Slater looked at her with surprise: all these kisses and appreciative gestures were nice but he'd had no idea... well actually he was lying to himself. He knew full well the woman loved him or else she'd not stay around with him so much, he'd known that for a good long while. And though he realised also that he was fond of her he wasn't sure how deep. It wasn't like his ex's love... but then maybe that wasn't a bad thing. Vivian wouldn't desert him like she did. Callous bitch...
When Slater's smile broadened at Vivian it was to display his gladness and to hide his memory of her. "I know. And quite right, too," he joked, his mustache fluffing. He raised a hand to stroke her hair and though he couldn't form the words - unable to say them for years - he looked at her with such intensity as to give her the message. "You're very - special to me Vivian Thorpe." He hoped she would understand him.