Day 86

Pat stood out in the garden and stared out across the mist still hanging over the frozen garden. A watery sun took the edge off the chill. But there was a different chill hanging over Pat. She had never smoked in her life yet suddenly she felt the need of a cigarette. Her heart was racing.

What should she do now? How to exit gracefully?

The phrase ‘what would Patrick do?’ flitted across her mind.

Patrick. Patrick who had done anything but exit gracefully. Yet here everybody was, still discussing him, still moulding their worlds round him.

For a brief moment the need for a cigarette was replaced by a nostalgic need for Patrick.

And then, like the craving for nicotine, the feeling was gone.