She’d thought such terrible things – she’d thought that her heart had gone bad, but it hadn’t; it had only frozen over. It had only covered itself in ice so as to sleep. She was a creature thawing out – the first sign of life back in April, the drip-drip awakening over the summer months as she waited for Douglas to reply, and now her heart was in full bloom again, perhaps for the first time since forever; pumping blood through a body alive, every nerve in her body awake, every piece of her singing. She was ready, wasn’t she? She didn’t want this rush to pass with no word; a silent revolution was no revolution at all. Didn’t they know she was awake again? Didn’t they know she was alive?

Ruby said it was only a matter of time. They’d gone together to post the letter, and though her life was not a drama existing solely for Ruby’s excitement, Enid hadn’t been able to help feeling a little thrilled. It was nice to have a friend, even a silly one. It was nice, just occasionally, just this once, to have someone to talk to, to feel jolly with, or nervous, or sad. Ruby had tucked her arm into Enid’s and said I’m so jolly proud of you and they’d walked home as if they were girls locked in conspiracy; a secret that they threw in looks and smiles as the days passed. As the weeks passed Enid’s smile became a little less willing and after months she’d stopped catching Ruby’s looks at all. That was when Ruby started making a habit of taking her hand unexpectedly, of leaning a little too close and saying, it’s only a matter of time, Enid. I’m sure you’ll hear something soon.