time heals

By dc1952

Wed, 15 Sep 2004

372 reads

lang="EN-US" style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-ansi-language:
EN-US">

style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align="center">TIME
HEALS

style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align="center">Judy's
story

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style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align="center">BY

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align="center">David
Cassidy

style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt">

style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%">As she waited for the kettle to
boil, Judy turned to her friend. "I just don't think I can go through
with it," she said,
nervously.

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style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%">"I don't see what you're worrying
about," said Maureen, her best friend and confidante." You're 38 years
old, got all your own teeth and your figure isn't beyond repair, a tuck
in here, a push up there, and poor Tom doesn't stand a
chance!"

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
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style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%"> It had been three years since Judy's
husband, John, had died suddenly from a heart attack and she still
missed him terribly. The very thought of going on a date with someone
else just didn't seem right. Besides, she wouldn't have a clue what to
do!

style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%">It was now lang="EN-US" style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%;
mso-ansi-language: EN-US">three o'clock lang="EN-US" style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%;
mso-ansi-language: EN-US"> and she had arranged to meet Tom at
eight. She just couldn't get rid of the butterflies in her stomach or
stop her mind from racing.

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style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%"> Two days before, as Maureen poured their
morning coffee, she said to Judy, "Why don't we have a night out,
there's a comedian on at the club tonight and my Trevor said he'll run
us there and pick us up again at style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; mso-ansi-language:
EN-US">twelve O'clock style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; mso-ansi-language:
EN-US">."

style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"> style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; mso-ansi-language:
EN-US">"I don't know," said Judy, who never wanted to go out much
these days.

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%">"Look! Were going and that's that,
I'm fed up with your moping around the house all day feeling sorry for
yourself," replied her friend, "and I'll tell you another thing, you'll
enjoy yourself if it kills you!" they looked at each other and
laughed.

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
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style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%"> They had been in the club for an hour
and although it was busy and boisterous, Judy still couldn't get into
the swing of things. She began to think she should have stayed at home
with her 11 year old son Josh. "Drink up and I'll get them in" said
Maureen, who got up to go to the bar. "You don't have to hurry back if
your Mum is staying the night, so let's
party!"

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style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%">Judy's mum had been a great help and
supported her through the toughest time of her life and earlier that
evening, she was determined to see Judy going out enjoying
herself.

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt;
LINE-HEIGHT: 200%">"You only live once!"
That seemed to be her war cry to her daughter at every opportunity!
Judy knew that she wanted only the best for her and her son and she
didn't want to hurt her Mums feelings by refusing her many offers to
sit with Josh.

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt;
LINE-HEIGHT: 200%">

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style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%">"Don't hurry back, we'll watch the
football on TV and then I'll get Josh into bed. I think I'll have an
early night myself," said her Mum, as she shepherded Judy out to
Trevor, who was waiting in the car with an impatient
Maureen.

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style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%"> They had been sitting at a table for
two and as it was very busy, a man asked if he could move his chair to
their table. Just as Judy was about to object, Maureen said "No
problem, are there any more at home like you?" The halves of lager were
beginning to take effect on
her!

style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 42.5pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
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style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 42.5pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%">The comedian was very funny and
everyone was having a great time, especially Maureen who would persist
in bringing their unknown guest into their conversation. The lager must
have been affecting Judy as well, as she was glancing at him from time
to time. She thought he was actually quite handsome, and wondered why
she was even thinking like that. He introduced himself as Tom and he
was a stranger to the
area.

style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 42.5pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%">As the evening passed, Judy was
surprised to find herself more in conversation with Tom than Maureen!

style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"> style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; mso-ansi-language:
EN-US">

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%"> The style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; mso-ansi-language:
EN-US">Bell was ringing for
last orders when Trevor arrived to collect them. Judy was disappointed
as she was enjoying herself. When Tom said, "Could I have your phone
number Judy? I'd like to give you a call sometime."

style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; mso-ansi-language:
EN-US">
"I'd rather not, if you don't mind," said Judy,
cautiously, and as they left with Trevor, she glanced over her shoulder
to see Maureen, who was a little bit tipsy, whispering to Tom, who
smiled after them.

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style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%">The two women sat and stared into
their steaming coffee cups. "I don't know about you Judy, but my head
is banging like a drum!" Mumbled Maureen, as she sat with her head on
her arms on the kitchen
table.

style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"> style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; mso-ansi-language:
EN-US">

style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%"> "I'm not surprised, you put away a
fair amount of lager last night. More than you usually
do."

style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"> style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; mso-ansi-language:
EN-US">"Oh God, don't remind me, I didn't embarrass myself did I?"
She looked at her friend
hopefully.

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%">"No, I think we got you out just in
time before you did any serious damage to your reputation." Said Judy,
"though it was touch and go when I came back from the Ladies and you
and that Tom fellow were whispering to each
other."

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%">"Wha?." Maureen was cut short by the
door bursting open and Josh came running in, heading straight for the
fridge.

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%">"Mum is there any juice left?"
Before she could answer, he added, "Did you manage to find a boyfriend
last night?" Judy almost choked on her coffee and stared at him, not
knowing what to say.

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
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style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%"> The silence was deafening, all three
of them looked from one to the other and back again. "Auntie Maureen
said that it was time you had a boyfriend and she was going to find you
one!" Josh said excitedly. Maureen's head slumped on the table
again.

style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"> style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; mso-ansi-language:
EN-US">"Oh she did, did she, and what else did she say?" replied his
Mum frostily.

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%">Realising he had put his foot in it,
he grabbed a can of juice and bolted out of the
door.

style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"> style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; mso-ansi-language:
EN-US">"Got to go mum, I'm playing football in ten minutes!"

style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"> style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; mso-ansi-language:
EN-US">

style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%"> When she eventually lifted her
head Maureen found her friend sitting across the table from her, arms
folded tightly and eyes staring at her. "Well, I'm waiting," said
Judy.

style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"> style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; mso-ansi-language:
EN-US">"I was just sounding out Josh... to see how he would react...
if you were to find a boyfriend..." She said, her sentence tailing off
weakly at the end.

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%">"And?"

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%">"Well you saw him just now, and it
didn't matter to him at all, in fact I think he's looking forward to
it."

style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"> style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; mso-ansi-language:
EN-US">"He's11 years old, he looks forward to Christmas, not his Mum
trying to find him a new Dad!" Judy said
angrily.

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%">"For goodness sake! You're not
looking for a new Dad for Josh," countered Maureen. "Just someone to go
out with, for a meal, a drink and some company. Nobody will ever take
his Dad's place and Josh knows that as well as you
do!"

style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%">Maureen finished her coffee and
left. Although Judy was mad at her friend, she knew deep in her heart
that what she was saying was true. She would have to move on with her
life, but how?

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt;
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style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%">The telephone rang; Judy picked up
the receiver and said, "hello?"

style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%">"Hello, Judy? Hello?" said the
caller.

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt;
LINE-HEIGHT: 200%">She almost dropped the
phone as she recognised the voice. It was Tom! Her mind was in turmoil
and all sorts of thoughts rushed through her mind, there was a mirror
on the wall in front of her and as she looked at her reflection, she
saw a definite blush! She felt like a schoolgirl and couldn't think of
anything to say, and after what seemed like ages eventually stuttered
an answer, "Yes, is this?
Tom?"

style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%">"You remembered! I hoped you would,
I thought I'd give you a call, to see if you are o. k., I hope your
friend doesn't have a hangover," He seemed to speak very quickly and it
was obvious that he was as nervous as Judy
was!

style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%">"She's fine and so am I, How did you
get my number?" she
asked.

style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%">"Well, when you left us alone last
night, I asked your friend and she gave it to me and told me to give
you a call, she said she was worried about you and that you didn't get
out much, I hope you don't
mind."

style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%">"Not at all," she said making a
mental note to strangle Maureen at the earliest opportunity." She's
like a Mother hen, always clucking around
me."

style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%">"She sounds like a good friend,
anyway, I thought we might get together for a meal; tonight if you
like. I love to eat out but don't like to go alone."

style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%">"I don't think so, I've got to take
my son to his Nan's for dinner and he's
looking forward to it," she lied, and immediately regretted
it.

style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%">"Oh?. Never mind, maybe some other
time." He sounded so
disappointed

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt;
LINE-HEIGHT: 200%">"I'm free tomorrow,"
she said, surprised by how eager she
sounded.

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt;
LINE-HEIGHT: 200%">"Great, will we meet
outside the Rose and Crown? At style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; mso-ansi-language:
EN-US">8 o'clock?"

style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%">"See you there, Bye." as she
replaced the receiver she felt her hand trembling! style="mso-spacerun: yes"> " What have I done!"?
She thought she may have been too hasty, and paced the floor. She
decided she would give it a try, it would keep Maureen quiet for a
while at least!

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt;
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style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%">"This is like being on your first
date," thought Judy, as her taxi pulled up at the restaurant. Tom, who
had been standing in the doorway waiting, rushed to open the car door
for her. He had a box under his arm, which looked suspiciously like
chocolates. "Oh no, this is getting a bit corny," she felt like a
schoolgirl!

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt;
LINE-HEIGHT: 200%">"Hello Judy" he said,
and taking her arm, he swept her into the reception area and up a
flight of stairs to the dining room. "I'm glad you could make it. ?Have
you eaten here before? I've bought you some chocolates?. Hope you don't
mind?. Do you like dark chocolates??.. I should have asked
first?"

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt;
LINE-HEIGHT: 200%">Tom pulled out her
chair and she sat down, feeling a little flushed and out of breath with
the speed of Tom's welcome!

style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%">

style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%">"Don't you think I should take my
coat off first?" She said, with a hint of humour in her
voice

style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%">"Of course...I didn't think?" He
looked down at his shoes sheepishly. " I'm talking too much, it's my
nerves you see?I'm not used to this sort of thi?" He stopped suddenly,
realising he was doing it
again!

style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%"> After a few seconds awkward silence Judy
said, "Well?"

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt;
LINE-HEIGHT: 200%">"Yes, I'm fine,
thanks."

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt;
LINE-HEIGHT: 200%">"No, I mean will I take
my coat off."

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt;
LINE-HEIGHT: 200%">They both burst out
laughing and everyone looked at them. The ice was well and truly
broken!

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt;
LINE-HEIGHT: 200%">

style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%">Over dinner Judy learned that Tom
had been divorced for five years and had two daughters, aged 13 and
11.He had come to the area to work in a computer factory two months ago
and was busy getting a house ready so that his daughters could join
him. His ex-Wife was going abroad to live with her new husband and they
wanted to stay with their
father.

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt;
LINE-HEIGHT: 200%">"I don't know what I'm
letting myself in for, the both of them are always nagging at me to go
out and enjoy myself and telling me to get a
life!"

style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%">Judy thought of Josh and said
"children can be wise for their years
sometimes."

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt;
LINE-HEIGHT: 200%">

style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%">After dinner, they sat in the snug
bar chatting; Tom said "I don't get to socialise very much, as you are
no doubt aware after my performance when you arrived." They both
smiled.

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt;
LINE-HEIGHT: 200%">"I think we both just
about muddled through Tom, anyway, I'm afraid it's time to
go."

style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%">"I'll Phone a taxi for you." He
headed off to the payphone and when he came back two minutes later, he
said "They're very busy and said it will be about Forty five minutes to
wait, so, if you like, we can have another
drink."

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt;
LINE-HEIGHT: 200%">"Yes please, I'll have
an orange juice if you don't mind," she said, happy that she didn't
have to leave just yet.

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt;
LINE-HEIGHT: 200%">When the taxi arrived,
they got up to leave, and as Judy was stepping into the cab Tom said,"
Do you think I could call you again, I've really enjoyed
tonight?"

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt;
LINE-HEIGHT: 200%">"Yes," said Judy and
she felt really pleased that he had
asked.

style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%">

style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%">When she arrived home she found her
Mum and Sheen waiting. "What are you doing here at this time of night
Maureen?"

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt;
LINE-HEIGHT: 200%">"Never mind that! How
did it go?"

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt;
LINE-HEIGHT: 200%">"How did what go, oh,
you mean the meal, well I had the roast
beef?"

style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%">"Judy... if you start messing
about?." Maureen picked up a cushion
menacingly.

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt;
LINE-HEIGHT: 200%">"Would you like a
chocolate, Mum?" Judy passed the box to her
Mum.

style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%">"Are you going to see him again?"
said Maureen through gritted
teeth.

style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%">"Who?"

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt;
LINE-HEIGHT: 200%">"Tom, of
course."

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt;
LINE-HEIGHT: 200%">Judy paused for effect.
then said

lang="EN-US" style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%;
mso-ansi-language: EN-US">"Mum, I think you had better give Maureen
a chocolate, she looks as if she needs
something!"

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt;
LINE-HEIGHT: 200%">"If you don't start
giving us all the gory details, I'll not be
responsible?"

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt;
LINE-HEIGHT: 200%">"Yes, come on, dish the
dirt." Said her Mum.

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt;
LINE-HEIGHT: 200%">"OK" Said Judy, "We'll
have a coffee first I think." Maureen looked as if she would
explode!

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt;
LINE-HEIGHT: 200%">Over coffee she
explained about Tom, his divorce and the children. They laughed when
she said that he had been even more nervous than she was! When Judy
told them that the reason for Tom not socialising very much was '
because he didn't want it to look like he was looking for a Mum for his
daughters,' Maureen almost fell off the
chair!

style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%">"I think you've got a lot in
common," she said. Then, quietly, "Do you think you will see him
again?"

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt;
LINE-HEIGHT: 200%">"He said he'd call me,
I don't know?"

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt;
LINE-HEIGHT: 200%">"He sounds very nice
Judy, he'll call if he's got any sense." Said her Mum,
knowingly.

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt;
LINE-HEIGHT: 200%">They were clearing away
the coffee dishes when the phone rang. Maureen stared at Judy as she
picked up the receiver. "Hello? Yes it's me Tom, I'm home, I'm afraid I
can't speak to you at the moment as the walls have ears! Yes, call me
tomorrow, Bye." She smiled and looked at her mother. Her Mum felt a
lump in her throat as she looked at Judy; there was something in her
eyes that had been missing for so long. A sparkle that had gone and now
it was back

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt;
LINE-HEIGHT: 200%">"Mum," said Judy, "Do
you think I'm doing the right
thing,"

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt;
LINE-HEIGHT: 200%">"I think?no, I KNOW you
are "said her Mum. All three of them sat in silence for a minute,
sipping at their coffee.

style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%">Then Judy stood up looked at them
both and said; " You know what?" she
asked.

style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt; LINE-HEIGHT:
200%">"What!" they said in
unison.

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt;
LINE-HEIGHT: 200%">" You two know what I
want better than I do!"

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt;
LINE-HEIGHT: 200%">"I've been telling you
that for years," said Maureen,
smugly.

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt;
LINE-HEIGHT: 200%">"Has Mum found a boy
friend yet?" said Josh, who had crept downstairs and was standing in
the doorway. He ducked as Maureen threw the cushion at him and style="mso-spacerun: yes"> all three shouted, in
unison; "GET BACK TO BED!" as she wiped a happy tear from
the corner of her eye.

class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 28.3pt;
LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"> lang="EN-US" style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%;
mso-ansi-language: EN-US">

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