JennyO and Sandra looked at each other as the door closed behind Magenta. Freda was in the kitchen, bringing out the pavlova. "She's off her flaming rocker" said Jenny, watching as Freda brought in a monstrosity of whipped cream, merangue and passionfruit. "I just can't understand it - she must have been to one of those whacky seminars", muttered Sandra.

"Have some pav" said Freda, setting the pavlova, plates and forks on the table under the window, "what's the prob?" Freda reached across to the bookshelf, and picked up a battered copy of Gloria Steinem's "Outrageous Acts and Everyday Rebellions". "All she wants to do is express herself, give her a break"..

Jenny rolled her eyes. "Listen Freda, just because she wants to be empowered doesn't give her the right to race off young blokes, knock them up and then knock them off..."

"Knock them off? you don't mean.."

"DO THEM IN, FREDA, DO THEM IN!" said Sandra and JennyO in chorus.

Freda paused, and turned round to serve the pavlova. There was Baxter, curled up by the fire, with a face covered of cream, while on the table was an empty plate.

Sandra and Jenny got up, picked up their bags, flung on their shawls and headed for the door. "We're going to find her, Freda, and we know where she always hangs out...... The Black Lion".

They wandered down the street, Freda running along behind them with her hair glowing white under the street lamps.