Tanya knocked on the street door and rang the bell. She heard footsteps and somebody openedthe door.

"Hello Aunty Tanya." Maya smiled and rushed to help with the bag."Hello...err...Maya is it?"

"Yes it is. Won't you come on in?" Big clear innocent eyes looked expectantly at Tanya."Where is Mandeep? And don't call me Aunty...just Tanya will do."

"Sorry. Okay...I mean I don't know where Mandeep is. He just went to the super-market andwas to be back a long time ago."

"Are you bedding-down with him?"

"Eh?"

"Keeping his bed warm - you know, living with him?"

"Yes, he lives here..." and then she blushed heavily, "I mean ...I mean ...we live together...Imean," she realized what the inference would mean and became utterly confused and agitated."It's okay, honey," Tanya held her hand, "we lived together, in sex, for a long time. But thatwas a long time ago. It's over now, so don't worry your pretty head about it." Tanya hugged her andfelt her young body tense and trembling.

"Are you telling me Mandeep lives here and hasn't crawled into your bed?""He has tried, but I won't let him."

"That's amazing." Tanya believed her and had wonder and respect for this young chit of a girl."Well, we aren't married...you know..."

Tanya burst out laughing. She quite liked this frank young thing. "Is that the only reason? Don'tyou like him?"

"Oh I like him alright...but, but, if he marries me it would be different." She blushed prettily.Tanya was only a little bit older, but she felt ancient in Maya's company."Are you going to offer me some tea?"

"Sure, of course," Maya looked unsure and flustered, "I'm sorry. I'll just put the kettle on." Andshe ran to the kitchen leaving Tanya standing in the middle of the room with her large bag. She smiled;it was a million years since she had been so young and so rattled.