Abrupt Goodbye

"It wasn't long after that I made my decision, and once I'd made it , I never wavered." Pg.202

     In a way, this could be Kathy's snap. Since returning from Norfolk, she, Ruth and Tommy had been growing ever farther apart. The incident in the churchyard seemed to indicate that Ruth had no true feelings for Tommy and she was bent on Tommy never having any for Kathy either. Then comes the bus stop conversation. Ruth hints that she probably will not be with Tommy much longer after they leave the Cottages, but Tommy does not look at Kathy as partner material anyway. Everything starts to add up here for Kathy. Ruth obviously has no intention for her best friend to be happy, and she senses that Tommy truly does not see her as a romantic pursuit. She is ready to move on. Unfortunately the only place she has to go is the lonliness and death of being a carer. Rightly so, she has given up on the "daft" hope of happiness and fulfillment. She even hints at what a shame it was that they all wasted their time "having rows" at each other during the freedom on their lives. They could have experienced so much more.