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{\creatim\yr2006\mo11\dy8\hr21\min42}{\revtim\yr2006\mo11\dy8\hr21\min42}{\version2}{\edmins0}{\nofpages9}{\nofwords2581}{\nofchars14712}{\*\company -}{\nofcharsws17259}{\vern24703}}{\*\userprops {\propname Editor}\proptype30{\staticval Bob Hebert\'3b Jus t Jess}}\margl1325\margr1325\margt864\margb720 \widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\formshade\horzdoc\dgmargin\dghspace180\dgvspace180\dghorigin1701\dgvorigin1984\dghshow1\dgvshow1 \jexpand\viewkind4\viewscale100\pgbrdrhead\pgbrdrfoot\splytwnine\ftnlytwnine\htmautsp\nolnhtadjtbl\useltbaln\alntblind\lytcalctblwd\lyttblrtgr\lnbrkrule\nojkernpunct\rsidroot7169817 \fet0{\*\template C:\\Documents and Settings\\Steve Hamilton\\Application Data\\Microsoft\\Templates\\ES-DOT.dot}\sectd \psz1\linex0\headery432\footery432\endnhere\sectlinegrid326\sectdefaultcl\sftnbj {\*\pnseclvl1\pnucrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}} {\*\pnseclvl2\pnucltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl3\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl4\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl5\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}} {\*\pnseclvl6\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl7\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl8\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl9 \pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain \s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7169817 \b\f1\fs32\cf9\lang1033\langfe1033\kerning32\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid7169817 {\*\bkmkstart _Toc148958753}Chapter 24{\*\bkmkend _Toc148958753} \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7169817 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid7169817 \par On Monday morning, Stan saw Denise walk into the office. He sat back in his chair and watched as the young redhead walked up to him. Denise was wearing some tight tan-coloured trousers, a navy blue cashmere sweater with a white button-down blou se layered underneath it, traditional enough but the top two buttons of the blouse were open, and the trousers were just tight enough to enhance her figure rather than just display any bulges there were. \par \par \'93I won\rquote t be needing a lift, I\rquote ll drive myself to the school tonight, Stan. I\rquote ll be going out with Tom afterwards,\'94 she told him. \par \par \'93All right then, Denise,\'94 Stan replied. \'93You and he got on well on Friday night then?\'94 \par \par \'93Oh, yes, he\rquote s a laugh,\'94 she said. \'93He\rquote s not afraid of enjoying himself. We had a nice meal, then we went to a club and danced for a while.\'94 \par \par Denise turned and looked over her shoulder at Stan in a move that was almost a carbon copy of the look that Anne had given Stan that night of their own first date. It had a similar effect, and it was a good job Stan was sitting. \par \par She grinned at him and sauntered off. Stan paused a moment, then got on with his work. \par \par }\pard\plain \s17\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7169817 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid7169817 - - - - - - - - - - \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7169817 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid7169817 \par Elizabeth had had a nice weekend, too. She was at the table near their desks, sorting out some filing, when she turned to Stan. \par \par \'93James came over to see me on Sunday,\'94 she told him. \par \par \'93Mmm?\'94 replied Stan, who was deep into a failure analysis. \par \par \'93I }{\cs16\i\insrsid7169817 said}{\insrsid7169817 , James came over to see me on Sunday!\'94 she said, with some asperity. \par \par \'93Ah. All\rquote s well there, then? You and James getting along famously? Let\rquote s see the ring? When\rquote s the wedding?\'94 \par \par \'93Oh, }{\cs16\i\insrsid7169817 You!}{\insrsid7169817 Nothing like that. He\rquote s a very good friend, and he came over to help in my garden, that\rquote s all. We tidied up in the borders, he mowed my lawn, that sort of thing. Then we sat outside for a while in the sunshine and had a drink.\'94 \par \par \'93What made you bring it up, Elizabeth?\'94 \par \par \'93I don\rquote t know, really,\'94 she said, slightly wistful. \'93I was just thinking of the weekend, and so on, and it came into my head.\'94 \par \par Before Stan could think of a comment, Elizabeth picked up some filing and got on with her work. \par \par }\pard\plain \s17\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7169817 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid7169817 - - - - - - - - - - \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7169817 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid7169817 \par That evening, it was Yves\rquote turn to \lquote meet and greet\rquote the students as they entered the dance class. He looked up as Anne came through the door and smiled warmly at the blonde. \par \par Anne was wearing black and gold again, this time a dress that stopped just above her knee but flared widely allowing her to move, and with a high collar but fitted across the bust. Stan had described it as \lquote form following\rquote , which was exactly the effect desired. She had her gold shoes on again, they went well with her dress, and of course her hair colour matched as well. Anne\rquote soutfit was completed by a pair of small gold dangly earrings. It was a head-turning combination and it certainly worked with Yves. \par \par Stan entered behind her and shut the door \endash it was a chilly early September night \endash in time to hear Yves say \'93Welcome Anne, Welcome! You are well, I trust? Ah, Stan, good to see you as well, of course!\'94 \par \par Turning from the door back towards Yves, Stan grinned at the older man. \'93Yes, and you }{\cs16\i\insrsid7169817 really}{\insrsid7169817 mean that, don\rquote t you?\'94 he told him as he gripped the other\rquote s hand in a warm greeting as the other stepped back from giving Anne a peck on the cheek. \par \par \'93Go straight in, we\rquote re almost all here and will start in about five minutes,\'94 Yves told them, so they walked together into the main hall. \par \par There, Stan saw Denise standing by the wall next to Tom, chatting away animatedly. She turned, as if to see who had just walked in, and waved before continuing her non-stop chatter. \par \par This was thei r second Waltz lesson, and it went smoothly enough at first. Stan partnered Pamela again, while Anne was asked to partner a newcomer, a young (and nervous) man named Paul. Both successfully went through the practice, being shown various moves and generall y soaking up \lquote how to Waltz.\rquote \par \par At the break, Pamela and Tom were in front of Stan and Anne as they waited to get their refreshments. \par \par Stan watched as Tom put his hand on Pamela\rquote s ass. Pamela swatted it away and Tom did it again. \par \par A second time Pamela slapped the hand away, and this time she turned to him and muttered something in his ear. Stan saw Tom smirk. \par \par Stan seethed. He didn\rquote t really know why, even, but he could feel his hackles rising. \par \par They got their drinks. Stan and Anne stood against the wall, sipping. Anne was chatting to Belinda, standing next to her, while Stan, on her other side, watched everyone. \par \par Pamela had moved away from Tom, looking annoyed. Denise obviously hadn\rquote t seen anything as she emerged from the Ladies\rquote room just at that moment. Tom saw her and smiled, going to her, putting his arm around her waist and talking. \par \par Stan\rquote s attention was drawn back to Yves and Belinda as they called for the evening to restart. This time Stan partnered Carol. \par \par \'93Did you see that Tom just now?\'94 murmured Carol into Stan\rquote s ear. \'93I swear if it was me I\rquote d slap his face. The nerve! Then he has the barefaced cheek to make all goody-goody with that nice new lady, what\rquote s her name\'85\'94 \par \par \'93Denise!\'94 muttered Stan. \'93Yes, I saw it.\'94 \par \par The dance continued, and then Belinda took over from Carol, who was swept up into the arms of an exuberant Yves. \par \par \'93Yves is on top form tonight. Wait until you see our demonstration \endash he loves the Waltz, it\rquote s such a romantic dance.\'94 \par \par Stan was only too pleased to take his mind off Tom. \par \par \'93Yes, Yves has been enjoying himself all night, hasn\rquote t he? Carol\rquote s pretty good at this, too.\'94 \par \par \'93Oh, you\rquote re coming along fine Stan, yourself. Don\rquote t disparage your abilities.\'94 \par \par Somehow Belinda brought the gallant out of Stan. \par \par \'93It\rquote s dancing with you that makes me able to do so well, Belinda!\'94 he told her. Belinda\rquote s head went back as she gaily laughed, telling him a moment later, \'93Oh, if you were around when I met Yves he\rquote d have had a rival, I think! Flatterer!\'94 \par \par Too soon, Yves called a halt and told the class that Belinda and he would do their demonstration now. Stan had been really enjoying himself for the first time that night, and was disappointed that it had come to an end, but it did mean that he was able to put his arm around Anne again. \par \par Pamela stood next to him on his other side. She leaned across and said, \'93You were enjoying that dance, weren\rquote t you Stan? I watched. It\rquote s a good job for you that Anne didn\rquote t!\'94 \par \par Stan grinned. \'93Oh, I think Anne knows that Belinda\rquote s no rival for my affections!\'94 \par \par Yves cued up the music, and the two instructors began. Belinda was right, this was passionate yet romantic, with a sweetness to the sensuousness of the dancing. \par \par Tom and Denise were next to Pamela. \par \par Suddenly Pamela turned and smacked Tom\rquote s arm. \'93Leave me alone!\'94 she hissed. \par \par Stan turned and told Tom, \'93Yes, leave the lady alone, Tom. She\rquote s too good for the likes of you.\'94 Stan himself was taken by surprise at his reaction. \par \par \'93Mind your own business, old man. You\rquote ve got yourself sorted, leave me alone!\'94 Tom snarled at him. \par \par \'93You leave Anne out of this! Actually, while we\rquote re at it, you leave }{\cs16\i\insrsid7169817 Denise}{\insrsid7169817 out of this as well! You\rquote re not }{\cs16\i\insrsid7169817 good}{\insrsid7169817 enough for her \endash you\rquote re only going to hurt her!\'94 \par \par People were turning to stare. \par \par One of them was Denise. \par \par \'93Stan, you stay out if it. Don\rquote t interfere in my life,\'94 she told him. \par \par Tom smirked again. Stan was getting very tired of seeing that expression. \par \par \'93Denise, this, this }{\cs16\i\insrsid7169817 person}{\insrsid7169817 isn\rquote t fit to wipe your shoes, yet you\rquote re virtually }{\cs16\i\insrsid7169817 throwing}{\insrsid7169817 yourself at him! Don\rquote t do it!\'94 he told her. Tom\rquote s smirk faded, but it was replaced by anger. Out of the corner of his eye, Stan saw movement \endash a tall blonde in black was shifting to his side. \par \par \'93You think}{\cs16\i\insrsid7169817 you\rquote re}{\insrsid7169817 good enough for }{\cs16\i\insrsid7169817 her}{\insrsid7169817 , do you? Well, if that\rquote s the case, stop }{\cs16\i\insrsid7169817 interfering}{\insrsid7169817 , like the lady said,\'94 Tom growled threateningly at him. \par \par \'93Stan?\'94 he heard from the figure to his right. He ignored it. \par \par \'93You bloody }{\cs16\i\insrsid7169817 wolf}{\insrsid7169817 , all you\rquote re after is one thing. I hope to God she doesn\rquote t give it to you!\'94 he told Tom, now really upset. \par \par He was astonished to feel a slap to his face \endash from Denise! \par \par \'93Stop interfering in my life, Stan!\'94 she shouted at him. \'93I\rquote m trying to enjoy myself, have some fun, and you\rquote re pushing your nose in. You\rquote ve found someone else, when you told me you weren\rquote t }{\cs16\i\insrsid7169817 ready}{\insrsid7169817 for a }{\cs16\i\insrsid7169817 relationship!}{\insrsid7169817 \'94 She shook her head as she nearly }{\cs16\i\insrsid7169817 spat}{\insrsid7169817 the words at him. \'93Well, who the }{\cs16\i\insrsid7169817 hell}{\insrsid7169817 do you think you are? You\rquote re old enough to be my father, but you\rquote re NOT \endash so stay the HELL out of my life!\'94 \par \par Denise turned and stormed off. Stan was stunned. Tom looked insufferably pleased, and turned to follow Denise. Stan was then }{\cs16\i\insrsid7169817 jerked}{\insrsid7169817 to his right. \par \par \'93Stanley Hinch, I\rquote m }{\cs16\i\insrsid7169817 not}{\insrsid7169817 going to forgive you for this!\'94 Anne hissed at him. \'93I thought you didn\rquote t feel for her \endash well it\rquote s obvious you do!\'94 \par \par Stan couldn\rquote t hold her eye. He looked away, and saw Belinda and Yves looking upset, displeased and shocked in various measures. \par \par \'93}{\cs16\i\insrsid7169817 Don\rquote t you look away from me!}{\insrsid7169817 \'94 Anne told him, menacingly. \'93You\rquote re with }{\cs16\i\insrsid7169817 me}{\insrsid7169817 , Stanley! \par \par Stan met her eyes. Anne was furious. Stan was completely confused. He didn\rquote t really understand what had just happened, or what he was feeling. He did the only thing he could think of\'85 he turned away from Anne and addressed the room. \par \par \'93Um. Sorry everyone. I think we got a little carried away, just then. Sorry,\'94 he called out, then looked at Yves and Belinda. \'93I really am most sorry, I can\rquote t apologise enough. I think we\rquote ll be leaving, now.\'94 \par \par Pamela touched his arm and mouthed \'93Thanks,\'94 looking sorry for him. He gave a quick smile in response, but his heart wasn\rquote t in it. \par \par Anne turned and }{\cs16\i\insrsid7169817 stalked}{\insrsid7169817 off towards the cloakrooms. Stan followed, downcast, miserable and still very confused. \par \par }\pard\plain \s17\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7169817 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid7169817 - - - - - - - - - - \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7169817 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid7169817 \par The temperature gauge in Stan\rquote s Mondeo reported a fairly chilly night outside. That might have been true outside the car, but inside it was just plain icy cold. Anne hardly spoke a word to him, other than to peremptorily tell him to take her home. \par \par \'93}{\cs16\i\insrsid7169817 Straight}{\insrsid7169817 home, Stan!\'94 were her actual words. Stan wanted to talk, to try to explain, but he knew better than to attempt it. Besides, he didn\rquote t have his own thoughts in order, yet. H e would need to work out what had happened himself, before trying to talk, to explain, to }{\cs16\i\insrsid7169817 apologise}{\insrsid7169817 to Anne. \par \par He reached Anne\rquote s house, and she flung open the door and got out, without saying a word. The car door slammed behind her as she walked stiffly up the path to her front door. Stan watched sadly as the door opened and shut, without a single glance back from the lady he was in love with. \par \par }\pard\plain \s17\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7169817 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid7169817 - - - - - - - - - - \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7169817 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid7169817 \par Stan drove home, alone. His mind was a whirl of images. Tom\rquote s smirk, Anne\rquote s icy cold face, Denise\rquote s fury, Belinda\rquote s disapproval\'85 Stan felt he\rquote d lost it all. \par \par Again. \par \par He hardly saw the road he was driving on. He pulled up outside his house not knowing how he\rquote d got there, sat for a moment or two, then automatically opened the door and got out. Still without knowing what he was really doing, he shut the door, locked the car and walked to his front door. \par \par There was one person he could turn to, one person who would help him, just one who knew him so well. \lquote }{\cs16\i\insrsid7169817 Caron?}{\insrsid7169817 \rquote He walked into his living room and fell onto the sofa, closing his eyes as he did so. \par \par \lquote }{\cs16\i\insrsid7169817 Caron? What did I do? What do I do now?}{\insrsid7169817 \rquote \par \par He felt his wife\rquote s love wash over him, }{\cs16\i\insrsid7169817 saw}{\insrsid7169817 her, saw the concern in her face, the compassion in her eyes. He thought back to the dance studio. He\rquote d seen Denise, his friend, being\'85 what? Betrayed? \lquote Not really,\rquote his inner self told him. He opened his eyes again. \par \par He knew he\rquote d over-reacted. Maybe that was it, but then again\'85 Tom was already, }{\cs16\i\insrsid7169817 still was}{\insrsid7169817 actually, after another \endash after Pamela \endash while at the same time apparent ly courting Denise. Stan tried to analyse his feelings. \par \par Was that }{\cs16\i\insrsid7169817 jealousy}{\insrsid7169817 he\rquote d felt? What did he have to be jealous of? \par \par \lquote Nothing. Nothing at all,\rquote he told himself. \lquote Denise was only a friend, wasn\rquote t she\'85 Wasn\rquote t she?\rquote \par \par No! No, she wasn\rquote t \'93just a friend\'94 at all, he realized. Denise was much more than that to him. Stan wasn\rquote t jealous of her ability and }{\cs16\i\insrsid7169817 right}{\insrsid7169817 to befriend another, but he\rquote d felt }{ \cs16\i\insrsid7169817 protective}{\insrsid7169817 towards her. \lquote Now what?!\rquote \par \par \lquote Now you have to put that firmly to one side, and concentrate on winning Anne over,\rquote he thought. \lquote Anne was }{\cs16\i\insrsid7169817 furious}{\insrsid7169817 with you!\rquote \par \par Why }{\cs16\i\insrsid7169817 was}{\insrsid7169817 that? Oh, of course, }{\cs16\i\insrsid7169817 Anne}{\insrsid7169817 knew he had deeper feelings for Denise. She\rquote d known that all along. Oh\'85 dear! There hadn\rquote t been time to cement their own relationship, and Anne felt him having feelings for another. \par \par This was going to take work, patience, and }{\cs16\i\insrsid7169817 finesse}{\insrsid7169817 to pull them back together. Stan wasn\rquote t sure he could manage it, but he resolved to try. As he got ready for bed, he once more reached out for Caron \rquote s comforting touch. He felt her warmth come over him again. Caron understood. Caron }{\cs16\i\insrsid7169817 always}{\insrsid7169817 understood. \par \par }\pard\plain \s17\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7169817 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid7169817 - - - - - - - - - - \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7169817 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid7169817 \par Tuesday morning came. Stan made his way to work, and walked into reception. Elaine wasn\rquote t there - she was on holiday herself for the rest of the week. So it was Faye who saw him enter and called out \'93Good Morning!\'94 to him cheerily. \par \par Stan felt anything but cheerful. He grunted a reply, walked on through to his desk, and sat down. \par \par He barely even saw Elizabeth, and grunted a non-committal reply to her own \'93Good Morning, Stan!\'94 \par \par The next thing he knew there was a cup of coffee placed on his desk. He looked up and saw a concerned looking Elizabeth standing next to him. \par \par \'93You look like you need something stronger, Stan, but that\rquote ll have to do. Now, what\rquote s wrong?\'94 \par \par Stan picked up the cup, and sipped at it, while wondering what to tell Elizabeth. \par \par \'93Um. Last night. I, er, I \endash I think I blew it with Anne\'85 over Denise.\'94 \par \par Elizabeth\rquote s concern became even more obvious, her face was now very grave. But she walked back around and sat opposite Stan at her own desk. Then she leant forward and asked him what had happened. \par \par Stan had had a night and a morning to try to organise his thoughts about that, but hadn\rquote t really succeeded. He thought it might help to talk to Elizabeth, that it might help him to sort his feelings out. \par \par So, he told her. \par \par \'93There\rquote s this guy at the dance lessons, Tom. He\rquote s been trying it on with one of the younger ladies there, a girl named Pamela, for weeks, and she knocks him back at every turn. Still, he keeps trying. \par \par \'93But now Denise has fastened onto him, }{\cs16\i\insrsid7169817 Lord}{\insrsid7169817 knows why. They\rquote ve been out together, and as far as I know they went out again last night. But he hasn\rquote t stopped trying it on with Pamela. I\rquote m not talking about innocent flirting, here. He\rquote s got his hands where they\rquote re not wanted at every opportunity, and he\rquote d really, }{\cs16\i\insrsid7169817 really}{\insrsid7169817 like a lot more than that. Somehow he\rquote s clever enough not to let Denise see that. \par \par \'93Anyway, He did it again last night and I just blew up at him. He told me to mind my own business, and Denise got herself involved. She ended up slapping my face and shouting that I should allow her to have her own fun, that I wasn\rquote t ready to have a relationship with }{\cs16\i\insrsid7169817 her}{\insrsid7169817 but I already had one going with Anne\'85 Then Anne turned into the remote ice-bitch that only she can be, and I ended up at home, alone, wondering what had hit me.\'94 \par \par Elizabeth had her hand over her mouth. \'93Oh, goodness, Stan. Do you think you\rquote ll be able to patch things up with Anne?\'94 \par \par \'93I don\rquote t know, Elizabeth,\'94 he told his old friend. \'93I really, really don\rquote t know.\'94 \par \par }\pard\plain \s17\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7169817 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid7169817 - - - - - - - - - - \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7169817 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid7169817 \par Later that morning, Stan decided to try to speak to Anne. He walked over to the Lab, and found her holding imperious court over some of the other engineers. \par \par Stan waited for her to finish, then moved towards her. Anne saw him and gave him a }{\cs16\i\insrsid7169817 look}{\insrsid7169817 . Stan flinched, she was baleful. He\rquote d seen others on the receiving end of her displeasure, but now she seemed to be at her most }{\cs16\i\insrsid7169817 brutal}{\insrsid7169817 . \par \par \'93What do }{\cs16\i\insrsid7169817 you }{\insrsid7169817 want, Mr. Hinch?\'94 she asked. The tone was enough to freeze nitrogen. \par \par \'93I think we need to talk, Anne,\'94 he told her, gently, submissively. \par \par \'93I think you did enough }{\cs16\i\insrsid7169817 talking}{\insrsid7169817 last night!\'94 she said, each syllable so cold it was almost cryogenic. \par \par \'93Anne, please\'85\'94 \par \par \'93Just go, Stan, }{\cs16\i\insrsid7169817 go!}{\insrsid7169817 \'94 She turned from him. He stood there for a long moment, and then he walked away, heavy hearted. \par \par He didn\rquote t see the tear that ran down Anne\rquote s face, or hear the slight catch in her breath. \lquote Stan, wait!\rquote she called out, but only in her mind. \par \par }\pard\plain \s17\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7169817 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid7169817 - - - - - - - - - - \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7169817 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid7169817 \par That afternoon Denise was in reception, chatting with Faye, when Anne came through. Denise instantly stopped talking and turned away from the tall blonde. \par \par Anne paused. This wasn\rquote t the redhead\rquote s fault, after all. \par \par \'93Denise, I\'85\'94 \par \par She couldn\rquote t think of the words. \par \par \'93Anne, I\rquote m sorry about last night, but Stan should know better than to interfere in my life when he\rquote s going out with }{\cs16\i\insrsid7169817 you!}{\insrsid7169817 \'94 hissed a clearly still upset Denise. \par \par Anne wasn\rquote t going to take that. \par \par \'93Well, you\rquote re just being stupid. That Tom of yours has his hands over anyone he can get near to at those classes, and you refuse to see it. Whether Stan was right to say it or not, he\rquote s right about }{\cs16\i\insrsid7169817 that}{ \insrsid7169817 and the sooner you realize it the sooner you\rquote ll dump that cad!\'94 \par \par Anne turned and walked regally off. As she did she heard Denise\rquote s voice ring out, \'93Why don\rquote t you people just let me live my own life and quit telling me what to do! }{\cs16\i\insrsid7169817 Christ!}{\insrsid7169817 \'94 \par \par At the doorway, Anne turned and told her, sweetly, \'93Because you\rquote re not }{\cs16\i\insrsid7169817 capable}{\insrsid7169817 of making mature decisions, Denise. You need someone to look after you. Perhaps if you grow up, we\rquote ll stop t elling you how to live your life.\'94 Then she walked on through the door, allowing it to swing soundly shut behind her. \par \par }\pard\plain \s17\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7169817 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid7169817 - - - - - - - - - - \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7169817 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid7169817 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8193564 {\insrsid11292439\charrsid8193564 \par }}