Rita looked about her sitting room. It had been fifteen minutes since she had put the phone down, and within that amount of time she had managed to stack every dirty plate and cup that she had managed to locate into the dishwasher and turn it on. The washing machine was going, and she had rinsed out the kettle, paranoid that there might be errant flakes of lime scale in it should Connie want a hot drink.

She wrung her hands together before her, her chest was full of the fluttering nervousness of anticipation, and when the doorbell finally rang she had to stop herself from running to answer the door. Instead she slowed herself and took a deep breath in before she opened the door, releasing it all in one breath when she saw Connie.

"You're here!"

She couldn't help but smile as Connie stepped into the hallway, her eyes glancing quickly about the white painted hallway, before settling on Rita.

"I am."

She almost laughed, amused at Rita's obvious excitement, and she paused as Rita closed the door behind her and led her into the kitchen-cum-living room.

She turned to face her, watching as Connie set her bag down on the worktop and began to unbutton her coat, only glancing up when Rita reached out a hand to take it from her, her face so full of happiness that she found herself laughing again.

"Someone looks happy?"

She murmured, allowing Rita to take her coat which she hung on the hooks just inside the hallway.

"Sorry..."

Rita apologised instinctively, then without quite realising what she was doing she drew Connie into a hug.

"I'm so glad you're here."

She whispered, burying her face against Connie's shoulder, her lips pressing against the fabric of her jumper, and she could smell the soft scent of her perfume, and the powder of her make up.

Connie hugged her back, placing a hand at the back of Rita's head, her fingers running through the fine blonde hair.

"Well, we almost made it through a night apart."

She whispered, and she felt Rita smile against her before she pulled away just enough to be able to look up at her without pulling away from the embrace.

"I'm glad we didn't."

She said, biting her lip, and Connie tucked the stray strand of blonde hair that had fallen into her eyes back behind her ear.

She looked down at her, Rita's face so bare of make up but so beautiful, the sort of beauty that you feel so deeply that it becomes contagious and somehow makes whoever looks upon that person to feel beautiful too, and Connie couldn't help the flush that came to her cheeks when she realised that the look of happiness within Rita's eyes was because of her. Because she was there...because she existed...

"So...Grace is coming..."

Rita spoke quietly. She knew that she should have offered Connie a drink, or at least a seat before having broaching the subject, but the warmth of her arms around her, and the feel of her breath on her face and those eyes looking down at her made it impossible to step away, even for a moment.

"I can't imagine what she will have picked up whilst she's been over there...and it hasn't even been that long!"

Connie exhaled, she had already been over thinking matters, and It was such a relief to be here, that she only now noticed that Rita had a blanket hung over every window, over the top of the curtains.

"So she's coming for Halloween?"

Rita asked, noticing her gaze stray. Connie looked momentarily flustered, but almost immediately she regained her composure.

"Yes. I expect I will have to throw a party..."

She raised an eyebrow as she spoke, and Rita grinned slowly, pulling Connie closer, enjoying the press of her body against her own, and thinking briefly how much better she would sleep tonight, just knowing Connie was there, curled about her, holding her close.

"And will I be invited to this party?"

She asked, alarmed to see the flicker of doubt behind the other woman's eyes.

"Sorry...I shouldn't have asked..."

"No!"

Connie cut her off, squeezing gently.

"Don't be silly. I'm just worrying about what to tell her..."

She tailed off and Rita waited for a moment before speaking.

"About...?"

She coaxed.

"You? Us..."

Connie said slowly.

"Ah."

Rita inhaled through her nose and glanced down at their bodies, so warm and cuddled together.

"Well, I suppose it's either all or nothing. Either you tell her we're just friends, or you tell her everything...I don't suppose she'll mind either way..."

She paused, nervously willing Connie to confirm this theory.

"Will she?"

She asked. But Connie just drew up her shoulders.

"Your guess is as good as mine."

She admitted.

Evening! I've had ever such a long day, but surprisingly I've managed to get quite a bit of writing done. I will update again tomorrow if you'd all like. Thank you as always for the lovely reviews and comments, they really cheer my days up! Whenever I'm sitting, working, or trailing about after my children trying to get them to wipe yoghurt up off the floor, and I hear the sound of my email make a noise, I get all excited about reading what you think... silly as that may be ;)

Anyway, I'd better say goodnight before my eyes fall out of my own head... goodnight everyone, have a lovely evening, and thank you in advance for reading :) xxx