Nina wondered what was up. When she asked, James stared back at her blankly, denying anything was afoot. Nina shrugged and gave up. She didn’t feel particularly playful. She felt sad. It was her birthday in a couple of days and she keenly felt the distance from her family. This would be the first year she hadn’t spent it with them. Her mother had been disappointed when she telephoned to say she wouldn’t be coming home as planned and had asked if everything was okay. Her tone had been concerned, which Nina appreciated, but still she felt defensive. Nina had said they were just having a few temporary financial difficulties. They hoped they would be able to come at Christmas. Then she had hung up the phone and her heart had been heavy ever since. Nina had thought briefly of the money in her sock drawer but there wasn’t enough for two air tickets and she wasn’t about to go home without James. ‘Why don’t we pop up the street for dinner?’ suggested James.
