MRS. THOMAS
Soon back?

SHEILA ASHTON
Yes.

MRS. THOMAS
You...saw him?

SHEILA
Oh, yes. Yes, I saw him.

MRS. THOMAS
Nothing said?

SHEILA
No, nothing.

MRS. THOMAS
That's a pity.

SHEILA
Maybe.

MRS. THOMAS
Every time you harden your heart, the next time it's easier.

SHEILA
Good!

MRS. THOMAS
You don't really mean that, not really.

SHEILA
Well, I know it now anyway, don't I? That's something, I'm glad. I've been too soft for too long.

MRS. THOMAS
(upset)
Two children! No father for the rest of their life!

SHEILA
Oh, he'll come and see them...whenever he can be bothered, that is.

MRS. THOMAS
And you think that that is the same?

SHEILA
No, but it could be a lot worse, couldn't it? You know, it was quite easy walking out of there tonight...quite easy. Next time, it's going to be even easier, and I say good to that, Mrs. Thomas.

MRS. THOMAS
You say good now, but this old war won't last forever.

SHEILA
Oh, won't it? It will for David...his own private, little war.

MRS. THOMAS
What are you going to do with two children with no man to keep them...and work for them?

SHEILA
I shall work for them. I'd have them back now, if things weren't so difficult at home. In fact, if I was to go part-time at the NAAFI...

MRS. THOMAS
(tearfully)
There you are, minding your own business...and suddenly you're told you're going to have two children. Next thing is, they're your whole life. And then someone says they're going to take them back now. What about this place? Empty.

SHEILA
Well, I didn't exactly mean now.

MRS. THOMAS
Oh, no! You... You... You leave them here just as long as you wish, and then when the time comes for them to go...

SHEILA
(firmly)
I shall take them.

MRS. THOMAS
(nodding her head)
Then, go they must.

 

(from "Happy Returns" by David Weir)