{\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 \styrsid12809405 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 \rsid8193564\rsid8460503\rsid8747988\rsid11292439\rsid11864142\rsid12809405}{\*\generator Microsoft Word 11.0.6359;}{\info{\title Equal Shares - Chapter 45}{\author steveh11} {\operator SteveH}{\creatim\yr2007\mo4\dy10\hr22\min2}{\revtim\yr2007\mo4\dy10\hr22\min2}{\version2}{\edmins0}{\nofpages9}{\nofwords2328}{\nofchars13274}{\*\company -}{\nofcharsws15571}{\vern24703}}{\*\userprops {\propname Editor}\proptype30{\staticval Bo b 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\rsidroot12809405 \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\pararsid12809405 \b\f1\fs32\cf9\lang1033\langfe1033\kerning32\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 { \lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12809405 {\*\bkmkstart _Toc159579038}Chapter 45{\*\bkmkend _Toc159579038} \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12809405 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid12809405 \par In the early evening of Valentine\rquote s day, Sid had hustled Anne out of the door of Boundless Waves. Stan had rung him to make arrangements earlier. Downstairs, in the vestibule of the building, she was surprised to find Denise and Stan waiting fo r her. \par \par Stan, Anne and Denise all went in to Covent Garden, and had dinner at \lquote }{\cs16\i\insrsid12809405 Trotters}{\insrsid12809405 \rquote cafe in Covent Garden. They didn\rquote t make a huge thing of it as Anne would have to be back in work the next morning, but a loving, relaxed meal was enjoyed by all three of them. The restaurant was, of course, very busy but the food was glorious and the wine chosen by the sommelier complemented the meal perfectly. \par \par \'93I\rquote m really sorry we couldn\rquote t celebrate properly,\'94 Anne said to Stan. \par \par \'93Don\rquote t worry, Anne. I really enjoyed the meal, and it\rquote s just lovely for the three of us to be out together like this,\'94 Stan told her. \par \par \'93Besides,\'94 Denise added, \'93any later than this and you\rquote d be dead on your feet tomorrow.\'94 \par \par \'93Oh, God, I\rquote m going to be that anyway!\'94 Anne told her. \par \par }\pard\plain \s17\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12809405 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid12809405 - - - - - - - - - - \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12809405 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid12809405 \par On Saturday, the seventeenth of February, Anne, Stan and Denise attended Elaine and Susan\rquote s Civil Partnership ceremony. First thing in the morning they went to the registry office, close to the local library. \par \par There they watched, as Elaine and Susan completed the legal formalities and signed the register. That was all they needed do to become as close to wife-and-wife as the current legal system would allow. \par \par The registry office was actually a large room, almost a small hall, with seating split by a central walkway leading to a small lectern at the front. The floor was polished wood, the walls were a clean pale tan up to the window level, where on one side you could look out onto the parkland outside, and on the other into the library itself. There were small rooms at front and back, one for coats and such, the other a small office where the Registrar actually worked. \par \par Elaine and Susan entered. They were wearing simple but elegant suits, and each had her hair up. They said \lquote Hello\rquote to each of their gue sts as they slowly walked together to the front, and as Elaine passed Denise she leaned over and whispered, \'93I\rquote m so nervous I\rquote m shaking! Wish me luck?\'94 \par \par \'93Good luck, Elaine \endash but you don\rquote t need it. You\rquote re a winner, here. Where\rquote s your Mum and Dad?\'94 \par \par \'93They wouldn\rquote t come, they don\rquote t approve. Neither would Susan\rquote s. We\rquote ll talk about it later.\'94 \par \par The Registrar cleared his throat, wanting to get things going. Elaine joined Susan at the front, facing him, and he began. \par \par \'93Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to welcome you here to the register office today, to the Civil Partnership ceremony of Susan Seeley and Elaine Solberg.\'94 \par \par \'93This room in which we are met has been duly sanctioned according to the law for celebration of Civil Partnership Ceremonies. I am now going to ask Susan and Elaine to repeat after me\'85\'94 \par \par \'93I declare that I know of no legal reason why we may not register as each other\rquote s civil partner. I understand that on signing this document we will be forming a civil partnership with each other.\'94 \par \par Elaine and Susan repeated the words, watching each other, not the registrar. \par \par \'93Will you both now please sign the schedule and the register?\'94 he intoned. \par \par Susan did so, and then stood back to be followed by Elaine. \par \par \'93May I now ask the witnesses to sign?\'94 \par \par One of Susan\rquote s friends did so first. Then it was Denise\rquote s turn. \par \par She had been incredibly surprised when Elaine had asked her, and initially demurred. But she had insisted, saying \'93I can think of no-one else I\rquote d rather have, Denny. Please?\'94 \par \par So it was that Denise stepped forward and signed \lquote Denise Bottomley\rquote where she was indicated. She looked up into first Elaine\rquote s eyes, then, a little tentatively, into Susan\rquote s. Susan winked at her! She looked down, breaking eye contact, }{\cs16\i\insrsid12809405 knowing}{\insrsid12809405 that she was blushing, and stepped back into her place. \par \par \'93Susan Seeley and Elaine Solberg, you are now partners in law. May I offer you both my very good wishes!\'94 the registrar said. The two ladies, now }{\cs16\i\insrsid12809405 legally}{\insrsid12809405 partners, kissed briefly. The registrar gave a momentary small smile, then turned and walked back into his office. \par \par Everyone else there crowded around Susan and Elaine, offering their congratulations, and the two celebrants basked in their good wishes. \par \par Elaine and Susan smiled for the photographer as they posed with the registrar, and then their guests, for a series of pictures based in the registry office. \par \par \'93There\rquote ll be more later,\'94 Elaine explained to Denise, \'93Suze and I will go home in a minute and get changed into something a bit prettier first, though!\'94 \par \par Elaine and Susan had wanted more than just a simple signing at the registry office, and they\rquote d arranged for a celebration of their \lquote wedding\rquote to take place at }{\cs16\i\insrsid12809405 Apricots}{\insrsid12809405 . So everyone reconvened there a few scant hours later, along with some more of their friends. \par \par Elaine and Susan arrived in a vintage Rolls-Royce. The chauffeur helped them out, and they walked hand in hand to the centre of the courtyard, and then turned right into the restaurant, where a small dais had been set up. \par \par Because it was February everyone was dressed fairly warmly, but still Susan and Elaine both looked }{\cs16\i\insrsid12809405 stunning}{\insrsid12809405 . Elaine\rquote s dark blue dress was cut on the bias with a diagonal hem, her blonde hair was still up and crowned by a delicate gold tiara. Susan wore a lighter blue, with both front and back cut deeply, and the front hem slightly higher than the rear. Her hair, too, was still up, in her case in a French braid. \par \par Denise stood with Stan and Anne, watching as the two stood while poems were read. Then Elaine turned to Susan and said, \'93I didn\rquote t know, at first, just what to say here. But then I thought about you, my love, and the words came.\'94 She closed her eyes, summoning the words she\rquote d memorised. \par \par \'93I promise to be there when you need me,\~\line to fill your days with sunshine, to comfort you and encourage you,\~\line to help you reach your goals,\~to be your best friend ever,\line and to love you for all of my life, with all of my heart.\'94 \par \par She was smiling as she said it, but her eyes were bright and she finished in almost a croak as her throat plainly closed up. \par \par Then it was Susan\rquote s turn. She said, \'93I\rquote m hopeless at this sort of thing, really, but I did manage to write this.\'94 She pulled a small piece of paper from her dainty bag, and read aloud. \par \par \'93}{\lang2057\langfe2057\langfenp2057\insrsid12809405 My love for you \par Is the love \par That the rain has for the sea. \par \~ \par You remind me of the moon \par I am the tide \par Begging for you \par \~ \par You are smooth and supple under my fingers \par As though someone cast you \par Around the curve of a lens \par And left your skin shined by the glass. \par \par I love you \par And I have become lost in your eyes.\'94 \par \par They reached for each other, and kissed\'85 the k iss went on for a while. Someone coughed, gently, and they parted. Elaine blushed a little, but Susan carried it off with aplomb. Various photo flashes went off, which made Elaine blush some more. Recovering herself, Elaine called out to the crowd, \'93 Thanks, everyone, for coming here today. Now, everyone take your seats, and we\rquote ll have a little meal!\'94 \par \par {\*\bkmkstart Current}{\*\bkmkend Current}It was lunchtime, well, a late lunch, so it wasn\rquote t a }{\cs16\i\insrsid12809405 big}{\lang2057\langfe2057\langfenp2057\insrsid12809405 meal. But there was plenty, and it was up to }{\cs16\i\insrsid12809405 Apricots\rquote }{\lang2057\langfe2057\langfenp2057\insrsid12809405 usual standards. Stan, Denise and Anne were placed together, with Denise at Stan\rquote s left and Anne at his right. On Denise\rquote s left was Elaine, then Susan. Their parents had elected not to attend, neither set of parents approving of their daughters\rquote homosexuality. \par \par Susan explained to Denise. \'93Both our mums and dads think we\rquote re going to \lquote grow out of it\rquote , that it\rquote s just a phase. Well. Hello, I\rquote ve been attracted to girls my whole life, and I see no reason to change }{ \cs16\i\insrsid12809405 now}{\lang2057\langfe2057\langfenp2057\insrsid12809405 . But my folks won\rquote t accept that- they wanted grandchildren and a nice rich hubby and a nice conventional daughter. Sorry, that\rquote s not me!\'94 \par \par \'93It\rquote s worse in my case, because I have been out with a couple of guys,\'94 said Elaine. \'93So they think it just wasn\rquote t the right ones, you know? Actually, they disapproved of }{\cs16\i\insrsid12809405 you}{ \lang2057\langfe2057\langfenp2057\insrsid12809405 almost as much as Susan, Denny. Possibly more \endash they\rquote re convinced you \lquote turned\rquote me. As }{\cs16\i\insrsid12809405 if!}{\lang2057\langfe2057\langfenp2057\insrsid12809405 \'94 \par \par \'93So, they wouldn\rquote t come. Well, so what? If they can\rquote t love me for what I }{\cs16\i\insrsid12809405 am}{\lang2057\langfe2057\langfenp2057\insrsid12809405 , then screw them!\'94 Susan said. But she had a tear in her eye as she said it, and Elaine had quickly moved to comfort her. Denise swiftly changed the subject. As they were all eating the photographer came by and took more photos. \par \par After eating, the guests filed out past Elaine and Susan and had their photograph taken with the two ladies. Stan, Anne and Denise were the last to reach them. After the photos were taken, Elaine pulled Denise to one side. \'93 Stay a moment, please, will you?\'94 she pleaded. Elaine told Stan and Anne, \'93I won\rquote t be a minute.\'94 Anne took Stan along, giving their lover a moment with her exes. \par \par Elaine and Susan each took one of Denise\rquote s hands. Susan spoke. \par \par \'93Elaine told me I overreacted, and I think, now time has passed, I can see that I did. In the event, I think I wasn\rquote t really cut out for a poly relationship, Denise, but it was fun for the short time it lasted. I\rquote m really, really sorry that I hurt you though. Please come and see us \endash as friends. I don\rquote t think I can handle seeing you as a lover, at least not yet. But I can do this.\'94 \par \par She turned her back. \par \par Elaine pulled Denise to her, and kissed her. Denise, surprised, responded. \par \par Letting go, Elaine told her, softly, \'93The love of my life is Susan, but you\rquote ll always have a place in my heart too, Denise. Know that, always.\'94 \par \par Susan cleared her throat and turned back. \'93That was part of my wedding gift to Elaine, you know,\'94 she said, smiling at Denise. \'93Now, go to your loves outside and give them all a hug from us. We\rquote re heading to one of the rooms where I can ravage my now legal partner!\'94 \par \par Denise smiled back and gave Susan a peck on the cheek. As she turned to go, Susan stopped her with a touch on her shoulder. \'93Oh, and Denise? Do you fish?\'94 \par \par Denise was }{\lang2057\langfe2057\langfenp2057\insrsid11864142 more than }{\lang2057\langfe2057\langfenp2057\insrsid12809405 a little surprised by the question, but answered, \'93Not really, no. Why?\'94 \par \par Susan smiled at her and leaned in to whisper conspiratorially into her ear. \par \par \'93Because I think, if you use a light line and a lot of finesse, you might manage to land a prime, tall, blonde fish. I might be wrong, but\'85 Good luck!\'94 \par \par She stepped back and smiled at the redhead. \par \par Denise smiled back. She didn\rquote t say anything. But she }{\cs16\i\insrsid12809405 did}{\lang2057\langfe2057\langfenp2057\insrsid12809405 think, \lquote Hmmm\'85\rquote \par \par }\pard\plain \s17\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12809405 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid12809405 - - - - - - - - - - \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12809405 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid12809405 \par By the end of February Anne had made a lot of progress with her design, but she was feeling continually frustrated by constant interruptions and exhausted by the travelling. Sid was concentrating on marketing the product while Ken was always meeting potential customers and backers, intent on ensuring they had money enough to stay afloat. Valerie would be acting as personal assistant to both of them, as well as receptionist, switchboard operator, \'93 And anything else management sees fit,\'94 as she put it to Anne that Friday afternoon. \par \par Anne smiled wearily across at her. She shoved a stray hair up out of her left eye and turned back to the monitor. Her eyes burned, and she closed them momentarily. \par \par She felt a hand tugging at her shoulder. \'93What!?\'94 \par \par \'93Anne, it\rquote s me, Sid. You\rquote ve been asleep. Go home. I don\rquote t want to see you until Monday. You\rquote re exhausted.\'94 \par \par \'93But there\rquote s more to be done \endash \'94 \par \par \'93Not by you, not until Monday, Anne. I\rquote ve had Maggie nagging away at me enough as it is. She\rquote s coming to pick me up in a few minutes, and if she sees you here like this she\rquote ll }{\cs16\i\insrsid12809405 really }{\insrsid12809405 tear me off a strip!\'94 He continued quietly but intensely, \'93It\rquote ll wait, Anne. Go }{\cs16\i\insrsid12809405 home!}{\insrsid12809405 \'94 \par \par She went home, home to Stan\rquote s house where she\rquote d be with Stan and Denise. \par \par }\pard\plain \s17\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12809405 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid12809405 - - - - - - - - - - \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12809405 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid12809405 \par Anne slept almost the whole of Saturday through, but eventually woke up. She looked at the clock and saw that it was almost four o\rquote clock in the afternoon! She felt groggy with sleep, so she dressed, went to the kitchen and made herself a cup of te a and some toast. \par \par She was alone in the house, but found a note pinned to the refrigerator by a magnet: \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid12809405 {\insrsid12809405 Anne, \par Denise and I are going to do some grocery shopping. \par Be back soon! \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12809405 {\insrsid12809405 \par Half an hour later Anne felt much more human. Just then, she heard the sound of a key in the lock, the door opened and in walked Stan and Denise. They looked }{\cs16\i\insrsid12809405 very}{\insrsid12809405 happy together. \par \par Stan saw Anne and rushed over to her, dropping his shopping bags as he went. Denise took hers to the worktop, deposited them and turned to find Anne and Stan in a tight embrace. She smiled at them both. \par \par In her head Anne felt nothing but love from the both of them. Her body had ideas of a baser nature. It was telling her that Stan was nearby, and she could }{\cs16\i\insrsid12809405 feel}{\insrsid12809405 his arousal. Her own pussy was slick with moisture already. \par \par Stan pulled back a fraction and winked at her, then turned to Denise. Eyes dancing and a sloppy grin on her face she told them, \'93Go upstairs you two! I\rquote ll put the shopping away! Sheesh!\'94 \par \par Anne dragged Stan up the stairs. Stan, laughing, followed her up, pretending to be reluctant. Once in his room, however, all pretence ceased. \par \par Anne nearly shredded her clothes, getting them off in such a hurry. Once again Stan was left behind, racing to try and get undressed. By the time he\rquote d managed to drag all his clothing off, Anne was in bed, batting her eyelashes at him. Her hazel eyes, now deep, liquid pools, watched him as he slid in alongside her. \par \par She reached for him, finding him already half-hard. She, herself, was already }{\cs16\i\insrsid12809405 quite}{\insrsid12809405 ready for him. There was a few short minutes of mutual fondling, then Anne murmured, \'93}{\cs16\i\insrsid12809405 God}{ \insrsid12809405 , I want this\'85\'94 and reversed herself to take his cock into her mouth. Not entirely coincidentally, this placed her pussy close to }{\cs16\i\insrsid12809405 his}{\insrsid12809405 mouth, and he gladly began, lightly tonguing her outer lips, darting in towards her already }{\cs16\i\insrsid12809405 wet}{\insrsid12809405 opening, spreading her moisture around, playing with her inner lips. \par \par In the meantime Anne began to suck him in }{\cs16\i\insrsid12809405 earnest}{\insrsid12809405 . She hadn\rquote t been kidding him, she }{\cs16\i\insrsid12809405 needed}{\insrsid12809405 this. She }{\cs16\i\insrsid12809405 knew}{\insrsid12809405 that Denise had been with Stan much more than she\rquote d had the chance of late, and, deep down, she wanted to ensure that he knew that }{\cs16\i\insrsid12809405 she}{\insrsid12809405 loved him, wanted him, }{\cs16\i\insrsid12809405 needed}{ \insrsid12809405 him as much as }{\cs16\i\insrsid12809405 her}{\insrsid12809405 . \par \par Plus, she was turned on beyond belief. Anne had no idea why; it was just a fact. \par \par So now she made love to his dick with her mouth, sucking him, trying to ensure that when he came, she came. It wouldn\rquote t be long, the way he was sucking, licking, lightly biting and generally }{\cs16\i\insrsid12809405 gently}{\insrsid12809405 abusing her pussy, she was about to go off like a rocket. In fact\'85 \par \par Anne }{\cs16\i\insrsid12809405 screamed}{\insrsid12809405 around Stan\rquote s cock. He stopped what he was doing for a moment in shock, and then stroked her lower back as she shuddered in aftershocks. Then she }{\cs16\i\insrsid12809405 attacked}{ \insrsid12809405 his cock, jacking with her hand as she sucked the bulbous end. Stan came quickly, groaning as he e mptied his balls into her mouth. Anne collected his semen and pulled off his cock, then dribbled it down again, letting it wet his shrinking member. Then she lapped it all up again, before twisting around, looking at him mischievously. \par \par \'93Wow.\'94 That was all Stan could manage. \par \par \'93Yes, wow!\'94 was Anne\rquote s reply. She kissed Stan, and snuggled into him. Still Stan could not believe that this wonderful, beautiful woman would, }{\cs16\i\insrsid12809405 could}{\insrsid12809405 love him as much as he loved her, but he was grateful that it seemed to be so. \par \par It was a while before Stan recovered, but he did, and then he and Anne made love, gently but passionately. Eventually they came back down to find Denise. \par \par The redhead was smiling as they walked into Stan\rquote s living room. \par \par \'93Feeling better, Anne?\'94 she asked, with a giggle. Anne blushed, but held her ground, saying, \'93A woman has needs, you know, Denise.\'94 \par \par \'93Oh, do we }{\cs16\i\insrsid12809405 ever,}{\insrsid12809405 \'94 replied Denise. Anne laughed, and Stan groaned, saying aloud, \'93Oh my }{\cs16\i\insrsid12809405 God!}{\insrsid12809405 I think I\rquote d better have a headache\'85\'94 \par \par }\pard\plain \s17\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12809405 \f36\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid12809405 - - - - - - - - - - \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 }}