"Don't let yourself dwell too much on such things dear. They have their place, but it can be far too easy to become absorbed in them." She leaned her head back and managed a smile, as much as it hurt to hear her daughter speak of death. "And your father and I will be around for quite a while yet. You've enough to worry about without thinking of that."

A bit of a grin, and she set her hand on Sophia's shoulder. "And I rather expect that you worry about your friends as much as you boss them about. But come, it's about time for dinner and we'd best not be late." She stood, and stretched slightly, hair falling down.

"And I've already promised to speak to your Father for you. I think that's enough, it is only one A." The words, her smile, the touch of her hand on Sophia's shoulder. All warm, reassuring. She did so hate to see her daughter worry so.

"I do worry of them. Especially the boys. They are hopeless mother. I don't think I'll ever marry one." Sophia made a face as she climbed down from her bed to put her arms around her mother's legs, "Thank you. And yes. Let's go to dinner."


End.