The softscreen brochure remained on the kitchen table, waiting to be either considered or discarded along with all the other detritus of family life: notices of local events, bills, flyers from Hannah’s school... Sally went back to the surgery the day after seeing Kath, and Geoff worked in his study editing the shots he’d taken at the Fujiyama arboreal city. At dinner that evening Hannah chatted about school, who was friends with whom, and what Miss Charles had said about the forthcoming Serene Party, marking the tenth anniversary of the alien’s arrival on Earth. Mars was not mentioned until after dinner when, Hannah tucked up in bed, Sally opened a bottle of red wine and they sat in the garden and enjoyed the clement summer evening. She said, “Have you...?” He glanced at her. “Mars?” “Sometimes I think we’re telepathic.” She reached out and took his hand. It was good to have him back. “Well, I suppose we really should look at the brochure... I’ll fetch it.” While he was in the kitchen, Sally refilled their glasses and looked around the garden.
