{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\uc1\deff0\stshfdbch0\stshfloch0\stshfhich0\stshfbi0\deflang2057\deflangfe2057{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 02020603050405020304}Times New Roman;}{\f1\fswiss\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 020b0604020202020204}Arial;} {\f2\fmodern\fcharset0\fprq1{\*\panose 02070309020205020404}Courier New;}{\f3\froman\fcharset2\fprq2{\*\panose 05050102010706020507}Symbol;}{\f10\fnil\fcharset2\fprq2{\*\panose 05000000000000000000}Wingdings;} {\f36\fswiss\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 020b0604030504040204}Verdana;}{\f38\froman\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 02040502050405020303}Georgia;}{\f39\froman\fcharset238\fprq2 Times New Roman CE;}{\f40\froman\fcharset204\fprq2 Times New Roman Cyr;} {\f42\froman\fcharset161\fprq2 Times New Roman Greek;}{\f43\froman\fcharset162\fprq2 Times New Roman Tur;}{\f44\froman\fcharset177\fprq2 Times New Roman (Hebrew);}{\f45\froman\fcharset178\fprq2 Times New Roman (Arabic);} {\f46\froman\fcharset186\fprq2 Times New Roman Baltic;}{\f47\froman\fcharset163\fprq2 Times New Roman (Vietnamese);}{\f49\fswiss\fcharset238\fprq2 Arial CE;}{\f50\fswiss\fcharset204\fprq2 Arial Cyr;}{\f52\fswiss\fcharset161\fprq2 Arial Greek;} {\f53\fswiss\fcharset162\fprq2 Arial Tur;}{\f54\fswiss\fcharset177\fprq2 Arial (Hebrew);}{\f55\fswiss\fcharset178\fprq2 Arial (Arabic);}{\f56\fswiss\fcharset186\fprq2 Arial Baltic;}{\f57\fswiss\fcharset163\fprq2 Arial (Vietnamese);} {\f59\fmodern\fcharset238\fprq1 Courier New CE;}{\f60\fmodern\fcharset204\fprq1 Courier New Cyr;}{\f62\fmodern\fcharset161\fprq1 Courier New Greek;}{\f63\fmodern\fcharset162\fprq1 Courier New Tur;}{\f64\fmodern\fcharset177\fprq1 Courier New (Hebrew);} {\f65\fmodern\fcharset178\fprq1 Courier New (Arabic);}{\f66\fmodern\fcharset186\fprq1 Courier New Baltic;}{\f67\fmodern\fcharset163\fprq1 Courier New (Vietnamese);}{\f399\fswiss\fcharset238\fprq2 Verdana CE;}{\f400\fswiss\fcharset204\fprq2 Verdana Cyr;} {\f402\fswiss\fcharset161\fprq2 Verdana Greek;}{\f403\fswiss\fcharset162\fprq2 Verdana Tur;}{\f406\fswiss\fcharset186\fprq2 Verdana Baltic;}{\f407\fswiss\fcharset163\fprq2 Verdana (Vietnamese);}{\f419\froman\fcharset238\fprq2 Georgia CE;} {\f420\froman\fcharset204\fprq2 Georgia Cyr;}{\f422\froman\fcharset161\fprq2 Georgia Greek;}{\f423\froman\fcharset162\fprq2 Georgia Tur;}{\f426\froman\fcharset186\fprq2 Georgia Baltic;}}{\colortbl;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue255; \red0\green255\blue255;\red0\green255\blue0;\red255\green0\blue255;\red255\green0\blue0;\red255\green255\blue0;\red255\green255\blue255;\red0\green0\blue128;\red0\green128\blue128;\red0\green128\blue0;\red128\green0\blue128;\red128\green0\blue0; \red128\green128\blue0;\red128\green128\blue128;\red192\green192\blue192;}{\stylesheet{\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 \snext0 \sautoupd \styrsid6163751 Normal;}{\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\f1\fs32\cf9\lang1033\langfe1033\kerning32\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext0 \sautoupd heading 1;}{\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\f1\fs28\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext0 \sautoupd heading 2;}{ \s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\f1\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext0 \sautoupd heading 3;}{ \s4\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel3\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\f1\fs22\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext0 \sautoupd heading 4;}{ \s5\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel4\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\i\f1\fs22\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext0 \sautoupd heading 5;}{\*\cs10 \additive \ssemihidden Default Paragraph Font;}{\*\ts11\tsrowd\trftsWidthB3\trpaddl108\trpaddr108\trpaddfl3\trpaddft3\trpaddfb3\trpaddfr3\trcbpat1\trcfpat1\tscellwidthfts0\tsvertalt\tsbrdrt\tsbrdrl\tsbrdrb\tsbrdrr\tsbrdrdgl\tsbrdrdgr\tsbrdrh\tsbrdrv \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs20\lang1024\langfe1024\cgrid\langnp1024\langfenp1024 \snext11 \ssemihidden Normal Table;}{ \s15\ql \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext15 \sautoupd Normal (Web);}{\*\cs16 \additive \i \sbasedon10 Emphasis;}{\s17\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 \sbasedon15 \snext17 \sautoupd Centered;}} {\*\latentstyles\lsdstimax156\lsdlockeddef0}{\*\listtable{\list\listtemplateid29539150\listsimple{\listlevel\levelnfc0\levelnfcn0\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\'02\'00.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;} \fi-360\li1800\jclisttab\tx1800\lin1800 }{\listname ;}\listid-132}{\list\listtemplateid-1317086730\listsimple{\listlevel\levelnfc0\levelnfcn0\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\'02\'00.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;} \fi-360\li1440\jclisttab\tx1440\lin1440 }{\listname ;}\listid-131}{\list\listtemplateid1155044462\listsimple{\listlevel\levelnfc0\levelnfcn0\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\'02\'00.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;} \fi-360\li1080\jclisttab\tx1080\lin1080 }{\listname ;}\listid-130}{\list\listtemplateid1773824844\listsimple{\listlevel\levelnfc0\levelnfcn0\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\'02\'00.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;} \fi-360\li720\jclisttab\tx720\lin720 }{\listname ;}\listid-129}{\list\listtemplateid-1114886164\listsimple{\listlevel\levelnfc23\levelnfcn23\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\'01\u-3913 ?;}{\levelnumbers;} \f3\fbias0 \fi-360\li1800\jclisttab\tx1800\lin1800 }{\listname ;}\listid-128}{\list\listtemplateid-94998330\listsimple{\listlevel\levelnfc23\levelnfcn23\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext \'01\u-3913 ?;}{\levelnumbers;}\f3\fbias0 \fi-360\li1440\jclisttab\tx1440\lin1440 }{\listname ;}\listid-127}{\list\listtemplateid219575700\listsimple{\listlevel\levelnfc23\levelnfcn23\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0 {\leveltext\'01\u-3913 ?;}{\levelnumbers;}\f3\fbias0 \fi-360\li1080\jclisttab\tx1080\lin1080 }{\listname ;}\listid-126}{\list\listtemplateid-1372437844\listsimple{\listlevel\levelnfc23\levelnfcn23\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0 \levelindent0{\leveltext\'01\u-3913 ?;}{\levelnumbers;}\f3\fbias0 \fi-360\li720\jclisttab\tx720\lin720 }{\listname ;}\listid-125}{\list\listtemplateid691962692\listsimple{\listlevel\levelnfc0\levelnfcn0\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1 \levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\'02\'00.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}\fi-360\li360\jclisttab\tx360\lin360 }{\listname ;}\listid-120}{\list\listtemplateid125986958\listsimple{\listlevel\levelnfc23\levelnfcn23\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1 \levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\'01\u-3913 ?;}{\levelnumbers;}\f3\fbias0 \fi-360\li360\jclisttab\tx360\lin360 }{\listname ;}\listid-119}{\list\listtemplateid-1116671112\listhybrid{\listlevel\levelnfc23\levelnfcn23\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0 \levelstartat0\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid1109028194\'01-;}{\levelnumbers;}\loch\af36\hich\af36\dbch\af0\fbias0 \fi-360\li720\jclisttab\tx720\lin720 }{\listlevel\levelnfc23\levelnfcn23\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1 \levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698691\'01o;}{\levelnumbers;}\f2\fbias0 \fi-360\li1440\jclisttab\tx1440\lin1440 }{\listlevel\levelnfc23\levelnfcn23\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext \leveltemplateid67698693\'01\u-3929 ?;}{\levelnumbers;}\f10\fbias0 \fi-360\li2160\jclisttab\tx2160\lin2160 }{\listlevel\levelnfc23\levelnfcn23\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698689 \'01\u-3913 ?;}{\levelnumbers;}\f3\fbias0 \fi-360\li2880\jclisttab\tx2880\lin2880 }{\listlevel\levelnfc23\levelnfcn23\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698691\'01o;}{\levelnumbers;} \f2\fbias0 \fi-360\li3600\jclisttab\tx3600\lin3600 }{\listlevel\levelnfc23\levelnfcn23\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698693\'01\u-3929 ?;}{\levelnumbers;}\f10\fbias0 \fi-360\li4320 \jclisttab\tx4320\lin4320 }{\listlevel\levelnfc23\levelnfcn23\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698689\'01\u-3913 ?;}{\levelnumbers;}\f3\fbias0 \fi-360\li5040\jclisttab\tx5040\lin5040 } {\listlevel\levelnfc23\levelnfcn23\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698691\'01o;}{\levelnumbers;}\f2\fbias0 \fi-360\li5760\jclisttab\tx5760\lin5760 }{\listlevel\levelnfc23\levelnfcn23 \leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698693\'01\u-3929 ?;}{\levelnumbers;}\f10\fbias0 \fi-360\li6480\jclisttab\tx6480\lin6480 }{\listname ;}\listid626861858}}{\*\listoverridetable {\listoverride\listid-119\listoverridecount0\ls1}{\listoverride\listid-125\listoverridecount0\ls2}{\listoverride\listid-126\listoverridecount0\ls3}{\listoverride\listid-127\listoverridecount0\ls4}{\listoverride\listid-128\listoverridecount0\ls5} {\listoverride\listid-120\listoverridecount0\ls6}{\listoverride\listid-129\listoverridecount0\ls7}{\listoverride\listid-130\listoverridecount0\ls8}{\listoverride\listid-131\listoverridecount0\ls9}{\listoverride\listid-132\listoverridecount0\ls10} {\listoverride\listid626861858\listoverridecount0\ls11}}{\*\rsidtbl \rsid6163751\rsid8193564\rsid8747988\rsid11292439}{\*\generator Microsoft Word 11.0.6359;}{\info{\title Equal Shares - Chapter 43}{\author steveh11}{\operator SteveH} {\creatim\yr2007\mo3\dy27\min1}{\revtim\yr2007\mo3\dy27\min1}{\version2}{\edmins1}{\nofpages10}{\nofwords2627}{\nofchars14979}{\*\company -}{\nofcharsws17571}{\vern24703}}{\*\userprops {\propname Editor}\proptype30{\staticval Bob Hebert\'3b Just Jess}} \widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\formshade\horzdoc\dgmargin\dghspace180\dgvspace180\dghorigin1701\dgvorigin1984\dghshow1\dgvshow1 \jexpand\viewkind4\viewscale130\pgbrdrhead\pgbrdrfoot\splytwnine\ftnlytwnine\htmautsp\nolnhtadjtbl\useltbaln\alntblind\lytcalctblwd\lyttblrtgr\lnbrkrule\nojkernpunct\rsidroot6163751 \fet0{\*\template C:\\Documents and Settings\\Steve Hamilton\\Application Data\\Microsoft\\Templates\\ES-DOT.dot}\sectd \linex0\endnhere\sectlinegrid360\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\pararsid6163751 \b\f1\fs32\cf9\lang1033\langfe1033\kerning32\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 { \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6163751 {\*\bkmkstart _Toc159579036}Chapter 43{\*\bkmkend _Toc159579036} \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6163751 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid6163751 \par The first day back to work at The Firm was Wednesday, the 3}{\super\insrsid6163751 rd}{\insrsid6163751 of January. Anne immediately went to see Percy and handed in her notice. \par \par \'93I\rquote m very sorry, but I really }{\cs16\i\insrsid6163751 have}{\insrsid6163751 to leave on the twelfth,\'94 she told her manager. \par \par \'93But that\rquote s only just over a week away!\'94 he exclaimed, obviously annoyed. \par \par \'93My new firm, Boundless Waves, will pay compensation for the short notice. But I\rquote m really }{\cs16\i\insrsid6163751 very}{\insrsid6163751 sorry, the date\rquote s non-negotiable, it\rquote s either then or no deal. In the meantime I\rquote ll get my project as tidy as I can make it, and brief who ever you set to take over,\'94 she told him. \par \par Percy was }{\cs16\i\insrsid6163751 not}{\insrsid6163751 pleased. \par \par \'93I\rquote m inclined to fight you on this, Anne, but I expect that would be counter-productive to us all. I\rquote ll telephone your new employers about the compensation.\'94 \par \par Slightly frostily he then instructed her, \'93Go on, Anne. Better get on with it.\'94 \par \par The news spread through The Firm as quickly as such juicy gossip will. Stan, passing through Sales later that morning, overheard Ewan telling one of his coterie in a loud voice that was }{\cs16\i\insrsid6163751 intended}{\insrsid6163751 to be overheard, \'93I understand we\rquote ll be losing the Ice Queen. No big loss, I\rquote ve been saying for ages we should get someone who\rquote ll concentrate on working, not screwing!\'94 Stan\rquote s blood rose as he heard the sycophantic chuckles that followed. \par \par As he passed in to reception he asked Elaine, \'93How the }{\cs16\i\insrsid6163751 hell}{\insrsid6163751 does that Ewan keep his job? He\rquote s got the manners of a pig \endash a chauvinistic one. I thought they\rquote d been banished!\'94 \par \par \'93Mouthing off again, is he?\'94 answered Elaine. \'93Trouble is, he\rquote s actually a good salesman. I get a lot of sales enquiries come in for him. He makes my skin crawl, but he\rquote s good at what he does.\'94 \par \par \'93I don\rquote t suppose his daddy being who he is hurts, either!\'94 growled Stan, sourly. \par \par \'93No, but it\rquote s probably not what you think. He\rquote s got contacts, Stan. He uses them.\'94 Elaine gave Stan a careful look. \'93Don\rquote t create trouble for yourself, Stan. You won\rquote t change anything, anyway. Now, I hear Anne\rquote s leaving us, and soon?\'94 \par \par \'93Yes, she is,\'94 Stan told the short blonde. \'93She\rquote s going to work for a start-up firm. And I mean she\rquote s going to }{\cs16\i\insrsid6163751 work}{\insrsid6163751 , too.\'94 \par \par \'93Oooh. Harder than she does }{\cs16\i\insrsid6163751 now?}{\insrsid6163751 That\rquote s difficult to imagine!\'94 \par \par \'93I know!\'94 Stan told her. Elaine had to take a call, so Stan walked through and sat at his desk. Elizabeth was there, and had also heard the news, of course. They\rquote d spoken of it as a possibility before, but now it was a definite. Anne had said that if it happened, it would mean long, long hours. \par \par \'93I guess this means you\rquote ll be seeing more of Denise?\'94 \par \par \'93Yes.\'94 \par \par Elizabeth leaned forward. \'93Be careful, Stan. Don\rquote t neglect Anne. She\rquote ll need your help if she\rquote s working that hard.\'94 \par \par \'93I know, Elizabeth. So does Denise, and Anne of course. We want to help each other, not break apart.\'94 \par \par \'93Well\'85 Watch out. You\rquote re all going to be under a lot of strain, and tempers can fray. Also, people react to such things in different ways. Be alert for one trying to split you away from the other, Stan. I can see you don\rquote t believe it could happen, but human nature is human nature.\'94 \par \par Stan began to protest, but his heart was overruled by his head. \'93I know Elizabeth, I know,\'94 he told her with a sigh. \'93I don\rquote t }{\cs16\i\insrsid6163751 want}{\insrsid6163751 to believe it could happen but I know it could. I guess I\rquote ll just have to try to recognise it and snuff it out if it happens.\'94 \par \par Elizabeth looked at him for a long moment. Then she told him, quietly, \'93Or, you might be forced into making a decision, Stan. I hope it doesn\rquote t come to that. But what\rquote s holding this all together is }{\cs16\i\insrsid6163751 you}{ \insrsid6163751 , and you\rquote ll have to look out for any antipathy between the two of them. All the time you\rquote re the sole anchor, your relationship will be vulnerable if one of your ladies falls out with the other.\'94 \par \par Stan glumly nodded. He didn\rquote t want to have to think about it, but knew he would anyway. \par \par Just then, however, Denise came to see him, smiling brightly, her hair cascading over her shoulders like a bronze waterfall, her tight white blouse emphasising her bust. All thought of conflict flew from Stan\rquote s mind as she gave him a kiss on the cheek before sweeping by on her way into the Production area. \lquote You\rquote re a very lucky man, Stan!\rquote he told himself. \par \par }\pard\plain \s17\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6163751 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid6163751 - - - - - - - - - - \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6163751 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid6163751 \par While at home or going out at night, both Denise and Anne made a point of wearing the special jewellery given to them by Stan, but neither wore them at the office. As Anne said, \'93There are quite enough w agging tongues as it is without feeding them unnecessarily.\'94 Denise just snarled, \'93Oh, screw \rquote em!\'94 - but in the end she\rquote d agreed to go along with Anne. \par \par Stan was with Anne a lot during her last week at The Firm, especially after she\rquote d worked late, long beyond her normal work hours. Denise had made herself scarce on two of what should have been \lquote her\rquote nights to allow Anne to have some more time with Stan. While this was good for Anne, by Wednesday evening she was both excited by the prospect of the new challenge and becoming worried about how it would affect their relationships. \par \par On Thursday night the three had a quiet drink in the Mitre, then went to Stan\rquote s house. They loafed around just talking about things. \par \par Denise said to Anne, \'93Look. We all know what\rquote s going to happen next week and for the foreseeable future. You\rquote ll be getting up and leaving before Stan and I wake, then you\rquote ll be working flat out before arriving home }{ \cs16\i\insrsid6163751 late}{\insrsid6163751 and wanting nothing more than to go to bed\'85 }{\i\insrsid6163751 to }{\cs16\i\insrsid6163751 sleep!}{\insrsid6163751 So we\rquote ll have to make the most of what time you }{\cs16\i\insrsid6163751 can}{ \insrsid6163751 spend with us.\'94 \par \par \'93Yes,\'94 continued Stan, \'93so with that in mind, Denise and I have decided to ask you something.\'94 \par \par Stan stopped. He looked at Denise, who looked excitedly back. \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\pnrauth1\pnrdate649319798\pnrnot1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6163751 {\insrsid6163751 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6163751 {\insrsid6163751 \'93What!? }{\i\insrsid6163751 What!?}{\insrsid6163751 \'94 Anne blurted, when Stan left that hook dangling, deliciously. \par \par \'93How do you feel about sleeping at my place, Anne? I mean, all the time?\'94 he asked. \'93You see, if you did that, and Denise did as well, one of us could get up with you every morning, and we could arrange it so one of us was always ther e to welcome you home as well. I know it\rquote s not perfect, but it would be better than getting up alone, coming home and going to bed alone, and seldom seeing either of us.\'94 \par \par Denise added, \'93Yes, and Stan\rquote s got the room for it to work. Oh, please do it, Anne. You know you\rquote d hate going to bed by yourself }{\cs16\i\insrsid6163751 all}{\insrsid6163751 the time, waking up alone and seldom seeing us.\'94 \par \par \'93Hmm.\'94 Anne leant back in her seat. \'93It sounds like a good idea, but there are times when I just want my privacy. }{\cs16\i\insrsid6163751 You}{\insrsid6163751 know that, Denise. You do too, Stan. Come to that, there will be times when I\rquote m tired and irritable and snappy and bitchy\'85 You\rquote ll be glad I\rquote m not with you all the time. So if it\rquote s going to work, I\rquote ll sometimes escape back to my own place, I think.\'94 \par \par \'93That\rquote s fine, Anne,\'94 Stan told her, before Denise could speak. \'93We didn\rquote t want to crowd you or anything.\'94 He gave Denise the merest flicker of a warning, but it was enough to stop her trying to browbeat Anne \endash as if that could ever work! \par \par \'93The other thing is, I can give you your own room, if you like,\'94 he went on. But Anne demurred. \par \par \'93No, that\rquote s not going to work. Where will Denise stay? You can\rquote t go re-jigging your office as a bedroom, Stan, and you\rquote ve only got the one spare room. No, we won\rquote t go dedicating a room for me, I think. I have a home, and the offer of a bed any time I want it with you \endash either alone in the spare or with you, my darling man. So I\rquote ll spend as much time as I can with you }{\cs16\i\insrsid6163751 both}{\insrsid6163751 , and I\rquote ll let you cuddle up to a sleeping zombie if that\rquote s what you want. Okay?\'94 \par \par \'93That\rquote s fine, Anne. As for you being a zombie, I think even like that you\rquote ll have more life in you than most people!\'94 \par \par Anne turned to Denise and pretended to gag, \'93Yech!\'94 \par \par Then she looked Stan directly in the eye. \'93I\rquote ll show you just }{\cs16\i\insrsid6163751 exactly}{\insrsid6163751 how much of a zombie I am, Stanley Hinch!\'94 She stood and swayed over towards Stan, who drank in the sight of her. \par \par Denise smiled and stood as well. \'93I think I\rquote d better leave you two lovebirds to it! I\rquote ll see you tomorrow, Anne, Stan. Don\rquote t do anything }{\cs16\i\insrsid6163751 I}{\insrsid6163751 wouldn\rquote t!\'94 \par \par Anne called out of the corner of her mouth, her eyes never leaving Stan, \'93As if }{\cs16\i\insrsid6163751 that}{\insrsid6163751 is any restraint!\'94 She heard a chuckle, then the living room door closed. By the time they heard the front door opening and Denise\rquote s cheery \'93Goodnight, both of you!\'94, Anne was half undressed already and Stan was trying to catch up. \par \par Stan was surprised by Anne\rquote s }{\cs16\i\insrsid6163751 ferocity.}{\insrsid6163751 She attacked him, kissing hungrily, almost tearing off his clothes. Stan was given no time to think, no time to really }{\cs16\i\insrsid6163751 react}{ \insrsid6163751 , he was simply overwhelmed. \par \par His body knew what Anne w anted though. Anne reached for his erection with one hand while thrusting him down onto the sofa with the other. She swung a leg over him and knelt astride, lowering herself onto him, merely pulling her panties aside. Stan was in his underwear, his prick standing proud through the fly, and entering Anne as she groaned her need before his mind had a chance to catch up. \par \par The position was a little awkward but Anne made it work, her back arching and undulating as she drove herself, grinding herself, on Stan. Anne\rquote s teeth were clenched but she kept eye contact with him as she moved, her need, her }{ \cs16\i\insrsid6163751 lust}{\insrsid6163751 evident to him. Finally Stan began to move, thrusting to meet her, one hand reaching for her belly while he began teasing a nipple with the other. He twisted, gripping tightly but all Anne said was a growled \'93}{\cs16\i\insrsid6163751 Harder!\'94}{\insrsid6163751 as she fucked herself down onto him. He did and saw her eyes narrow, but still she looked into his eyes, into his soul. Stan saw, in her, her desperate love for him tonight and was more than willing to sacrifice for her if that\rquote s what she wanted, needed. \par \par But it was as well that Stan was no longer a teenager. He managed to keep himself from coming long enough for Anne to scream out her orgasm, her belly muscles rippling, eventually firing Stan over his o wn finishing line, spurting deeply up into her womb. Anne collapsed onto him and they both lay there, unwilling to move, Stan\rquote s arms around her, just catching their breath. \par \par Finally, Anne gasped into his ear one word. \par \par \'93Wow!\'94 \par \par \'93You. Can say. That again!\'94 he grunted out. \par \par When they\rquote d recaptured their breath, Stan poured them drinks and Anne lay with her head on his lap. She raised her head to take a sip of her vodka and bitter lemon, then lay back again. \par \par \'93Christ, I needed that, Stan. I\rquote m not sure }{\cs16\i\insrsid6163751 why}{\insrsid6163751 , but I did. Thank you.\'94 \par \par \'93You\rquote re welcome,\'94 Stan told her automatically. He paused, then went on, \'93Um, maybe more worried about your new job than you let on, perhaps?\'94 \par \par \'93Probably,\'94 the }{\i\insrsid6163751 sexy }{\insrsid6163751 blonde admitted. \'93I\rquote ve been thinking a lot about it, that\rquote s for sure. You took my mind off it for a while, there!\'94 \par \par \'93Good!\'94 he answered, running a hand over her flat belly. He poked a finger into her belly button, teasingly, and she giggled. \par \par \'93That\rquote s another way to make me forget, but I prefer the first one!\'94 she told him, \'93but for now, can you just cuddle me, Stan?\'94 \par \par \'93Sure,\'94 he drawled out lazily, still in a post-coital haze. He struggled to focus. \par \par \'93You know, sometimes you almost frighten me, Anne,\'94 he told her. \'93That was amazing sex, but my God you simply took }{\cs16\i\insrsid6163751 over}{\insrsid6163751 . What happened?\'94 \par \par Anne turned and buried her head into his belly. Muffled, he heard a sob, and he stroked her hair, saying, \'93Shh! It\rquote s okay, Anne, it\rquote s okay,\'94 until she quieted a little and came up for air. \par \par \'93I\rquote m sorry, Stan. Most of the time I can keep myself under control. But that was a glimpse of me losing it! It\rquote s\'85 it\rquote s the prospect of not being }{\cs16\i\insrsid6163751 able}{\insrsid6163751 to make love to you, of working flat-out and doing everything right and still, if I\rquote m honest with myself I guess, I\rquote m frightened silly, Stan. I think fear, compounded by what Denise said at just the wrong moment \endash or was it the }{ \cs16\i\insrsid6163751 right}{\insrsid6163751 moment! \endash that triggered me off.\'94 \par \par \'93I don\rquote t mind, but my goodness you simply marched up to me and }{\cs16\i\insrsid6163751 took}{\insrsid6163751 me. I don\rquote t think I\rquote ve ever known you, or anyone }{\cs16\i\insrsid6163751 else}{\insrsid6163751 for that matter, to be }{\cs16\i\insrsid6163751 so}{\insrsid6163751 aggressive. I loved it, as a change, but I think I prefer it when I can keep up, when I can please you, be loving to you.\'94 \par \par \'93Oh, you pleased me all right!\'94 Anne declared, running a finger, barely touching, down his cheek. \'93Please me any more and I\rquote d have fainted!\'94 \par \par She smiled, lovingly, at him, and he couldn\rquote t help but smile back. \par \par \'93We can go to bed, later, and you can show me how to make love more gently, perhaps?\'94 she asked, with a coquettish smile and a lift of an eyebrow. \par \par Stan smiled and said, \'93I think I might be able to handle that, Anne.\'94 \par \par }\pard\plain \s17\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6163751 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid6163751 - - - - - - - - - - \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6163751 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid6163751 \par That Friday was the last day for Anne at The Firm. She had mixed feelings: some of the people there were really very good, both professionally and personally, while she wouldn\rquote t miss some of the others at all. \par \par Anne was a bit surprised to realise just how much she\rquote d miss seeing Elaine\rquote s cheery face in reception. She\rquote d also come to appreciate Elizabeth, although until meeting Stan she\rquote d never really met her. She even, grudgingly, admitted to herself that Percy served a purpose there. \par \par Ewan, on the other hand, and his sycophantic crowd, she would easily do without. His snide remarks, always behind her back but not}{\cs16\i\insrsid6163751 quite}{\insrsid6163751 loud enough for her to hear word for word, drove her to distraction. Ewan wasn\rquote t the only one to comment on her \'93unusual lifestyle\'94 with Stan and Denise, but he }{\cs16\i\insrsid6163751 was}{\insrsid6163751 the most vociferously opposed to the whole thing. Anne wondered about that, why was it that he was so against it? \par \par \'93Elaine, I wonder }{\cs16\i\insrsid6163751 why}{\insrsid6163751 it is that Ewan has taken against me so much. It seems so }{\cs16\i\insrsid6163751 personal}{\insrsid6163751 to him.\'94 \par \par \'93You really don\rquote t know? It\rquote s easy, he wanted you for himself. I see it in his eyes, and believe me his eyes follow you }{\cs16\i\insrsid6163751 everywhere}{\insrsid6163751 .\'94 \par \par Anne looked glumly at the shorter girl. \par \par \'93Hmmph! I suppose I had guessed, really. He\rquote s such a toad. I couldn\rquote t possibly have been with him anyway. Still, I\rquote ll be out of here soon.\'94 \par \par \'93Ignore him and his crowd, Anne. We\rquote re going to miss you, you know,\'94 Elaine told her. \par \par }\pard\plain \s17\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6163751 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid6163751 - - - - - - - - - - \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6163751 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid6163751 \par As always, there was a collection and a card. Percy made the presentations in the canteen that afternoon, and Anne had to make a short speech. \par \par \'93Thank you all for the collection. The card, signed, I see, by all of you, I will keep as a memory of some happy times spent here, and I can always use the Borders gift certificates! I wonder whom you asked! I know I\rquote ve not been here as long as many of you,\'94 she said, \'93and I know too few of you well. But there are many people here I will miss, both in the design labs and elsewhere in the company. \par \par \'93I }{\cs16\i\insrsid6163751 can}{\insrsid6163751 say, now, that there are also some people here who I will }{\cs16\i\insrsid6163751 not}{\insrsid6163751 miss. There are people who, for some misogynist reason, don\rquote t seem to think that a woman can do challenging technical work as well as a man. You all know who they are.\'94 She was now looking directly at Ewan. \'93 They are a cancer in the heart of the company, one that needs to be cut out, because otherwise The Firm will be denying itself a full half of potential candidates. To everyone }{\cs16\i\insrsid6163751 else}{\insrsid6163751 , I say goodbye with sadness, and I hope that someday I\rquote ll see you again.\'94 \par \par Anne collected her things together and strode, with great dignity, out of the canteen. On the way she walked right by Ewan, who opened his mouth as if to say something. Anne simply swept by, cutting him }{\cs16\i\insrsid6163751 dead}{\insrsid6163751 . \par \par }\pard\plain \s17\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6163751 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid6163751 - - - - - - - - - - \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6163751 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid6163751 \par As was traditional, Anne spent the evening of her last day at a bar, the }{\cs16\i\insrsid6163751 Mitre}{\insrsid6163751 , drinking with her former colleagues. \par \par Stan and Denise were there, of course, as was Elizabeth, who remarked, \'93I\rquote ll only stop for the one drink, Anne, but I couldn\rquote t let you go without saying goodbye!\'94 Anne responded, \'93I\rquote ll be back for the wedding!\'94 earning herself a curious look from Elizabeth. \par \par Others came and said their goodbyes: Percy popped in on his way home; Rick, Joseph and Phil from the design group came; as did Graham who drank a coke with Anne before going home to his family. Anne was surprised and touched by how many people came to see her off. There was soon a small but happy crowd of people at the }{\i\insrsid6163751 Mitre}{\insrsid6163751 . Anne enjoyed her evening, acting like as a hostess, visiting each of the small groups of people that inevitably collect together, aided by Stan and Denise who were veterans of this sort of thing. \par \par Late that night, at Stan\rquote s house, Anne, Denise and Stan gathered together to honour Anne\rquote s departure from The Firm and the start of her new venture. Stan held his glass high and toasted, \'93Any excuse for a drink will do!\'94 , but there was a tinge of sadness as well\'85 no longer would he be able to take a trip into the Lab and see his lover. \par \par Denise saw in his expression just what Stan was thinking. She didn\rquote t think it was expedient to say anything just then, but she was honest with herself enough to know that secretly she\rquote d be happy to see more of him. \par \par Anne, meanwhile, was concerned with two things. \par \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\pnrauth2\pnrdate112446795\pnrnot1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6163751 {\insrsid6163751 One was, of course, her love for and relationship with Stan. Each of them was working hard to make sure the three-way relationship worked, even under the new conditions. But she couldn\rquote t help but worry. \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6163751 {\insrsid6163751 \par The second thing was actually more and more at the front of her mind. This new business would be a significant risk \endash she might end up with only a failure, even if her own part was as good as she could make it. So }{\cs16\i\insrsid6163751 much}{ \insrsid6163751 could go wrong that Anne couldn\rquote t, herself, affect. In order for the business to }{\cs16\i\insrsid6163751 thrive,}{\insrsid6163751 it all had to go }{\cs16\i\insrsid6163751 perfectly}{\insrsid6163751 . \par \par Anne knew just how unlikely that was. If it wasn\rquote t a success, she\rquote d have only a reduced salary for the time being and no \lquote extras\rquote - so she\rquote d have to be quick on her feet to get another job. Anne still had to keep a roof over her head, and all the other payments that come due with modern life. She was conservative by nature \endash was this a good risk? \par \par \lquote Only time will tell,\rquote she told herself, \lquote it\rquote ll not be }{\cs16\i\insrsid6163751 my}{\insrsid6163751 fault if things don\rquote t go as we\rquote ve planned!\rquote \par \par }\pard\plain \s17\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6163751 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid6163751 - - - - - - - - - - \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8193564 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid11292439\charrsid8193564 \par }}