Jake carelessly threw his lever-arch file on the table, and walked through a mirror. Silver, Sam and Jenn were on the patio, looking out over the garden.

Sam was throwing a ball against the wall, although every so often he’d look up, just to check that his mother was still there. Sometimes Silver did the same, and when their eyes met they grinned reassuringly at each other. Still here.

She was reading some heavy novel, sunning herself in the imaginary light. Jenn was staring at the pond, until with a twitch of perfectly planned movement she flipped out a fish, then realised with a hiss of disappointment that it was only a wind-up replica. Nonetheless, she carried it over to Silver’s feet and laid it down, with what could only be described as an ironic expression. Silver looked up over her novel.

"I told him augmenting you was a bad idea. Oh, hello, Jake. How was lectures?"

"Okay. Boring."

"You’ll thank me for it one day."

"Yeah. Big news of the day, Milton signed that treaty with the Cáirneach. We’ve got an alliance on our hands."

"Well, that’ll deal with the clowns." Silver was nearly purring. "And the Unity has been keeping itself to itself. That death followed so close on Sam’s departure, it’s knocked them for a loop."

"How is he?"

Silver looked over. "He’s sane, pretty much. He’s got the mental age and co-ordination of someone twice his age, and he’s still rather creepily self-possessed."

Jake nodded. "I can’t believe he’s only five. He doesn’t look much like you."

"No, he always favoured his father."

Sam must have realised they were talking about him, because he picked up his ball and snuggled under his mother’s arm. Silver smiled, one of the most beautiful smiles Jake had ever seen. He shook his head. Someday, he was going to get over her... Surprisingly, she put an arm around him too, and he settled back.

"Sil? What you said to the Harlequins..."

"I said a lot of things to them. Get specific."

Now or never, thought Jake. "About one love in one lifetime..."

"Jake," she said softly, "do you know the difference between loving someone and being in love with them?"

"No."

"Neither did I."

There was a pause while he worked out what she meant. Sam smiled.

"And Jake? If you smile any wider, the top of your head’s going to come off."

"It could be worse."

"Yes." Silver hugged her dearest friend. "I suppose it could."

© Naomi 'Ni' Claydon 2000. No copying without permission.