The second date came and went without any adverse incidents - indeed, without any incidents to speak of, good or bad, save for Matt planting a cautious, warm peck on Rona's cheek before they parted for their respective homes. It was almost as if by prior arrangement: neither of them said anything, but Matt seemed to know instinctively how much physical affection Rona was willing to put up with. He showed no signs of disappointment, which was good.

Hannah, however, wasn't so impressed when Rona got back home and telephoned her with her habitual report of the evening. "What the hell are you doing, calling me for? God, woman, you should have him ripping your clothes off with his teeth by now!"

"We are not" said Rona primly, "at the clothes-ripping stage."

"You mean there are stages?" Hannah thought about this. "That's a fucking weird way of going about things." She was only being partly facetious.

"Gees, Hannah, we're not all like you. We don't all bring back any old stray from the pub -" Rona cut herself short, but too late. "Oh, shit mate, I'm sorry. That was an awful thing to say."

"No, it's cool" said Hannah, holding her voice firm. "You're right. I deserve everything that's coming to me for getting myself into this mess."

"How is the situation with Janine, anyway?"

"Same."

"Okay then, we won't talk about it."

"Suits me. Anyway, honey, I know you only want to talk about your new frigid toy-boy!"

"He's not frigid! Jesus, he's just respectful, that's all."

"Pfft, same difference."

"He's a gentleman! I think. He's old-fashioned."

"Does he smoke a pipe?"

"No. He doesn't smoke at all."

"You like that, don't you? Aww, that's sweet for you then." Hannah laughed. "Janine's been trying to get me to quit. Honestly, she acts more and more like a girlfriend all the time!"

"Well . . ."

"No she's not!"

"Okay, okay. Still, maybe you should quit. I mean, it seems like she's had a good idea. Just this once."

"Quit? For her? Mouse, there's something you've got to understand: smoking's like my virginity. I don't give it up just for any old person."

Rona tried half-heartedly to conceal a giggle. "Not like your actual virginity then, eh?"

"That's enough from you!" Hannah smiled. "Anyway, I don't see what the big deal is. It's not like I'm a chimney here. I have the occasional cigar, maybe a cigarette if I'm slumming it, and I smoke a bit of pot. I mean, seriously! Whatever ends up killing me, it's not gonna be lung cancer. Actually, it'll probably be nagging: Death By Nagging. Sounds about right."

Rona laughed again. "I expect" she said, speaking carefully to make each word as clear as possible, "that in order for nagging to kill you, you would actually have to listen to it."

"Hey! Didn't I just say I'd had enough of your comments?" laughed Hannah.