Cheri's mouth dropped open, and then the words tumbled over themselves. 'Er ... I don't know how it got there it must have dropped in when I was washing up oh I didn't mean - '
'It doesn't worry me, honestly. I'm used to it.'
'But I didn't think you'd - '
'Look, don't get the wrong idea. It's not a case of not wanting to,' said Angua. 'It's a case of wanting to and not doing it.'
'You don't really have to go, do you?'
'Oh, I don't know if I can take the Watch seriously and... and sometimes I think Carrot's working up to ask me ... and, well, it'd never work out. It's the way he just assumes everything, you know? So best to go now,' Angua lied.
'Won't Carrot try to stop you?'
'Yes, but there's nothing he can say.'
'He'll be upset.'
'Yes,' said Angua briskly, throwing another dress on the bed. 'And then he'll get over it.'
'Hrolf Thighbiter's asked me out,' said Cheri shyly, looking at the floor. 'And I'm almost certain he's male!'
'Glad to hear it.'
Cheri stood up. 'I'll walk with you as far as the Watch House. I've got to go on duty.'
They were half-way along Elm Street before they saw Carrot, head and shoulders above the crowd.
'Looks like he was coming to see you,' said Cheri. 'Er, shall I go away?'
Too late...'
'Ah, good morning, Corporal Miss Little-bottom!' said Carrot cheerfully. 'Hello, Angua. I was just coming to see you but I had to write my letter home first, of course.'
He took off his helmet, and smoothed back his hair. 'Er...' he began.
'I know what you're going to ask,' said Angua.
'You do?'
'I know you've been thinking about it. You knew I was wondering about going.'
'It was obvious, was it?'
'And the answer's no. I wish it could be yes.'
Carrot looked astonished. 'It never occurred to me that you'd say no,' he said. 'I mean, why should you?'
'Good grief, you amaze me,' she said. 'You really do.'
'I thought it'd be something you'd want to do,' said Carrot. He sighed. 'Oh, well ... it doesn't matter, really.'
Angua felt that a leg had been kicked away. 'It doesn't matter? she said.
'I mean, yes, it'd have been nice, but I won't lose any sleep over it.'
'You won't?'
'Well, no. Obviously not. You've got other things you want to do. That's fine. I just thought you might enjoy it. I'll do it by myself.'