Lazybones

TWENTY-SIX

They spoke to each other slowly, in whispers.

'Did I wake you?'

'What time is it?'

'Late. Go back to sleep…'

'It's OK…'

'I'm sorry.'

'Were you dreaming about it again?'

'Every bloody night at the moment. Jesus… '

'You never used to have dreams before, did you? I had them all the time, always did, but never you…'

'Well I'm having them now. With a vengeance.'

'That's an appropriate word.'

'Will they stop, do you think? Afterwards?'

'What?'

'The dreams. Will they stop once it's all over?'

'We'll know soon enough…'

'I'm nervous about this one.'

'No need to be.'

'We're less in control of it than with the others. You know? With them we knew what to expect, we knew everything that might happen. That was the advantage of the hotels, they were predictable…'

'It'll be fine…'

'You're right, course it will, I know. I wake up like this and I'm still thinking about the stuff in the dream and my head's all fucked up.'

'Is that the only reason you're nervous? Something going wrong?'

'What else would it be?'

'That's all right, then.'

'You'd better be there on time, though…'

'Don't be silly…'

'You'd better fucking be there, all right? Think about the traffic.'

'I never have any problems with the traffic, and I've always been there.'

'I know you have. Sorry…'

'What about Thorne?'

'Thorne won't be a problem.'

'Good '

'I'm so tired. I have to try and get back to sleep now.'

He reached for her, slid an arm across her belly.

'Come here and I'll help you…'