Sven waited on the farmhouse doorstep, hearing the footsteps approaching in answer to his ringing of the bell.
The smile as Sam opened the door brightened the cold, damp afternoon better than any sunshine might have done. Sven kissed her as he stepped quickly in, so she could shut the door before the dismal late winter day had time to penetrate the warmth within.
"Sven - it's a welcome return - so good to see you again, it's been too long." Then, "Give me your coat and go in by the fire and warm up."
Sam followed him into the warmth of the parlour, closing the hall door behind her. She stood by him - her hand on his arm - then hugged him to her, tears misting her eyes. Sven held her tightly, feeling her warmth as she rested her head against his shoulder and kissed him gently on the neck.
Sven massaged her back gently savouring the welcome to each other.
"I've missed you - you haven't been back since the funeral."
"Oh Sam - don't think it hasn't preyed on my mind," Sven turned awkwardly away from her gaze, her blue eyes seemingly more piercing than usual. "Pam..."
"Pam..." started Sam in the same instant and they both stopped as they each realised the other had Pam, Sven's wife, laid up unable to walk, on their minds.
Sven continued at Sam's invitation - "knows I'm stopping off here, in fact it was her idea."
Sam, glancing out the window, looked back at Sven and handed him the phone. "I suggest you call her and tell her you're staying the night - you've still got over a hundred miles to go and the mist is right down on the hills now - neither she nor I will let you go anywhere tonight."
Sven started to protest but looking outside realised that it would be silly and dangerous to try and complete the long journey tonight. "If you're..." then having got one of her famous 'looks' from Sam said "Ok - you're right."
***
A little while later, Pam having told him not to be silly, she'd be furious if he didn't spend some time with Sam and at the same time recover from an already trying journey, Sven agreed that it would be sensible to use her spare bed and stay the night.
Sam smiled and went to make a hot drink, relieved the decision had been made.
Sven followed her into the old farmhouse kitchen, the range throwing out welcome warmth as he pulled out the chair and sat at the table. Sam, waiting for the kettle to boil, passed him a scrap book. Sven opened and looked down at pictures and cuttings from the Group's days together before he had met Pam and moved away.
"Thirty three years ago " he added in wonderment. "So long ago..."