"Still, don't you think it's sad?" Rona said. "Even though she's not your friend. Don't you think it's sad?"

"I dunno, has she ever talked about wanting anyone? Has Sacha ever talked about wanting to be with someone?" Matt asked.

"I don't think so." Rona pursed her lips in thought. "I can't remember her talking about it."

"Then maybe she's fine with it."

"But - it'd make you sad, wouldn't it?"

"To not have a date in over two years?"

"Yeah."

Matt grinned. "It'd never happen to me" he said. "I'm irresistible!"

"I'm serious!" Rona hit him gently with the back of her hand. "Stop making me laugh. It's not fair."

"Okay, I'm sorry" Matt said. "But really, maybe she's just fine. Have you ever thought that maybe it'd make you sad, so that's why you're so worried about her? Because you'd be sad, if you were in her place? Maybe you're imposing your own feelings onto her."

"God, that sounds like something Brent would say" Rona observed.

"Yeah, and Brent's usually right, isn't he?"

"Okay, that doesn't sound like him" Rona said. Then, with a sigh, she added: "Yeah, you're right. It would make me sad. I can't imagine ever being alone for that long. I mean - no sex! Can you imagine?"

"How d'you know she hasn't had sex in all that time?"

"Hannah says. Hannah can tell these things."

"Freaky."

"Tell me about it. She knew when we'd done it the first time."

"Okay" said Matt quickly, "I think I don't need to hear that." He shook his head, then gazed into the middle-distance in thought. "God, I'm never gonna be able to talk to Hannah the same way again! Is it too late to go celibate?"

"What, just to avoid an awkward conversation?"

"I can do it, believe me."

"Don't you dare! Where does that leave me? High and dry!"

Matt snickered, and Rona glared at him, and then she burst out laughing. "Damn it! I'm trying to have a serious conversation here!"

"Still?"

"Yes, still!" Rona regained her composure. "I'm just worried about Sacha. I mean, it's not healthy, is it? To spend all that time alone?"

"No" Matt agreed with her at last, "no it's not."