Glendale, California, 1968

Charlotte sat back in the deckchair pulling her cardigan around herself, for all the sun was shining there was a definite chill in the air. The icy atmosphere between John and Darlene only added to it.

"So do you think Judy will go to Brad's funeral?" Darlene asked Charlotte as she studiously ignored her husband John.

Charlotte frowned, taking a sip of lemonade as she contemplated the funeral of their old friend. Another life lost in the Vietnam conflict, what a waste.

"Judy would like to go to the funeral," she said as she looked out into the distance. "Obviously, like is the wrong word. But she doesn't think she'd be very welcome after the way she dumped Brad back when she was in college."

"Oh come on!" Darlene scoffed. "Does anyone even remember that, much less care?"

Charlotte shrugged. "Probably not." It was all so long ago, she doubted Brad's family held it against Judy, especially as he was hardly the innocent party in their break up.

"You're seeing her later, just tell her to go. She'll regret it if she doesn't."

Charlotte nodded but she knew Judy was feeling sensitive about the whole situation. She watched as Darlene sat back and lit a cigarette, she inhaled deeply with a defiant look in John's direction.

"Should you be smoking that in your condition?" he asked looking pointedly at her stomach, his disapproval clear.

"He's right," Charlotte said thinking that at five months pregnant Darlene really shouldn't smoke. These days everyone knew it wasn't the healthiest of habits although she hadn't managed to quit herself.

"Yeah well, they help keep me calm," Darlene said, flicking her dark hair over her shoulder. "God knows I've had enough to contend with lately." She caught John's eye and he turned away sheepishly.

"Can I get either of you girls' another drink?" he asked ignoring Darlene's gaze.

Charlotte shook her head. "No thanks, I've got to head off soon. I have an appointment with Dale at four." Their old friend Dale Townsend was now a lawyer to the surprise of no one and he was handling her divorce.

Darlene pulled a face. "Make sure you get your money's worth. I can't believe he actually bills you, under the circumstances. Can you Johnny?"

"Oh, umm, I dunno to be honest," John said as he shifted uncomfortably in his seat and Charlotte regretted mentioning Dale. Obviously, anything to do with the Townsends' was a sore point nowadays.

"To be fair, It's not Dale's fault I get billed," she said choosing her words carefully. "He's just an employee and he's not charged me for half of what he could have. He's given me a lot of his time out of the office quite freely."

Darlene snorted. "I wouldn't expect anything less from a friend." She turned to John. "I wish you'd get another job. I hate that you work with Rosalind's dad, there's gotta be other construction projects you could work on."

Charlotte had to agree it was a bit too close to home. John working with Ros Townsend's dad had to be awkward for all involved.

John sighed, rubbing his forehead. "I am looking for another job," he said his brown eyes flashing with irritation. "But Jake's a good guy and a good foreman, I like working with him. And it's not like Ros comes and hangs out at the site." He laughed as if he'd said something funny but Darlene remained stony-faced.

"Well, even I wouldn't hang out at a building site," she said testily. "But you're missing the point."

"I'm not, some of the guys' wives and daughters bring their lunch down."

"I hope that isn't a hint?"

John grimaced. "As if."

"Good cos I think you put on me enough as it is, Ros wouldn't put up with this shit."

Charlotte could not miss the bitterness in Darlene's voice and she exchanged a wary look with John. Darlene had been unreasonably jealous of Rosalind when they were kids, but now she had good cause to be.

Charlotte coughed, clearing her throat before she attempted to rescue the conversation. "So are any of Brad's old friends going to the funeral?"

"Sure," John said sounding a little relieved. "I spoke to Bob the other day and he's been in touch with..." He broke off and her stomach sank, she could well guess what he was going to say.

"You mean Louis is going to be there?" she said swallowing hard and clasping her hands together. It was years since she'd spoken to him, even longer since she'd seen him in person. Although his family were still living in Glendale she'd managed to convince herself that he wouldn't return.

"Yeah, I think he is," John said sounding apologetic. "He's been laying low since he was discharged from the army but I'm pretty sure he'll show his face. It could just as easily have been him in Brad's place."

"Right," she said trying to keep her face impassive. "So he's left the army and he's back home? When did all this happen?"

John looked uncomfortable. "A few months ago. We weren't sure if we should tell you." He caught Darlene's eye and she nodded, their first agreement all afternoon.

"It doesn't matter, it's fine, honestly," Charlotte said trying hard to sound normal. "With the divorce and everything it probably wouldn't have registered with me even if you had told me."

She could see that John and Darlene were relieved she'd taken the news so calmly but how was she supposed to react? She could hardly scream and shout because her ex-boyfriend had the temerity to return home. She sat back as they fell into silence, ten more minutes and she would have to leave.

"Actually, Charlotte," John said glancing at his watch. "Louis said he might come over this afternoon."

"What!"

"John, you could have warned me," Darlene said frowning. "The house is not fit for visitors. No offence Lottie, you're my best friend so you don't count."

Charlotte smiled, standing up. "No problem, I should go anyway. I'll let you get cleaned up." She winked at John. "If you help, it'll take no time."

"Hey, I've been working," he grumbled as he got to his feet, leading them inside the house which was mostly tidy apart from the odd toy that was strewn around. "Besides, housework is women's work."

Charlotte rolled her eyes. "I guess, the sexual revolution passed you by."

"Hey, I was grafting while you were burning your bras."

"Haha," she said. It went without saying that juggling a baby, husband and college meant she'd had no involvement in the women's movement.

"If anything, I'd say you've benefitted more from the relaxation in moral standards than either of us have," Darlene said giving John a dark look, however, there was a knock at the door before a row could ensue.

"I'll get it," John said and Charlotte's stomach knotted. She cursed herself for not leaving earlier.

"Sorry," Darlene mouthed as they heard Louis's voice from the hallway.

Charlotte stood motionless, her mouth dry despite the glass of lemonade she'd had. She briefly contemplated fleeing out of the backdoor but that would surely be even more embarrassing. She closed her eyes and took a couple of deep breaths trying to regulate her breathing.

"Hi Lou," Darlene said as John entered the living room, Louis trailing him. "I heard you were back in town, where've you been hiding?"

"I've just been keeping to myself," he said a crooked smile on his face. "Civilian life takes some getting used to."

"I bet it does but at least you got back in one piece," Darlene said brightly. "Isn't that right Lottie?"

Charlotte's eyes widened while her fingers twisted together. "Yes of course," she said, looking up to take in Louis's clean-cut appearance. His hair was shorter than most guys wore it these days, even her thirty-something husband - ex-husband - had grown his hair out, no doubt in some desperate attempt to keep up with the kids. She slowly breathed out, forcing herself to smile. "It's nice to see you again, Louis."

"Yeah, you too," Louis murmured briefly catching her eye and her stomach most definitely somersaulted.

No, she told herself. Don't even think about it.

                                                                                       ~~~

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