Rose watched him go, her mouth hanging slightly open, as he once again removed himself from her. A tight band had formed around her chest, making it hard to breathe deeply. The house was still and lonely after the door closed behind him. She turned her eyes back on the unfinished dinner. The tasteless potatoes and half finished pies still lay on their plates. Andrew's chair stood pushed back from the table where he had left it. She bit her tongue and fought back the tears that were already stinging her eyes. Then she walked over, moved the chair back under the table and quietly began to clean up. The quiet ting of cutlery on plates and the ticking of the clock on the mantlepiece were the only noises disturbing the domestic peace.