly skirted a puddle and looked up when her name was called.

"Hi!" The petite blonde called back, a wide grin lighting up her face as she ran the rest of the way, wrapping her arms around Piers' waist and squeezing tightly. The hug was brief but it was enough for her to feel how thin he was. She pulled back and her smile faltered a little. He looked grey. He still looked the same, from the imposing height and big eyes and the same warm smile, but something seemed...off? Had she looked so ill when she had been married, too?

"Me too," Maddie joked, snapping back to it as she tugged on one of her curls before she rolled her eyes, happy to be distracted. It had been, what? Two years since she'd last seen him? Three? She ducked into the dimly lit pub as the warm air rushed up to greet her, deftly shrugging off her jacket as she nodded at the bar. "What do you drink now? My treat," she insisted. Maddie was sure Piers had come a long way from drinking cheap cider with her in their teens.

“Cider?” He asked. “Something cheap is fine.” He shrugged, having truly never grown out of the cheap cider phase she had implied. “You should order some food here, though, everything on the menu is fantastic.” He smiled warmly at her, trying to keep his strength up. “You look really good, you know. It’s been way too long, you should grace us with your presence here in London more often? Davina’s home this week, so that’s been fun for the whole family. I reckon she’s keeping Jane busy now.” Davina was his sister, seventeen years young and a Hufflepuff, like Mads. He wished Davina had gotten to meet her more often.

“So what have you been up to?” He asked. “New boyfriends I should be jealous of?” He teased playfully, as a married man. He couldn’t help but flirt with Maddie, they always had a banter but he had never taken it seriously and didn’t stop to do that now, either. He looked at the menu, ordered some chips with cheese and gravy—poutine they called it in Canada—and settled in beside her.

Their drinks arrived soon after they ordered and he was halfway through his first cider in one large gulp. “Fucking nice.” He admitted. “Long time since I’ve been to a proper pub, know what I mean?”

Cider? "Two ciders, please," Maddie asked the barman with a smile as she paid for their drinks quickly, just in case Piers got in there first. "Hm?" Distracted, she looked over. Gosh, she hadn't had "English" food in what felt like forever. She looked at the menu board and everything was appealing - fish finger sandwiches, bangers and mash, stew, a full English - "Chicken tikka sounds amazing right now," she admitted, wondering if she'd be getting naan bread or poppadoms, before she smiled again.

"Thank you," she blushed faintly at his compliment. "You too," Maddie replied politely but it was honestly so good to see a familiar face. Unable to help herself, she laughed. "Nah," she wrinkled her nose in jest. She had no desire to return to her home country, she much preferred her adoptive one. "Come to Paris instead," she grinned, which only widened at the mention of his sister. "How is she?" Madeline asked quickly and fondly. She'd always liked her exes' siblings, like Camm and Glenn but she and Piers had never been anything more than friends.

There was an awkward pause. "How is Jane?" Maddie enquired. "Married life is going well?" She asked. There was no jealousy in her tone because there was never any sort of competition - Piers only had eyes for his wife and it was actually very sweet, much to the chagrin of every girl he'd ever met.

Unable to help herself, she rolled her eyes and offered Piers a lopsided grin. "Come off it," she joked, swatting at him playfully. "I barely have time to sleep, let alone date," Maddie pulled a face. Dating in England was different than dating in France. In France, it usually meant the man was seeing three or four other girls at the same time. It confused her at first and it still did. "If anyone's stupid enough to go out with me, you'll be the first to know," she said as she saluted him with her pint and took a sip.

The cider was sweet and fizzy as she swallowed,  taking a few seconds to wrap her tongue around the taste before she decided she liked it. Glancing over at Piers, she grinned. "Me too," she nodded. Her dark eyes took in the dark wood tables and the painting on the walls and the gentle hum of chatter as she chewed her lower lip. "You can't really get these in Paris," she admitted with a frown before she decided to order the curry she'd had her eye on. Turning her head, she offered Piers a quick smile. "I can't believe you're making me homesick over a pint."

Piers pulled a face as Maddie paid. “Not fair.” He teased. “But I am a forward-thinking gentleman, and sure, sometimes the strong independent lady can pay.” He laughed. He was making fun of himself a little bit in that moment, but he really was a feminist. It was hard to not be with his strong-willed sister and his wife being how she was. He felt a pang of guilt at the idea of his wife. She would not be approving of the situation he was in right now, simply being present with Maddie. She was so terribly jealous of the other woman, but there was really no reason to be. Piers loved Maddie, yeah, and the blonde was very attractive-but Piers wasn’t a cheater and never had been. He loved Jane, despite some of their issues, and was in this for the long haul. Jane would have to break up if she wanted out. Piers was willing to work through any problems they could have. Even so, it was unfair of her to stop him from spending time with his friends. He didn’t consider this cheating, per say, but he was definitely keeping his friendship with Madeline secret from his love. 

He shook off the slight pang of guilt and focused, instead, on the conversation between them. She hadn’t been around in a long time, and he had missed her. He never had a reason to be in Paris (though her baking was worth a trip all on its own), so he rarely got to see her on her side of the pond. At the mention of Chicken Tikka, his stomach made a hungry growl, audibly. He blushed slightly. “Davina is doing really good. I hear she’s on track for quidditch captain next year, but I don’t want to jinx her. If she makes it, I might go to her first game just to support her—you know, if they let me? Do they let adults just waltz into Hogwarts for weekend events? I’ve honestly never tried.” He laughed. “You should come too, though. I think she likes you, and she’d be glad to see you too. I’m not sure she cares much for Janie.” 

He laughed a little. “Jane’s fine, by the way. Busy with work and stuff, while I’ve kind of slowed down. Been kinda sick the past few months, so I’ve not been going ot like I used to. I’ve been doing some little jobs from home—breaking curses on items people bring me, or going to their places to do it, but I have’t done a proper treasure hunt in what feels like months. I’m starting to grow roots in the sofa.” He joked. 

“Anyway, back on topic…” He laughed, feeling the need to say this in response to her self-depreciating comments. “A man would be stupid not to go out with you, you know.” He smiled at her, inadvertently giving her an once-over. She was really gorgeous, and she was nice and funny to boot. “Are the men in Paris just weird or something?” He wondered. “I’d date you.” He teased playfully, knowing he would have in the past, but it was far too late now. 

Quickly, she laughed. "Good to know," she smiled back before she sipped her pint. "That's perfect because you're going to buy me my dinner," Maddie stated before she gave another dimpled smile, clearly joking. Her eyes scanned the dimly lit pub. She didn't know anyone here and it was an oddly comforting feeling. Anonymity was relaxing. There was a pang of homesickness that Madeline hadn't experienced in years upon seeing friends propping up the bar with laughter, the wonky dart board, the creak of the pub's floor.

Shaking herself out of her reverie and with her eyes back on Piers, Maddie smiled broadly. "That's amazing!" She gushed, both pleased for and proud of his little sister. Making the House team was a huge deal. Madeline had made the Hufflepuff team in her fifth year. She lasted all of two weeks before she'd fallen and broken her arm and she hadn't looked at a broom since.

"You should," the tall blonde nodded eagerly, tucking a stray curl behind her ears before she laughed again. "Haven't the foggiest," she admitted with a shrug. "But I'm sure you can smuggle yourself in," she added in jest, her smile softening as Piers continued. "If I can, I will," Maddie concluded. Her response was warm but vague and she didn't like to commit to anything. She wanted to go, of course, but it was more a case of if she could go.

Talk turned to his wife and Maddie took a gulp of her cider as she averted his gaze, trying to buy her some more time before she swallowed. "I'm sure that's not the case," the baker added warmly as she flicked her honey coloured eyes back up to Piers with an encouraging smile. Maybe it was a territorial thing? Maddie had never liked it when Ben had gotten himself a new girlfriend, even if they were very nice.

The small talk was excruciating and Maddie could feel her muscles tightening by the way she was sitting ramrod straight on her chair, tense. "That's good," she smiled and nodded along curtly. Honestly, she didn't really care that much for Jane. She couldn't be bothered asking about her job or where they were living together now but she was nothing if not polite. Swiftly, her head jerked upwards.

"Oh no," she breathed, her eyebrows furrowed in concern as she frowned, her eyes searching Piers' face. Now that he'd mentioned it, he did look pale. He didn't feel as strong as he had previously when they'd hugged moments earlier. "I'm really sorry to hear that," she went on, careful not to pry but desperately wanting to know what was wrong. "You're feeling better now?" Madeline asked lightly, hoping that was the case.

Piers cracked a joke and she chuckled into her cider with a warm smile. "Get some fresh air," Maddie insisted. "Get up to the Lake District and go camping. I used to love that," she added before she groaned and leaned back in her seat with a laugh.

Both amused and flattered, she blushed lightly before she wrinkled her nose, a nonverbal cue to let Piers know he was dead wrong. "Not at all," Madeline grinned with a shake of her head. "They're -- " she struggled for the right word to use "--different," she settled on. Her laugh was soft as she shook her head, meeting his eye. "You should have done," Maddie offered, careful to use the past tense for fear of making things worse. Piers was a genuinely lovely man and it was both adorable and devastating to see how deeply he was in love with his wife. Her gaze lingered a second too long so, she cleared her throat.  "I'll level with you," Maddie began as she shifted in her seat, elbows on the table and her chin resting in her upturned palm. "I'm not sure I want to date anyone right now. Either here or Paris."

Piers didn’t think Davina was territorial, at least that wasn’t the first thing to come to mind. She never seemed to mind the idea of him with girls, but Jane had been a somewhat sore spot. It was likely because Piers and Jane were best friends for years, to the point where Piers ignored Davina a bit in favor of spending time with Jane. This was normal for boys to do when they got older, ignore their little sister for their friends and girlfriends, he supposed, but Jane specifically seemed to bother Davina. Piers worried that his little sister thought he could do better. He knew he could not, as Jane was the best, but he could see where she would worry—the whole Darren thing and how depressed Piers had been during it.

When talk turned to his sickness, he looked away. He couldn’t just tell Madeline what was wrong without risking a bar fight (with the other patrons) at worst, and a look of pity at best. “Yeah, yeah, I’m better. Just run down, I guess. You look tired, too, but otherwise pretty well. Things working out alright at the bakery?” he didn’t notice her cringing at the small talk, but what else should he say to her? He didn’t know enough about her life to insert himself in it.

When Maddie deflected his flirtatious comment, he laughed lightly. “That’s fair, Maddie. You know you don’t need anyone to make you happy. You can work on yourself and being happy with what you’ve created. For example, I’m devastated that you didn’t bring me any of your little cakes.” He teased.

Piers didn't have to tell her anything but Madeline wished that he would. Her eyes watched him closely for a few seconds before she cleared her throat, reminding herself that while they were friends, they weren't as close as they'd been. The realisation stung but she offered him a quick smile. He seemed okay but she let out a snort of laughter. "Right on the money," she agreed. She was tired but that was what happened when she was starting work at five in the morning, six days a week.

Sipping her cider, she nodded along eagerly. "Really well," Maddie began, careful to be humble. Sure, she was talented but it was Loren who had risked his reputation to give her a chance. "I've actually made enough money to hire a few people," she went on. It was a small achievement but she was proud all the same. The idea was not to make a loss, to break even at best but it was flourishing.

But she laughed again, this time sounding uncomfortable. Piers' words were nice and kind but they still made her feel sad. Look at him, for example. He had a happy marriage, he seemed to have everything together, his family were well, he had a purpose. She, on the other hand, buried herself in work, using it as both a coping mechanism and something to block her from opening herself up again. She caught his eye and smiled. Did she want what Piers had? The answer came in loud and clear - no. The idea of "working on herself" made her feel physically ill.

Maddie laughed again, a look of regret on her pretty face. "Sorry," she began, genuinely remorseful with a sympathetic smile. "I completely forgot. I can send you some, though?" The blonde offered brightly. With charms and adequate packing, there was no reason why baked goods wouldn't make it across the Channel safely. "It's a shame because I'd just made a batch of macarons I think you'd love."

"Anyway," Maddie replied briskly as she clapped her hands together and slid Piers the menu across the table. "What are you having?" She asked, eager to leave the more private parts of her personal life out of his kind gaze. She stood up and made to move towards the bar to order. "Curry?"

“Now you’re just teasing me.” He said, about the macrons. He let a little smile, but let her deflect again. He looked back at the menu when she asked and nodded. “Curry, yeah. You’re really gonna let me buy aren’t you?” He teased. He motioned the waiter over and let Maddie put in her order before putting his in. He ordered another round of ciders, too, feeling a little lonely out there with her. She was putting up a wall of some sort, and he felt uncomfortable there. He loved Maddie, but this was hard. She had become hardened, hadn’t she? He didn’t know how to get under her skin anymore, and didn’t know if he had the energy. It would be fake promises to see each other again, and small talk. That was where their friendship was now. He sighed, but endured.

He made a few more food-centric comments when he waited for the food to come, drinking down the remainder of his cider while he waited for the second one to be brought to them, and wishing he had the presence of mind to roll a joint before he left so he could top up in the bathroom while they waited for food. Or, did he? He subtly felt in his pocket and his fingers tightened around the cigarette and he felt a little relief. He excused himself to the bathroom after a little while longer, smoking it in the loo and feeling like an addict. He wasn’t an addict, he just couldn’t handle this kind of sadness without something to help him stay in good spirits. Didn’t she see how sad it was to watch their friendship shrivel up and die like this? He felt sick.

He smelled faintly of herb when he came back, and knew she’d notice, but hadn’t thought that far ahead so he just shrugged a bit. “My appetite has been shit, lately.” He admitted, pre-emptively. “Gotta top up or I’ll just feel ill if I try to eat much of anything.” This was not a lie, either. The moon was near to be full.

This was her fault. She was being so careful not to upset or offend Piers because she wasn't on good terms with his wife. Realistically, Madeline and Jane could be friends if they tried hard enough. It was a teenage vendetta, they were grown women now, but she didn't know where to begin. If Jane knew that she and her husband had been hanging out, even in the presence of other people, it'd be like they were sixteen again. Lost in thoughts, she hadn't noticed Piers excuse himself until she found herself watching him leave.

Maddie sighed shortly before she rubbed her left eye. She should have made an excuse not to meet him. It was getting stilted and awkward and difficult. It was always painful to see friendships peter out and fade but maybe it was a good thing? They'd both moved on and had separate lives now. They were grown up. Different. It might be more polite if she just left.

But he was back before she was able to pick up her bag and leave and she sniffed the air before she grinned. "Oh that brings me back," she pulled a melodramatic grimace and heaved a shudder before dunking her naan bread into the curry. "I've only tried it once," she went on before she chewed. "I threw up right after." Delightful dinner table conversation.

Maddie chewed slowly as she tried her best not to focus too intently on Piers' face. "You're not going to tell me, are you?" The tall blonde asked, a hint of sadness in her tone. It was rich coming from her, considering she hadn't let him in in years but she was starting to worry. It was frustrating. It must be for Piers, too. "You can tell me," she pressed before she grinned, dimples appearing as she cracked a joke. "There's no shame in being pregnant."

Piers blushed as Maddie commented on the smell and mentioned she had tried it only once and threw up after. He looked down, a little shame in his eyes. “It helps.” He admitted. “With the sick.” He added, after a moment. “Gives me an appetite, loosens me up, takes away some of the anxiety—not that you cause anxiety. I’m just not used to being out in crowds like this anymore.” He admitted with a light smile. “I’ve been… well...” he paused, when Maddie accused him of being pregnant and he laughed heartily, despite himself. “Ah yes, you caught me. I’m absolutely expecting. Jane will be a great father, I think.” He teased. 
 
“I just, haven’t been well lately.” He admitted. He was glad he knew the reason for his ailment, even if he hated that reason. It was almost the full moon, and he had already started drinking wolfsbane, which made him queasy on a good day. The moon made him tired, sickly, and irritable. He never would blame Jane for her “time of the month” ever again, if he ever had. Sometimes there was just something else going on, something one could not control, that would affect mood and irritability and general sickness. 
 
“You know my mom was really sickly her whole life.” He admitted, pretty sure Maddie knew this. “They really couldn’t do anything but keep her comfortable and dope her up on painkillers and steroids, so…” He sighed. “I’m just thinking it’s not that. I’m not used to being… like this… but I’ve been around sickness my whole life. Mum finally succumbed a few years ago, right after the war.” He didn’t know if he had ever told Maddie that though, and worried that she might hover over him in pity. 
 
“It’s okay, though. Long time coming, and at least she’s not in pain anymore. So, it’s just Janie and I and Davina at home, and typically Dee is at school. She’s home for the summer now, though, and I’m happy to have her. She’s been hovering over me, though. She knows there’s something wrong. But I’m not ready to explain.” 
 
“I… I’ll tell you.” He admitted. “If you really want to know. But not here. We can talk about it later, if you want. It’s super personal and scary, and I’m afraid you won’t want to hang out anymore if I do.” He confessed with a sigh. “And also, I might get jumped in this pub if I say it too loud, too, so….” He paused. This made it really obvious, he thought, but of course being bitten by a werewolf and being infected with the virus was hard enough, even without the judgement that came with it. People thought werewolves were just wild people who went around biting and killing—Piers knew that it was mostly feeling dizzy and queasy and out of control, with a fierce rage in one’s chest. He wanted to be jumped more than he wanted to admit. He did want someone to try him, so he could have an excuse to pull out their larynx with his bare hands. He hated being like this, having always been such a pacifist. He was a lover, not a fighter, and always had been. 

Madeline smiled. She did know that it had other benefits, medicinal ones, other than the obvious. Her honey coloured eyes watched Piers closely for a moment, the feeling of icy cold dread seeping in at the corners. Why didn't she know about this? He was clearly ill. There was a brief flicker of annoyance at him, at how he hadn't said anything, but it was quickly extinguished by the fact that he probably didn't know how to find her. Madeline had let the light of the bridges she'd burned in England guide the way to Paris.

The passing comment about Jane made her laugh but it soon turned into a frown that creased her forehead. "For how long?" The blonde asked, wondering if there could have been anything she could do. It didn't matter now. Piers had his reasons for not telling her anything, As evident from tonight, they weren't as close as they used to be.

She sat in silence as she listened. Piers obviously needed to talk to someone and alarm bells rang as Madeline realised that someone was not his wife. She nodded. She remembered his mother had been sick for a very long time and how frustrated and hopeless he must have felt when being faced with dead ends. He was so young. Too young to be going through something as traumatic as losing a parent.

Maddie let out a gentle sigh as Piers spoke. "I'm sorry," she whispered, genuinely for his loss and for her not being there. He had other friends, she was sure, but she should have been there. Simple as. He was too far, sat across the table, so she reached out and squeezed his hand briefly. It was a comforting motion and she removed her hand soon after. Piers' homelife seemed to be good. He had people around him who loved and adored him. "You should take your time," she began, trying to soothe him as  best she could. If he couldn't tell his sister, he really shouldn't be telling her.

Sipping her pint, Maddie paused. Swallowing, she set the glass down as she blinked. "Of course," she piped up swiftly. "Do you want to go for a walk or something?" She asked, quickly downing her cider like she used to as a teenager in a pre-emptive strike. Piers spoke and she turned to look at him sharply, then around the pub. No one looked as though they wanted to fight. Sure, they didn't look particularly friendly but no one was going to get a bar stool smacked over their head.

She gave a short laugh as she shrugged on her coat. "Don't be daft," she chided him about her not wanting to see him again. "I won't ever think that," she assured him before she fluffed out her curls and blinked.

"I don't get it," Maddie admitted with a frown. There was no reason why he'd ever get himself into trouble. Unless he'd slept with someone's girlfriend, which he absolutely had not. Her voice was soft, almost a whisper. "Come on," she gestured for Piers to get up, paranoia settling on her chest, despite the fact that no one in the pub was looking in their direction. Maybe he was cursed. It was possible that he'd touched something he wasn't supposed to and was suffering the consequences, but he said he'd been home a lot lately.  He'd been sick "for a while" - no appetite, anxiety, fear of crowds, the thought that he might get attacked if he told her the truth --

By the exit to the pub, she spun around to face Piers, her eyes wide. But then the penny dropped. "No."

Piers finished his drink, too, and paid the bill without waiting to see it, by putting more than enough gold down on the table for the bill and a nice, fat tip for the waitress. He held his sweater closer to him, eyes looking downward, as he walked towards the door with her. He was nervous. He had never told anyone about this, at least not directly. He was registered, of course, but that didn’t mean his friends knew. It wasn’t as though they routinely looked through the werewolf registry for fun. Jane knew because she had been the one to get there and scare the beast away from him. She had been the one to take him to the hospital when it was time. She had saved his life, in more than just one way. Of course Jane knew. She had to know, or else he wouldn’t have dared tell her. She was taking it well, though. She hadn’t left him yet. There was no talk about the fear of being changed or their future children being harmed (if they decided to have children, which, at this point Piers wasn’t sure they would). 
 
When Maddie stopped suddenly, turning around sharply to face him, he realized that she was putting the pieces together. He hesitated, looking guilty, and then looking away. “Ahh….” He began, unsure. “Can’t we take this outside?” He asked, looking around the place and reaching for her arm. Her touch earlier had been so comforting, he longed for a little more of it. 
 
“Before you ask, yes, Jane knows.” He explained. “I… hell, I wish she didn’t. I wish I could keep this from everyone but it just follows me around, you know?  I’m usually ill nowadays.” He sighed. 
 
“Please, before you say the word, just… let’s get far away.” 

She squinted at him in the dimness of the pub. It must be a joke? Surely. Madeline tried her best to keep her face neutral but she was sure she failed, miserably too. Her initial reaction wasn't one of fear but her eyes flicked across Piers' body, as though trying to see any kind of marks left behind. She blinked, unsure how she should be feeling. Instead of processing anything, she just stood in the middle of the pub until Piers said he wanted to go outside.

"Right," she agreed, snapping back into things. His fingers were on his arm and she tried her best not to flinch away. After all, he was still the same person. Her eyes dropped to his hand before back up to his face and she offered him a quick smile as she opened the door. The air outside was still cool and damp but fresher than in the pub.

"I should fucking hope she does," Maddie countered as she looked at him with wide eyes. This wasn't something one should keep from a partner. Lots of people didn't disclose everything before marriage but it wasn't as if this was something Piers could easily hide. Madeline sighed shortly, pinching the bridge of her nose. She had a newfound respect for Jane as she stayed with him, which further cemented the fact that they were very much in love with one another.

She frowned at Piers in the light from the street lamp, the curry and the cider and the shock all twisting and turning around in her stomach. He made it seem like he was somehow dirty. Gross, unwelcome, unclean, undeserving of human decency.

"Come on," she said gently as she took his arm and gave him a gentle nudge to walk with her, away from the pub and the people milling around it. Her pace was quick, well aware of the implications now that the truth was out. She didn't have anywhere in London she could take him. She didn't live here anymore and hadn't for a number of years. A silence fell upon them as her eyes darted over her shoulder before she finally asked the question; "How?"