Pen sat silently in the diner, her head in her hands and didn't notice her mother wander in:
"Pen dear, you've forgotten to put the lights on....Pen?"
Pen glanced up "Oh Mother" she sighed
"Whatever's the matter dear...where's Jen, its not like her not to be here."
Pen paused and then quietly said "She's gone. They, they've all gone."
"What? Gone where...she should have told you if she was taking a day off!! Oh dear...what a palava...come on dear, cheer up."
"No, you don't understand mother! They've gone...all of them, Jen, the boys, Michael...upt and left!"
Rosy pulled up a chair...."I don't understand love.."
