Sarah looked sternly at Norman, "I'm appalled at you. Annie of all people, how could you? What made you do it?"

"Jealous?" Norman leered, but then thought better at Sarah's harsh look. He recovered, and smiled again, "I haven't done anything."

"Annie told me everything. About you two-last Christmas, rolling around on this very rug, with your wife ill upstairs," Sarah said matter-of-factly.

"Oh-that, that was just festive fun," Norman said benignly.

Sarah continued, "And if that isn't enough, planning to sneak off with her for some sordid weekend."

Norman spoke up, "There's nothing sordid about East Grinstead. She wanted to come. I wanted to go. Besides we love each other."

Sarah shook her head. "Don't be ridiculous. You're married to Ruth, and I may remind you, there's Tom to consider, her fiance--or whatever she calls him."

Norman shook his head. "What has Ruth got to do with anything. And Tom, please."

"Tom may not be ideal, but beggars can't be choosers," Sarah replied.

"Annie isn't a beggar," Norman said surprised. "She's beautiful." Sarah now looked surprised. "Anybody I love is automatically beautiful." "Oh Norman, Don't be ridiculous," Sarah said shaking her head.

"Have you never felt that way? Was Reg never beautiful in your eyes?" Norman said.

"I'm not discussing my private life," Sarah said curtly.

Norman replied,"You're being free enough with mine."

"Yours doesn't happen to particularly private," Sarah shot back, "It happens to involve about half a dozen people. You, Annie, Ruth, Tom, Reg, me and Mother."

"I've never asked Mother for a weekend," Norman said blithely. He wandered over to the window and looked at a cat stuck up in a tree in the garden. "Look at that cat up there. Tom couldn't get it down. Couldn't be much of a vet could he, if the patients are running away. Are you a fulfilled person, Sarah?"

"I don't know what you're talking about Norman," Sarah said, moving towards the stack of magazines. "And stop pestering Annie, I'm going up to Mother." She tried to pick up the magazines, but they were too heavy. "I'll just make Reg take these up. Now for goodness sake, Norman, pull yourself together and go home to Ruth."

"It would have been wonderful," Norman mused, "We never intended to upset anybody. We both agreed. That was the joy of it, don't you see? Nobody need every have known. Just a weekend..."

Sarah largely ignored him, and headed out the door.

Norman looked around depressed, and wandered towards the stack of magazines.