kinsella, sophie: can you keep a secret

8/13/2019 Kinsella, Sophie: Can You Keep a Secret

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Evans, Pa!r)% P#on%)n'!on+Sm$!he, Aram)n!a Wh)!#e$ an& Ce#)a Ha$#e$, m$ o$san& !he oar&"

ONEOf o(rse I have sere!s"Of o(rse I &o" Ever$one has a sere!" I!.s om/#e!e#$ norma#" I.m s(re I &on.! havean$ more !han an$o&$ e#se"I.m no! !a#%)n' ao(! )', ear!h+sha!!er)n' sere!s" No! !he+/res)&en!+)s+/#ann)n'+!o+

om+-a/an+an&+on#$+W)##+Sm)!h+an+save+!he+wor#& !$/e sere!s" -(s! norma#,ever$&a$ #)!!#e sere!s"L)%e for e*am/#e, here are a few ran&om sere!s of m)ne, off !he !o/ of m$ hea&0

1" M$ Ka!e S/a&e a' )s a fa%e"2" I #ove swee! sherr$, !he #eas! oo# &r)n% )n !he (n)verse"3" I have no )&ea wha! NATO s!an&s for" Or even wha! )! )s"4" I we)'h 5 s!one 3" No! 6 s!one 3, #)%e m$ o$fr)en& Connor !h)n%s" 7A#!ho('h )nm$ &efene, I was /#ann)n' !o 'o on a &)e! when I !o#& h)m !ha!" An& !o e fa)r, )! )son#$ one n(mer &)fferen!"89" I.ve a#wa$s !ho('h! Connor #oo%s a )! #)%e Ken" As )n Bar)e an& Ken":" Some!)mes, when we.re r)'h! )n !he m)&e of /ass)ona!e se*, I s(&&en#$ wan! !o#a('h";" I #os! m$ v)r')n)!$ )n !he s/are e&room w)!h Dann$ N(ssa(m, wh)#e M(m an&Da& were &owns!a)rs wa!h)n'Ben Hur"6" I.ve a#rea&$ &r(n% !he w)ne !ha! Da& !o#& me !o #a$ &own for !wen!$ $ears"

5" Samm$ !he 'o#&f)sh a! home )sn.! !he same 'o#&f)sh !ha! M(m an& Da& 'ave me!o #oo% af!er when !he$ wen! !o E'$/!"1+s!r)n' )s h(r!)n' me"13" I.ve a#wa$s ha& !h)s &ee/ &own onv)!)on !ha! I.m no! #)%e ever$o&$ e#se, an&!here.s an ama?)n'#$ e*)!)n' new #)fe wa)!)n' for me =(s! aro(n& !he orner"14" I have no )&ea wha! !h)s '($ )n !he 're$ s()! )s 'o)n' on ao(!"19" P#(s I.ve a#rea&$ for'o!!en h)s name"

An& I on#$ me! h)m !en m)n(!es a'o".We e#)eve )n #o')s!)a# forma!)ve a##)anes,. he.s sa$)n' )n a nasa#, &ron)n' vo)e,.o!h aove an& e#ow !he #)ne"..Aso#(!e#$@. I re/#$ r)'h!#$, as !ho('h !o sa$0 Doesn.! ever$o&$Lo')s!)a#" Wha! &oes !ha! mean, a'a)nOh >o&" Wha! )f !he$ as% me

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Don.! e s!(/)&, Emma" The$ won.! s(&&en#$ &eman&, .Wha! &oes #o')s!)a# mean.I.m a fe##ow mar%e!)n' /rofess)ona#, aren.! I Ov)o(s#$ I %now !hese !h)n's"An& an$wa$, )f !he$ men!)on )! a'a)n I.## han'e !he s(=e!" Or I.## sa$ I.m /os!+#o')s!)a# or some!h)n'"The )m/or!an! !h)n' )s !o %ee/ onf)&en! an& (s)ness#)%e" I an &o !h)s" Th)s )s m$

)' hane an& I.m no! 'o)n' !o srew )! (/"I.m s)!!)n' )n !he off)es of >#en O)#.s hea&(ar!ers )n >#as'ow, an& as I '#ane a!m$ ref#e!)on )n !he w)n&ow, I #oo% =(s! #)%e a !o/ (s)nesswoman" M$ ha)r )ss!ra)'h!ene&, I.m wear)n' &)sree! earr)n's #)%e !he$ !e## $o( !o )n How+!o+w)n+!ha!+

=o ar!)#es, an& I.ve 'o! on m$ smar! new -)'saw s()!" 7A! #eas!, )!.s /ra!)a##$new" I 'o! )! from !he Caner Researh sho/ an& sewe& on a (!!on !o re/#ae !hem)ss)n' one, an& $o( an har$ !e##"8I.m here re/resen!)n' !he Pan!her Cor/ora!)on, wh)h )s where I wor%" The mee!)n')s !o f)na#)?e a /romo!)ona# arran'emen! e!ween !he new ranerr$+f#avo(re&Pan!her Pr)me s/or!s &r)n% an& >#en O)#, an& I f#ew (/ !h)s morn)n' from Lon&on,es/e)a##$" 7The om/an$ /a)&, an& ever$!h)n'@8When I arr)ve&, !he >#en O)# mar%e!)n' '($s s!ar!e& on !h)s #on', show+off$.who.s+!rave##e&+!he+mos!. onversa!)on ao(! a)rm)#es an& !he re&+e$e !oWash)n'!on an& I !h)n% I #(ffe& /re!!$ onv)n)n'#$" 7E*e/! when I sa)& I.&f#own Conor&e !o O!!awa, an& )! !(rns o(! Conor&e &oesn.! 'o !o O!!awa"8 B(!!he !r(!h )s, !h)s )s !he f)rs! !)me I.ve ever ha& !o !rave# for a &ea#"OK" The real!r(!h )s, !h)s )s !he f)rs! &ea# I.ve ever &one, f(## s!o/" I.ve een a! !hePan!her Cor/ora!)on for e#even mon!hs as a mar%e!)n' ass)s!an!, an& (n!)# now a##I.ve een a##owe& !o &o )s !$/e o(! o/$, arran'e mee!)n's for o!her /eo/#e, 'e! !he

san&w)hes an& /)% (/ m$ oss.s &r$+#ean)n'"So !h)s )s %)n& of m$ )' rea%" An& I.ve 'o! !h)s sere! #)!!#e ho/e !ha! )f I &o !h)swe##, ma$e I.## 'e! /romo!e&" The a& for m$ =o sa)& ./oss))#)!$ of /romo!)onaf!er a $ear., an& on Mon&a$ I.m hav)n' m$ $ear#$ a//ra)sa# mee!)n' w)!h m$ oss,Pa(#" I #oo%e& (/ .A//ra)sa#s. )n !he s!aff )n&(!)on oo%, an& )! sa)& !he$ are .an)&ea# o//or!(n)!$ !o &)s(ss /oss))#)!)es for areer a&vanemen!."Career a&vanemen!@ A! !he !ho('h!, I fee# a fam)#)ar s!a of #on')n' )n m$ hes!"I! wo(#& =(s! show Da& I.m no! a om/#e!e #oser" An& M(m" An& Kerr$" If I o(#&'o home an& as(a##$ sa$, .B$ !he wa$, I.ve een /romo!e& !o Mar%e!)n'E*e(!)ve".

Emma Corrigan, Marketing Executive.Emma Corrigan, Senior ice!"resi#ent $Marketing.%As #on' as ever$!h)n' 'oes we## !o&a$" Pa(# sa)& !he &ea# was &one an& &(s!e& an&a## I ha& !o &o was no& an& sha%e !he)r han&s, an& even I sho(#& e a#e !o mana'e!ha!" An& so far, I re%on )!.s 'o)n' rea##$ we##"OK, so I &on.! (n&ers!an& ao(! 5< /er en! of wha! !he$.re sa$)n'" B(! !hen I&)&n.! (n&ers!an& m(h of m$ >CSE Frenh Ora# e)!her, an& I s!)## 'o! a B"

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.Reran&)n' ana#$s)s os!+effe!)ve .The man )n !he 're$ s()! )s s!)## &ron)n' on ao(! some!h)n' or o!her" As as(a##$as /oss)#e, I e*!en& m$ han& an& )nh h)s (s)ness ar& !owar&s me so I an rea&)!"Do(' Ham)#!on" Tha!.s r)'h!" OK, I an rememer !h)s" Do('" D('" Eas$" I.##

/)!(re a shove#" To'e!her w)!h a ham" Wh)h wh)h #oo%s ill an& OK, for'e! !h)s" I.## =(s! wr)!e )! &own"I wr)!e &own .reran&)n'. an& .Do(' Ham)#!on. on m$ no!e/a& an& ')ve anaw%war& #)!!#e wr)''#e" >o&, m$ %n)%ers rea##$ are (nomfor!a#e" I mean, >+s!r)n's are never !ha! omfor!a#e a! !he es! of !)mes, )n m$ o/)n)on, (! !hese are

/ar!)(#ar#$ a&" Wh)h o(#& e ea(se !he$.re !wo s)?es !oo sma##"Wh)h o(#& /oss)#$ e ea(se Connor o('h! !hem for me, an& !o#& !he #)n'er)eass)s!an! I we)'he& e)'h! s!one !hree" Where(/on she !o#& h)m I m(s! e s)?e e)'h!"S)?e e)'h!@7Fran%#$, I !h)n% she was =(s! e)n' mean" She musthave %nown I was f))n'"8So )!.s Chr)s!mas Eve, an& we.re e*han')n' /resen!s, an& I (nwra/ !h)s /a)r of'or'eo(s /a#e /)n% s)#% %n)%ers" S)?e e)'h!" An& I as)a##$ have !wo o/!)ons"A0 Confess !he !r(!h0 .A!(a##$ !hese are !oo sma##, I.m more of a 12, an& $ !hewa$, I &on.! rea##$ we)'h e)'h! s!one !hree". Or B0 Shoe+horn m$se#f )n!o !hem"A!(a##$, )! was f)ne" o( o(#& har$ see !he re& #)nes on m$ s%)n af!erwar&s"An& a## )! mean! was !ha! I ha& !o ()%#$ (! a## !he #ae#s o(! of m$ #o!hes soConnor wo(#& never rea#)?e"S)ne !hen, I.ve har$ ever worn !h)s /ar!)(#ar se! of (n&erwear, neeess !o sa$"

B(! ever$ so of!en I see !hem #oo%)n' a## n)e an& e*/ens)ve )n !he &rawer an&!h)n%, Oh ome on, !he$ an.! e that!)'h!, an& somehow s(ee?e )n!o !hem"Wh)h )s wha! I &)& !h)s morn)n'" I even &e)&e& I m(s! have #os! we)'h!, ea(se!he$ &)&n.! fee# !oo a&"I am s(h a &e#(&e& moron". (nfor!(na!e#$ s)ne reran&)n' ma=or re!h)n% fee# we nee& !o eons)&er)n' a#!erna!)ve s$ner')es ./ !o now I.ve =(s! een s)!!)n' an& no&&)n', !h)n%)n' !h)s (s)ness mee!)n' #ar% )srea##$ eas$" B(! now Do(' Ham)#!on.s vo)e s!ar!s !o )m/)n'e on m$ons)o(sness" Wha!.s he sa$)n'

. !wo /ro&(!s &)ver')n' eom)n' )nom/a!)#e .Wha! was !ha! ao(! )nom/a!)#e Wha! was !ha! ao(! a ma=or re!h)n% I fee# a=o#! of a#arm" Ma$e !h)s )sn.! =(s! waff#e" Ma$e he.s a!(a##$sayingsome!h)n'"G()%, #)s!en".We a//re)a!e !he f(n!)ona# an& s$ner'e!) /ar!nersh)/ !ha! Pan!her an& >#en O)#have en=o$e& )n !he /as!,. Do(' Ham)#!on )s sa$)n'" .B(! $o(.## a'ree !ha! #ear#$we.re 'o)n' )n &)fferen! &)re!)ons".

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D)fferen! &)re!)onsIs thatwha! he.s een !a#%)n' ao(! a## !h)s !)meM$ s!omah ')ves an an*)o(s #(rh"He an.! eIs he !r$)n' !o /(## o(! of !he &ea#.E*(se me, Do(',. I sa$, )n m$ mos! re#a*e& vo)e" .Ov)o(s#$ I was #ose#$fo##ow)n' wha! $o( were sa$)n' ear#)er". I ')ve a fr)en$, we.re+a##+/rofess)ona#s+!o'e!her sm)#e" .B(! )f $o( o(#& =(s! (m, rea/ !he s)!(a!)on for a## o(r enef)!s.In /#a)n En'#)sh, I e' s)#en!#$"Do(' Ham)#!on an& !he o!her '($ e*han'e '#anes".We.re a #)!!#e (nha//$ ao(! $o(r ran& va#(es,. sa$s Do(' Ham)#!on".M$ ran& va#(es. I eho )n /an)".The ran& va#(es of !hepro#uct,. he sa$s, ')v)n' me an o&& #oo%" .As I.ve eene*/#a)n)n', we here a! >#en O)# are 'o)n' !hro('h a reran&)n' /roess a! !hemomen!, an& we see o(r new )ma'e ver$ m(h as a caring/e!ro#, as o(r new&affo&)# #o'o &emons!ra!es" An& we fee# Pan!her Pr)me, w)!h )!s em/has)s on s/or!an& om/e!)!)on, )s s)m/#$ !oo a''ress)ve"..A''ress)ve. I s!are a! h)m, ew)#&ere&" .B(! )!.s a fr()! &r)n%".Th)s ma%es no sense" >#en O)# )s f(me+ma%)n', wor#&+r()n)n' /e!ro#" Pan!herPr)me )s an )nnoen! ranerr$+f#avo(re& &r)n%" How an )! e !oo a''ress)ve.The va#(es )! es/o(ses". He 'es!(res !o !he mar%e!)n' roh(res on !he !a#e".Dr)ve" E#)!)sm" Mas(#)n)!$" The ver$ s#o'an, Don.! Pa(se" Fran%#$, )! seems a#)!!#e &a!e&". He shr('s" .We =(s! &on.! !h)n% a =o)n! )n)!)a!)ve w)## e /oss)#e".

No" No" Th)s an.! e ha//en)n'" He an.! e /(##)n' o(!"Ever$one a! !he off)e w)## !h)n% )! was m$ fa(#!" The$.## !h)n% I o%e& )! (/ an&I.m om/#e!e#$ ra/"M$ hear! )s !h(m/)n'" M$ fae )s ho!" I an.! #e! !h)s ha//en" B(! wha! &o I sa$ Ihaven.! /re/are& an$!h)n'" Pa(# sa)& )! was a## se! (/ an& a## I ha& !o &o was sha%e!he)r han&s".We.## er!a)n#$ &)s(ss )! a'a)n efore we ma%e a &e)s)on,. Do('.s sa$)n'" He')ves me a r)ef sm)#e" .An& as I sa$, we wo(#& #)%e !o on!)n(e #)n%s w)!h !hePan!her Cor/ora!)on, so !h)s has een a (sef(# mee!)n' )n an$ ase".He.s /(sh)n' a% h)s ha)r"

I an.! #e! !h)s s#)/ awa$@ I have !o !r$ !o w)n !hem ro(n&" I have !o !r$ an& sh(! !he&ea#"Close!he &ea#" Tha!.s wha! I mean!".Wa)!@. I hear m$se#f sa$" .-(s! wa)! a momen!@ I have a few /o)n!s !o ma%e".Wha! am I !a#%)n' ao(! I have no /o)n!s !o ma%e"

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There.s a an of Pan!her Pr)me s)!!)n' on !he &es%, an& I 'ra )! for )ns/)ra!)on"P#a$)n' for !)me, I s!an& (/, wa#% !o !he en!re of !he room an& ra)se !he an h)'h)n!o !he a)r where we an a## see )!".Pan!her Pr)me )s a s/or!s &r)n%".I s!o/, an& !here.s a /o#)!e s)#ene" M$ fae )s /r)%#)n'".I! (m )! )s ver$ .Oh >o&" Wha! am I &o)n'Come on, Emma" &hink" Th)n% Pan!her Pr)me !h)n% Pan!her Co#a !h)n% !h)n% es@ Of o(rse@OK, s!ar! a'a)n".S)ne !he #a(nh of Pan!her Co#a )n !he #a!e 156#en O)# an e*#(s)veo//or!(n)!$ !o =o)n w)!h !h)s /rem)(m, wor#&+famo(s ran&".M$ onf)&ene 'row)n', I s!ar! !o s!r)&e aro(n& !he room, 'es!(r)n' w)!h !he an".B$ ($)n' a Pan!her hea#!h &r)n%, !he ons(mer )s s)'na##)n' !ha! he w)## se!!#e forno!h)n' (! !he es!". I h)! !he an shar/#$ w)!h m$ o!her han&" .He e*/e!s !he es!from h)s ener'$ &r)n%, he e*/e!s !he es! from h)s /e!ro#, he e*/e!s !he es! fromh)mse#f".

I.m f#$)n'@ I.m fan!as!)@ If Pa(# o(#& see me now, he.& ')ve me a /romo!)on on!he s/o!@I ome over !o !he &es% an& #oo% Do(' Ham)#!on r)'h! )n !he e$e" .When !hePan!her ons(mer o/ens !ha! an, he )s ma%)n' a ho)e wh)h !e##s !he wor#& whohe )s" I.m as%)n' >#en O)# !o ma%e !he same ho)e".As I f)n)sh s/ea%)n' I /#an! !he an f)rm#$ )n !he m)&e of !he &es%, reah for !her)n' /(## an&, w)!h a oo# sm)#e, sna/ )! a%"I!.s #)%e a vo#ano er(/!)n'"F)??$ ranerr$+f#avo(re& &r)n% e*/#o&es )n a whoosh o(! of !he an, #an&)n' on!he &es%, &renh)n' !he /a/ers an& #o!!ers )n #(r)& re& #)()& an& oh no, /#ease

no s/a!!er)n' a## over Do(' Ham)#!on.s sh)r!".F(%@. I 'as/" .I mean, I.m rea##$ sorr$ ..-es(s Chr)s!,. sa$s Do(' Ham)#!on )rr)!a#$, s!an&)n' (/ an& 'e!!)n' a han&%erh)efo(! of h)s /o%e!" .Does !h)s s!(ff s!a)n..Er . I 'ra !he an he#/#ess#$" .I &on.! %now"..I.## 'e! a #o!h,. sa$s !he o!her '($, an& #ea/s !o h)s fee!"

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The &oor #oses eh)n& h)m an& !here.s s)#ene, a/ar! from !he so(n& of ranerr$&r)n% &r)//)n' s#ow#$ on!o !he f#oor"I s!are a! Do(' Ham)#!on, m$ fae ho! an& #oo& !hro)n' !hro('h m$ ears".P#ease . I sa$, an& #ear m$ h(s%$ !hroa!" .Don.! !e## m$ oss".Af!er a## !ha!" I srewe& )! (/"As I &ra' m$ hee#s aross !he ono(rse a! >#as'ow A)r/or!, I fee# om/#e!e#$&e=e!e&" Do(' Ham)#!on was ()!e swee! )n !he en&" He sa)& he was s(re !he s!a)nwo(#& ome o(!, an& /rom)se& he wo(#&n.! !e## Pa(# wha! ha//ene&" B(! he &)&n.!han'e h)s m)n& ao(! !he &ea#"M$ f)rs! )' mee!)n'" M$ f)rs! )' hane an& !h)s )s wha! ha//ens" I fee# #)%e')v)n' (/ on !he who#e !h)n'" I fee# #)%e /hon)n' !he off)e an& sa$)n' .Tha!.s )!, I.mnever om)n' a% a'a)n, an& $ !he wa$, )! was me who =amme& !he /ho!oo/)er!ha! !)me".B(! I an.!" Th)s )s m$ !h)r& areer )n fo(r $ears" I! has!o wor%" For m$ own se#f+wor!h" For m$ own se#f+es!eem" An& a#so ea(se I owe m$ &a& fo(r !ho(san&()&".So wha! an I 'e! $o(. sa$s an A(s!ra#)an '($, an& I #oo% (/ &a?e$" I.ve arr)ve&a! !he a)r/or! w)!h an ho(r !o 'o, an& have hea&e& s!ra)'h! for !he ar".Erm . M$ m)n& )s #an%" .Er wh)!e w)ne" No, a!(a##$, a vo&%a an& !on)"Than%s".As he moves awa$, I s#(m/ &own a'a)n )n m$ s!oo#" An a)r hos!ess w)!h a Frenh

/#a)! omes an& s)!s &own, !wo ar s!oo#s awa$" She sm)#es a! me, an& I sm)#ewea%#$ )n re!(rn"I &on.! %now how o!her /eo/#e mana'e !he)r areers, I rea##$ &on.!" L)%e m$ o#&es!

fr)en& L)ss$" She.s a#wa$s %nown she wan!e& !o e a #aw$er an& now, !a+&[email protected] a fra(& arr)s!er" B(! I #ef! o##e'e w)!h aso#(!e#$ no #(e" M$ f)rs! =o was)n es!a!e a'en$, an& I on#$ wen! )n!o )! ea(se I.ve a#wa$s ()!e #)%e& #oo%)n'ro(n& ho(ses, /#(s I me! !h)s woman w)!h ama?)n' re& #a(ere& na)#s a! a areerfa)r who !o#& me she ma&e so m(h mone$, she.& e a#e !o re!)re when she wasfor!$"B(! !he m)n(!e I s!ar!e&, I ha!e& )!" I ha!e& a## !he o!her !ra)nee es!a!e a'en!s" I ha!e&sa$)n' !h)n's #)%e .a #ove#$ as/e!." An& I ha!e& !he wa$ )f someone sa)& !he$ o(#&affor& J3


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I mean, for a s!ar!, &o $o( have an$ )&ea how m(h a /ho!o'ra/her.s ass)s!an! 'e!s/a)&No!h)n'" I!.s no!h)n'"Wh)h, $o( %now, I wo(#&n.! have m)n&e& )f an$one ha& a!(a##$ o''ere#me a

/ho!o'ra/her.s ass)s!an!.s =o"I heave a heav$ s)'h, an& 'a?e a! m$ &o#ef(# e*/ress)on )n !he m)rror eh)n& !he

ar" As we## as ever$!h)n' e#se, m$ ha)r, wh)h I aref(##$ s!ra)'h!ene& w)!h ser(m!h)s morn)n', has 'one a## fr)??$" T$/)a#"A! #eas! I wasn.! !he on#$ one who &)&n.! 'e! an$where" O(! of !he e)'h! /eo/#e onm$ o(rse, one eame )ns!an!#$ s(essf(# an& now !a%es /ho!os for oguean&s!(ff, one eame a we&&)n' /ho!o'ra/her, one ha& an affa)r w)!h !he !(!or, onewen! !rave##)n', one ha& a a$, one wor%s a! Sna//$ Sna/s an& one )s now a!Mor'an S!an#e$"Meanwh)#e I 'o! more an& more )n!o &e!, an& s!ar!e& !em/)n' an& a//#$)n' for

=os wh)h a!(a##$ /a)& mone$" An& even!(a##$, e#even mon!hs a'o, I s!ar!e& as amar%e!)n' ass)s!an! a! !he Pan!her Cor/ora!)on"The arman /#aes a vo&%a an& !on) )n fron! of me, an& ')ves me a ()??)a# #oo%".Cheer (/@. he sa$s" .I! an.! e !ha! a&@..Than%s,. I sa$ 'ra!ef(##$, an& !a%e a s)/" Tha! fee#s a )! e!!er" I.m =(s! !a%)n' aseon& s)/ when m$ mo)#e s!ar!s !o r)n'"M$ s!omah ')ves a nervo(s f#)/" If )!.s !he off)e, I.## =(s! /re!en& I &)&n.! hear"B(! )!.s no!, )!.s o(r home n(mer f#ash)n' on !he #)!!#e sreen".H),. I sa$, /ress)n' 'reen".H)$a@. omes L)ss$.s vo)e" .On#$ me@ So how &)& )! 'o.

L)ss$ )s m$ f#a!ma!e an& m$ o#&es! fr)en& )n !he wor#&" She has !(f!$ &ar% ha)r an&an IG of ao(! :


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.A//aren!#$ $o(r o(s)n.s won some )n&(s!r$ awar&,. she sa$s a/o#o'e!)a##$"

.The$.re 'o)n' !o e e#era!)n' )! on Sa!(r&a$ as we## as $o(r m(m.s )r!h&a$".

.Oh" >rea!".I s#(m/ &ee/er )n m$ ha)r" Tha!.s a## I nee&" M$ o(s)n Kerr$ !r)(m/han!#$#(!h)n' some s)#ver Bes!+!rave#+a'en!+)n+!he+wor#&+no+ma%e+!ha!+(n)verse!ro/h$".An& Connor ran', !oo, !o see how $o( 'o! on,. a&&s L)ss$ ()%#$" .He was rea##$swee!, he sa)& he &)&n.! wan! !o r)n' $o(r mo)#e &(r)n' $o(r mee!)n' )n ase )!&)s!(re& $o("..Rea##$.For !he f)rs! !)me !o&a$, I fee# a #)f! )n s/)r)!s"Connor" M$ o$fr)en&" M$ #ove#$, !ho('h!f(# o$fr)en&".He.s s(h a swee!hear!@. L)ss$ )s sa$)n'" .He sa)& he.s !)e& (/ )n a )' mee!)n' a##af!ernoon (! he.s ane##e& h)s s(ash 'ame es/e)a##$, so &o $o( wan! !o 'o o(!!o s(//er !on)'h!..Oh,. I sa$, w)!h a f#)%er of /#eas(re" .Oh we##, !ha!.## e n)e" Than%s, L)ss$".I #)% off an& !a%e ano!her s)/ of vo&%a, fee#)n' m(h more heerf(#"M$ o$fr)en&"I!.s =(s! #)%e -(#)e An&rews sa)&" When !he &o' )!es, when !he ee s!)n's Is)m/#$ rememer I have a o$fr)en& an& s(&&en#$ !h)n's &on.! seem ()!e soom/#e!e#$ sh)!"Or however she /(! )!"An& no! =(s! an$ o$fr)en&" A !a##, han&some, #ever o$fr)en&, whomMarketing(eeka##e& .one of !he r)'h!es! s/ar%s )n mar%e!)n' researh !o&a$".

I s)! n(rs)n' m$ vo&%a, a##ow)n' !ho('h!s of Connor !o ro## ro(n& m$ ra)n an&omfor! me" The wa$ h)s #on& ha)r sh)nes )n !he s(nsh)ne, an& !he wa$ he.sa#wa$s sm)#)n'" An& !he wa$ he (/'ra&e& a## !he sof!ware on m$ om/(!er !heo!her &a$ w)!ho(! me even as%)n', an& !he wa$ he he M$ m)n&.s 'one #an%" Th)s )s r)&)(#o(s" I mean, !here.s so m(h !ha! )s won&erf(#ao(! Connor" From h)s h)s #on' #e's" es" An& h)s roa& sho(#&ers" To !he!)me he #oo%e& af!er me when I ha& !he f#(" I mean, how man$ o$fr)en&s &o !ha!E*a!#$"I.m so #(%$, I rea##$ am"I /(! !he /hone awa$, r(n m$ f)n'ers !hro('h m$ ha)r, an& '#ane a! !he #o%

eh)n& !he ar" For!$ m)n(!es !o 'o efore !he f#)'h!" No! #on' now" Nerves ares!ar!)n' !o ree/ over me #)%e #)!!#e )nse!s, an& I !a%e a &ee/ '(#/ of vo&%a,&ra)n)n' m$ '#ass"I!.## e f)ne, I !e## m$se#f for !he ?)##)on!h !)me" I!.## e aso#(!e#$ f)ne"I.m no! fr)'h!ene&" I.m =(s! I.m =(s! OK" I am fr)'h!ene&"I.m sare& of f#$)n'"

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I.ve never !o#& an$one I.m sare& of f#$)n'" I! =(s! so(n&s so #ame" An& I mean, )!.sno! #)%e I.m /ho) or an$!h)n'" I!.s no! #)%e I an.!geton a /#ane" I!.s =(s! a##!h)n's e)n' e(a#, I wo(#& /refer !o e on !he 'ro(n&"I never (se& !o e sare&" B(! over !he #as! few $ears, I.ve 'ra&(a##$ 'o! more an&more nervo(s" I %now )!.s om/#e!e#$ )rra!)ona#" I %now !ho(san&s of /eo/#e f#$ever$ &a$ an& )!.s /ra!)a##$ safer !han #$)n' )n e&" o( have #ess hane of e)n')n a /#ane rash !han !han f)n&)n' a man )n Lon&on, or some!h)n'"B(! s!)##" I =(s! &on.! #)%e )!"Ma$e I.## have ano!her ()% vo&%a"B$ !he !)me m$ f#)'h! )s a##e&, I.ve &r(n% !wo more vo&%as an& am fee#)n' a #o!more /os)!)ve" I mean, L)ss$.s r)'h!" A! #eas! I ma&e an )m/ress)on, &)&n.! I A!#eas! !he$.## rememer who I am" As I s!r)&e !owar&s !he 'a!e, #(!h)n' m$

r)efase, I a#mos! s!ar! !o fee# #)%e a onf)&en! (s)nesswoman a'a)n" A o(/#e of/eo/#e sm)#e a! me as !he$ /ass, an& I sm)#e roa$ a%, fee#)n' a warm '#ow offr)en)ness" o( see" The wor#&.s no! so a& af!er a##" I!.s a## =(s! a (es!)on of

e)n' /os)!)ve" An$!h)n' an ha//en )n #)fe, an.! )! o( never %now wha!.s ro(n&!he ne*! orner"I reah !he en!rane !o !he /#ane, an& !here a! !he &oor, !a%)n' oar&)n' /asses, )s!he a)r hos!ess w)!h !he Frenh /#a)! who was s)!!)n' a! !he ar ear#)er".H) a'a)n,. I sa$ sm)#)n'" .Th)s )s a o)n)&[email protected] a)r hos!ess s!ares a! me".H)" Erm ..Wha!.Wh$ &oes she #oo% emarrasse&

.Sorr$" I!.s =(s! &)& $o( %now !ha! . She 'es!(res aw%war$ !o m$ fron!".Wha! )s )!. I sa$, /#easan!#$" I #oo% &own, an& free?e, a'has!"Somehow m$ s)#%$ sh)r! has een (n(!!on)n' )!se#f wh)#e I.ve een wa#%)n' a#on'"Three (!!ons have ome (n&one an& )!.s 'a/)n' a! !he fron!"M$ ra shows" M$ /)n% #a$ ra" The one !ha! wen! a )! #o$ )n !he wash"Tha!.s wh$ !hose /eo/#e were sm)#)n' a! me" No! ea(se !he wor#& )s a n)e /#ae,

(! ea(se I.m P)n%+B#o$+Bra+Woman".Than%s,. I m(!!er, an& &o (/ !he (!!ons w)!h r(m#)n' f)n'ers, m$ fae ho! w)!hh(m)#)a!)on".I! hasn.! een $o(r &a$, has )!. sa$s !he a)r hos!ess s$m/a!he!)a##$, ho#&)n' o(! a

han& for m$ oar&)n' /ass" .Sorr$, I o(#&n.! he#/ overhear)n', ear#)er"..Tha!.s a## r)'h!". I ra)se a ha#f+sm)#e" .No, )! hasn.! een !he es! &a$ of m$ #)fe".There.s a shor! s)#ene as she s!(&)es m$ oar&)n' /ass".Te## $o( wha!,. she sa$s )n a #ow vo)e" .Wo(#& $o( #)%e an on+oar& (/'ra&e..A wha!. I s!are a! her #an%#$".Come on" o( &eserve a rea%"..Rea##$ B(! an $o( =(s! (/'ra&e /eo/#e #)%e !ha!.

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.If !here are s/are sea!s, we an" We (se o(r &)sre!)on" An& !h)s f#)'h! )s so shor!".She ')ves me a ons/)ra!or)a# sm)#e" .-(s! &on.! !e## ever$one, OK.She #ea&s me )n!o !he fron! se!)on of !he /#ane an& 'es!(res !o a )', w)&e,omfor!a#e sea!" I.ve never een (/'ra&e& efore )n m$ #)fe@ I an.! ()!e e#)eveshe.s rea##$ #e!!)n' me &o !h)s".Is !h)s f)rs! #ass. I wh)s/er, !a%)n' )n !he h(she&, #(*(r$ a!mos/here" A man )n asmar! s()! )s !a//)n' a! a #a/!o/ !o m$ r)'h!, an& !wo e#&er#$ women )n !he ornerare /#('')n' !hemse#ves )n!o hea&se!s".B(s)ness #ass" There.s no f)rs! #ass on !h)s f#)'h!". She #)f!s her vo)e !o a norma#vo#(me" .Is ever$!h)n' OK for $o(..I!.s /erfe!@ Than%s ver$ m(h"..No /ro#em". She sm)#es a'a)n an& wa#%s awa$, an& I /(sh m$ r)efase (n&er !hesea! )n fron!"Wow" Th)s rea##$ )s #ove#$" B)' w)&e sea!s, an& foo!res!s, an& ever$!h)n'" Th)s )s'o)n' !o e a om/#e!e#$ /#eas(ra#e e*/er)ene from s!ar! !o f)n)sh, I !e## m$se#ff)rm#$" I reah for m$ sea!e#! an& (%#e )! (/ nonha#an!#$, !r$)n' !o )'nore !hef#(!!ers of a//rehens)on )n m$ s!omah".Wo(#& $o( #)%e some ham/a'ne.I!.s m$ fr)en& !he a)r hos!ess, eam)n' &own a! me".Tha! wo(#& e 'rea!,. I sa$" .Than%[email protected]/a'[email protected]& for $o(, s)r Some ham/a'ne.The man )n !he sea! ne*! !o m)ne hasn.! even #oo%e& (/ $e!" He.s wear)n' =eans an&an o#& swea!sh)r! an& )s s!ar)n' o(! of !he w)n&ow" As he !(rns !o answer I a!h a

'#)m/se of &ar% e$es, s!(#e a &ee/ frown e!he& on h)s forehea&".No !han%s" -(s! a ran&$" Than%s".H)s vo)e )s &r$ an& has an Amer)an aen!" I.m ao(! !o as% h)m /o#)!e#$ wherehe.s from, (! he )mme&)a!e#$ !(rns a% an& s!ares o(! of !he w)n&ow a'a)n"Wh)h )s f)ne, ea(se !o e hones!, I.m no! m(h )n !he moo& for !a#%)n' e)!her"TWOOK" The !r(!h )s, I &on.! #)%e !h)s"I %now )!.s (s)ness #ass, I %now )!.s a## #ove#$ #(*(r$" B(! m$ s!omah )s s!)## a!)'h! %no! of fear"Wh)#e we were !a%)n' off I o(n!e& ver$ s#ow#$ w)!h m$ e$es #ose&, an& !ha! %)n&

of wor%e&" B(! I ran o(! of s!eam a! ao(! 39


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W)!h an o(!war& veneer of a#m I reah for !he #am)na!e& safe!$ )ns!r(!)ons an&r(n m$ e$es over !hem" Safe!$ e*)!s" Brae /os)!)on" If #)fe =a%e!s are re()re&,

/#ease ass)s! !he e#&er#$ an& h)#&ren f)rs!" Oh >o&Wh$ am I even lookinga! !h)s How w)## )! he#/ me !o 'a?e a! /)!(res of #)!!#es!)% /eo/#e =(m/)n' )n!o !he oean wh)#e !he)r /#ane e*/#o&es eh)n& !hem I s!(ff!he safe!$ )ns!r(!)ons ()%#$ a% )n !he)r /o%e! an& !a%e a '(#/ of ham/a'ne".E*(se me, ma&am". An a)r hos!ess w)!h re& (r#s has a//eare& $ m$ s)&e" .Are$o( !rave##)n' on (s)ness..es,. I sa$, smoo!h)n' &own m$ ha)r w)!h a /r)%#e of /r)&e" .es I am".She han&s me a #eaf#e! en!)!#e& .E*e(!)ve Fa)#)!)es., on wh)h !here.s a /ho!o of

(s)ness/eo/#e !a#%)n' an)ma!e$ )n fron! of a #)/oar& w)!h a wav$ 'ra/h on )!".Th)s )s some )nforma!)on ao(! o(r new (s)ness #ass #o(n'e a! >a!w)%" We

/rov)&e f(## onferene a## fa)#)!)es, an& mee!)n' rooms, sho(#& $o( re()re !hem"Wo(#& $o( e )n!eres!e&.OK" I am a !o/ (s)nesswoman" I am a !o/ h)'hf#$)n' (s)ness e*e(!)ve".G()!e /oss)#$,. I sa$, #oo%)n' nonha#an!#$ a! !he #eaf#e!" .es, I ma$ we## (se oneof !hese rooms !o r)ef m$ !eam" I have a #ar'e !eam, an& ov)o(s#$ !he$ nee& a#o! of r)ef)n'" On (s)ness ma!!ers". I #ear m$ !hroa!" .Mos!#$ #o')s!)a#"..Wo(#& $o( #)%e me !o oo% $o( a room now. sa$s !he hos!ess he#/f(##$".Er, no !han%s,. I sa$ af!er a /a(se, .M$ !eam )s (rren!#$ a! home" I 'ave !hema## !he &a$ off"..R)'h!". The hos!ess #oo%s a #)!!#e /(??#e&".B(! ano!her !)me, ma$e,. I sa$ ()%#$" .An& wh)#e $o(.re here I was =(s!won&er)n', .)s !ha! so(n& norma#.

.Wha! so(n&. The a)r hos!ess o%s her hea&"Tha! so(n&" Tha! %)n& of wh)n)n', om)n' from !he w)n'.

.I an.! hear an$!h)n'". She #oo%s a! me s$m/a!he!)a##$" .Are $o( a nervo(s f#$er.

.No@. I sa$ a! one, an& ')ve a #)!!#e #a('h" .No, I.m no! nervous@ I =(s! waswon&er)n'" -(s! o(! of )n!eres!"..I.## see )f I an f)n& o(! for $o(,. she sa$s %)n$" .Here $o( are, s)r" Some)nforma!)on ao(! o(r e*e(!)ve fa)#)!)es a! >a!w)%".The Amer)an man !a%es h)s #eaf#e! woress#$ an& /(!s )! &own w)!ho(! even#oo%)n' a! )!, an& !he hos!ess moves on, s!a''er)n' a #)!!#e as !he /#ane ')ves a

(m/"

Wh$ )s !he /#ane (m/)n'Oh >o&" A s(&&en r(sh of fear h)!s me w)!h no warn)n'" Th)s )s ma&ness"Ma&ness@ S)!!)n' )n !h)s )' heav$ o*, w)!h no wa$ of esa/e, !ho(san&s an&!ho(san&s of fee! aove !he 'ro(n& I an.! &o !h)s on m$ own" I have an over/ower)n' nee& !o !a#% !o someone"Someone reass(r)n'" Someone safe"Connor"

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Ins!)n!)ve#$ I f)sh o(! m$ mo)#e /hone, (! )mme&)a!e#$ !he a)r hos!ess swoo/s&own on me".I.m afra)& $o( an.! (se !ha! on oar& !he /#ane,. she sa$s w)!h a r)'h! sm)#e".Co(#& $o( /#ease ens(re !ha! )!.s sw)!he& off..Oh" Er sorr$".Of o(rse I an.! (se m$ mo)#e" The$.ve on#$ sa)& )! ao(! f)f!$+f)ve ?)##)on !)mes"I am s(h a &(rr+ra)n" An$wa$, never m)n&" I! &oesn.! ma!!er" I.m f)ne" I /(! !he

/hone awa$ )n m$ a', an& !r$ !o onen!ra!e on an o#& e/)so&e of)a*lty &o*erswh)h )s show)n' on !he sreen"Ma$e I.## s!ar! o(n!)n' a'a)n" Three h(n&re& an& for!$+n)ne" Three h(n&re& an&f)f!$" Three h(n&re& an&F(%" M$ hea& =er%s (/" Wha! was !ha! (m/ D)& we =(s! 'e! hitOK, &on.! /an)" I! was =(s! a (m/" I.m s(re ever$!h)n'.s f)ne" We /roa#$ =(s!f#ew )n!o a /)'eon or some!h)n'" Where was IThree h(n&re& an& f)f!$+one" Three h(n&re& an& f)f!$+!wo" Three h(n&re& an& f)f!$

An& !ha!.s )!"Tha!.s !he momen!"Ever$!h)n' seems !o fra'men!"I hear !he sreams #)%e a wave over m$ hea&, a#mos! efore I rea#)?e wha!.sha//en)n'"Oh >o&" Oh >o& Oh >o& Oh >o& Oh OH NO" NO" NO"We.re fa##)n'" Oh >o&, we.re fa##)n'"We.re /#(mme!)n' &ownwar&s" The /#ane.s &ro//)n' !hro('h !he a)r #)%e a s!one" A

man over !here has =(s! sho! (/ !hro('h !he a)r an& an'e& h)s hea& on !he e)#)n'"He.s #ee&)n'" I.m 'as/)n', #(!h)n' on!o m$ sea!, !r$)n' no! !o &o !he same !h)n',(! I an fee# m$se#f e)n' wrenhe& (/war&s, )!.s #)%e someone.s !('')n' me, #)%e'rav)!$.s s(&&en#$ sw)!he& !he o!her wa$" There.s no !)me !o !h)n%" M$ m)n& an.! Ba's are f#$)n' aro(n&, &r)n%s are s/)##)n', one of !he a)n rew has fa##enover, she.s #(!h)n' a! a sea! Oh >o&" Oh >o&" OK, )!.s s#ow)n' &own now" I!.s )!.s e!!er"F(%" I =(s! I =(s! an.! I I #oo% a! !he Amer)an man, an& he.s 'ras/)n' h)s sea! as !)'h!#$ as I am"I fee# s)%" I !h)n% I m)'h! e s)%" Oh >o&"

OK" I!.s )!.s %)n& of a% !o norma#".La&)es an& 'en!#emen,. omes a vo)e over !he )n!erom, an& ever$one.s hea&s =er%(/" .Th)s )s $o(r a/!a)n s/ea%)n'".M$ hear!.s =(&&er)n' )n m$ hes!" I an.! #)s!en" I an.! !h)n%".We.re (rren!#$ h)!!)n' some #ear+a)r !(r(#ene, an& !h)n's ma$ e (ns!ea&$ for awh)#e" I have sw)!he& on !he sea!e#! s)'ns an& wo(#& as% !ha! $o( a## re!(rn !o$o(r sea!s as ()%#$ as.

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There.s ano!her h('e #(rh, an& h)s vo)e )s &rowne& $ sreams an& r)es a##ro(n& !he /#ane"I!.s #)%e a a& &ream" A a& ro##eroas!er &ream"The a)n rew are a## s!ra//)n' !hemse#ves )n!o !he)r sea!s" One of !he hos!esses )smo//)n' #oo& on her fae" A m)n(!e a'o !he$ were ha//)#$ &o#)n' o(! hone$+roas! /ean(!s"Th)s )s wha! ha//ens !o o!her /eo/#e )n o!her /#anes" Peo/#e on safe!$ v)&eos" No!me".P#ease %ee/ a#m,. !he a/!a)n )s sa$)n'" .As soon as we have more )nforma!)on .Kee/ calm I an.! rea!he, #e! a#one %ee/ a#m" Wha! are we 'o)n' !o &o Are wea## s(//ose& !o =(s!sithere wh)#e !he /#ane (%s #)%e an o(!+of+on!ro# horseI an hear someone eh)n& me re)!)n' .Ha)# Mar$, f(## of 'rae . an& a fresh,ho%)n' /an) swee/s !hro('h me" Peo/#e are /ra$)n'" Th)s )s rea#"We.re 'o)n' !o &)e"We.re 'o)n' !o &)e".I.m sorr$. The Amer)an man )n !he ne*! sea! #oo%s a! me, h)s fae !ense an&wh)!e"D)& I =(s! sa$ !ha! a#o(&.We.re 'o)n' !o &)e". I s!are )n!o h)s fae" Th)s o(#& e !he #as! /erson I ever seea#)ve" I !a%e )n !he #)nes e!he& aro(n& h)s &ar% e$es h)s s!ron' =aw, sha&e& w)!hs!(#e"The /#ane s(&&en#$ &ro/s &own a'a)n, an& I ')ve an )nvo#(n!ar$ shr)e%".I &on.! !h)n% we.re 'o)n' !o &)e,. he sa$s" B(! he.s 'r)//)n' h)s sea!+arms, !oo" .The$sa)& )! was =(s! !(r(#ene.

.Of o(rse !he$ &)&@. I an hear !he h$s!er)a )n m$ vo)e" .The$ wo(#&n.! e*a!#$sa$, OK fo#%s, !ha!.s )!, $o(.re a## 'oners@. The /#ane ')ves ano!her !err)f$)n'swoo/ an& I f)n& m$se#f #(!h)n' !he man.s han& )n /an)" .We.re no! 'o)n' !oma%e )!" I %now we.re no!" Th)s )s )!" I.m !wen!$+f)ve $ears o#&, for >o&.s sa%e" I.mno! rea&$" I haven.! ah)eve& an$!h)n'" I.ve never ha& h)#&ren, I.ve never save& a#)fe . M$ e$es fa## ran&om#$ on !he .3< Th)n's To Do Before o(.re 3


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.Some!)mes I !h)n% I e#)eve )n >o&, ea(se how e#se &)& we a## 'e! here B(! !henI !h)n%, $es (! wha! ao(! war an& s!(ff .. wear >+s!r)n's ea(se !he$ &on.! ')ve $o( PL" B(! !he$.reso(nomfor!a#e.. s)?e e)'h!, an& I &)&n.! %now wha! !o &o, so I =(s! sa)& Wow !hose areaso#(!e#$ fan!as!) .. roas!e& /e//ers, m$ om/#e!e favo(r)!e foo& .. =o)ne& a oo% 'ro(/, (! I =(s! o(#&n.! 'e! !hro('h +reat Expectations" So I

=(s! s%)mme& !he a% an& /re!en&e& I.& rea& )! .. I 'ave h)m a## h)s 'o#&f)sh foo&, I hones!#$ &on.! %now wha! ha//ene& .. =(s! have !o hear!ha! Car/en!ers son' C#ose !o o( an& I s!ar! r$)n' .. reallyw)sh I ha& )''er oos" I mean, no! Pa'e 3 s)?e, no! om/#e!e#$enormo(s an& s!(/)&, (! $o( %now, )''er" -(s! !o %now wha! )!.s #)%e .. /erfe! &a!e wo(#& s!ar! off w)!h ham/a'ne =(s! appearinga! !he !a#e, as )f $ma') .. I =(s! ra%e&, I sere!#$ o('h! !h)s h('e !( of Ha'en+Da?s an& soffe& !he#o!, an& I never !o#& L)ss$ .I.m (naware of an$!h)n' aro(n& (s" The wor#& has narrowe& !o me an& !h)ss!ran'er, an& m$ mo(!h, s/ew)n' o(! a## m$ )nnermos! !ho('h!s an& sere!s"I are#$ %now wha! I.m sa$)n' an$ more" A## I %now )s, )! fee#s 'oo&"Is !h)s wha! !hera/$ )s #)%e. name was Dann$ N(ssa(m" M(m an& Da& were &owns!a)rs wa!h)n'Ben

Hur, an& I rememer !h)n%)n', )f !h)s )s wha! !he wor#& 'e!s so e*)!e& ao(!, !hen!he wor#&.s ma& .

. #)e on m$ s)&e, ea(se !ha! wa$ $o(r #eava'e #oo%s )''er .. wor%s )n mar%e! researh" I rememer !h)n%)n' !he ver$ f)rs! !)me I saw h)m,wow, he.s 'oo&+#oo%)n', He.s ver$ !a## an& #on&, ea(se he.s ha#f+Swe&)sh, an&he has !hese ama?)n' #(e e$es" So he as%e& me o(! .. a#wa$s have a '#ass of swee! sherr$ efore a &a!e, =(s! !o a#m m$ nerves ..He.s won&erf(#" Connor.s om/#e!e#$ won&erf(#" I.m =(s! so #(%$" Ever$one.sa#wa$s !e##)n' me how 'rea! he )s" He.s swee!, an& he.s 'oo&, an& he.s s(essf(#an& ever$one a##s (s !he /erfe! o(/#e .. I.& never !e## an$one !h)s )n a m)##)on $ears" B(! some!)mes I !h)n% he.s a#mos!too'oo&+#oo%)n'" A )! #)%e one of !hose &o##s L)%e Ken" L)%e a #on& Ken".

An& now I.m on !he s(=e! of Connor, I.m sa$)n' !h)n's I.ve never sa)& !o an$one"Th)n's I never even rea#)?e& were )n m$ hea&". 'ave h)m !h)s #ove#$ #ea!her wa!h for Chr)s!mas, (! he wears !h)s oran'e&)')!a# !h)n' ea(se )! an !e## h)m !he !em/era!(re )n Po#an& or some!h)n' s!(/)&.. !oo% me !o a## !hese =a?? oner!s an& I /re!en&e& !o en=o$ !hem !o e /o#)!e, sonow he !h)n%s I #ove =a?? .

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. ever$ s)n'#e Woo&$ A##en f)#m off $ hear! an& sa$s eah #)ne efore )! omesan& )! &r)ves me ra%ers .. =(s! #oo%s a! me as !ho('h I.m s/ea%)n' some fore)'n #an'(a'e .. &e!erm)ne& !o f)n& m$ > s/o!, so we s/en! !he who#e wee%en& &o)n' )! )n&)fferen! /os)!)ons, an& $ !he en& I was =(s! %na%ere&, a## I wan!e& was a /)??aan&)rien#s.. he %e/! sa$)n', wha! was )! #)%e, wha! was )! #)%e So )n !he en& I =(s! ma&esome s!(ff (/, I sa)& )! was aso#(!e#$ ama?)n', an& )! fe#! as !ho('h m$ who#e

o&$ was o/en)n' (/ #)%e a f#ower, an& he sa)&, wha! sor! of f#ower, so I sa)& ae'on)a .. an.! e*/e! !he )n)!)a# /ass)on !o #as!" B(! how &o $o( !e## )f !he /ass)on.s fa&e&)n a 'oo&, #on'+!erm+omm)!men! wa$ or )n a ra/, we+&on.!+fan$+eah+o!her+an$+more wa$ .. %n)'h! )n sh)n)n' armo(r )s no! a rea#)s!) o/!)on" B(! !here.s a /ar! of me !ha!wan!s a h('e, ama?)n' romane" I wan! /ass)on" I wan! !o e swe/! off m$ fee!" Iwan! an ear!h(a%e, or a I &on.! %now, a h('e wh)r#w)n& some!h)n' exciting"Some!)mes I fee# as )f !here.s !h)s who#e new, !hr)##)n' #)fe wa)!)n' for me o(! !here,an& )f I an =(s!..E*(se me, m)ss..Wha!. I #oo% (/ &a?e$" .Wha! )s )!. The a)r hos!ess w)!h !he Frenh /#a)! )ssm)#)n' &own a! me".We.ve #an&e&". I s!are a! her".We.ve lan#e#.Th)s &oesn.! ma%e sense" How an we have #an&e& I #oo% aro(n& an& s(re

eno('h, !he /#ane.s s!)##" We.re on !he 'ro(n&"I fee# #)%e Doro!h$" A seon& a'o I was sw)r#)n' aro(n& )n O?, #)%)n' m$ hee#s!o'e!her, an& now I.ve wo%en (/ a## f#a! an& ()e! an& norma# a'a)n".We aren.! (m/)n' an$ more,. I sa$ s!(/)$".We s!o//e& (m/)n' ()!e a wh)#e a'o,. sa$s !he Amer)an man".We.re we.re no! 'o)n' !o &)e"..We.re no! 'o)n' !o &)e,. he a'rees"I #oo% a! h)m as !ho('h for !he f)rs! !)me an& )! h)!s me" I.ve een #aer)n' non+s!o/ for an ho(r !o !h)s om/#e!e s!ran'er" >o& a#one %nows wha! I.ve een sa$)n'"I !h)n% I wan! !o 'e! off !h)s /#ane r)'h! now"

.I.m sorr$,. I sa$ aw%war$" .o( sho(#& have s!o//e& me"..Tha! wo(#& have een a #)!!#e &)ff)(#!". There.s a !)n$ sm)#e a! h)s #)/s" .o( wereon a )! of a ro##"..I.m so emarrasse&@. I !r$ !o sm)#e, (! I an.! even #oo% !h)s '($ )n !he e$e" Imean, I !o#& h)m ao(! m$ %n)%ers" I !o#& h)m ao(! m$ + spot"

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.Don.! worr$ ao(! )!" We were a## s!resse& o(!" Tha! was some f#)'h!". He /)%s (/h)s %na/sa% an& 'e!s (/ from h)s sea! !hen #oo%s a% a! me" .W)## $o( e OK'e!!)n' a% home..es" I.## e f)ne" Than%s" En=o$ $o(r v)s)!@. I a## af!er h)m, (! I &on.! !h)n% hehears"S#ow#$ I 'a!her m$ !h)n's !o'e!her an& ma%e m$ wa$ off !he /#ane" I fee# swea!$,m$ ha)r.s a## over !he /#ae, an& m$ hea& )s s!ar!)n' !o !hro"The a)r/or! seems so r)'h! an& s!)## an& a#m af!er !he )n!ense a!mos/here of !he

/#ane" The 'ro(n& seems so f)rm" I s)! ()e!#$ on a /#as!) ha)r for a wh)#e, !r$)n'!o 'e! m$se#f !o'e!her, (! as I s!an& (/ a! #as!, I s!)## fee# &a?e&" I wa#% a#on' )n as#)'h! #(r, har$ a#e !o e#)eve I.m here" I.m a#)ve" I hones!#$ never !ho('h! I.&ma%e )! a% on !he 'ro(n&".Emma@. I hear someone a##)n' as I ome o(! of Arr)va#s, (! I &on.! #oo% (/"There are #oa&s of Emmas )n !h)s wor#&".Emma@ Over [email protected] ra)se m$ hea& )n &)se#)ef" Is !ha!

No" I! an.! e, )! an.!I!.s Connor"He #oo%s hear!+rea%)n'#$ han&some" H)s s%)n has !ha! San&)nav)an !an, an& h)se$es are #(er !han ever, an& he.s r(nn)n' !owar&s me" Th)s ma%es no sense"Wha!.s he &o)n' here As we reah eah o!her he 'ras me an& /(##s me !)'h! !o h)shes!".Than% >o&,. he sa$s h(s%)#$" .Than% >o&" Are $o( OK..Connor, wha! wha! are $o( &o)n' here.

.I /hone& !he a)r#)ne !o as% wha! !)me $o(.& e #an&)n', an& !he$ !o#& me !he /#aneha& h)! !err)#e !(r(#ene" I =(s! ha& !o ome !o !he a)r/or!". He 'a?es &own a! me"

.Emma, I wa!he& $o(r /#ane #an&" The$ sen! an am(#ane s!ra)'h! o(! !o )!" Then$o( &)&n.! a//ear" I !ho('h! . He swa##ows har&" .I &on.! %now e*a!#$ wha! I!ho('h!"..I.m f)ne" I was =(s! !r$)n' !o 'e! m$se#f !o'e!her" Oh >o&, Connor, )! was!err)f$)n'". M$ vo)e )s s(&&en#$ a## sha%$, wh)h )s r)&)(#o(s, ea(se I.m

/erfe!#$ safe now" .A! one /o)n! I hones!#$ !ho('h! I was 'o)n' !o &)e"..When $o( &)&n.! ome !hro('h !he arr)er . Connor rea%s off an& s!ares a! mes)#en!#$ for a few seon&s" .I !h)n% I rea#)?e& for !he f)rs! !)me ()!e how &ee/#$ I

fee# ao(! $o("..Rea##$. I fa#!er"M$ hear!.s !h(m/)n'" I !h)n% I m)'h! fa## over a! an$ momen!".Emma, I !h)n% we sho(#& .>e! marr)e& M$ hear! =(m/s )n fear" Oh m$ >o&" He.s 'o)n' !o as% me !o marr$h)m, r)'h! here )n !he a)r/or!" Wha! am I 'o)n' !o sa$ I.m no! rea&$ !o 'e! marr)e&"

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B(! )f I sa$ no he.## s!a#% off )n a h(ff" Sh)!" OK" Wha! I.## sa$ )s, >osh, Connor, Inee& a #)!!#e !)me !o . move )n !o'e!her,. he f)n)shes"I am s(h a &e#(&e& moron" Ov)o(s#$ he wasn.! 'o)n' !o as% me !o marryh)m".Wha! &o $o( !h)n%. he s!ro%es m$ ha)r 'en!#$".Erm . I r( m$ &r$ fae, /#a$)n' for !)me, (na#e !o !h)n% s!ra)'h!" Move )n w)!hConnor" I! %)n& of ma%es sense" Is !here a reason wh$ no! I fee# a## onf(se&"Some!h)n'.s !('')n' a! m$ ra)n !r$)n' !o sen& me a messa'e An& )n!o m$ hea& s#)&e some of !he !h)n's I sa)& on !he /#ane" Some!h)n' ao(!never hav)n' een /ro/er#$ )n #ove" Some!h)n' ao(! Connor no! rea##$(n&ers!an&)n' me"B(! !hen !ha! was =(s! &r)ve#, wasn.! )! I mean, I !ho('h! I was ao(! !o &)e, for>o&.s sa%e" I wasn.! e*a!#$ a! m$ mos! #()&".Connor, wha! ao(! $o(r )' mee!)n'. I sa$, s(&&en#$ rea##)n'".I ane##e& )!"..o( ane##e& )!. I s!are a! h)m" .For me.I fee# rea##$ wo#$ now" M$ #e's are are#$ ho#&)n' me (/" I &on.! %now )f )!.s !heaf!erma!h of !he /#ane =o(rne$ or #ove"Oh >o&, =(s! #oo% a! h)m" He.s !a## an& he.s han&some, an& he ane##e& a )'mee!)n', an& he ame !o res(e me"I!.s #ove" I! has !o e #ove".I.& #ove !o move )n w)!h $o(, Connor,. I wh)s/er, an& !o m$ (!!er as!on)shmen!,

(rs! )n!o !ears"THREE

I wa%e (/ !he ne*! morn)n' w)!h s(n#)'h! &a??#)n' m$ e$e#)&s an& a &e#))o(ssme## of offee )n !he a)r".Morn)n'@. omes Connor.s vo)e from far aove".Morn)n',. I m(m#e, w)!ho(! o/en)n' m$ e$es".D.$o( wan! some offee..es /#ease".I !(rn over an& (r$ m$ !hro)n' hea& )n !he /)##ow, !r$)n' !o s)n% )n!o s#ee/a'a)n for a o(/#e of m)n(!es" Wh)h norma##$ I wo(#& f)n& ver$ eas$" B(! !o&a$,some!h)n'.s n)''#)n' a! me" Have I for'o!!en some!h)n'As I ha#f #)s!en !o Connor #a!!er)n' aro(n& )n !he %)!hen, an& !he !)nn$

a%'ro(n& so(n& of !he !e##$, m$ m)n& 'ro/es #ear)#$ aro(n& for #(es" I!.sSa!(r&a$ morn)n'" I.m )n Connor.s e&" We wen! o(! for s(//er oh >o&, !ha!awf(# /#ane r)&e he ame !o !he a)r/or!, an& he sa)& We.re mov)n' )n !o'e!her@I s)! (/, =(s! as Connor omes )n w)!h !wo m('s an& a afe!)re" He.s &resse& )n awh)!e waff#e roe an& #oo%s om/#e!e#$ 'or'eo(s" I fee# a /r)%#e of /r)&e, an&reah over !o ')ve h)m a %)ss"

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.H),. he sa$s, #a('h)n'" .Caref(#". He han&s me m$ offee" .How are $o( fee#)n'.

.A## r)'h!". I /(sh m$ ha)r a% off m$ fae" .A )! 'ro''$".

.I.m no! s(r/r)se&". Connor ra)ses h)s e$erows" .G()!e a &a$ $es!er&a$".

.Aso#(!e#$". I no&, an& !a%e a s)/ of offee" .So" We.re 'o)n' !o #)ve !o'e!her@.

.If $o(.re s!)## on for )!.

.Of o(rse@ Of o(rse I am@. I sm)#e r)'h!#$"An& )!.s !r(e" I am"I fee# as !ho('h overn)'h!, I.ve !(rne& )n!o a 'rown(/" I.m mov)n' )n w)!h m$

o$fr)en&" F)na##$ m$ #)fe )s 'o)n' !he wa$ )! sho(#&@.I.## have !o ')ve An&rew no!)e . Connor 'es!(res !owar&s !he wa##, on !he o!hers)&e of wh)h )s h)s f#a!ma!e.s room".An& I.## have !o !e## L)ss$ an& -em)ma"..An& we.## have !o f)n& !he r)'h! /#ae" An& $o(.## have !o /rom)se !o %ee/ )! !)&$".He ')ves me a !eas)n' 'r)n".I #)%e !ha!@. I fe)'n o(!ra'e" .o(.re !he one w)!h f)f!$ m)##)on CDs"..Tha!.s &)[email protected] )s )! &)fferen!, ma$ I as%. I /#an! m$ han& on m$ h)/, #)%e someone )n as)!om, an& Connor #a('hs"There.s a /a(se, as !ho('h we.ve o!h r(n o(! of s!eam, an& we !a%e a s)/ of offee".So an$wa$,. sa$s Connor af!er a wh)#e, .I sho(#& 'e! 'o)n'". Connor )s a!!en&)n' ao(rse on om/(!ers !h)s wee%en&" .I.m sorr$ I.## m)ss $o(r /aren!s,. he a&&s"An& he rea##$ )s" I mean, as )f he wasn.! a#rea&$ !he /erfe! o$fr)en&, he a!(a##$enoysv)s)!)n' m$ /aren!s".Tha!.s OK,. I sa$ enevo#en!#$" .I! &oesn.! ma!!er".

.Oh, an& I for'o! !o !e## $o(". Connor ')ves me a m$s!er)o(s 'r)n" .>(ess wha! I.ve'o! !)%e!s for.

.Ooh@. I sa$ e*)!e$" .m .I.m ao(! !o sa$ .Par)[email protected] =a?? fes!)va#@. Connor eams" .The Denn)sson G(ar!e!@ I!.s !he)r #as! oner! of!he $ear" Rememer we hear& !hem a! Ronn)e So!!.s.For a momen! I an.! ()!e s/ea%".Wow@. I mana'e a! #as!" .The Denn)sson G(ar!e!@ I &o rememer".The$ /#a$e& #ar)ne!s" On an& on an& on, for ao(! !wo ho(rs, w)!ho(! even !a%)n'a rea!h"

.I %new $o(.& e /#ease&". Connor !o(hes m$ arm affe!)ona!e#$, an& I ')ve h)m afee#e sm)#e"

.Oh, I [email protected] !h)n' )s, I /roa#$ w)## 'e! !o #)%e =a?? one &a$" In fa!, I.m /os)!)ve I w)##"I wa!h fon$ as he 'e!s &resse&, f#osses h)s !ee!h an& /)%s (/ h)s r)efase".o( wore m$ /resen!,. he sa$s w)!h a /#ease& sm)#e, '#an)n' a! m$ &)sar&e&(n&erwear on !he f#oor"

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.I of!en wear !hem,. I sa$, ross)n' m$ f)n'ers eh)n& m$ a%" .The$.re so'or'eo([email protected] a #ove#$ &a$ w)!h $o(r fam)#$". Connor omes over !o !he e& !o %)ss me, an&!hen hes)!a!es" .Emma..es.He s)!s &own on !he e& an& 'a?es ser)o(s#$ a! me" >osh, h)s e$es are so #(e".There.s some!h)n' I wan!e& !o sa$". He )!es h)s #)/" .o( %now we a#wa$s s/ea%fran%#$ !o eah o!her ao(! o(r re#a!)onsh)/"..Er $es,. I sa$, fee#)n' a #)!!#e a//rehens)ve".Th)s )s =(s! an )&ea" o( ma$ no! #)%e )!" I mean )!.s om/#e!e#$ (/ !o $o(".I 'a?e a! Connor )n /(??#emen!" H)s fae )s 'row)n' /)n%, an& he #oo%s rea##$emarrasse&"Oh m$ >o&" Is he 'o)n' !o s!ar! 'e!!)n' %)n%$ Does he wan! me !o &ress (/ )no(!f)!s an& s!(ffI wo(#&n.! m)n& e)n' a n(rse, a!(a##$" Or Ca!woman fromBatman" Tha! wo(#&

e oo#" I o(#& 'e! some sh)n$ oo!s .I was !h)n%)n' !ha! /erha/s we o(#& . He s!o/s aw%war$".es. I /(! a s(//or!)ve han& on h)s arm".We o(#& . He s!o/s a'a)n".es.There.s ano!her s)#ene" I a#mos! an.! rea!he" Wha! &oes he wan! (s !o &o Wha!.We o(#& s!ar! a##)n' eah o!her &ar#)n',. he sa$s )n an emarrasse& r(sh".Wha!. I sa$ #an%#$".I!.s =(s! !ha! . Connor f#(shes /)n%er" .We.re 'o)n' !o e #)v)n' !o'e!her" I!.s ()!e

a omm)!men!" An& I no!)e& reen!#$, we never seem !o (se an$ !erms ofen&earmen!".I s!are a! h)m, fee#)n' a('h! o(!".Don.! we..No"..Oh". I !a%e a s)/ of offee" Now I !h)n% ao(! )!, he.s r)'h!" We &on.!" Wh$ &on.!we.So wha! &o $o( !h)n% On#$ )f $o( wan! !o"..Aso#(!e#$@. I sa$ ()%#$" .I mean, $o(.re r)'h!" Of o(rse we sho(#&". I #ear m$!hroa!" .Dar#)n'@.

.Than%s, &ar#)n',. he sa$s, w)!h a #ov)n' sm)#e, an& I sm)#e a%, !r$)n' !o )'nore!he !)n$ /ro!es!s )ns)&e m$ hea&"Th)s &oesn.! fee# r)'h!"I &on.! fee# #)%e a &ar#)n'"Dar#)n' )s a marr)e& /erson w)!h /ear#s an& a fo(r+whee#+&r)ve".Emma. Connor.s s!ar)n' a! me" .Is some!h)n' wron'.

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.I.m no! s(re@. I ')ve a se#f+ons)o(s #a('h" .I =(s! &on.! %now )f I fee# #)%e a&ar#)n'" B(! $o( %now" I! ma$ 'row on me"..Rea##$ We##, we an (se some!h)n' e#se" Wha! ao(! &ear.

-earIs he ser)o(s.No,. I sa$ ()%#$" .I !h)n% &ar#)n' )s e!!er"..Or swee!hear! hone$ an'e#.Ma$e" Loo%, an we =(s! #eave )!.Connor.s fae fa##s, an& I fee# a&" Come on" I an a## m$ o$fr)en& .&ar#)n'., for>o&.s sa%e" Th)s )s wha! 'row)n' (/.s a## ao(!" I.m =(s! 'o)n' !o have !o 'e! (se&!o )!".Connor, I.m sorr$,. I sa$" .I &on.! %now wha!.s wron' w)!h me" Ma$e I.m s!)## a )!!ense af!er !ha! f#)'h!". I !a%e h)s han&" .Dar#)n'"..Tha!.s a## r)'h!, &ar#)n'". He sm)#es a% a! me, h)s s(nn$ e*/ress)on res!ore&, an&')ves me a %)ss" .See $o( #a!er".o( see" Eas$"Oh >o&"An$wa$" I! &oesn.! ma!!er" I e*/e! a## o(/#es have !h)s %)n& of aw%war&+)shmomen!" I!.s /roa#$ /erfe!#$ norma#"I! !a%es me ao(! ha#f an ho(r !o 'e! from Connor.s /#ae )n Ma)&a a#e !oIs#)n'!on, wh)h )s where I #)ve, an& as I o/en !he &oor I f)n& L)ss$ on !he sofa"She.s s(rro(n&e& $ /a/ers an& has a frown of onen!ra!)on on her fae" Shewor%s so har&, L)ss$" She rea##$ over&oes )! some!)mes".Wha! are $o( wor%)n' on. I sa$ s$m/a!he!)a##$" .Is )! !ha! fra(& ase..No, )!.s !h)s ar!)#e,. sa$s L)ss$ as!ra!#$, an& #)f!s (/ a '#oss$ ma'a?)ne" .I! sa$s

s)ne !he &a$s of C#eo/a!ra, !he /ro/or!)ons of ea(!$ have een !he same, an&!here.s a wa$ !o wor% o(! how ea(!)f(# $o( are, s)en!)f)a##$" o( &o a## !hesemeas(remen!s ..Oh r)'h!@. I sa$ )n!eres!e$" .So wha! are $o(..I.m =(s! wor%)n' )! o(!". She frowns a! !he /a'e a'a)n" .Tha! ma%es 93 s(!ra!2< ma%es Oh m$ >o&@. She s!ares a! !he /a'e )n &)sma$" .I on#$ 'o! [email protected](! of wha!..A h(n&re&@ 33 o(! of a h(n&re&@..Oh L)ss$" Tha!.s ra/"..I %now,. sa$s L)ss$ ser)o(s#$" .I.m ('#$" I %new )!" o( %now, a## m$ #)fe I.ve %)n&

of sere!#$ kno*n, (!..No@. I sa$, !r$)n' no! !o #a('h" .I mean! !he ma'a?)ne.s ra/@ o( an.! meas(reea(!$ w)!h some s!(/)& )n&e*" -(s! looka! $o(@. I 'es!(re a! L)ss$, who has !he)''es! 're$ e$es )n !he wor#&, an& 'or'eo(s #ear /a#e s%)n an& )s fran%#$s!(nn)n', even )f her #as! ha)r(! was a )! severe" .I mean, who are $o( 'o)n' !o

e#)eve The m)rror or a s!(/)& m)ness ma'a?)ne ar!)#e..A s!(/)& m)ness ma'a?)ne ar!)#e,. sa$s L)ss$, as !ho('h )!.s /erfe!#$ ov)o(s"

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I %now she.s ha#f =o%)n'" B(! ever s)ne her o$fr)en& S)mon h(%e& her, L)ss$.sha& rea##$ #ow se#f+es!eem" I.m a!(a##$ a )! worr)e& ao(! her".Is !ha! !he 'o#&en /ro/or!)on of ea(!$. sa$s o(r o!her f#a!ma!e -em)ma, !a//)n')n!o !he room )n her %)!!en hee#s" She.s wear)n' /a#e /)n% =eans an& a !)'h! wh)!e!o/ an& as (s(a#, she #oo%s /erfe!#$ !anne& an& 'roome&" In !heor$, -em)ma has a

=o, wor%)n' )n a s(#/!(re 'a##er$" B(! a## she ever seems !o &o )s have )!s of herwa*e& an& /#(%e& an& massa'e&, an& 'o on &a!es w)!h )!$ an%ers, whose sa#ar$she a#wa$s he%s o(! efore she sa$s $es"I &o 'e! on w)!h -em)ma" K)n& of" I!.s =(s! !ha! she !en&s !o e')n a## her sen!enes./'$o( wan! a ro% on $o(r f)n'er,. an& ./'$o( wan! an SW3 a&&ress,. an& ./'$o(wan! !o e %nown as a ser)o(s#$ 'oo& &)nner+/ar!$ hos!ess".I mean, I wo(#&n.! min#e)n' %nown as a ser)o(s#$ 'oo& &)nner+/ar!$ hos!ess" o(%now" I!.s =(s! no! e*a!#$ h)'hes! on m$ #)s! of /r)or)!)es r)'h! now"P#(s, -em)ma.s )&ea of e)n' a ser)o(s#$ 'oo& &)nner+/ar!$ hos!ess )s )nv)!)n' #o!sof r)h fr)en&s over, &eora!)n' !he who#e f#a! w)!h !w)''$ !h)n's, 'e!!)n' a!erers!o oo% #oa&s of $(mm$ foo& an& !e##)n' ever$one she ma&e )! herse#f, !hensen&)n' her f#a!ma!es 7me an& L)ss$8 o(! !o !he )nema for !he n)'h! an& #oo%)n'affron!e& when !he$ &are ree/ a% )n a! m)&n)'h! an& ma%e !hemse#ves a ho!hoo#a!e".I &)& !ha! ()?,. she sa$s now, /)%)n' (/ her /)n% Lo()s ()!!on a'" Her &a&

o('h! )! for her as a /resen! when she ro%e (/ w)!h a '($ af!er !hree &a!es" L)%eshe was hear!ro%en"M)n& $o(, he ha& a $ah!, so she /roa#$ was hear!+ro%en".Wha! &)& $o( 'e!. sa$s L)ss$"

.E)'h!$+n)ne". She s/r)!?es herse#f w)!h /erf(me, !osses her #on' #on& ha)r a%an& sm)#es a! herse#f )n !he m)rror" .So Emma, )s )! !r(e $o(.re mov)n' )n w)!hConnor. I 'a/e a! her".How &)& $o( %now !ha!..Wor& on !he s!ree!" An&rew a##e& R(/es !h)s morn)n' ao(! r)%e!, an& he !o#&h)m"..Are $o( mov)n' )n w)!h Connor. sa$s L)ss$ )nre&(#o(s#$" .Wh$ &)&n.! $o( !e##me..I was ao(! !o, hones!#$" Isn.! )! 'rea!..Ba& move, Emma". -em)ma sha%es her hea&" .er$ a& !a!)s".

.Ta!)s. sa$s L)ss$, ro##)n' her e$es" .&actics-em)ma, !he$.re hav)n' are#a!)onsh)/, no! /#a$)n' hess@.

.A re#a!)onsh)/ isa 'ame of hess,. re!or!s -em)ma, r(sh)n' masara on!o her#ashes" .M(mm$ sa$s $o( a#wa$s have !o #oo% ahea&" o( have !o /#ans!ra!e')a##$" If $o( ma%e !he wron' move, $o(.ve ha& )!"..Tha!.s r()sh@. sa$s L)ss$ &ef)an!#$" .A re#a!)onsh)/ )s ao(! #)%e m)n&s" I!.s ao(!so(#ma!es f)n&)n' eah o!her".

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.So(#ma!es@. sa$s -em)ma &)sm)ss)ve#$, an& #oo%s a! me" .-(s! rememer, Emma, i'$o( wan! a ro% on $o(r f)n'er, &on.! move )n w)!h Connor".Her e$es ')ve a sw)f!, Pav#ov)an '#ane !o !he /ho!o'ra/h on !he man!e#/)ee ofher mee!)n' Pr)ne W)##)am a! a har)!$ /o#o ma!h".S!)## ho#&)n' o(! for Ro$a#!$. sa$s L)ss$" .How m(h $o(n'er )s he !han $o(,a'a)n, -em)ma..Don.! e s!(/)&@. she sna/s, o#o(r !)n')n' her hee%s" .o(.re so )mma!(resome!)mes, L)ss$"..An$wa$, I &on.! *anta ro% on m$ f)n'er,. I re!or!"-em)ma ra)ses her /erfe!#$ arhe& e$erows as !ho('h !o sa$, .$o( /oor, )'noran!foo#., an& /)%s (/ her a'".Oh,. she s(&&en#$ a&&s, her e$es narrow)n'" .Has e)!her of $o( orrowe& m$-ose/h =(m/er.There.s a !)n$ ea! of s)#ene".No,. I sa$ )nnoen!#$".I &on.! even %now wh)h one )! )s,. sa$s L)ss$, w)!h a shr('"I an.! #oo% a! L)ss$" I.m s(re I saw her wear)n' )! !he o!her n)'h!"-em)ma.s #(e e$es are r(nn)n' over me an& L)ss$ #)%e some %)n& of ra&arsanners".Bea(se I have ver$ s#en&er arms,. she sa$s warn)n'#$, .an& I rea##$ &on.! wan! !hes#eeves s!re!he&" An& &on.! !h)n% I won.! no!)e, ea(se I w)##" C)ao".The m)n(!e she.s 'one L)ss$ an& I #oo% a! eah o!her".Sh)!,. sa$s L)ss$" .I !h)n% I #ef! )! a! wor%" Oh we##, I.## /)% )! (/ on Mon&a$". Sheshr('s an& 'oes a% !o rea&)n' !he ma'a?)ne"

OK" So !he !r(!h )s, we &o o!h oas)ona##$ orrow -em)ma.s #o!hes" W)!ho(!as%)n'" B(! )n o(r &efene, she has so man$, she har$ ever no!)es" P#(saor&)n' !o L)ss$, )!.s a as) h(man r)'h! !ha! f#a!ma!es sho(#& e a#e !o orroweah o!hers. #o!hes" She sa$s )!.s /ra!)a##$ /ar! of !he (nwr)!!en Br)!)shons!)!(!)on".An& an$wa$,. a&&s L)ss$, .she owes )! !o me for wr)!)n' her !ha! #e!!er !o !heo(n)# ao(! a## her /ar%)n' !)%e!s" o( %now, she never even sa)& !han% $o(".She #oo%s (/ from an ar!)#e on N)o#e K)&man" .So wha! are $o( &o)n' #a!er onD.$o( wan! !o see a f)#m..I an.!,. I sa$ re#(!an!#$" .I.ve 'o! m$ m(m.s )r!h&a$ #(nh".

.Oh $es, of o(rse". She /(##s a s$m/a!he!) fae" .>oo& #(%" I ho/e )!.s OK".L)ss$ )s !he on#$ /erson )n !he wor#& who has an$ )&ea how I fee# ao(! v)s)!)n'home" An& even she &oesn.! %now )! a##"FORB(! as I s)! on !he !ra)n &own, I.m reso#ve& !ha! !h)s !)me w)## e e!!er" I waswa!h)n' a C)n&$ B#a)ne show !he o!her &a$, a## ao(! re(n)!)n' #on'+#os!&a('h!ers w)!h !he)r mo!hers, an& )! was so mov)n' I soon ha& !ears r(nn)n' &own

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m$ fae" A! !he en&, C)n&$ 'ave !h)s #)!!#e hom)#$ ao(! how )!.s far !oo eas$ !o!a%e o(r fam)#)es for 'ran!e& an& !ha! !he$ 'ave (s #)fe an& we sho(#& her)sh !hem"An& s(&&en#$ I fe#! rea##$ has!ene&"So !hese are m$ reso#(!)ons for !o&a$0

/ *ill not0Le! m$ fam)#$ s!ress me o(!"Fee# =ea#o(s of Kerr$, or #e! Nev w)n& me (/"Loo% a! m$ wa!h, won&er)n' how soon I an #eave"

/ *ill0S!a$ serene an& #ov)n' an& rememer !ha! we are a## sare& #)n%s )n !he e!erna#)r#e of #)fe"7I 'o! !ha! from C)n&$ B#a)ne, !oo"8M(m an& Da& (se& !o #)ve )n Tw)%enham, wh)h )s where I 'rew (/" B(! now!he$.ve move& o(! of Lon&on !o a v)##a'e )n Ham/sh)re" I arr)ve a! !he)r ho(se =(s!af!er !we#ve, !o f)n& M(m )n !he %)!hen w)!h m$ o(s)n Kerr$" She an& herh(san& Nev have move& o(! !oo, !o a v)##a'e ao(! f)ve m)n(!es. &r)ve from M(man& Da&, so !he$ see eah o!her a## !he !)me"I fee# a fam)#)ar /an' as I see !hem, s!an&)n' s)&e $ s)&e $ !he s!ove" The$ #oo%more #)%e mo!her an& &a('h!er !han a(n! an& n)ee" The$.ve o!h 'o! !he samefea!her+(! ha)r a#!ho('h Kerr$.s )s h)'h#)'h!e& more s!ron'#$ !han M(m.s !he$.re o!h wear)n' r)'h!#$ o#o(re& !o/s wh)h show a #o! of !anne& #eava'e,an& !he$.re o!h #a('h)n'" On !he o(n!er, I no!)e a o!!#e of wh)!e w)ne a#rea&$ha#f 'one".Ha//$ )r!h&a$@. I sa$, h('')n' M(m" As I '#)m/se a wra//e& /are# on !he

%)!hen !a#e, I fee# a #)!!#e !hr)## of an!))/a!)on" I have 'o! M(m !he best)r!h&a$/resen!" I an.! wa)! !o ')ve )! !o [email protected])ya@. sa$s Kerr$, !(rn)n' ro(n& )n her a/ron" Her #(e e$es are heav)#$ ma&e+(/,an& ro(n& her ne% she.s wear)n' a &)amon& ross wh)h I haven.! seen efore"Ever$ !)me I see Kerr$ she has a new /)ee of =ewe##er$" .>rea! !o see $o(, Emma@We &on.! see eno('h of $o(" Do we, A(n!$ Rahe#..We er!a)n#$ &on.!,. sa$s M(m, ')v)n' me a h('".Sha## I !a%e $o(r oa!. sa$s Kerr$, as I /(! !he o!!#e of ham/a'ne I.ve ro('h!)n!o !he fr)&'e" .An& wha! ao(! a &r)n%.Th)s )s how Kerr$ a#wa$s !a#%s !o me" As !ho('h I.m a v)s)!or"

B(! never m)n&" I.m no! 'o)n' !o s!ress ao(! )!" Sare& #)n%s )n !he e!erna# )r#e of#)fe".I!.s OK,. I sa$, !r$)n' !o so(n& /#easan!" .I.## 'e! )!". I o/en !he (/oar& where'#asses are a#wa$s %e/!, !o f)n& m$se#f #oo%)n' a! !)ns of !oma!oes".The$.re over here,. sa$s Kerr$, on !he o!her s)&e of !he %)!hen" .We move&ever$!h)n' aro(n&@ I! ma%es m(h more sense now".

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.Oh r)'h!" Than%s". I !a%e !he '#ass she ')ves me an& !a%e a s)/ of w)ne" .Can I &oan$!h)n' !o he#/..I &on.! thinkso . sa$s Kerr$, #oo%)n' r)!)a##$ aro(n& !he %)!hen" .Ever$!h)n'.s

/re!!$ m(h &one" So I sa)& !o E#a)ne,. she a&&s !o M(m, .Where &)& $o( 'e! !hoseshoes An& she sa)& MS@ I o(#&n.! e#)eve )[email protected] E#a)ne. I sa$, !r$)n' !o =o)n )n".A! !he 'o#f #(,. sa$s Kerr$"M(m never (se& !o /#a$ 'o#f" B(! when she move& !o Ham/sh)re, she an& Kerr$!oo% )! (/ !o'e!her" An& now a## I hear ao(! )s 'o#f ma!hes, 'o#f #( &)nners, an&eness /ar!)es w)!h h(ms from !he 'o#f #("I &)& one 'o a#on', !o see wha! )! was a## ao(!" B(! f)rs! of a## !he$ have a## !heses!(/)& r(#es ao(! wha! $o( an wear, wh)h I &)&n.! %now, an& some o#& '($near#$ ha& a hear! a!!a% ea(se I was )n =eans" So !he$ ha& !o f)n& me a s%)r!, an&a s/are /a)r of !hose #(m/$ shoes w)!h s/)%es" An& !hen when we 'o! on !o !heo(rse I o(#&n.! h)! !he a##" No! I o(#&n.! h)! !he a## *ell0 I #)!era##$ o(#& no!ma%e on!a! w)!h !he a##" So )n !he en& !he$ a## e*han'e& '#anes an& sa)& I.&

e!!er wa)! )n !he #(ho(se".Sorr$, Emma, an I =(s! 'e! /as! $o( . Kerr$ reahes over m$ sho(#&er for aserv)n' &)sh".Sorr$,. I sa$, an& move as)&e" .So, )s !here rea##$ no!h)n' I an &o, M(m..o( o(#& fee& Samm$,. she sa$s, ')v)n' me a /o! of 'o#&f)sh foo&" She frownsan*)o(s#$" .o( %now, I.m a )! worr)e& ao(! Samm$"..Oh,. I sa$, fee#)n' a s/asm of a#arm" .Er wh$..He =(s! &oesn.! seem himsel'". She /eers a! h)m )n h)s ow#" .Wha! &o $o( !h)n%

Does he #oo% r)'h! !o $o(.I fo##ow her 'a?e an& /(## a !ho('h!f(# fae, as !ho('h I.m s!(&$)n' Samm$.sfea!(res"Oh >o&" I never !ho('h! she wo(#& no!)e" I !r)e& as har& as I o(#& !o 'e! a f)sh!ha! #oo%e& =(s! #)%e Samm$" I mean he.s oran'e, he.s 'o! !wo f)ns, he sw)msaro(n& Wha!.s !he &)fferene.He.s /roa#$ =(s! a )! &e/resse&,. I sa$ a! #as!" .He.## 'e! over )!".P#ease &on.! #e! her !a%e h)m !o !he ve! or an$!h)n', I s)#en!#$ /ra$" I &)&n.! evenhe% )f I 'o! !he r)'h! se*" Do 'o#&f)shes even havese*es.An$!h)n' e#se I an &o. I sa$, s/r)n%#)n' f)sh foo& #av)sh#$ over !he wa!er )n an

a!!em/! !o #o% her v)ew of h)m".We.ve /re!!$ m(h 'o! )! overe&,. sa$s Kerr$ %)n$".Wh$ &on.! $o( 'o an& sa$ he##o !o Da&. sa$s M(m, s)ev)n' some /eas" .L(nhwon.! e for ano!her !en m)n(!es or so".I f)n& Da& an& Nev )n !he s)!!)n' room, )n fron! of !he r)%e!" Da&.s 're$)n' ear&)s as nea!#$ !r)mme& as ever, an& he.s &r)n%)n' eer from a s)#ver !an%ar&" The

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room has reen!#$ een re&eora!e&, (! on !he wa## !here.s s!)## a &)s/#a$ of a##Kerr$.s sw)mm)n' (/s" M(m /o#)shes !hem re'(#ar#$, ever$ wee%"P#(s m$ o(/#e of r)&)n' rose!!es" I !h)n% she %)n& of f#)%s !hose w)!h a &(s!er".H), Da&,. I sa$, ')v)n' h)m a %)ss".Emma@. He /(!s a han& !o h)s hea& )n mo%+s(r/r)se" .o( ma&e )!@ No &e!o(rs@

No v)s)!s !o h)s!or) )!)[email protected]! !o&a$@. I ')ve a #)!!#e #a('h" .Safe an& so(n&".There was !h)s !)me, =(s! af!er M(m an& Da& ha& move& !o !h)s ho(se, when I !oo%!he wron' !ra)n on !he wa$ &own an& en&e& (/ )n Sa#)s(r$, an& Da& a#wa$s !easesme ao(! )!".H), Nev". I /e% h)m on !he hee%, !r$)n' no! !o ho%e on !he amo(n! of af!ershavehe.s wear)n'" He.s )n h)nos an& a wh)!e ro##+ne%, an& has a heav$ 'o#& rae#e!ro(n& h)s wr)s!, /#(s a we&&)n' r)n' w)!h a &)amon& se! )n )!" Nev r(ns h)s fam)#$.som/an$, wh)h s(//#)es off)e e()/men! a## ro(n& !he o(n!r$, an& he me! Kerr$a! some onven!)on for $o(n' en!re/rene(rs" A//aren!#$ !he$ s!r(% (/onversa!)on a&m)r)n' eah o!her.s Ro#e* wa!hes".H), Emma,. he sa$s" .D.$o( see !he new mo!or..Wha!. I /eer a! h)m #an%#$ !hen rea## a '#oss$ new ar on !he &r)ve when Iarr)ve&" .Oh $es@ er$ smar!"..Mere&es 9 Ser)es". He !a%es a s#(' of eer" .For!$+!wo 'ran& #)s! /r)e"..>osh"..D)&n.! /a$ !ha!, !ho('h". He !a/s !he s)&e of h)s nose" .Have a '(ess"..Erm for!$..>(ess a'a)n".

.Th)r!$+n)ne..Th)r!$+seven+!wo+f)f!$,. sa$s Nev !r)(m/han!#$" .An& free CD han'er" Ta*&e&(!)#e,. he a&&s".R)'h!" Wow".I &on.! rea##$ %now wha! e#se !o sa$, so I /erh on !he s)&e of !he sofa an& ea! a

/ean(!".Tha!.s wha! $o(.re a)m)n' for, Emma@. sa$s Da&" .Th)n% $o(.## ever ma%e )!..I &on.! %now" Er Da&, !ha! rem)n&s me" I.ve 'o! a he(e for $o(".Aw%war$ I reah )n m$ a' an& 'e! o(! a he(e for J3


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OK, a#m &own" Ha//$ !ho('h!s" Cher)sh $o(r fam)#$" Cher)sh Nev".I!.s s!)## mar%e!)n'@. I sa$ r)'h!#$" .Has een for over a $ear now"..Ah" Mar%e!)n'" >oo&, 'oo&@.There.s s)#ene for a few m)n(!es, a/ar! from !he r)%e! ommen!ar$" S(&&en#$Da& an& Nev s)m(#!aneo(s#$ 'roan as some!h)n' or o!her ha//ens on !he r)%e!

/)!h" A momen! #a!er !he$ 'roan a'a)n".R)'h!,. I sa$" .We##, I.## =(s! .As I 'e! (/ from !he sofa, !he$ &on.! even !(rn !he)r hea&s"I 'o o(! !o !he ha## an& /)% (/ !he ar&oar& o* wh)h I ro('h! &own w)!h me"Then I 'o !hro('h !he s)&e 'a!e, %no% on !he anne*e &oor an& /(sh )! a(!)o(s#$".>ran&/a.>ran&/a )s M(m.s &a&, an& he.s #)ve& w)!h (s ever s)ne he ha& h)s hear! o/era!)on,!en $ears a'o" A! !he o#& ho(se )n Tw)%enham he =(s! ha& a e&room, (! !h)sho(se )s )''er, so he has h)s own anne*e of !wo rooms, an& a !)n$ #)!!#e %)!hen,!a%e& on!o !he s)&e of !he ho(se" He.s s)!!)n' )n h)s favo(r)!e #ea!her armha)r,w)!h !he ra&)o /#a$)n' #ass)a# m(s), an& on !he f#oor )n fron! of h)m are ao(! s)*ar&oar& /a%)n' ases f(## of s!(ff".H), >ran&/a,. I sa$".Emma@. He #oo%s (/, an& h)s fae #)'h!s (/" .Dar#)n' ')r#" Come here@. I en& over!o ')ve h)m a %)ss, an& he s(ee?es m$ han& !)'h!" H)s s%)n )s &r$ an& oo#, an& h)sha)r )s even wh)!er !han )! was #as! !)me I saw h)m".I.ve 'o! some more Pan!her Bars for $o(,. I sa$, no&&)n' !o m$ o*" >ran&/a )som/#e!e#$ a&&)!e& !o Pan!her ener'$ ars, an& so are a## h)s fr)en&s a! !he

ow#)n' #(, so I (se m$ a##owane !o ($ h)m a o*f(# for ever$ !)me I ome

home".Than% $o(, m$ #ove,. >ran&/a eams" .o(.re a 'oo& ')r#, Emma"..Where sho(#& I /(! !hem.We o!h #oo% he#/#ess#$ aro(n& !he #(!!ere& room".Wha! ao(! over !here, eh)n& !he !e#ev)s)on. sa$s >ran&/a a! #as!" I /)% m$ wa$aross !he room, &(m/ !he o* on !he f#oor, !hen re!rae m$ s!e/s, !r$)n' no! !o!rea& on an$!h)n'".Now, Emma, I rea& a ver$ worr$)n' news/a/er ar!)#e !he o!her &a$,. sa$s>ran&/a as I s)! &own on one of !he /a%)n' ases" .Ao(! safe!$ )n Lon&on". He')ves me a ea&$ #oo%" .o( &on.! !rave# on /(#) !rans/or! )n !he even)n's, &o

$o(..Erm har$ ever,. I sa$, ross)n' m$ f)n'ers eh)n& m$ a%" .-(s! now an&!hen, when I aso#(!e#$ have !o ..Dar#)n' ')r#, $o( m(s!n.!@. sa$s >ran&/a, #oo%)n' a')!a!e&" .Teena'ers )n hoo&sw)!h f#)%+%n)ves roam !he (n&er'ro(n&, )! sa)&" Dr(n%en #o(!s, rea%)n' o!!#es,'o(')n' one ano!her.s e$es o(! ..I!.s no! thata&.

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.Emma, )!.s no! wor!h !he r)s%@ For !he sa%e of a !a*) fare or !wo".I.m /re!!$ s(re !ha! )f I as%e& >ran&/a wha! he !ho('h! !he avera'e !a*) fare was )nLon&on, he.& sa$ f)ve sh)##)n's".Hones!#$, >ran&/a, I.m rea##$ aref(#,. I sa$ reass(r)n'#$" .An& I &o !a%e !a*)s".Some!)mes" Ao(! one a $ear".An$wa$" Wha!.s a## !h)s s!(ff. I as%, !o han'e !he s(=e!, an& >ran&/a ')ves a'(s!$ s)'h".o(r mo!her #eare& o(! !he a!!) #as! wee%" I.m =(s! sor!)n' o(! wha! !o !hrowawa$ an& wha! !o %ee/"..Tha! seems #)%e a 'oo& )&ea". I #oo% a! !he /)#e of r()sh on !he f#oor" .Is !h)s s!(ff$o(.re !hrow)n' awa$..No@ I.m %ee/)n' a## !ha!". He /(!s a /ro!e!)ve han& over )!".So where.s !he /)#e of s!(ff !o !hrow o(!.There.s s)#ene" >ran&/a avo)&s m$ 'a?e".>ran&/a@ o( have !o !hrowsomeof !h)s awa$@. I e*#a)m, !r$)n' no! !o #a('h".o( &on.! nee& a## !hese o#& news/a/er (!!)n's" An& wha!.s !h)s. I reah /as! !henews/a/er (!!)n's an& f)sh o(! an o#& $o+$o" .Th)s )s r()sh, s(re#$"..-)m.s $o+$o". >ran&/a reahes for !he $o+$o, h)s e$es sof!en)n'" .>oo& o#& -)m"..Who was -)m. I sa$, /(??#e&" I.ve never even hear& of a -)m efore" .Was he a'oo& fr)en& of $o(rs..We me! a! !he fa)r'ro(n&" S/en! !he af!ernoon !o'e!her" I was n)ne". >ran&/a )s!(rn)n' !he $o+$o over an& over )n h)s f)n'ers".D)& $o( eome fr)en&s..Never saw h)m a'a)n". He sha%es h)s hea& m)s!)#$" .I.ve never for'o!!en )!".

The !ro(#e w)!h >ran&/a )s, he never for'e!s an$!h)n'".We##, wha! ao(! some of !hese ar&s. I /(## o(! a (ne of o#& Chr)s!mas ar&s".I never !hrow awa$ ar&s". >ran&/a ')ves me a #on' #oo%" .When $o( 'e! !o m$a'e when !he /eo/#e $o(.ve %nown an& #ove& a## $o(r #)fe s!ar! !o /ass awa$ $o( wan! !o han' on!o an$ memen!o" However sma##"..I an (n&ers!an& !ha!,. I sa$, fee#)n' !o(he&" I reah for !he neares! ar&, o/en )!an& m$ e*/ress)on han'es" .>ran&/a@ Th)s )s from Sm)!h.s E#e!r)a#Ma)n!enane, 15:9"..Fran% Sm)!h was a ver$ 'oo& man. s!ar!s >ran&/a".No@. I /(! !he ar& f)rm#$ on !he f#oor" .Tha!.s 'o)n'" An& nor &o $o( nee& one

from . I o/en !he ne*! ar&" .So(!hwes!ern >as S(//#)es" An& $o( &on.! nee&!wen!$ o#& o/)es of"unch". I &e/os)! !hem on !he /)#e" .An& wha! are !hese. Ireah )n!o !he o* a'a)n an& /(## o(! an enve#o/e of /ho!os" .Are !hese a!(a##$ ofan$!h)n' $o( rea##$ wan! !o.Some!h)n' shoo!s !hro('h m$ hear! an& I s!o/, m)&s!ream"

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I.m #oo%)n' a! a /ho!o'ra/h of me an& Da& an& M(m, s)!!)n' on a enh )n a /ar%"M(m.s wear)n' a f#ower$ &ress, an& Da&.s wear)n' a s!(/)& s(nha!, an& I.m on h)s%nee, a'e& ao(! n)ne, ea!)n' an )e+ream" We a## #oo% so ha//$ !o'e!her"Woress#$, I !(rn !o ano!her /ho!o" I.ve 'o! Da&.s ha! on an& we.re a## #a('h)n'he#/#ess#$ a! some!h)n'" -(s! (s !hree"-(s! (s" Before Kerr$ ame )n!o o(r #)ves"I s!)## rememer !he &a$ she arr)ve&" A re& s()!ase )n !he ha##, an& a new vo)e )n!he %)!hen, an& an (nfam)#)ar sme## of /erf(me )n !he a)r" I wa#%e& )n an& !here shewas, a s!ran'er, &r)n%)n' a (/ of !ea" She was wear)n' shoo# (n)form, (! shes!)## #oo%e& #)%e a 'rown+(/ !o me" She a#rea&$ ha& an enormo(s (s!, an& 'o#&s!(&s )n her ears, an& s!rea%s )n her ha)r" An& a! s(//er!)me, M(m an& Da& #e! herhave a '#ass of w)ne" M(m %e/! !e##)n' me I ha& !o e ver$ %)n& !o her, ea(se hermo!her ha& &)e&" We a## ha& !o e ver$ %)n& !o Kerr$" Tha! was wh$ she 'o! m$room"I #eaf !hro('h !he res! of !he /)!(res, !r$)n' !o swa##ow !he #(m/ )n m$ !hroa!" Irememer !h)s /#ae now" The /ar% we (se& !o 'o !o, w)!h sw)n's an& s#)&es" B(! )!was !oo or)n' for Kerr$, an& I &es/era!e#$ wan!e& !o e #)%e her, so I sa)& )! was

or)n' !oo, an& we never wen! a'a)n".Kno% %no%@. I #oo% (/ w)!h a s!ar!, an& Kerr$.s s!an&)n' a! !he &oor, ho#&)n' her'#ass of w)ne" .L(nh )s rea&[email protected]%s,. I sa$" .We.re =(s! om)n'"..Now, >ram/s@. Kerr$ wa's her f)n'er re/rov)n'#$ a! >ran&/a, an& 'es!(res a! !he

/a%)n' ases" .Haven.! $o( 'o! an$where w)!h !h)s #o! $e!..I!.s &)ff)(#!,. I hear m$se#f sa$)n' &efens)ve#$" .There are a #o! of memor)es )n

here" o( an.! =(s! !hrow !hem o(!"..If $o( sa$ so". Kerr$ ro##s her e$es" .If )! were me, !he who#e #o!.& 'o )n !he )n".I anno! her)sh her" I anno! &o )!" I wan! !o !hrow m$ !rea#e !ar! a! her"We.ve een s)!!)n' ro(n& !he !a#e now for for!$ m)n(!es an& !he on#$ vo)e we.vehear& )s Kerr$.s".I!.s a## ao(! )ma'e,. she.s sa$)n' now" .I!.s a## ao(! !he r)'h! #o!hes, !he r)'h!#oo%, !he r)'h! wa#%" When I wa#% a#on' !he s!ree!, !he messa'e I ')ve !he wor#& )sI am a s(essf(# woman"..Show (s@. sa$s M(m a&m)r)n'#$".We##". Kerr$ ')ves a fa#se+mo&es! sm)#e" .L)%e !h)s". She /(shes her ha)r a% an&

w)/es her mo(!h w)!h her na/%)n".o( sho(#& wa!h !h)s, Emma,. sa$s M(m" .P)% (/ a few !)/[email protected] we a## wa!h, Kerr$ s!ar!s s!r)&)n' ro(n& !he room" Her h)n )s ra)se&, her oosare s!)%)n' o(!, her e$es are f)*e& on !he m)&e &)s!ane, an& her o!!om )s

=er%)n' from s)&e !o s)&e"She #oo%s #)%e a ross e!ween an os!r)h an& one of !he an&ro)&s )nAttack o' theClones"

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.I sho(#& e )n hee#s, of o(rse,. she sa$s, w)!ho(! s!o//)n'"

.When Kerr$ 'oes )n!o a onferene ha##, I !e## $o(, hea&s !(rn,. sa$s Nev /ro($,an& !a%es a s)/ of w)ne" .Peo/#e s!o/ wha! !he$.re &o)n' an& s!are a! [email protected] e! !he$ &o"Oh >o&" I wan! !o ')''#e" I m(s!n.!" I m(s!n.!".Do $o( wan! !o have a 'o, Emma. sa$s Kerr$" .Co/$ me..Er I &on.! !h)n% so,. I sa$" .I !h)n% I /roa#$ /)%e& (/ !he as)s".S(&&en#$ I ')ve a !)n$ snor! an& !(rn )! )n!o a o('h".Kerr$.s !r$)n' !o he#/ $o(, Emma@. sa$s M(m" .o( sho(#& e 'ra!ef(#@ o( are'oo& !o Emma, Kerr$".She eams fon$ a! Kerr$, who s)m/ers a%" An& I !a%e a sw)' of w)ne"eah, r)'h!" Kerr$ rea##$ wan!s !o he#/ me"Tha!.s wh$ when I was om/#e!e#$ &es/era!e for a =o an& as%e& her for wor%e*/er)ene a! her om/an$, she sa)& no" I wro!e her !h)s #on', aref(# #e!!er, sa$)n'I rea#)?e& )! /(! her )n an aw%war& s)!(a!)on, (! I.& rea##$ a//re)a!e an$ hane,even a o(/#e of &a$s r(nn)n' erran&s"An& she sen! a% a s!an&ar& re=e!)on #e!!er"I was so !o!a##$ mor!)f)e&, I never !o#& an$one" Es/e)a##$ no! M(m an& Da&".o( sho(#& #)s!en !o some of Kerr$.s (s)ness !)/s, Emma,. Da& )s sa$)n' shar/#$".Ma$e )f $o( /a)& more a!!en!)on $o(.& &o a )! e!!er )n #)fe"..I!.s on#$ a wa#%,. ()/s Nev w)!h a hor!#e" .I!.s no! a m)ra#e ([email protected]@. sa$s M(m ha#f re/rov)n'#$".Emma %nows I.m =o%)n', &on.! $o(, Emma. sa$s Nev eas)#$ an& f)##s (/ h)s '#assw)!h more w)ne"

.Of o(rse@. I sa$, for)n' m$se#f !o sm)#e 'a)#$"-(s! wa)! !)## I 'e! /romo!e&"-(s! wa)!" -(s! wa)!".Emma@ Ear!h !o Emma@. Kerr$ )s wav)n' a om)a# han& )n fron! of m$ fae".Wa%e (/, Do/e$@ We.re &o)n' /resen!s"..Oh r)'h!,. I sa$, om)n' !o" .OK" I.## =(s! 'o an& 'e! m)ne".As M(m o/ens a amera from Da& an& a /(rse from >ran&/a, I s!ar! !o fee#e*)!e&" Isoho/e M(m #)%es m$ /resen!".I! &oesn.! #oo% m(h,. I sa$ as I han& her !he /)n% enve#o/e" .B(! $o(.## see when$o( o/en )! .

.Wha! an )! e. M(m sa$s, #oo%)n' )n!r)'(e&" She r)/s o/en !he enve#o/e, o/ens!he f#owere& ar&, an& s!ares a! )!" .Oh, Emma@.

.Wha! )s )!. sa$s Da&"

.I!.s a &a$ a! a s/a@. sa$s M(m )n &e#)'h!" .A who#e &a$ of /am/er)n'".

.Wha! a 'oo& )&ea,. sa$s >ran&/a, an& /a!s m$ han&" .o( a#wa$s have 'oo& )&easfor /resen!s, Emma".

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.Than% $o(, #ove" How !ho('h!f(#@. M(m #eans over !o %)ss me, an& I fee# a warm'#ow )ns)&e" I ha& !he )&ea a few mon!hs a'o" I!.s a rea##$ n)e &a$+#on' /a%a'e,w)!h free !rea!men!s an& ever$!h)n'".o( 'e! ham/a'ne #(nh,. I sa$ ea'er#$" .An& $o( an %ee/ !he s#)//[email protected]&erf(#@. sa$s M(m" .I.## #oo% forwar& !o )!" Emma, !ha!.s a #ove#$ /[email protected] &ear,. sa$s Kerr$, ')v)n' a #)!!#e #a('h" She #oo%s a! !he #ar'e ream$ enve#o/e)n her own han&s" .M$ /resen!.s s#)'h!#$ (/s!a'e&, I.m afra)&" Never m)n&" I.##han'e )!".I #oo% (/, a#er!" There.s some!h)n' ao(! Kerr$.s vo)e" I %now some!h)n'.s (/" I

=(s! %now )!".Wha! &o $o( mean. sa$s M(m".I! &oesn.! ma!!er,. sa$s Kerr$" .I.## =(s! f)n& some!h)n' e#se" No! !o worr$". Shes!ar!s !o /(! !he enve#o/e awa$ )n her a'".Kerr$, #ove@. sa$s M(m" .S!o/ !ha!@ Don.! e s)##$" Wha! )s )!..We##,. sa$s Kerr$" .I!.s =(s! !ha! Emma an& I seem !o have ha& !he same )&ea". Shehan&s M(m !he enve#o/e w)!h ano!her #)!!#e #a('h" .Can $o( e#)eve )!.M$ who#e o&$ s!)ffens )n a//rehens)on"

No"No" She an.! have &one wha! I !h)n% she.s &one"There.s om/#e!e s)#ene as M(m o/ens !he enve#o/e".Oh m$ 'oo&ness@. she sa$s, !a%)n' o(! a 'o#& emosse& roh(re" .Wha!.s !h)s LeS/a Mer)&)en. Some!h)n' fa##s o(!, )n!o her han&s, an& she s!ares a! )!" .T)%e!s !o

"aris [email protected] has" She.s r()ne& m$ /resen!"

.For o!h of $o(,. a&&s Kerr$, a #)!!#e sm('#$" .n#e Br)an, !oo"..Kerr$@. sa$s Da& )n &e#)'h!" .o( marve#@.

.I! )s s(//ose& !o e ra!her 'oo&,. sa$s Kerr$ w)!h a om/#aen! sm)#e" .F)ve+s!araommo&a!)on !he hef has !hree M)he#)n s!ars ..I &on.! e#)eve !h)s,. sa$s M(m" She.s #eaf)n' e*)!e$ !hro('h !he roh(re" .Loo%a! !he sw)mm)n' /oo#@ Loo% a! !he 'ar&[email protected]$ f#ower$ ar& )s #$)n', for'o!!en, am)& !he wra//)n' /a/er"A## a! one I fee# #ose !o !ears" She %new" She kne*".Kerr$, $o( %new,. I s(&&en#$ #(r! o(!, (na#e !o s!o/ m$se#f" .I !o#& $o( I was')v)n' M(m a s/a !rea!" I tol#$o(@ We ha& !ha! onversa!)on ao(! )!, mon!hs a'o"

In !he 'ar&[email protected])& we. sa$s Kerr$ as(a##$" .I &on.! rememer"..o( &o@ Of o(rse $o( rememer"..Emma@. sa$s M(m shar/#$" .I! was a s)m/#e m)s!a%e" Wasn.! )!, Kerr$..Of o(rse )! was@. sa$s Kerr$, o/en)n' her e$es )n w)&e )nnoene" .Emma, )f I.ves/o)#e& !h)n's for $o(, I an on#$ a/o#o')?e.

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.There.s no nee& !o a/o#o')?e, Kerr$ #ove,. sa$s M(m" .These !h)n's ha//en" An&!he$.re both#ove#$ /resen!s"Bothof !hem". She #oo%s a! m$ ar& a'a)n" .Now, $o(!wo ')r#s are es! fr)en&s@ I &on.! #)%e !o see $o( (arre##)n'" Es/e)a##$ on m$

)r!h&a$".M(m sm)#es a! me, an& I !r$ !o sm)#e a%" B(! )ns)&e, I fee# ao(! !en $ears o#&a'a)n" Kerr$ a#wa$s mana'es !o wron'+foo! me" She a#wa$s has &one, ever s)neshe arr)ve&" Wha!ever she &)&, ever$one !oo% her s)&e" She was !he one whosemo!her ha& &)e&" We a## ha& !o e n)e !o her" I o(#& never, ever w)n"Tr$)n' !o /(## m$se#f !o'e!her, I reah for m$ w)ne '#ass an& !a%e a h('e sw)'"Then I f)n& m$se#f s(rre/!)!)o(s#$ '#an)n' a! m$ wa!h" I an #eave a! fo(r )f Ima%e an e*(se ao(! !ra)ns r(nn)n' #a!e" Tha!.s on#$ ano!her ho(r an& a ha#f !o 'e!!hro('h" An& ma$e we.## wa!h !e##$ or some!h)n' .A /enn$ for $o(r !ho('h!s, Emma,. sa$s >ran&/a, /a!!)n' m$ han& w)!h a #)!!#esm)#e, an& I #oo% (/ '()#!)#$".Er no!h)n',. I sa$, an& fore a sm)#e" .I wasn.! rea##$ !h)n%)n' ao(! an$!h)n'".FIEAn$wa$" I! &oesn.! ma!!er, ea(se I.m 'o)n' !o 'e! a /romo!)on" Then Nev w)##s!o/ ma%)n' ra%s ao(! m$ areer, an& I.## e a#e !o /a$ a% Da&" Ever$onew)## e rea##$ )m/resse& an& )!.## e fan!as!)@I wa%e (/ on Mon&a$ morn)n' fee#)n' !o!a##$ o(n$ an& /os)!)ve, an& 'e! &resse&)n m$ (s(a# wor% o(!f)! of =eans an& a n)e !o/, !h)s one from Frenh Conne!)on"We##, no! e*a!#$ Frenh Conne!)on" To e hones!, I o('h! )! a! O*fam" B(! !helabelsa$s Frenh Conne!)on" An& wh)#e I.m s!)## /a$)n' off Da& I &on.! havem(h ho)e ao(! where I sho/" I mean, a new !o/ from Frenh Conne!)on os!s

ao(! f)f!$ ()&, whereas !h)s one os! J;"9


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!h)s &a$ )s s(h a &)sas!er" The m)#%man for'o! !o r)n' me an$ m)#%, an& I ha& aterriblewee%en& ..I !ho('h! $o( were s/en&)n' )! w)!h Char#)e,. I sa$ )n s(r/r)se" .Wha! ha//ene&.Char#)e )s Ka!)e.s #a!es! man" The$.ve een see)n' eah o!her for a few wee%s an&she was s(//ose& !o e v)s)!)n' h)s o(n!r$ o!!a'e, wh)h he.s &o)n' (/ a! !hewee%en&s".I! was awf(#@ As soon as we arr)ve&, he sa)& he was 'o)n' off !o /#a$ 'o#f"..Oh r)'h!". I !r$ !o f)n& a /os)!)ve an'#e" .We##, a! #eas! he.s omfor!a#e w)!h $o("He an =(s! a! norma##$"..Ma$e". She #oo%s a! me &o(!f(##$" .So .!hen he sa)&, how &)& I fee# ao(! he#/)n'o(! a )! wh)#e he was 'one So I sa)& of o(rse an& !hen he 'ave me !h)s

/a)n!r(sh, an& !hree /o!s of /a)n! an& sa)& I sho(#& 'e! !he s)!!)n' room &one )f Iwor%e& fas!"..(hat..An& !hen he ame a% a! s)* o.#o% an& sa)& m$ r(shwor% was are#ess@. Hervo)e r)ses woef(##$" .I! wasn.! are#ess@ I on#$ sm(&'e& one )!, an& !ha!.s ea(se!he s!(/)& #a&&er wasn.! #on' eno('h".I s!are a! her".Ka!)e, $o(.re no! !e##)n' me $o( a!(a##$ /a)n!e& !he room"..We## $es". She #oo%s a! me w)!h h('e #(e e$es" .o( %now, !o he#/ o(!" B(!now I.m s!ar!)n' !o !h)n% )s he =(s! (s)n' me.I.m a#mos! s/eeh#ess w)!h &)se#)ef".Ka!)e, of o(rse he.s (s)n' $o(,. I mana'e a! #as!" .He wan!s a free /a)n!er+&eora!or@ o( have !o h(% h)m" Imme&)a!e#$" Now@.

Ka!)e )s s)#en! for a few seon&s, an& I e$e her a )! nervo(s#$" Her fae )s #an%,(! I an !e## #o!s of !h)n's are 'o)n' on enea!h !he s(rfae" I!.s a )! #)%e when-aws &)sa//ears (n&ernea!h !he r)//#)n' wa!er, an& $o( =(s! %now !ha! an$ m)n(!e

.Oh >o&, $o(.re r)'h!@. she s(&&en#$ (rs!s o(!" .o(.re r)'h!" He.s een (s)n' me@I!.s m$ own fa(#!" I sho(#& have rea#)?e& when he as%e& me )f I ha& an$ e*/er)ene)n /#(m)n' or roof)n'"..When &)& he as% $o( !ha!. I sa$ )nre&(#o(s#$".On o(r f)rs! &a!e@ I !ho('h! he was =(s!, $o( %now, ma%)n' onversa!)on"..Ka!)e, )!.s no! $o(r fa(#!". I s(ee?e her arm" .o( weren.! !o %now".

.B(! wha! )s )! ao(! me. Ka!)e s!o/s s!)## )n !he s!ree!" .Wh$ &o I on#$ a!!ra!om/#e!e sh)!s.

.o( &on.!@.

.I &o@ Loo% a! !he men I.ve een o(! w)!h". She s!ar!s o(n!)n' off on her f)n'ers"

.Dan)e# orrowe& a## !ha! mone$ off me an& &)sa//eare& !o Me*)o" >ar$ h(%e&me as soon as I fo(n& h)m a =o" Dav)& was !wo+!)m)n' me" Do $o( see a /a!!ernemer')n'.

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.I (m . I sa$ he#/#ess#$" .Poss)#$ .

.I =(s! !h)n% I sho(#& ')ve (/". Her fae fa##s" .I.m never 'o)n' !o f)n& an$one n)e".

.No,. I sa$ a! one" .Don.! ')ve (/@ Ka!)e, I =(s! %now $o(r #)fe )s 'o)n' !o !(rnaro(n&" o(.re 'o)n' !o f)n& some #ove#$, %)n&, won&erf(# man..B(! where. she sa$s ho/e#ess#$".I &on.! %now". I ross m$ f)n'ers eh)n& m$ a%" .B(! I %now )!.## ha//en" I.ve'o! a rea##$ s!ron' fee#)n' ao(! )!"..Rea##$. She s!ares a! me" .o( &o..Aso#(!e#$@. I !h)n% ()%#$ for a momen!" .Loo%, here.s an )&ea" Wh$ &on.! $o( !r$ 'o)n' !o have #(nh a! a &)fferen! /#ae !o&a$" Somewhere om/#e!e#$ &)fferen!"An& ma$e $o(.## mee! someone !here"..o( !h)n%. She 'a?es a! me" .OK" I.## !r$ )!".She ')ves a '(s!$ s)'h, an& we s!ar! wa#%)n' a#on' !he /avemen! a'a)n" .The only'oo& !h)n' ao(! !he wee%en&,. she a&&s as we reah !he orner, .)s I f)n)she&ma%)n' m$ new !o/" Wha! &o $o( !h)n%.She /ro($ !a%es off her =a%e! an& &oes a !w)r#, an& I s!are a! her for a fewseon&s, no! ()!e s(re wha! !o sa$"I!.s no! !ha! I &on.! likerohe! OK" I! )s !ha! I &on.! #)%e rohe!"Es/e)a##$ /)n% soo/+ne% o/en+weave rohe! !o/s" o( an a!(a##$ see'#)m/ses of her ra !hro('h )!".I!.s ama?)n',. I mana'e a! #as!" .Aso#(!e#$ fan!as!)@..Isn.! )! 'rea!. She ')ves me a /#ease& sm)#e" .An& )! was so ()% !o &o@ I.m 'o)n'!o ma%e !he ma!h)n' s%)r! ne*!".

.Tha!.s 'rea!,. I sa$ fa)n!#$" .o(.re so #ever"..Oh, )!.s no!h)n'@ I =(s! en=o$ )!".She sm)#es mo&es!#$, an& /(!s her =a%e! a% on" .So an$wa$, how ao(! $o(. shea&&s as we s!ar! !o ross !he roa&" .D)& $o( have a n)e wee%en& I e! $o( &)&" I

e! Connor was om/#e!e#$ won&erf(# an& roman!)" I e! he !oo% $o( o(! for&)nner or some!h)n'"..A!(a##$, he as%e& me !o move )n w)!h h)m,. I sa$ aw%war$".Rea##$. Ka!)e 'a?es w)s!f(##$ a! me" .>o&, Emma, $o( !wo ma%e !he /erfe!o(/#e" o( ')ve me fa)!h !ha! )! an ha//en" I! a## seems so eas$ for $o(".I an.! he#/ fee#)n' a #)!!#e f#)%er of /#eas(re )ns)&e" Me an& Connor" The /erfe!

o(/#e" Ro#e mo&e#s for o!her /eo/#e".I!.s no! thateas$,. I sa$ w)!h a mo&es! #)!!#e #a('h" .I mean, we ar'(e, #)%e an$onee#se"..Do $o(. Ka!)e #oo%s s(r/r)se&" .I.ve never seen $o( ar'(e"..Of o(rse we &o@.

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I ra% m$ ra)n for a momen!, !r$)n' !o rememer !he #as! !)me Connor an& I ha& af)'h!" I mean, ov)o(s#$ we &o havear'(men!s" Loa&s of !hem" A## o(/#es &o" I!.son#$ hea#!h$"Come on, !h)s )s s)##$" We m(s! havees" There was !ha! !)me $ !he r)ver when I !ho('h! !hose )' wh)!e )r&s were'eese an& Connor !ho('h! !he$ were swans" E*a!#$" We.re norma#" I %new )!"We.re near)n' !he Pan!her ()#&)n' now, an& as we wa#% (/ !he /a#e s!one s!e/s,eah w)!h a 'ran)!e /an!her =(m/)n' aross )!, I s!ar! fee#)n' a )! nervo(s" Pa(# w)##wan! a f(## re/or! on how !he mee!)n' wen! w)!h >#en O)#"Wha! sha## I sa$We##, ov)o(s#$ I.## e om/#e!e#$ fran% an& hones!" W)!ho(! a!(a##$ !e##)n' h)m!he !r(!h.He$, #oo%". Ka!)e.s vo)e )n!err(/!s me an& I fo##ow her 'a?e" Thro('h !he '#assfron! of !he ()#&)n' I an see a ommo!)on )n !he fo$er" Th)s )sn.! norma#" Wha!.s'o)n' on>o&, has !here een a f)re, or some!h)n'As Ka!)e an& I /(sh o(r wa$ !hro('h !he heav$ revo#v)n' '#ass &oors, we #oo% a!eah o!her )n ew)#&ermen!" The who#e /#ae )s )n !(rmo)#" Peo/#e are s(rr$)n'ao(!, someone.s /o#)sh)n' !he rass an)s!er, someone e#se )s /o#)sh)n' !he fa%e

/#an!s, an& C$r)#, !he sen)or off)e mana'er, )s shoo)n' /eo/#e )n!o #)f!s".Co(#& $o( /#ease 'o !o $o(r off)es@ We &on.! wan! $o( han')n' aro(n& !heree/!)on area" o( sho(#& a## e a! $o(r &es%s $ now". He so(n&s om/#e!e#$s!resse& o(!" .There.s no!h)n' !o see &own here@ P#ease 'o !o $o(r &es%s"..Wha!.s ha//en)n'. I sa$ !o Dave !he se(r)!$ '(ar&, who.s #o(n')n' a'a)ns! !he

wa## w)!h a (/ of !ea as (s(a#" He !a%es a s)/, sw)##s )! aro(n& h)s mo(!h an& ')ves(s a 'r)n".-a% Har/er.s v)s)!)n'".(hat. We o!h 'aw/ a! h)m".To&a$..Are $o(serious.In !he wor#& of !he Pan!her Cor/ora!)on, !h)s )s #)%e sa$)n' !he Po/e.s v)s)!)n'" OrFa!her Chr)s!mas" -a% Har/er )s !he =o)n! fo(n&er of !he Pan!her Cor/ora!)on" Heinvente#Pan!her Co#a" I %now !h)s ea(se I.ve !$/e& o(! #(rs ao(! h)ma//ro*)ma!e#$ a m)##)on !)mes" .I! was 156; when $o(n', &$nam) (s)ness

/ar!ners -a% Har/er an& Pe!e La)er o('h! (/ !he a)#)n' oo! sof!+&r)n%som/an$, re/a%a'e& oo!ao#a as Pan!her Co#a, )nven!e& !he s#o'an Don.!Pa(se, an& !h(s ma&e mar%e!)n' h)s!or$".

No won&er C$r)#.s )n a !)??".In ao(! f)ve m)n(!es". Dave ons(#!s h)s wa!h" .>)ve or !a%e"..B(! (! how ome. sa$s Ka!)e" .I mean, =(s! o(! of !he #(e #)%e !h)s".

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Dave.s e$es !w)n%#e" He.s ov)o(s#$ een !e##)n' /eo/#e !he news a## morn)n' an&)s !horo('h#$ en=o$)n' h)mse#f".He wan!s !o have a #oo% ro(n& !he K o/era!)on, a//aren!#$"..I !ho('h! he wasn.! a!)ve )n !he (s)ness an$ more,. sa$s -ane from Ao(n!s,who.s ome (/ eh)n& (s )n her oa! an& )s #)s!en)n', a'o'" .I !ho('h! ever s)nePe!e La)er &)e& he was a## 'r)ef+s!r)%en an& re#(s)ve" On h)s ranh, or wha!ever)! )s"..Tha! was !hree $ears a'o,. /o)n!s o(! Ka!)e" .Ma$e he.s fee#)n' e!!er"..Ma$e he wan!s !o se## (s off, more #)%e,. sa$s -ane &ar%#$".Wh$ wo(#& he &o !ha!..o( never %now"..M$ !heor$,. sa$s Dave, an& we a## en& o(r hea&s !o #)s!en, .)s he wan!s !o see )f!he /#an!s are sh)n$ eno('h". He no&s h)s hea& !owar&s C$r)#, an& we a## ')''#e".Be aref(#,. C$r)# )s sna//)n'" .Don.! &ama'e !he s!ems". He '#anes (/" .Wha! are$o( a## s!)## &o)n' !here..-(s! 'o)n'@. sa$s Ka!)e, an& we hea& !owar&s !he s!a)rs, wh)h I a#wa$s (se

ea(se )! means I &on.! have !o o!her w)!h !he '$m" P#(s #(%)#$ Mar%e!)n' )s on!he f)rs! f#oor" We.ve =(s! reahe& !he #an&)n' when -ane s(ea%s .Loo%@ Oh m$>o&@ I!.s h)[email protected] #)mo(s)ne has /(rre& (/ !he s!ree! an& s!o//e& r)'h! )n fron! of !he '#ass &oors"Wha! )s )! ao(! some ars The$ #oo% so '#eam)n' an& (rn)she&, as )f !he$.rema&e o(! of a om/#e!e#$ &)fferen! me!a# from norma# ars"As )f $ #o%wor%, !he #)f! &oors a! !he o!her en& of !he fo$er o/en, an& o(! s!r)&es>raham H)##)n'&on, !he h)ef e*e(!)ve, /#(s !he mana')n' &)re!or an& ao(! s)*

o!hers, a## #oo%)n' )mma(#a!e )n &ar% s()!s".Tha!.s eno('h@. C$r)# )s h)ss)n' a! !he /oor #eaners )n !he fo$er" .>o@ Leave )[email protected] !hree of (s s!an&, 'o''#)n' #)%e h)#&ren, as !he /assen'er &oor of !he#)mo(s)ne o/ens" A momen! #a!er, o(! 'e!s a man w)!h #on& ha)r )n a nav$ #(eoveroa!" He.s wear)n' &ar% '#asses an& )s ho#&)n' a ver$ e*/ens)ve+#oo%)n'

r)efase"Wow" He #oo%s #)%e a m)##)on &o##ars">raham H)##)n'&on an& !he o!hers are a## o(!s)&e $ now, #)ne& (/ on !he s!e/s"The$ sha%e h)s han& )n !(rn, !hen (sher h)m )ns)&e, where C$r)# )s wa)!)n'".We#ome !o !he Pan!her Cor/ora!)on K,. C$r)# sa$s f(#some#$" .I ho/e $o(r

=o(rne$ was /#easan!..No! !oo a&, !han%s,. sa$s !he man, )n an Amer)an aen!".As $o( an see, !h)s )s ver$ m(h a normalwor%)n' &a$ ..He$ #oo%,. m(rm(rs Ka!)e" .Kenn$.s s!(% o(!s)&e !he &oors".Kenn$ Dave$, one of !he &es)'ners, )s hover)n' (ner!a)n#$ on !he s!e/s o(!s)&e )nh)s =eans an& asea## oo!s, no! %now)n' whe!her !o ome )n or no!" He /(!s a

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han& !o !he &oor, !hen re!rea!s a #)!!#e, !hen omes (/ !o !he &oor a'a)n an& /eers(ner!a)n#$ )ns)&e".Come )n, Kenn$@. sa$s C$r)#, o/en)n' !he &oor w)!h a ra!her sava'e sm)#e" .One ofo(r &es)'ners, Kenn$ Dave$" o( sho(#& have een here !en m)n(!es a'o, Kenn$"S!)##, never m)n&@. He /(shes a ew)#&ere& Kenn$ !owar&s !he #)f!s, !hen '#anes (/an& shoos (s awa$ )n )rr)!a!)on".Come on,. sa$s Ka!)e, .we.& e!!er 'o". An&, !r$)n' no! !o ')''#e, !he !hree of (sh(rr$ (/ !he s!a)rs"The a!mos/here )n !he mar%e!)n' &e/ar!men! )s a )! #)%e

kinsella, sophie: can you keep a secret

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