“Happy Launch Day, children,” Mother said softly. Her eyes shone in the light from the galaxy slowly disintegrating above our heads. Our annual ob...servance of Longshot’s launch was one of the very few times she would allow herself to visibly show emotion.Her slim brown arm hugged Zuri, standing between us. “You outdid yourself this year, child. That was wonderful.”From the other side I kissed my sister’s cheek. “It was beautiful, Zuri.” My twin’s smile glowed as her shoulders relaxed and fell,. 'Its alright you don't have to' was her response. 'Tell me & pay me back when its payday', I replied. '£150'. I wired her £150 & saw her face go crazy. 'Thank you' she said. She got the train home & I didn't hear from her all weekend. I got a call Monday night 4 hours before our nightshifts started. 'Where you live? I want to show you what that money bought', she said with a dark tone to her voice. I gave her directions & she found her way there. A long ringing at the door & there she was stood. Maria will inspect the dishes and glasses after you have washed them, they must sparkle.’ She indicated a girl who was a younger version of her and who smiled briefly at me when she heard her name mentioned. ‘Let me tell you now, she is not for you. She is young and beautiful . . .’ This brought an admonishing ‘Mama’ from Maria. ‘You are young and handsome.’ That’s a first for me, not even my mother has ever told me that I was handsome. ‘But you should not get any ideas, she is promised.’ This. “Erin.” I stopped washing her butt and turned her to me.“Yes Paul?” She looked me straight in the eyes.“Erin. I know that I have said this before, but for some reason it feels like I really need to be sure that you know this, right down into your soul. I love you.”Tears welled up in her eyes.“You really do, don’t you!”“I do. Forever.”We cried in each other’s arms for a long time.“Come on, let’s have breakfast.” We dried and went out into the main room and I stopped at the cart that had been.