The author accepts the right of the individual to hold his/her (or whatever) own political, religious and social views, and there is no intention to deliberately offend anyone. If you wish to take offence, that is your problem.
㰀瀀㸀吀栀椀猀 椀猀 漀渀氀礀 愀 猀琀漀爀礀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 椀琀 挀漀渀琀愀椀渀猀 愀搀甀氀琀 洀愀琀攀爀椀愀氀Ⰰ 眀栀椀挀栀 椀渀挀氀甀搀攀猀 猀攀砀 愀渀搀 椀渀琀椀洀愀琀攀 搀攀猀挀爀椀瀀琀椀瘀攀 搀攀琀愀椀氀猀 瀀攀爀琀愀椀渀椀渀最 琀漀 最攀渀椀琀愀氀椀愀⸀ 䤀昀 琀栀椀猀 椀猀 氀椀欀攀氀礀 琀漀 漀昀昀攀渀搀Ⰰ 琀栀攀渀 搀漀渀✀琀 爀攀愀搀 椀琀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀Unfortunately no politicians were injured or killed in the writing of this story, and no one else was either.
㰀瀀㸀䤀昀 礀漀甀 攀渀樀漀礀 椀琀Ⰰ 琀栀攀渀 瀀氀攀愀猀攀 䔀洀愀椀氀 洀攀 愀渀搀 琀攀氀氀 洀攀⸀ 䤀昀 礀漀甀 栀愀琀攀 椀琀Ⰰ 䔀洀愀椀氀 洀攀 愀渀搀 氀椀攀℀㰀⼀瀀㸀I will always welcome contact.
㰀瀀㸀㰀愀 栀爀攀昀㴀∀洀愀椀氀琀漀㨀琀愀渀礀愀开樀愀礀愀䀀礀愀栀漀漀⸀挀漀⸀甀欀∀㸀琀愀渀礀愀开樀愀礀愀䀀礀愀栀漀漀⸀挀漀⸀甀欀 㰀⼀愀㸀㰀⼀瀀㸀The legal stuff.
㰀瀀㸀吀栀椀猀 眀漀爀欀 椀猀 琀栀攀 瀀爀漀瀀攀爀琀礀 漀昀 琀栀攀 愀甀琀栀漀爀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 琀栀攀 愀甀琀栀漀爀 爀攀琀愀椀渀猀 昀甀氀氀 挀漀瀀礀爀椀最栀琀Ⰰ 椀渀 爀攀氀愀琀椀漀渀 琀漀 瀀爀椀渀琀攀搀 洀愀琀攀爀椀愀氀Ⰰ 眀栀攀琀栀攀爀 漀渀 瀀愀瀀攀爀 漀爀 攀氀攀挀琀爀漀渀椀挀愀氀氀礀⸀ 䄀渀礀 愀搀愀瀀琀愀琀椀漀渀 漀昀 琀栀攀 眀栀漀氀攀 漀爀 瀀愀爀琀 漀昀 琀栀攀 洀愀琀攀爀椀愀氀 昀漀爀 戀爀漀愀搀挀愀猀琀 戀礀 爀愀搀椀漀Ⰰ 吀嘀Ⰰ 漀爀 昀漀爀 猀琀愀最攀 瀀氀愀礀猀 漀爀 昀椀氀洀Ⰰ 椀猀 琀栀攀 爀椀最栀琀 漀昀 琀栀攀 愀甀琀栀漀爀 甀渀氀攀猀猀 渀攀最漀琀椀愀琀攀搀 琀栀爀漀甀最栀 氀攀最愀氀 挀漀渀琀爀愀挀琀⸀ 倀攀爀洀椀猀猀椀漀渀 椀猀 最爀愀渀琀攀搀 昀漀爀 椀琀 琀漀 戀攀 挀漀瀀椀攀搀 愀渀搀 爀攀愀搀 戀礀 椀渀搀椀瘀椀搀甀愀氀猀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 昀漀爀 渀漀 漀琀栀攀爀 瀀甀爀瀀漀猀攀⸀ 䄀渀礀 挀漀洀洀攀爀挀椀愀氀 甀猀攀 戀礀 愀渀礀漀渀攀 漀琀栀攀爀 琀栀愀渀 琀栀攀 愀甀琀栀漀爀 椀猀 猀琀爀椀挀琀氀礀 瀀爀漀栀椀戀椀琀攀搀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 洀愀礀 漀渀氀礀 戀攀 瀀漀猀琀攀搀 琀漀 昀爀攀攀 猀椀琀攀猀 眀椀琀栀 琀栀攀 攀砀瀀爀攀猀猀 瀀攀爀洀椀猀猀椀漀渀 漀昀 琀栀攀 愀甀琀栀漀爀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀挀攀渀琀攀爀∀ 挀氀愀猀猀㴀∀猀琀礀氀攀㔀∀㸀䴀漀搀攀爀渀 䴀愀猀焀甀攀爀愀搀攀 㰀⼀瀀㸀
By
㰀搀椀瘀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀挀攀渀琀攀爀∀㸀㰀攀洀㸀吀愀渀礀愀⸀䨀⸀䄀氀氀愀渀 㰀搀椀瘀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀挀攀渀琀攀爀∀ 挀氀愀猀猀㴀∀猀琀礀氀攀㐀∀㸀6.
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀挀攀渀琀攀爀∀ 挀氀愀猀猀㴀∀猀琀礀氀攀㘀∀㸀伀昀 匀挀栀攀洀攀猀 愀渀搀 匀挀栀攀洀攀爀猀 㰀⼀瀀㸀Rob appeared for breakfast, yet again dressed as Katie in a skirt and warm sweater. He found Theresa still in her dressing gown, reading the paper.
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ䤠 猀攀攀 倀爀甀✀猀 搀漀漀爀 椀猀 猀琀椀氀氀 挀氀漀猀攀搀Ⰰ 眀栀愀琀 琀椀洀攀 搀椀搀 猀栀攀 最攀琀 椀渀㼀ᴀ†栀攀 愀猀欀攀搀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀“She never came back. Her bed's not been slept in,” Theresa said.
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ匠栀椀琀Ⰰ 爀攀愀氀氀礀㼀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀“I think perhaps she had too much to drink and ended up sleeping with the big soldier.”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀刀漀戀 瀀愀氀攀搀 瘀椀猀椀戀氀礀 甀渀搀攀爀 栀椀猀 挀愀爀攀昀甀氀氀礀 愀瀀瀀氀椀攀搀 洀愀欀攀 甀瀀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀“Oh God, do you think so?”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ䤠 琀栀椀渀欀 猀栀攀 眀愀猀 搀爀甀渀欀Ⰰ 礀攀猀Ⰰ 戀甀琀 猀栀攀 瀀爀漀戀愀戀氀礀 猀氀攀瀀琀 漀渀 琀栀攀 洀愀渀✀猀 猀瀀愀爀攀 戀攀搀Ⰰᴀ†吀栀攀爀攀猀愀 猀愀椀搀Ⰰ 氀漀漀欀椀渀最 愀琀 刀漀戀 挀爀椀琀椀挀愀氀氀礀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀“Why the skirt? You don't have to dress up when you're in the house.”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ䤠✀洀 最漀椀渀最 猀栀漀瀀瀀椀渀最 眀椀琀栀 䰀攀琀琀礀⸀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀Theresa smiled.
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ䐠漀 䤀 搀攀琀攀挀琀 琀栀攀 眀漀爀欀 漀昀 挀甀瀀椀搀㼀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀Rob poured out his cereal, added the milk and sat down.
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ吠栀攀爀攀猀愀Ⰰ 䤀 搀漀渀✀琀 欀渀漀眀⸀ 䠀攀氀氀猀 戀攀氀氀猀Ⰰ 礀漀甀 搀漀渀✀琀 欀渀漀眀 栀漀眀 戀氀漀漀搀礀 挀漀渀昀甀猀椀渀最 洀礀 氀椀昀攀 栀愀搀 戀攀攀渀 愀渀搀 猀琀椀氀氀 椀猀⸀ 䄀氀氀 䤀 搀漀 欀渀漀眀 椀猀 琀栀愀琀 䤀 昀攀攀氀 猀漀洀攀琀栀椀渀最 昀漀爀 栀攀爀 琀栀愀琀 䤀 栀愀瘀攀 渀攀瘀攀爀 昀攀氀琀 戀攀昀漀爀攀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 䤀 愀搀漀爀攀 戀攀椀渀最 眀椀琀栀 栀攀爀⸀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀“Oh thank God, I did so fear you'd prefer being a girl, and end up like that forever!”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀刀漀戀 猀洀椀氀攀搀Ⰰ 洀甀渀挀栀椀渀最 琀栀爀漀甀最栀 栀椀猀 挀漀爀渀昀氀愀欀攀猀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀“It had crossed my mind,” he admitted.
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ删攀愀氀氀礀㼀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀“Last month in Paris, I never told Pru, but I came that close to going to bed with a man. He was a Canadian, of French origins, and was the epitome of charm and goodness. He was a delegate at some conference and Dad saw his influence as positive in some project involving logging and paper mills in Quebec.
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ䐠愀搀 眀愀渀琀攀搀 琀漀 欀渀漀眀 栀椀猀 漀瀀椀渀椀漀渀 漀渀 琀栀攀 挀甀爀爀攀渀琀 瀀漀氀椀挀礀 漀昀 琀栀攀 瀀爀漀瘀椀渀挀椀愀氀 最漀瘀攀爀渀洀攀渀琀Ⰰ 瀀爀漀戀愀戀氀礀 戀攀挀愀甀猀攀 栀攀 眀愀渀琀攀搀 琀漀 欀渀漀眀 眀栀漀 琀漀 戀爀椀戀攀⸀ 䄀渀礀眀愀礀Ⰰ 䤀 氀攀琀 栀椀洀 眀椀渀攀 愀渀搀 搀椀渀攀 洀攀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 眀攀 攀瘀攀渀 眀攀渀琀 搀愀渀挀椀渀最⸀ 䤀 昀漀甀渀搀 漀甀琀 眀栀愀琀 䐀愀搀 眀愀渀琀攀搀Ⰰ 戀甀琀 眀愀猀 焀甀椀琀攀 瀀椀挀欀氀攀搀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 愀挀琀甀愀氀氀礀 昀漀甀渀搀 洀礀猀攀氀昀 琀甀爀渀攀搀 漀渀 戀礀 栀椀猀 愀搀瘀愀渀挀攀猀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀“I claimed to be having my period, but intimated I might consider other activities. I meant it, Theresa, and would have done it too!”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ圠栀礀 搀椀搀渀✀琀 礀漀甀㼀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀“I don't know. I think he sensed I was not really willing, or maybe he wasn't used to women. Afterwards, I had a funny feeling he might have been gay and felt obliged to act the manly man. How ironic was that? Imagine his reaction to finding out I was a male too! He seemed very relieved when I told him about my period, and that was it. He sent me some flowers the following day and left town shortly afterwards.”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ䠠漀眀 搀椀搀 礀漀甀 昀攀攀氀㼀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀Rob looked sharply at her and then his face softened.
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ䤠昀 礀漀甀 洀甀猀琀 欀渀漀眀 䤀 眀愀猀 搀椀猀愀瀀瀀漀椀渀琀攀搀⸀ 匀栀椀琀Ⰰ 䤀 眀愀猀 猀漀 洀椀砀攀搀 甀瀀⸀ 䤀 爀攀愀氀氀礀 搀漀 昀攀攀氀 氀椀欀攀 愀 最椀爀氀 眀栀攀渀 搀爀攀猀猀攀搀 氀椀欀攀 琀栀椀猀⸀ 䤀 眀愀渀琀攀搀 栀椀洀 琀漀 昀甀挀欀 洀攀Ⰰ 攀瘀攀渀 琀栀漀甀最栀 䤀 栀愀瘀攀渀✀琀 琀栀攀 爀椀最栀琀 攀焀甀椀瀀洀攀渀琀⸀ 䐀愀昀琀Ⰰ 椀猀渀✀琀 椀琀㼀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀“Have you ever?”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ䠠愀搀 猀攀砀 眀椀琀栀 愀 洀愀渀Ⰰ 礀漀甀 洀攀愀渀㼀 一漀⸀ 䤀 眀攀渀琀 琀漀 愀 琀爀愀渀猀瘀攀猀琀椀琀攀 戀愀爀 漀渀挀攀Ⰰ 眀椀琀栀 猀漀洀攀 昀爀椀攀渀搀猀⸀ 吀栀攀礀 愀氀氀 琀栀漀甀最栀琀 䤀 眀愀猀 愀 最椀爀氀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 倀爀甀 挀愀洀攀Ⰰ 愀猀 栀攀爀猀攀氀昀⸀ 䤀 眀愀猀 搀愀渀挀椀渀最 愀渀搀 愀 洀愀渀 瀀甀猀栀攀搀 椀渀 愀渀搀 瀀爀漀瀀漀猀椀琀椀漀渀攀搀 洀攀⸀ 䠀攀 眀愀猀 琀栀攀 漀渀氀礀 瀀攀爀猀漀渀 眀栀漀 栀愀猀 攀瘀攀爀 爀攀愀搀 洀攀⸀ 䤀 眀愀猀 栀愀瀀瀀礀 搀愀渀挀椀渀最 眀椀琀栀 栀椀洀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 栀愀瘀攀 琀漀 挀漀渀昀攀猀猀 琀漀 栀愀瘀攀 戀攀攀渀 琀攀洀瀀琀攀搀 琀漀 最漀 眀椀琀栀 栀椀洀Ⰰ 樀甀猀琀 琀漀 猀攀攀 眀栀愀琀 椀琀 眀愀猀 氀椀欀攀⸀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀“And?”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ倠爀甀 猀椀洀瀀氀礀 猀愀椀搀 漀渀攀 眀漀爀搀 琀漀 洀攀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 䤀 搀椀搀渀✀琀 最漀⸀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀“The word, what did she say?”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ䄠䤀䐀匀⸀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀“Oh.”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ䤠琀 渀攀瘀攀爀 挀爀漀猀猀攀搀 洀礀 洀椀渀搀⸀ 匀漀 愀氀琀栀漀甀最栀 䤀 最椀瘀攀 琀栀攀 椀洀瀀爀攀猀猀椀漀渀 漀昀 戀攀椀渀最 椀渀 挀漀渀琀爀漀氀 愀渀搀 愀氀氀 琀栀愀琀Ⰰ 愀挀琀甀愀氀氀礀Ⰰ 䤀 愀洀 愀 氀椀琀琀氀攀 昀甀挀欀攀搀 甀瀀⸀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀Theresa smiled, reaching out and taking his well-manicured and very feminine hand.
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ䤠昀 礀漀甀 攀渀搀 甀瀀 愀猀 愀 最椀爀氀Ⰰ 礀漀甀 挀漀甀氀搀 搀漀 愀 眀栀漀氀攀 氀漀琀 眀漀爀猀攀⸀ 夀漀甀 愀爀攀 猀漀 瀀爀攀琀琀礀Ⰰ 猀漀 礀漀甀 眀漀甀氀搀 昀椀琀 爀椀最栀琀 椀渀 眀椀琀栀 渀漀 搀椀昀昀椀挀甀氀琀礀 愀琀 愀氀氀⸀ 䤀 栀愀瘀攀 愀眀昀甀氀 琀爀漀甀戀氀攀 爀攀洀攀洀戀攀爀椀渀最 礀漀甀 愀爀攀 爀攀愀氀氀礀 愀 戀漀礀℀ 䤀 椀洀愀最椀渀攀 吀漀渀礀 眀椀氀氀 戀攀 愀昀琀攀爀 礀漀甀 猀漀漀渀 椀渀 愀渀礀 挀愀猀攀⸀ 夀漀甀 渀攀瘀攀爀 欀渀漀眀Ⰰ 礀漀甀 挀漀甀氀搀 洀愀欀攀 愀 氀漀瘀攀氀礀 戀爀椀搀攀⸀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀“God forbid, he'd crush me to death. No thanks, I'll leave him to Pru, she's big enough to handle him.”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀刀漀戀 昀椀渀椀猀栀攀搀 栀椀猀 戀爀攀愀欀昀愀猀琀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 眀愀猀栀攀搀 甀瀀 栀椀猀 戀漀眀氀⸀ 吀栀攀爀攀猀愀 眀愀琀挀栀攀搀 琀栀攀 ᠀朠椀爀氀✀ 愀猀 猀栀攀 眀愀氀欀攀搀 愀戀漀甀琀 琀栀攀 欀椀琀挀栀攀渀⸀ 吀栀攀爀攀 眀愀猀 渀漀琀栀椀渀最 洀愀猀挀甀氀椀渀攀 愀戀漀甀琀 ᠀栠攀爀✀ 愀琀 愀氀氀⸀ 刀漀戀 眀愀猀 愀 挀漀渀猀甀洀洀愀琀攀 愀渀搀 甀渀挀漀渀猀挀椀漀甀猀 愀挀琀漀爀Ⰰ 挀愀瀀愀戀氀攀 漀昀 戀攀椀渀最 琀栀攀 瀀攀爀猀漀渀 栀攀 瀀漀爀琀爀愀礀攀搀 眀椀琀栀漀甀琀 愀挀琀甀愀氀氀礀 琀栀椀渀欀椀渀最 愀戀漀甀琀 椀琀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀“I'm off. I'm meeting Letty at her place in half an hour.”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ圠栀攀爀攀 愀爀攀 礀漀甀 最漀椀渀最㼀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀“Oxford Street. I need a new dress, particularly as there's the Spring Ball at the Hurlingham Club in ten days.”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ传栀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 樀甀猀琀 栀漀眀 搀椀搀 礀漀甀 昀椀渀搀 漀甀琀 愀戀漀甀琀 琀栀愀琀㼀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀“Letty mentioned it, and wanted to know whether Peter and I would go in her party.”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ传栀Ⰰ 琀栀椀猀 椀猀 最攀琀琀椀渀最 琀漀漀 挀漀洀瀀氀椀挀愀琀攀搀⸀ 夀漀甀爀 昀愀琀栀攀爀 眀漀甀氀搀 戀攀 洀漀猀琀 搀椀猀瀀氀攀愀猀攀搀⸀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀“He's not here, Theresa, he's never around when we need him,” Rob said, slightly bitterly.
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ吠栀攀爀攀 椀猀 愀渀 愀氀琀攀爀渀愀琀椀瘀攀Ⰰᴀ†猀栀攀 猀愀椀搀⸀ 刀漀戀 昀爀漀眀渀攀搀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀“What?”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ圠攀氀氀Ⰰ 眀栀礀 渀漀琀 最漀 愀猀 愀 戀漀礀 昀漀爀 愀 挀栀愀渀最攀⸀ 伀栀Ⰰ 猀愀礀 礀漀甀✀氀氀 最漀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 琀栀攀渀 栀愀瘀攀 愀 洀椀最爀愀椀渀攀 漀爀 愀 爀攀愀氀氀礀 爀漀甀最栀 瀀攀爀椀漀搀 漀爀 猀漀洀攀琀栀椀渀最⸀ 䌀爀礀 漀昀昀 愀琀 琀栀攀 氀愀猀琀 洀椀渀甀琀攀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 最漀 琀漀 琀栀攀 戀愀氀氀 愀猀 礀漀甀爀猀攀氀昀⸀ 吀栀愀琀 眀愀礀Ⰰ 礀漀甀 挀漀甀氀搀 瀀攀爀栀愀瀀猀 愀氀氀漀眀 䰀攀琀琀礀 琀漀 猀攀攀 琀栀攀 爀攀愀氀 礀漀甀⸀ 一漀琀 琀漀漀 洀甀挀栀Ⰰ 樀甀猀琀 攀渀漀甀最栀 琀漀 攀砀挀椀琀攀 栀攀爀⸀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀“Theresa, you are a darling, why didn't I think of it?”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ䈠攀挀愀甀猀攀Ⰰ 挀漀渀琀爀愀爀礀 琀漀 愀瀀瀀攀愀爀愀渀挀攀猀Ⰰ 礀漀甀 愀爀攀渀✀琀 愀 眀漀洀愀渀⸀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀Rob hesitated, and turning, looked quite disappointed.
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ䤠 欀渀漀眀⸀ 匀漀洀攀琀椀洀攀 䤀 爀攀愀氀氀礀 眀椀猀栀 䤀 眀攀爀攀⸀ 䤀 攀瘀攀渀 氀漀漀欀攀搀 椀渀琀漀 猀甀爀最攀爀礀⸀ 䤀琀✀猀 攀砀瀀攀渀猀椀瘀攀Ⰰ 戀甀琀 䤀 琀栀椀渀欀 䤀 挀漀甀氀搀 搀漀 椀琀⸀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀“Would you really go that far?”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ䈠攀昀漀爀攀 䤀 洀攀琀 䰀攀琀琀礀Ⰰ 䤀 洀椀最栀琀 栀愀瘀攀 搀漀渀攀⸀ 䈀甀琀 渀漀眀Ⰰ 䰀攀琀✀猀 樀甀猀琀 猀愀礀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 樀甀爀礀✀猀 漀甀琀℀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀Rob picked up his coat and bag, leaving the house with a spring in his step.
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀倀爀甀 漀瀀攀渀攀搀 愀 最甀洀洀攀搀 甀瀀 攀礀攀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 挀氀漀猀攀搀 椀琀 愀最愀椀渀 椀洀洀攀搀椀愀琀攀氀礀⸀ 匀栀攀 最爀漀愀渀攀搀Ⰰ 栀攀爀 栀攀愀搀 栀甀爀琀Ⰰ 栀攀爀 洀漀甀琀栀 琀愀猀琀攀搀 氀椀欀攀 愀 戀愀搀最攀爀 栀愀搀 甀猀攀搀 栀攀爀 琀漀渀最甀攀 琀漀 氀椀挀欀 椀琀猀 戀漀琀琀漀洀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 栀攀爀 猀琀漀洀愀挀栀 眀愀猀 挀栀甀爀渀椀渀最⸀ 匀栀攀 爀攀洀攀洀戀攀爀攀搀 愀爀爀椀瘀椀渀最 愀琀 吀漀渀礀✀猀 昀氀愀琀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 猀栀攀 爀攀洀攀洀戀攀爀攀搀 瀀甀氀氀椀渀最 琀栀攀 爀甀最 漀瘀攀爀 栀攀爀⸀ 吀栀攀 攀瘀攀渀琀猀 漀昀 琀栀攀 搀椀渀渀攀爀 愀昀琀攀爀 琀栀攀 洀愀椀渀 挀漀甀爀猀攀 眀攀爀攀 栀愀稀礀⸀ 匀栀攀 琀爀椀攀搀 琀漀 爀攀洀攀洀戀攀爀 眀栀愀琀 猀栀攀✀搀 攀愀琀攀渀⸀ 吀栀攀 瀀爀愀眀渀猀 栀愀搀 愀爀爀椀瘀攀搀 眀栀椀氀攀 猀栀攀 眀愀猀 爀攀愀猀漀渀愀戀氀礀 猀漀戀攀爀Ⰰ 戀甀琀 愀昀琀攀爀 琀栀愀琀Ⰰ 猀栀攀 眀愀猀 甀渀猀甀爀攀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀Bladder pressure determined she had to get up, so she staggered to the bathroom, collapsing with relief onto the toilet, having locked the door first.
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀䠀攀爀 搀椀渀渀攀爀 猀甀椀琀 眀愀猀 挀爀甀洀瀀氀攀搀 愀渀搀 琀栀攀 猀栀椀爀琀 眀愀猀 爀甀椀渀攀搀⸀ 䠀攀爀 猀氀攀攀瘀攀 眀愀猀 搀爀礀Ⰰ 戀甀琀 栀椀搀攀漀甀猀氀礀 猀琀愀椀渀攀搀⸀ 匀栀攀 眀愀猀栀攀搀 栀攀爀 昀愀挀攀Ⰰ 爀椀渀猀椀渀最 栀攀爀 洀漀甀琀栀 眀椀琀栀 猀漀洀攀 䰀椀猀琀攀爀椀渀攀 洀漀甀琀栀眀愀猀栀 琀栀愀琀 吀漀渀礀 欀攀瀀琀 戀礀 琀栀攀 戀愀猀椀渀⸀ 䄀昀琀攀爀 挀漀洀戀椀渀最 栀攀爀 栀愀椀爀Ⰰ 猀栀攀 昀攀氀琀 愀 氀椀琀琀氀攀 洀漀爀攀 栀甀洀愀渀⸀ 吀漀渀礀✀猀 愀昀琀攀爀猀栀愀瘀攀 猀愀琀 漀渀 琀栀攀 猀椀搀攀⸀ 匀栀攀 瀀椀挀欀攀搀 椀琀 甀瀀⸀ 䄀唀 匀䄀嘀䄀䜀䔀Ⰰ 猀栀攀 爀攀愀搀Ⰰ 猀洀椀氀椀渀最 愀琀 琀栀攀 愀渀愀氀漀最礀⸀ 伀瀀攀渀椀渀最 琀栀攀 琀漀瀀Ⰰ 猀栀攀 猀瀀氀愀猀栀攀搀 愀 搀爀漀瀀 漀渀 栀攀爀 栀愀渀搀⸀ 䈀爀椀渀最椀渀最 栀攀爀 栀愀渀搀 琀漀 栀攀爀 渀漀猀攀Ⰰ 猀栀攀 戀爀攀愀琀栀攀搀 椀渀 琀栀攀 猀挀攀渀琀Ⰰ 昀攀攀氀椀渀最 洀椀氀搀氀礀 椀渀琀漀砀椀挀愀琀攀搀Ⰰ 愀猀 椀琀 戀爀漀甀最栀琀 戀愀挀欀 洀攀洀漀爀椀攀猀 漀昀 栀椀猀 挀氀漀猀攀渀攀猀猀 漀渀 琀栀攀 瀀爀攀瘀椀漀甀猀 攀瘀攀渀椀渀最⸀ 䠀漀眀攀瘀攀爀Ⰰ 最甀椀氀琀 爀攀琀甀爀渀攀搀 漀瘀攀爀 栀攀爀 搀攀挀攀椀琀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 猀栀攀 爀攀瀀氀愀挀攀搀 琀栀攀 戀漀琀琀氀攀 漀渀 琀栀攀 猀椀搀攀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀Returning to the sitting room, she found her jacket and put it on, hiding the worst stains. Just after she'd done that, Tony appeared clad only in his jockey shorts. His early morning erection was in evidence, and Pru looked away.
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ䴠漀爀渀椀渀最 倀攀琀攀爀Ⰰ 猀栀椀琀Ⰰ 琀栀愀琀 眀愀猀 愀 最漀漀搀 渀椀最栀琀⸀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀“Morning. Yes, it was.”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀吀漀渀礀 瀀椀挀欀攀搀 甀瀀 栀椀猀 洀愀椀氀 琀栀愀琀 眀愀猀 氀礀椀渀最 漀渀 琀栀攀 洀愀琀 椀渀猀椀搀攀 琀栀攀 昀爀漀渀琀 搀漀漀爀⸀ 䠀攀 甀渀挀漀渀猀挀椀漀甀猀氀礀 猀琀甀昀昀攀搀 栀椀猀 爀椀最栀琀 栀愀渀搀 搀漀眀渀 琀栀攀 昀爀漀渀琀 漀昀 栀椀猀 猀栀漀爀琀猀Ⰰ 猀挀爀愀琀挀栀椀渀最 瘀椀最漀爀漀甀猀氀礀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀“Help yourself to coffee and stuff, I'm going to shave,” he said heading for the bathroom.
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ䐠漀 礀漀甀 眀愀渀琀 漀渀攀㼀ᴀ†倀爀甀 愀猀欀攀搀 愀猀 琀栀攀 搀漀漀爀 挀氀漀猀攀搀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀“Yeah, thanks, mate. One sugar and milk.”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀倀爀甀 猀洀椀氀攀搀 愀渀搀 眀攀渀琀 琀漀 琀栀攀 猀洀愀氀氀 戀甀琀 瘀攀爀礀 猀攀爀瘀椀挀攀愀戀氀攀 漀瀀攀渀 瀀氀愀渀 欀椀琀挀栀攀渀 愀爀攀愀⸀ 匀栀攀 眀愀猀 椀洀瀀爀攀猀猀攀搀 眀椀琀栀 栀漀眀 挀氀攀愀渀 愀渀搀 琀椀搀礀 椀琀 眀愀猀Ⰰ 眀漀渀搀攀爀椀渀最 眀栀攀琀栀攀爀 椀琀 愀挀琀甀愀氀氀礀 最漀琀 愀渀礀 甀猀攀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀It took her a while to find everything, and she made two coffees. She poured a bowl of cereal and, on opening the milk, sniffed the bottle suspiciously. Not smelling sourness, she splashed some onto the cereal, and sat at the small table.
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀匀栀攀 氀漀漀欀攀搀 爀漀甀渀搀 琀栀攀 昀氀愀琀Ⰰ 氀椀欀椀渀最 眀栀愀琀 猀栀攀 猀愀眀⸀ 䘀椀爀猀琀氀礀Ⰰ 椀琀 眀愀猀 渀攀愀琀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 甀渀氀椀欀攀 栀攀爀 攀砀瀀攀爀椀攀渀挀攀 漀昀 戀愀挀栀攀氀漀爀 瀀愀搀猀Ⰰ 椀琀 眀愀猀 爀攀氀愀琀椀瘀攀氀礀 搀甀猀琀 愀渀搀 挀氀甀琀琀攀爀 昀爀攀攀⸀ 䔀椀琀栀攀爀 栀攀 栀愀搀 愀 挀氀攀愀渀攀爀 漀爀 栀攀 眀愀猀 栀漀甀猀攀ⴀ瀀爀漀甀搀⸀ 匀栀攀 猀甀猀瀀攀挀琀攀搀 琀栀攀 昀漀爀洀攀爀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀Secondly, it gave her a flavour of her host. The pictures were of country scenes, a fox hunt here, a pheasant standing in a snowy field over there, and of horses grazing and river craft gently rocking on their moorings.
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀吀栀攀爀攀 眀攀爀攀 渀漀 瀀椀氀攀猀 漀昀 瀀愀瀀攀爀猀Ⰰ 渀漀 搀椀爀琀礀 挀氀漀琀栀攀猀 漀渀 琀栀攀 昀氀漀漀爀Ⰰ 漀渀氀礀 愀 猀瀀椀挀 愀渀搀 猀瀀愀渀 昀氀愀琀Ⰰ 洀愀椀渀琀愀椀渀攀搀 眀椀琀栀 愀氀洀漀猀琀 洀椀氀椀琀愀爀礀 挀氀攀愀渀氀椀渀攀猀猀⸀ 匀栀攀 猀愀眀 椀渀 椀琀 愀 洀愀渀 眀栀漀 氀椀欀攀搀 漀爀搀攀爀 椀渀 栀椀猀 氀椀昀攀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 礀攀琀 眀愀猀 洀漀爀攀 愀琀 栀漀洀攀 眀椀琀栀 昀甀渀挀琀椀漀渀愀戀氀攀 愀爀琀椀挀氀攀猀 琀栀愀渀 眀椀琀栀 搀攀挀漀爀愀琀椀漀渀⸀ 匀栀攀 猀洀椀氀攀搀㬀 栀攀 渀攀攀搀攀搀 愀 眀漀洀愀渀 椀渀 栀椀猀 氀椀昀攀⸀ 䤀琀 眀愀猀 愀琀 琀栀愀琀 洀漀洀攀渀琀 猀栀攀 搀攀挀椀搀攀搀 琀栀愀琀 琀栀愀琀 眀漀洀愀渀 猀栀漀甀氀搀 戀攀 猀栀攀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀Tony came out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist. Pru simply handed him the mug of coffee, and finished her cereal.
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ夠漀甀 昀漀甀渀搀 猀漀洀攀琀栀椀渀最 琀漀 攀愀琀Ⰰ 眀攀氀氀 搀漀渀攀⸀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀“I'm used to living in strange places. There is a limit to the places one can hide cornflakes.”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀吀漀渀礀 挀栀甀挀欀氀攀搀Ⰰ 猀椀昀琀椀渀最 琀栀爀漀甀最栀 栀椀猀 瀀漀猀琀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀“No work today?” she asked.
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ䤠 眀漀爀欀 攀瘀攀爀礀搀愀礀Ⰰ 椀渀 搀椀昀昀攀爀攀渀琀 眀愀礀猀⸀ 䤀✀瘀攀 愀 洀攀攀琀椀渀最 眀椀琀栀 琀栀攀 戀愀渀欀 愀琀 攀氀攀瘀攀渀Ⰰ 猀漀 䤀✀瘀攀 栀愀氀昀 愀渀 栀漀甀爀⸀ 䘀愀渀挀礀 猀漀洀攀 氀甀渀挀栀 愀昀琀攀爀眀愀爀搀猀㼀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀“I'd better get back, Theresa and Katie will be worried about me.”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ丠漀渀猀攀渀猀攀⸀ 䤀✀氀氀 眀愀最攀爀 琀栀愀琀 䬀愀琀椀攀 愀渀搀 䰀攀琀琀礀 愀爀攀 漀昀昀 猀栀漀瀀瀀椀渀最 猀漀洀攀眀栀攀爀攀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 吀栀攀爀攀猀愀 欀渀漀眀猀 琀栀愀琀 戀漀礀猀 眀椀氀氀 戀攀 戀漀礀猀℀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀“I'll just ring Katie, just to let her know I'm still alive.”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀倀爀甀 搀甀最 栀攀爀 洀漀戀椀氀攀 漀甀琀 漀昀 栀攀爀 樀愀挀欀攀琀 瀀漀挀欀攀琀 愀渀搀 爀愀渀最 栀攀爀 戀爀漀琀栀攀爀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀“Hi Peter, still alive?” Rob asked; the use or her masculine name telling Pru that he was with someone.
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ䬠愀琀椀攀Ⰰ 䤀✀洀 猀琀椀氀氀 眀椀琀栀 吀漀渀礀Ⰰ 樀甀猀琀 椀渀 挀愀猀攀 礀漀甀 眀攀爀攀 眀漀爀爀礀椀渀最⸀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀“I was slightly apprehensive, but if he'd found out, you'd have come home in tears,” Pru now realised that whoever was with her brother was no longer in earshot.
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ丠漀琀 渀攀挀攀猀猀愀爀椀氀礀Ⰰ 䤀 挀漀甀氀搀 栀愀瘀攀 搀漀渀攀 琀栀攀 漀琀栀攀爀Ⰰᴀ†倀爀甀 猀愀椀搀 猀洀椀氀椀渀最 愀琀 吀漀渀礀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀“The other? You mean gone to bed with him. How likely is that?”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ䘠爀漀洀 眀栀攀爀攀 䤀✀洀 猀琀愀渀搀椀渀最Ⰰ 焀甀椀琀攀 氀椀欀攀氀礀⸀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀“You mean he's semi-naked and desirable?”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ匠漀洀攀琀栀椀渀最 氀椀欀攀 琀栀愀琀⸀ 䠀漀眀 搀椀搀 礀漀甀 最攀琀 漀渀㼀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀“We had fun. The chick-flick was interesting, you'd have liked it, but the company was superb.”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ圠栀愀琀 愀爀攀 礀漀甀 甀瀀 琀漀 愀琀 琀栀攀 洀漀洀攀渀琀㼀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀“I'm shopping with Letty. We've been invited to a Spring Ball in a couple of weeks, and I've just found out it's a themed fancy dress do.”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ圠栀愀琀✀猀 琀栀攀 琀栀攀洀攀㼀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀“Super heroes. You ought to see my Cat Woman outfit; it's unbelievably sexy. You'll have to go as Batman. You get to wear a plastic breastplate-like thing. Hide you know what.”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀倀爀甀 氀愀甀最栀攀搀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀“I've been asked to have lunch with Tony. So I'll see you later.”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ匠栀椀琀 最椀爀氀Ⰰ 礀漀甀✀氀氀 戀攀 洀愀爀爀礀椀渀最 琀栀攀 猀漀搀 渀攀砀琀⸀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀“Don't tempt me,” she said, looking at Tony.
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ䤠✀氀氀 挀愀琀挀栀 礀漀甀 氀愀琀攀爀Ⰰ 䰀攀琀琀礀 眀愀渀琀猀 洀攀 琀漀 挀栀攀挀欀 栀攀爀 渀攀眀 甀渀搀攀爀眀攀愀爀⸀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀“Take care, Katie.”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ䤠 愀洀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 椀琀✀猀 眀漀渀搀攀爀昀甀氀⸀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀She switched to phone off.
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ匠栀漀瀀瀀椀渀最㼀ᴀ†愀猀欀攀搀 吀漀渀礀Ⰰ 眀椀琀栀漀甀琀 氀漀漀欀椀渀最 甀瀀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀“Shopping. You were right.”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ丠愀琀甀爀愀氀氀礀⸀ 匀漀Ⰰ 栀漀眀 愀戀漀甀琀 䤀 洀攀攀琀 礀漀甀 愀琀 匀椀洀瀀猀漀渀✀猀 昀漀爀 愀 猀瀀漀琀 漀昀 氀甀渀挀栀Ⰰ 愀琀Ⰰ 猀愀礀Ⰰ 漀渀攀㼀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀“Simpsons? On the Strand?”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ夠甀瀀Ⰰ 漀渀攀 漀✀挀氀漀挀欀 猀栀漀甀氀搀 戀攀 漀欀愀礀Ⰰ 戀甀琀 椀昀 礀漀甀 眀愀渀琀 䤀 挀漀甀氀搀 洀愀欀攀 椀琀 氀愀琀攀爀㼀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀“No, one's fine. Thanks. I'd better be going.”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ圠攀氀氀Ⰰ 䤀✀氀氀 最攀琀 搀爀攀猀猀攀搀Ⰰ 䤀 栀愀瘀攀 琀漀 最攀琀 琀漀 琀栀攀 䌀椀琀礀 瀀爀攀琀琀礀 搀愀洀渀 猀栀愀爀瀀椀猀栀⸀ 匀琀愀礀 椀昀 礀漀甀 眀愀渀琀Ⰰ 漀爀 氀攀琀 礀漀甀爀猀攀氀昀 漀甀琀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 䤀✀氀氀 洀攀攀琀 礀漀甀 椀渀 匀椀洀瀀猀漀渀猀 愀琀 漀渀攀⸀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀“I will, and thanks for last night, it was fun.”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ夠攀猀Ⰰ 椀琀 眀愀猀⸀ 䤀琀 眀愀猀 最漀漀搀 漀昀 礀漀甀 琀漀 樀漀椀渀 洀攀⸀ 䄀渀礀眀愀礀Ⰰ 䤀✀氀氀 猀攀攀 礀漀甀 氀愀琀攀爀⸀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀Tony smiled and wandered to his bedroom. Pru let herself out of the flat, making her way to the main road. Aware she was receiving more than one odd glance from passers by, she hailed a cab.
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀䘀椀昀琀攀攀渀 洀椀渀甀琀攀猀 氀愀琀攀爀Ⰰ 猀栀攀 愀爀爀椀瘀攀搀 戀愀挀欀 愀琀 䔀氀洀 倀愀爀欀 䜀愀爀搀攀渀猀Ⰰ 洀甀挀栀 琀漀 吀栀攀爀攀猀愀✀猀 爀攀氀椀攀昀⸀ 匀栀攀 猀瀀攀渀琀 琀栀攀 渀攀砀琀 栀漀甀爀 琀攀氀氀椀渀最 栀攀爀 漀昀 栀攀爀 攀砀瀀氀漀椀琀猀 愀渀搀 栀攀爀 搀椀猀焀甀椀攀琀Ⰰ 愀猀 猀栀攀 瀀攀攀氀攀搀 漀甀琀 漀昀 栀攀爀 爀甀椀渀攀搀 猀栀椀爀琀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀“Don't you find him attractive?” Theresa asked.
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ吠栀愀琀✀猀 琀栀攀 瀀爀漀戀氀攀洀Ⰰ 䤀 搀漀Ⰰ 昀愀爀 琀漀漀 愀琀琀爀愀挀琀椀瘀攀⸀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀“Then where's the problem?”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ吠栀攀爀攀猀愀Ⰰ 椀琀 洀愀礀 栀愀瘀攀 攀猀挀愀瀀攀搀 礀漀甀爀 渀漀琀椀挀攀Ⰰ 戀甀琀 䤀✀洀 猀甀瀀瀀漀猀攀搀 琀漀 戀攀 愀 洀愀渀⸀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀“Oh, phooie, an incidental.”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀倀爀甀Ⰰ 最爀椀渀渀椀渀最 戀爀漀愀搀氀礀Ⰰ 猀栀漀漀欀 栀攀爀 栀攀愀搀 愀渀搀 眀攀渀琀 甀瀀 琀漀 栀愀瘀攀 愀 渀椀挀攀 栀漀琀 戀愀琀栀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀She was five minutes early at Simpsons. She'd dressed more casually, in a pair of dark grey flannel trousers, black brogues, a tweed sports jacket and a check shirt with an Indian Army tie. Unsure whether to go in and wait or to wait outside; she was dithering on the steps when Tony arrived.
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ䠠椀Ⰰ 樀甀猀琀 最漀琀 栀攀爀攀㼀ᴀ†栀攀 愀猀欀攀搀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀“Yup, was dithering. Didn't know whether to go in and wait or what,” she said, quite honestly. “I've never been to any of these places before, so I feel rather out of my depth.”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀吀漀渀礀 猀洀椀氀攀搀 猀礀洀瀀愀琀栀攀琀椀挀愀氀氀礀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀“My fault. I've had rather a privileged upbringing, so know all the best places. I, sort of, forget that most people haven't the same experience as me, so, lets go in, I'm starving!”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀䤀琀 眀愀猀 礀攀琀 愀渀漀琀栀攀爀 猀甀瀀攀爀戀 洀攀愀氀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 倀爀甀 昀攀氀琀 瘀攀爀礀 礀漀甀渀最 愀渀搀 甀渀猀漀瀀栀椀猀琀椀挀愀琀攀搀 愀氀漀渀最猀椀搀攀 琀栀椀猀 洀愀渀⸀ 䄀氀琀栀漀甀最栀 漀渀氀礀 昀漀甀爀 礀攀愀爀猀 漀氀搀攀爀 琀栀愀渀 猀栀攀Ⰰ 吀漀渀礀 眀愀猀 猀漀 挀漀渀昀椀搀愀渀琀 愀渀搀 椀渀 挀漀渀琀爀漀氀Ⰰ 猀栀攀 戀攀最愀渀 琀漀 昀攀攀氀 猀氀椀最栀琀氀礀 椀渀 愀眀攀 漀昀 栀椀洀⸀ 䠀攀 挀愀爀爀椀攀搀 栀椀洀猀攀氀昀 眀椀琀栀 猀椀洀椀氀愀爀 愀椀爀猀 愀渀搀 最爀愀挀攀猀 琀漀 栀攀爀 昀愀琀栀攀爀⸀ 䤀琀 眀愀猀 愀渀 愀椀爀 漀昀 渀愀琀甀爀愀氀 猀甀瀀攀爀椀漀爀椀琀礀 愀渀搀 挀漀洀洀愀渀搀Ⰰ 礀攀琀 栀攀 眀愀猀渀✀琀 愀爀爀漀最愀渀琀 漀昀 瀀爀椀最最椀猀栀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀He never talked down to the staff, as her father would, instead, he was pleasant and understanding. She could see how he must have been a good army officer, able to inspire his men through coming alongside them and leading by example. A real ‘come on' rather than a ‘go on' style of leader.
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀吀栀攀礀 挀栀愀琀琀攀搀 愀戀漀甀琀 洀愀渀礀 琀栀椀渀最猀⸀ 匀栀攀 愀猀欀攀搀 栀椀洀 焀甀攀猀琀椀漀渀猀 愀戀漀甀琀 栀椀猀 昀愀洀椀氀礀 愀渀搀 愀氀琀栀漀甀最栀 栀攀 愀渀猀眀攀爀攀搀Ⰰ 栀攀 眀愀猀 甀渀甀猀甀愀氀 椀渀 琀栀愀琀 栀攀 琀甀爀渀攀搀 琀栀攀 琀愀戀氀攀猀 漀渀 栀攀爀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 猀栀攀 昀漀甀渀搀 栀攀爀 猀栀愀爀椀渀最 昀愀爀 洀漀爀攀 琀栀愀渀 猀栀攀 栀愀搀 椀渀琀攀渀搀攀搀⸀ 䴀漀猀琀 洀攀渀 猀栀攀✀搀 洀攀琀 眀攀爀攀 漀渀氀礀 琀漀漀 栀愀瀀瀀礀 琀漀 琀愀氀欀 愀戀漀甀琀 琀栀攀洀猀攀氀瘀攀猀⸀ 吀漀渀礀 眀愀猀 搀椀昀昀攀爀攀渀琀Ⰰ 栀攀 愀瀀瀀攀愀爀攀搀 琀漀 戀攀 最攀渀甀椀渀攀氀礀 椀渀琀攀爀攀猀琀攀搀 椀渀 栀攀爀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 眀愀猀 愀 猀甀瀀攀爀戀 氀椀猀琀攀渀攀爀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀She was careful, never actually telling a lie. She might be living one, but she avoided telling anything that was not true.
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ夠漀甀✀瘀攀 栀愀搀 愀 爀攀愀氀氀礀 搀椀瘀攀爀猀攀 愀渀搀 甀渀甀猀甀愀氀 氀椀昀攀Ⰰ 椀昀 䤀 洀愀礀 猀愀礀 猀漀⸀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀“I suppose I had, but it seemed normal to me at the time.”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ䠠漀眀 搀漀 礀漀甀 昀攀攀氀 愀戀漀甀琀 猀攀琀琀氀椀渀最 搀漀眀渀 椀渀 琀栀攀 唀䬀㼀 䤀 琀愀欀攀 椀琀 琀栀愀琀✀猀 眀栀礀 礀漀甀 愀爀攀 栀攀爀攀㼀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀“I rather like the idea of settling down. Katie loves the travelling round, and doesn't seem to tire of the endless procession of temporary houses and apartments.”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ匠栀攀✀猀 礀漀甀渀最 愀渀搀 昀攀洀愀氀攀⸀ 匀栀攀✀氀氀 昀椀渀搀 愀 最漀漀搀 洀愀渀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 猀栀攀✀氀氀 猀漀漀渀 挀栀愀渀最攀 栀攀爀 洀椀渀搀⸀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀“Are you offering?” Pru asked, teasing him.
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ吠攀洀瀀琀椀渀最Ⰰ 戀甀琀 䤀 琀栀椀渀欀 猀栀攀✀搀 爀愀琀栀攀爀 琀漀 椀渀搀攀瀀攀渀搀攀渀琀 昀漀爀 洀攀⸀ 匀栀攀✀猀 瘀攀爀礀 愀琀琀爀愀挀琀椀瘀攀 愀渀搀 愀 挀栀愀爀洀椀渀最 最椀爀氀Ⰰ 戀甀琀 猀漀洀攀眀栀愀琀 琀漀漀 攀渀攀爀最攀琀椀挀 昀漀爀 洀礀 氀椀欀椀渀最⸀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀Pru looked carefully at him, trying to discern whether he was testing her or teasing. Of either, he gave no sign, appearing quite earnest in his demeanour.
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ夠漀甀 猀攀攀洀 琀漀 栀愀瘀攀 栀攀爀 洀攀愀猀甀爀攀 愀氀爀攀愀搀礀⸀ 匀漀 眀栀愀琀 愀戀漀甀琀 洀攀Ⰰ 眀栀愀琀 栀愀瘀攀 礀漀甀 搀攀挀椀搀攀搀 愀戀漀甀琀 洀攀㼀ᴀ†猀栀攀 愀猀欀攀搀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀Tony smiled.
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ夠漀甀Ⰰ 搀攀愀爀 戀漀礀 愀爀攀 猀漀洀攀眀栀愀琀 漀昀 愀渀 攀渀椀最洀愀⸀ 伀渀攀 洀椀渀甀琀攀Ⰰ 䤀 琀栀椀渀欀 䤀 栀愀瘀攀 礀漀甀 瀀攀最最攀搀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 琀栀攀渀 礀漀甀 猀愀礀 漀爀 搀漀 猀漀洀攀琀栀椀渀最 琀栀愀琀 琀栀爀漀眀猀 洀攀 挀漀洀瀀氀攀琀攀氀礀⸀ 䤀 挀漀渀昀攀猀猀 琀栀愀琀 䤀 昀椀渀搀 礀漀甀 昀愀猀挀椀渀愀琀椀渀最⸀ 一漀 搀漀甀戀琀 琀栀攀 瀀爀漀搀甀挀琀 漀昀 礀漀甀爀 甀渀椀焀甀攀 氀椀昀攀 攀砀瀀攀爀椀攀渀挀攀⸀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀“I like to keep people guessing,” she said with a smile.
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀吀漀渀礀 渀漀搀搀攀搀 栀椀猀 栀攀愀搀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀“Well, you're succeeding.”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀圀栀攀渀 椀琀 挀愀洀攀 琀椀洀攀 琀漀 瀀愀礀Ⰰ 倀爀甀 漀昀昀攀爀攀搀 琀漀 瀀愀礀 栀攀爀 栀愀氀昀⸀ 吀漀渀礀 眀漀甀氀搀渀✀琀 栀攀愀爀 漀昀 椀琀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀“My pleasure. When you are earning, next week, I'll let you take me out to celebrate a weeks in employment, okay?”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀䠀攀 愀最爀攀攀搀Ⰰ 栀漀瀀椀渀最 琀栀愀琀 琀栀攀礀✀搀 猀琀椀氀氀 戀攀 昀爀椀攀渀搀猀 椀渀 愀 眀攀攀欀⸀ 匀栀攀 欀渀攀眀Ⰰ 昀爀漀洀 戀椀琀琀攀爀 攀砀瀀攀爀椀攀渀挀攀Ⰰ 琀栀愀琀 栀攀爀 昀愀琀栀攀爀✀猀 瀀氀愀渀猀 洀攀愀渀琀 琀栀愀琀 愀渀礀 昀爀椀攀渀搀猀 猀栀攀 洀愀搀攀 眀攀爀攀 漀昀琀攀渀 氀漀猀琀 椀渀 愀 洀愀琀琀攀爀 漀昀 搀愀礀猀Ⰰ 渀漀琀 眀攀攀欀猀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀She returned to the house in Elm Park Gardens feeling very lost indeed. Tony had shaken her to the core, as she found she wanted him so much it almost hurt. She went to her room, stripped off all her male attire, and dressed as the woman she was.
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀吀栀攀爀攀猀愀 眀愀猀 瘀攀爀礀 猀甀爀瀀爀椀猀攀搀 眀栀攀渀 愀 瘀攀爀礀 攀氀攀最愀渀琀 愀渀搀 戀攀愀甀琀椀昀甀氀氀礀 洀愀搀攀 甀瀀 倀爀甀搀攀渀挀攀 樀漀椀渀攀搀 栀攀爀 昀漀爀 琀攀愀Ⰰ 眀攀愀爀椀渀最 愀渀 䤀琀愀氀椀愀渀 搀爀攀猀猀 愀渀搀 氀漀漀欀椀渀最 瘀攀爀礀 愀琀琀爀愀挀琀椀瘀攀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀“Oho! Do I detect some of the sophistication of Peter has disappeared?”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ吠栀椀猀 椀猀 洀攀Ⰰ 吀栀攀爀攀猀愀⸀ 吀栀椀猀 椀猀 眀栀漀 䤀 愀洀 愀渀搀 眀栀漀 䤀 眀愀渀琀 琀漀 戀攀⸀ 䤀猀 椀琀 琀漀漀 洀甀挀栀 琀漀 愀猀欀㼀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀“Hopefully, you can be you very soon, my sweet.”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ传栀 䜀漀搀℀ 䤀 戀氀漀漀搀礀 眀攀氀氀 栀漀瀀攀 猀漀Ⰰᴀ†猀愀椀搀 倀爀甀Ⰰ 瘀攀爀礀 洀甀挀栀 琀栀攀 眀漀洀愀渀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀Rob and Letty, arm in arm, had visited so many shops that Rob's head was spinning. They'd lunched on the run, continuing shopping up to nearly five o'clock. Letty was a professional shopper, and seemingly had no thought of expense. Rob, aware that the credit card he had was somewhat limited, was far more careful with what he bought. Carrying about twelve large carrier bags, they decided to call it a day, returning to Letty's home.
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀刀漀戀 眀愀猀 昀攀攀氀椀渀最 琀爀椀甀洀瀀栀愀渀琀Ⰰ 昀漀爀 栀攀 欀渀攀眀 琀栀愀琀 愀琀 渀漀 琀椀洀攀 搀椀搀 愀渀礀漀渀攀 猀甀猀瀀攀挀琀 栀攀 眀愀猀 愀渀礀琀栀椀渀最 漀琀栀攀爀 琀栀愀渀 愀渀 愀琀琀爀愀挀琀椀瘀攀 戀氀漀渀搀攀 最椀爀氀 漀渀 愀 猀栀漀瀀瀀椀渀最 猀瀀爀攀攀 眀椀琀栀 愀 挀栀甀洀⸀ 䴀漀爀攀 椀洀瀀漀爀琀愀渀琀氀礀Ⰰ 䰀攀琀琀礀 栀愀爀搀氀礀 氀攀琀 最漀 漀昀 栀椀猀 栀愀渀搀 漀爀 愀爀洀 愀氀氀 搀愀礀⸀ 䠀攀 昀漀甀渀搀 栀攀爀 猀甀挀栀 昀甀渀 琀栀愀琀 愀氀氀 栀椀猀 眀漀爀爀椀攀猀 愀戀漀甀琀 栀椀猀 昀愀琀栀攀爀✀猀 瀀氀愀渀猀 攀瘀愀瀀漀爀愀琀攀搀 昀漀爀 愀 眀栀椀氀攀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀Her father was out, or so the butler informed Letty as they arrived in an explosion of bags.
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ䠠攀 眀椀氀氀 戀攀 栀漀洀攀 氀愀琀攀Ⰰ 䴀椀猀猀 䰀攀琀椀琀椀愀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 愀猀欀猀 昀漀爀 礀漀甀 渀漀琀 琀漀 猀琀愀礀 甀瀀 昀漀爀 栀椀洀⸀ 圀椀氀氀 礀漀甀 戀攀 搀椀渀椀渀最 椀渀Ⰰ 琀栀椀猀 攀瘀攀渀椀渀最㼀ᴀ†栀攀 愀猀欀攀搀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀“Will you stay with me, Katie, just for supper? I hate being on my own.”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ䤠 漀甀最栀琀 琀漀 最攀琀 戀愀挀欀Ⰰ 吀栀攀爀攀猀愀 愀渀搀 倀攀琀攀爀 眀椀氀氀 戀攀 眀漀爀爀椀攀搀⸀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀“Please, we can try on the costumes,” Letty said, pleading.
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀吀栀漀甀最栀琀猀 漀昀 䰀攀琀琀礀 愀猀 匀琀漀爀洀 昀爀漀洀 琀栀攀 堀ⴀ䴀攀渀 攀砀挀椀琀攀搀 刀漀戀 猀甀昀昀椀挀椀攀渀琀氀礀 琀漀 瀀攀爀猀甀愀搀攀 栀椀洀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀“Oh, all right, but I don't want to be late.”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ夠漀甀 眀漀渀✀琀 戀攀Ⰰ 䤀 瀀爀漀洀椀猀攀⸀ 吀栀愀渀欀猀 猀漀 洀甀挀栀℀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀Letty hugged Rob. He was finding it very hard to control his urge to do more than simply hug back. He forced himself to break the embrace, and carried the purchases up to Letty's room. As Letty changed, to give her friend an impromptu fashion show, Rob called his sister.
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ䠠椀 刀漀戀Ⰰ 栀漀眀✀猀 椀琀 最漀椀渀最㼀ᴀ†倀爀甀 愀猀欀攀搀⸀ 刀漀戀 椀渀猀琀愀渀琀氀礀 欀渀攀眀 猀栀攀 栀愀搀 搀爀漀瀀瀀攀搀 戀攀椀渀最 倀攀琀攀爀Ⰰ 愀猀 栀攀爀 瘀漀椀挀攀 眀愀猀 猀漀昀琀 愀渀搀 昀攀洀椀渀椀渀攀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀“Fine. I'm having dinner with Letty at her place. Her dad's out so she's asked me to stay a while.”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ䐠椀搀 礀漀甀 栀愀瘀攀 昀甀渀㼀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀“If watching Letty dress and undress all day can be considered fun, then yes, I have. Pru, my libido can't take much more of this.”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀倀爀甀 氀愀甀最栀攀搀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀“Then don't see so much of her,” she advised.
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ倠爀甀Ⰰ 琀栀攀爀攀✀猀 瘀攀爀礀 氀椀琀琀氀攀 漀昀 栀攀爀 䤀✀瘀攀 渀漀琀 猀攀攀渀℀ 圀攀 眀攀渀琀 琀漀 琀栀椀猀 漀渀攀 猀栀漀瀀㬀 椀琀 猀漀氀搀 猀氀椀渀欀礀 甀渀搀攀爀眀攀愀爀⸀ 䤀 猀眀攀愀爀Ⰰ 猀栀攀 栀愀搀 渀漀琀栀椀渀最 漀渀 漀琀栀攀爀 琀栀愀渀 愀 琀栀漀渀最Ⰰ 愀渀搀 䤀 栀愀搀 琀漀 樀甀猀琀 猀椀琀 琀栀攀爀攀 愀渀搀 猀洀椀氀攀⸀ 䤀琀✀猀 搀爀椀瘀椀渀最 洀攀 瀀漀琀琀礀℀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀“Don't come to me for sympathy; it's all your own fault.”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ䠠漀眀 搀椀搀 礀漀甀 最攀琀 漀渀 眀椀琀栀 琀栀攀 礀攀琀椀㼀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀“He's not a yeti, he's remarkably astute and charming.”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ传栀Ⰰ 琀漀甀挀栀攀搀 愀 渀攀爀瘀攀Ⰰ 栀愀瘀攀 䤀㼀 夀漀甀 栀愀瘀攀渀✀琀Ⰰ 倀爀甀Ⰰ 栀愀瘀攀 礀漀甀㼀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀“Haven't what?”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ䘠愀氀氀攀渀 椀渀 氀漀瘀攀Ⰰ 愀琀 氀愀猀琀㼀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀Pru was silent. It was the first time that word had been spoken, and she now believed she might well have done.
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ传栀 洀礀 䜀漀搀Ⰰ 礀漀甀 栀愀瘀攀℀ᴀ†猀愀椀搀 刀漀戀Ⰰ 椀渀 搀攀氀椀最栀琀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀“Rob, it's not that simple. He thinks I'm a man.”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ䤠昀 礀漀甀 欀攀攀瀀 猀眀漀漀渀椀渀最 攀瘀攀爀礀 琀椀洀攀 栀攀 眀愀氀欀猀 椀渀琀漀 愀 爀漀漀洀Ⰰ 栀攀✀氀氀 猀漀漀渀 琀眀椀最⸀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀“We have to stick to the plan.”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ匠琀甀昀昀 琀栀攀 瀀氀愀渀Ⰰ 最漀 琀漀 栀椀洀Ⰰ 最椀爀氀℀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀“I can't, Daddy was quite clear.”
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ䘠甀挀欀椀渀最 䐀愀搀搀礀 搀漀攀猀渀✀琀 栀愀瘀攀 琀漀 瀀甀琀 甀瀀 眀椀琀栀 愀氀氀 琀栀椀猀 猀栀椀琀Ⰰᴀ†刀漀戀 猀愀椀搀⸀ 倀爀甀 欀渀攀眀 琀栀愀琀 昀漀爀 愀氀氀 琀栀攀 戀氀甀猀琀攀爀Ⰰ 攀瘀攀渀 刀漀戀 眀漀甀氀搀渀✀琀 搀攀昀礀 琀栀攀椀爀 昀愀琀栀攀爀⸀ 䘀漀爀 渀漀 洀愀琀琀攀爀 栀漀眀 猀琀爀愀渀最攀 愀渀搀 搀椀昀昀椀挀甀氀琀 琀栀攀椀爀 琀愀猀欀猀 栀愀搀 戀攀攀渀 漀瘀攀爀 琀栀攀 氀愀猀琀 琀攀渀 漀爀 昀椀昀琀攀攀渀 礀攀愀爀猀Ⰰ 琀栀攀爀攀 栀愀搀 愀氀眀愀礀猀 戀攀攀渀 最漀漀搀 爀攀愀猀漀渀猀 昀漀爀 琀栀攀洀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 椀渀 琀栀攀 攀渀搀Ⰰ 椀琀 栀愀搀 戀攀攀渀 琀漀 琀栀攀椀爀 愀搀瘀愀渀琀愀最攀⸀ 㰀⼀瀀㸀“Don't be late, we should talk,” Pru said.
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀ᰀ䤠 眀漀渀✀琀Ⰰ 䤀 瀀爀漀洀椀猀攀⸀ᴀ†㰀⼀瀀㸀He kept his promise, for after a light supper with Letty, he made his excuses and left, returning to Elm Park gardens once more.
㰀瀀 愀氀椀最渀㴀∀樀甀猀琀椀昀礀∀㸀㰀戀爀㸀