Vimes and Astra Don't Hit It Off

Soon they were being interviewed by that body's head, Sam Vimes. It was an interview rather than an interrogation, since at this point Vimes had no reason to think that they were guilty of any crime. Facing him across his desk, Vimes saw a fit and healthy young man, deeply suntanned and dressed only in rags (the seamstresses weren't going to clothe a mere man without any payment). Next to the man sat a striking young woman. She was unusually tall, very good-looking, and seemed very athletic, in spite of being about six months pregnant. Like the man, she was very suntanned, but unlike him she was properly clothed, wearing a blue dress. She had long red hair.

"Your names are?" he began.

"Fred D'Honaire." Fred didn't think that revealing his title would be helpful.

"And my name is Astra." Astra had come to the same conclusion.

"Are you man and wife?"

"No," Astra said.

"Is this man the father of the child that you are expecting?"

"Yes, he is. Not that it's any of your business."

"Are you planning to marry him?"

"That's even less your business. But I will tell you that we haven't yet discussed it."

"If you are going to be staying in Ankh-Morpork and will be bringing a child into the world, then I should like to assure myself that you will be in a position to look after it. Do you have any means of support?"

"The seamstresses gave me something which they called a bra. I'm wearing it under the dress, so you can't see it... Oh, I see what you mean. Well, we've only just arrived here and we don't have any money, but I suppose that I can get a job."

"Not many businesses will want to employ someone who will be giving birth in a few months time."

"I will get a job and support her," Fred said. "In fact, this seems like a good moment to propose. There was no point back on the island, with no priest to marry us. Astra, will you marry me?"

1. "Yes, of course I will."
2. "No. And I don't want you supporting me either. I know that you mean well, Fred, but I want to remain independent and beholden to no-one."
3. "I won't answer you in front of him." She pointed at Vimes.

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