The kids are all grown up now. Second grandchild imminent. Time is running out. A grey face in the mirror reminds Charley of middle age. Where"s the point of having money if you can"t enjoy it？ Why can"t clocks take their time？ What"s the hurry？
Ah？ God have mercy！ Dolly. How different might it have been without her？
Dolly"s eyelids droop. Her mouth opens a fraction. She looks almost dead. Moments pass slowly.
“This must be very boring for you，” she says， without opening her eyes.
“Not at all. It does me good to see you.”
“It"s not nice having to visit anybody in hospital. It"s so depressing.”
“Don"t think that way.”
Dolly settles her head further back against the white pillows. Grimaces for an instant then gives a smile.
“You should leave now， Charley. I think I might sleep for a while.”
“Are you sure？”
“Yes.”
Charley bounces to his feet.
“I"ll come later，” he says.
“Please don"t. The wards will be crammed with people on Saturday. Leave it till the morning. Come after three.”
“Is that what you want？”
“It is， darling.”
Dolly opens her eyes， smiles like a child. It"s been a long time since Dolly was a child.
“You look tired， darling，” she says. “Aren"t you sleeping？”
“I was a bit restless last night.”
“Try to take things easy.”
Dolly squeezes her husband"s hand， presses her ringed finger against his gold wedding ring. Her fingers are light as feathers.
“Off you go， darling，” she says. “Try not to worry.”
Charley bends and kisses Dolly"s forehead.
“I"ll see you tomorrow，” he says.
Dolly"s eyes close. Her fingers slip from his.
Charley walks along a polished corridor and finds the exit. Outside in the car park he locates his car and sits inside. He glances around at the visitors coming and going. Nurses walk past， reminding him of butterflies. Charley reaches for his mobile phone and taps in a number. The call is answered almost immediately.