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Chapter 9{\*\bkmkend _Toc182754701}
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\par Marianne made the call to her Aunt, apologizing for getting her out of bed.
\par 
\par Simon heard Jennifer\rquote s voice say tinnily, \'93No, that\rquote s okay, I was just reading,\'94 then something quieter that he didn\rquote t catch. Marianne replaced the receiver and thanked the receptionist.
\par 
\par \'93What did she say?\'94 Caroline asked.
\par 
\par \'93Oh, you know. The usual \endash  Enjoy ourselves but stay out of trouble.\'94
\par 
\par Simon leant close to Marianne and quietly asked, \'93There was something else, wasn\rquote t there?\'94
\par 
\par Marianne, in turn, leant into Simon\rquote s ear.
\par 
\par \'93Yes, she told me to watch out for the drugs and be careful of spiked drinks. Good advice \endash  some of these people look like }{\cs25\i\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof players}{\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof , if you know what I mean.\'94
\par 
\par \'93Not really, but it\rquote s good advice. Tell Caroline.\'94
\par 
\par Marianne spoke quietly into Caroline\rquote s ear as they made their way back into the main party room. Then she grabbed Simon by the arm and drew him close.
\par 
\par \'93Simon, I know what Aunt Jen said, but this is the first party of this kind I\rquote ve ever had the chance to go to. I\rquote m going to enjoy myself - I might not get the chance to repeat the experience. You should do the same.\'94
\par 
\par Simon looked at her blankly for a moment. He studied her expression, she seemed anxious, happy and determined all at once.
\par 
\par \'93What are you saying, Marianne?\'94
\par 
\par \'93I\rquote m saying that we should, well, }{\cs25\i\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof go for it}{\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof . If it\rquote s there, we should indulge. Oh, I don\rquote t mean the hard drugs that I\rquote m sure will be around \endash  I don
\rquote t want to get hooked any more than I\rquote m sure you do \endash  but anything else. I want to get drunk, get high, }{\cs25\i\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof get laid.}{\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof  This can be our one night where }{
\cs25\i\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof anything goes}{\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof .\'94
\par 
\par Simon didn\rquote t know what to say. He\rquote d been thinking about Alison though, obviously, and this did seem to give him a way\'85 but at what cost?
\par 
\par He tried to make his brain work through the alcohol fumes.
\par 
\par \'93You\rquote re saying that you want to go and have sex with someone else?\'94 he asked her.
\par 
\par \'93No. Well, possibly. I mean, if I\rquote m asked, or something, I might consider it, if you\rquote ll do the same. Let\rquote s just take the chances offered to us tonight, Simon. That\rquote s what I\rquote m saying.\'94
\par 
\par \lquote I must be drunk to even }{\cs25\i\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof consider}{\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof  this,\rquote  he thought, foggily. \lquote But\'85 maybe I might get to have Alison again?\rquote 
\par 
\par Marianne came closer still and kissed him gently, almost a brush against his lips, really. \'93Simon, I promise, we can do anything you want, later. }{\cs25\i\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof Any}{\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof thing,\'94 she
 whispered huskily, one eyebrow aloft.
\par 
\par What man could resist? Certainly not Simon at that point. He nodded, and Marianne gave a short squeak and jumped on him, wrapping her arms around him. She kissed him hard, dropped off him and said, \'93This is going to be so }{
\cs25\i\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof great!}{\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof \'94 Grabbing his hand she pulled him over towards the bar to get a drink.
\par 
\par }\pard\plain \s41\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f27\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof - - - - - - - - - -
\par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f27\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof 
\par After they\rquote d got drinks for the three of them, Simon looked around for Caroline. He spotted her against the wall near the large windows facing out onto the road, looking tired. Marianne was chatting animatedly to one of the \lquote suits\rquote 
, so Simon caught her eye, pointed over to her sister. She nodded and gave a brief wave before turning back to her conversation.
\par 
\par Simon took Caroline\rquote s drink over.
\par 
\par \'93Not mixing?\'94 he asked her.
\par 
\par \'93Not my thing, parties. Too many new faces I don\rquote t know, especially something like }{\cs25\i\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof this}{\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof . But Marianne likes them.\'94
\par 
\par \'93Yes, she\rquote s got that natural ability to join in, doesn\rquote t she?\'94 Simon looked carefully at Caroline. \'93If you want, I can get you home to your Aunt\rquote s?\'94
\par 
\par \'93Nah. I\rquote ll not spoil things for you as well. Besides, you\rquote ll want to keep an eye on Marianne, make sure she\rquote s okay.\'94
\par 
\par \lquote Do I tell her?\rquote  Simon wondered. Making up his mind, he said, \'93Marianne\rquote s asked to be let off the leash tonight. She\rquote s said that tonight, for just this once, we should go for\'85 whatever.\'94
\par }\pard\plain \s35\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f27\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof 
\par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f27\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof Caroline looked at him, eyes wide. \'93And you }{
\cs25\i\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof agreed?}{\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof \'94
\par 
\par \'93Er, yeah. She said she\rquote d\'85 she said she\rquote d do }{\cs25\i\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof anything I want}{\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof , later, if I agreed to this. So I said, yeah.\'94
\par 
\par Caroline wasn\rquote t happy with this. You could tell: it was the way that if looks could kill, Simon would have been in intensive care. At least.
\par 
\par \'93You\rquote re mad! She\rquote s going to cheat on you. You know it. Oh, no, it\rquote s more than that. You\rquote re planning on cheating on her, and this gives you the perfect excuse. Well, Simon, I don\rquote t like it either way!\'94
\par 
\par Simon, in turn found his own anger rising.
\par 
\par \'93Listen, Caroline, it\rquote s nothing to }{\cs25\i\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof do}{\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof  with you, okay? It\rquote s what Marianne and I want to do. Now, I\rquote m going to go and see about another drink. See you }{
\cs25\i\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof later}{\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof .\'94 He turned away and virtually }{\cs25\i\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof stomped}{\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof  towards the bar.
\par 
\par About a half-hour later, Simon saw Marianne again. She was swaying gently, face flushed, obviously drunk but still standing. She was chatting to Shaun, of all people, and Simon immediately thought of Alison again.
\par 
\par And there she was. Off stage, she was wearing a white trouser suit with a couple of buttons undone in the top. She looked amazing. Normally Simon would have been put off, finding it impossible to go up to a woman as beautif
ul as this, intimidated by her looks. Not to mention the gaggle of guys around her.
\par 
\par Normally. But now, fuelled by alcohol and the knowledge that his girlfriend had, essentially, given him a \lquote free pass\rquote , Simon walked over. Alison was talking directly into one guy\rquote s ear, but Simon just said, simply, \'93
Hello again, Alison. Thanks for the invite.\'94
\par 
\par She looked away from the guy she\rquote d been talking to and looked puzzled. Simon felt his confidence, never high, draining away and he began to turn to go. But Alison said, \'93Wait, you\rquote re\'85 You\rquote re Simon, aren\rquote t you?\'94
\par 
\par \lquote She remembered me after all!\rquote  he thought, and felt a wide grin split his face as he turned back to her. \'93Yes, that\rquote s right.\'94
\par 
\par \'93Gimme a couple of minutes, and I\rquote ll be with you,\'94 she told him, then without waiting for a reply she launched back into her conversation.
\par 
\par Simon began by trying to listen but couldn\rquote t quite make out what was being said, as the voices were kept deliberately low, the music was quite loud and the general buzz around him was equally loud a
s people made themselves heard. He looked away, chiding himself for trying to eavesdrop.
\par 
\par Then Alison had grabbed him by the arm and was leading him away.
\par 
\par \'93Record company lounge suits,\'94 she told Simon, \'93an unfortunately necessary evil.\'94
\par 
\par Simon nodded, sagely.
\par 
\par \'93How have you been, Simon? I enjoyed that night. I want you to know that despite what you probably think, I don\rquote t always hook up with someone after a gig. Those that I do go with don\rquote t call me or write to me, either. Thank you for that.
\'94 
\par 
\par \'93You\rquote re welcome,\'94 came his automatic response. Then he found himself tongue-tied.
\par 
\par After a moment, Alison leaned in close to him. \'93Cat got your tongue?\'94
\par 
\par Simon felt himself flush, but somehow this freed up the words inside. \'93You take my breath away, you know,\'94 he told her.
\par 
\par Alison laughed, but it broke the ice, and Simon found his confidence returning. He reached into his pocket for his cigarettes and lighter. He offered one to Alison, who accepted with a \'93Thanks! I\rquote m gasping for one!\'94
 he lit up. They enjoyed their cigarettes for a while, just talking comfortably about the day, what they\rquote d heard and seen, who they\rquote d enjoyed. Alison was particularly interested in Simon\rquote 
s impressions from in front of the stage, as (of course) mostly, she\rquote d heard it from behind, or in the wings. 
\par 
\par Simon stubbed his cigarette out and asked, \'93Those were your songs you were singing up there, weren\rquote t they? I mean, you wrote them?\'94
\par 
\par \'93Well, they\rquote re mainly Shaun and me, really. He comes up with most of the music, I come up with the lyrics. But we all contribute, it\rquote s a really organic thing. Someone comes in with an idea, and we run with it from there.\'94
\par 
\par \'93Alison, I saw your songbook. Remember? You had music, as well as lyrics, in there.\'94
\par 
\par Alison looked uncomfortable. \'93Yes, I know. But Shaun really does write most of the music we play.\'94
\par 
\par Simon thought there was more to this, but at that point someone Simon didn\rquote t know passed Alison a joint. She smiled brightly at him and took a deep drag before passing it on to Simon, in turn.
\par 
\par \'93I don\rquote t often do this,\'94 he told her, but pulled the smoke deeply into his lungs. He could feel the effect immediately, feeling \lquote not-quite-there\rquote , and that nothing mattered too much. He handed the joint back to Alison.
\par 
\par Glancing across the room he saw Marianne in a close embrace with Shaun, smiling and obviously happy. Alison saw where he was looking.
\par 
\par \'93I see Shaun\rquote s pulled!\'94 she laughed, but on seeing Simon\rquote s expression she said, \'93Something wrong? Oh! Is she with you?\'94
\par 
\par \'93Yes, that\rquote s Marianne\'85 she wants us to\'85 what was it? \lquote Get drunk, get high, get laid!\rquote  she said. I\rquote m not sure I understand her sometimes.\'94
\par 
\par \'93So she\rquote s cheating on you with Shaun? I can go get him, tell him no, if you want \endash  he wouldn\rquote t do that to someone. Well, not knowingly.\'94
\par 
\par \'93No, s\rquote alright. Let her do it; she told me I should do the same, tonight. I think she needs to express her inner \lquote wild-child\rquote  tonight, or something.\'94 Simon turned back and looked directly into Alison\rquote s eye. \'93
Besides, she told me to do the same.\'94
\par 
\par Alison shut her mouth, opened it again, appeared to think better of saying something and shut it again. She took another long drag on the joint. Then she simply grabbed Simon by the arm, giggling like a schoolgirl, and dragged him away towards a doorway.

\par 
\par Alison gave the large, suited gentleman at the door a sign, and he opened the door to let them through. She pulled Simon along with her, along a corridor. \'93This is my room, Simon,\'94 she told him, voice now deeper, modulated. \'93You can \lquote 
express your wild-child\rquote  in here\'85\'94
\par 
\par - - - - - - - - - -
\par 
\par Simon was surprised but very happy to be in Alison\rquote s room, of course. Some of the happiness was chemically induced, more was because he\rquote 
d really had a crush on her for a long time. He felt a twinge of conscience that he ought to be looking out for Marianne, but forced it down. She wanted him to do this, he reasoned.
\par 
\par Alison certainly seemed to want him. She kissed him, hard, wrapping herself around him, her tongue questing for his, and finding it. She broke the kiss long enough to grab the hem of his T-shirt and drag
 it over his head before kissing him some more. He felt her small, hard breasts. The material of her suit jacket was thin and hardly a barrier between her pebble-hard nipples and his chest.
\par 
\par His own hands were busy behind her, one roaming over her back, the other fondling her arse, feeling it\rquote s tight musculature underneath the trousers. He traced the outline of her panties with his fingers.
\par 
\par No questions were asked, no answers requested or given. He fumbled for a moment with the remaining buttons on her jacket before removing it, revealing the small white bra that was all she wore underneath. 
\par 
\par He slipped his hands inside the open jacket to feel her warm flesh against his palms, pulling her to him. Their kiss grew more impassioned. Simon went for the button 
on her trousers, but found it awkward while they were still joined at the lips. Alison broke away from him and undressed quickly; Simon saw what she was doing and hurriedly emulated her.
\par 
\par Alison drew Simon to her bed and without bothering to get under the covers they fell on top. Hands were everywhere, lips and tongues touching, licking, sucking on skin, breast, nipple, seeking lower\'85
\par 
\par Alison seemed to be on fire, and Simon felt, shared, her need. He made no protest when she grabbed his erection and tugged it towards her. Positioning herself above him, she slowly descended, engulfing him. Simon let out a soft \'93Aaaah!\'94
 of satisfaction when she hit bottom, and Alison herself wore an expression of great satisfaction.
\par 
\par They began moving, Alison lifting and then 
impaling herself on his hardness, rocking at the bottom of each cycle, a fierce concentration now on her face, as she began to chew her bottom lip, brow furrowed. Her eyes closed. Simon watched her, matching her movements, concentrating on pleasing her, w
hich was one of the ways he\rquote d found helped him stave off his own hair-trigger.
\par 
\par Simon resumed stroking her high, pale breasts, stroking her with the pads of his fingers. Her eyes opened and she looked at him, pupils wide open. For a time, they moved togethe
r thus, before her jaw dropped and her breath began to shallow, becoming more rapid. Simon felt her vagina clench around him, as her movements became less fluid, more staccato. He began to force himself through her tightness, aided by the copious fluids t
here, battering her muscular contractions as she cried out and fell onto his chest.
\par 
\par Rolling over her and miraculously remaining inside the white heat of her sex he drove himself towards his own climax, now unable to resist his own need. He heard Alison calling him, \'93Fuck me, Simon, come on, come }{\cs25\i\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof 
on, fuck me, COME IN ME!}{\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof \'94
\par 
\par He did as he was bid, pouring his essence into her, one, two, three solid pulses, then a fourth, then a small one to follow. Gasping for breath, chest heaving, sweat dripping, he held hims
elf above Alison, looking down in wonder at her. She smiled back at him and reached up to caress his face, not speaking.
\par 
\par Finally Simon collapsed onto the bed next to Alison, who rolled to look at him as he lay flat on his back, recovering.
\par 
\par She smiled logily, licked her lips, and said, \'93My }{\cs25\i\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof God}{\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof , you\lquote ve got better!\'94
\par 
\par \'93I\rquote ve been practising,\'94 he told her, a wonky grin on his face.
\par 
\par \'93I can tell! Thanks, Simon. Phew! I need a drink.\'94
\par 
\par \'93I need a fag!\'94 he replied, and rolled off the bed, searching for his trousers where the cigarettes and lighter were. He lit up as Alison got dressed and went out of the room.
\par 
\par By the time she came back he was desperate for a drink, too. Alison handed a can of lager to him, which he gratefully accepted. Then she disappeared into the
 bathroom, blowing him a kiss. He grinned and drained half of his drink in one long swallow. Alison emerged from the bathroom, smiling at him. He still felt lethargic, but he noticed that Alison was alive and bubbly once more. Simon wondered how on }{
\cs25\i\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof earth }{\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof she managed it.
\par 
\par They chatted about nothing in particular for a minute or two, then, with hooded eyes Alison asked Simon, \'93You ready for round two yet?\'94
\par 
\par She reached over and ran a hand lightly over his crotch. Simon felt himself stirring, becoming half erect.
\par 
\par \'93Keep that up, and I will be,\'94 he replied.
\par 
\par \'93I think \lquote keeping it up\rquote  is rather the idea, Simon!\'94 Alison told him with a wide smile.
\par 
\par }\pard\plain \s41\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f27\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof - - - - - - - - - -
\par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f27\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof 
\par Caroline was fed up to the high teeth with fending off the offers, suggestions and downright grop
es that had come her way. She had remained close to her spot but had been drinking lightly but steadily since Simon had angrily turned away from her some time earlier \endash  it seemed like }{\cs25\i\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof hours}{
\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof . Looking at her watch showed that it had been well over an hour, in fact.
\par 
\par She\rquote d last seen her sister walking off with some guy who\rquote d been in a band \endash  she thought it was the one that Simon had been so caught up in.
\par 
\par Then she caught sight of her sister again. She was with Chris Feelgood, and Pearl was with her, too. At last, someone she could talk to!
\par 
\par She reached them and said, brightly, \'93Hi!\'94
\par 
\par Marianne turned and smiled at her sister. \'93Hi yourself! Having fun?\'94
\par 
\par \'93No, not really,\'94 she replied. \'93It\rquote s a bit boring. There\rquote s no-one here I know, and all the guys seem to want me to\'85 you know.\'94
\par 
\par Marianne grinned. \'93You should take them up on the offer.\'94
\par 
\par \'93Heh. Nah, I\rquote m not like that. }{\cs25\i\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof You}{\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof  know that, Mari.\'94
\par 
\par Marianne leaned forward and gave her sister a peck on the cheek. \'93Yes, I know, Cari. You\rquote re not really a party person, are you?\'94
\par 
\par \'93I can enjoy myself!\'94
\par 
\par \'93\rquote Course you can, sweetheart,\'94 interrupted Chris, \'93You just need to loosen up a little. How\rquote s about another drink?\'94
\par 
\par \'93Okay.\'94 Chris turned to go, and Caroline remembered to say, \'93Thanks!\'94
\par 
\par \'93I could use one, too, please Chris,\'94 Pearl added. Chris turned, nodded to show he\rquote d heard, and made his way to the bar.
\par 
\par \'93Don\rquote t think you have to do anything you don\rquote t want to, Caroline,\'94 Marianne told her sister. Pearl nodded.
\par 
\par \'93Keep your wits about you, don\rquote t get too drunk. I\rquote m going to get some fresh air when Chris comes back with the drinks \endash  d\rquote you want to come with me?\'94
\par 
\par Caroline gratefully nodded, and Pearl smiled.
\par 
\par Not long after that Chris returned with drinks for them all. Pearl announced that she and Caroline would go and get some fresh air. As they turned away Caroline noticed Chris\rquote  arm going around Marianne\rquote s waist.
\par 
\par Caroline and Marianne got their coats and went outside, nodding to the doorman. They sat on a wooden bench in the small garden behind the hotel. It was chilly, but neithe
r of them felt it as they were both somewhat inoculated against the cold by the alcohol.
\par 
\par So they sat there, chatting amiably away. Caroline found that Pearl was good at keeping a conversation going, even when she faltered at her end. Gradually Pearl drew her out more and more, until she was telling her about that frightening night in the caf
\'e9 when she\rquote d been trapped behind the counter by the fire.
\par 
\par \'93I was so scared I couldn\rquote t move!\'94 she told the older model. \'93Then this guy in a breathing mask came up and yelled something at me, but I couldn\rquote 
t hear him properly, so he just picked me up like a sack of potatoes and threw me over his shoulder. He ran, carrying me through the smoke and avoiding the flames. I just closed my eyes and prayed!\'94
\par 
\par \'93God! Sounds }{\cs25\i\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof horrible}{\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof .\'94
\par 
\par \'93Oh, it was. But then, he put me on my feet near an ambulance and took off his mask. I took my chance and leaned in and kissed him. It was heavenly!\'94
\par 
\par \'93}{\cs25\i\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof Very}{\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof  romantic. Like a film!\'94
\par 
\par \'93Well, that\rquote s where the script needs changing then. He turned around and went back to work, I didn\rquote t get his name. About a year later I saw him again. It was Simon.\'94
\par 
\par \'93}{\cs25\i\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof Marianne\rquote s}{\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof  Simon?\'94 Pearl asked, with a small gasp.
\par 
\par \'93Living and breathing. She\rquote d met him in a bar, and they\rquote ve been going out ever since. I mean, he saved my life, I kissed him first, it should be me going out with him, not }{\cs25\i\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof her!}{
\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof \'94
\par 
\par Pearl knew that Caroline was a bit worse for wear, but not just }{\cs25\i\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof how}{\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof  much. She didn\rquote t know the girl very well, but they\rquote 
d worked together a couple of times and she knew Caroline as a shy, diffident type. But that last sentence came out with }{\cs25\i\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof venom}{\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof .
\par 
\par \'93Doesn\rquote t that cause problems between you two, I mean, you wanting her boyfriend?\'94
\par 
\par \'93Well, it }{\cs25\i\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof would}{\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof  do, if we }{\cs25\i\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof let}{\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof  it. But we don\rquote t because we have an agreement where neither of us goes for th
e other\rquote s boyfriend.\'94
\par 
\par \'93But you want to.\'94
\par 
\par Caroline sighed, and laid her head on Pearl\rquote s shoulder. \'93Yes, I want to. I adore him, you know. Not just the thing about the fire, either. I\rquote ve got to know him a bit since Mari\rquote s been going with him, and I really like what I see 
\endash  he\rquote s funny, charming, thoughtful. He doesn\rquote t know it all, or make out he does. And I still have that spark in my heart for him.\'94
\par 
\par Pearl thought for a moment, considering whether to say this.
\par 
\par \'93Simon\rquote s not with Marianne now, you know.\'94
\par 
\par \'93No, he stormed off in the direction of that guitar player, the blonde.\'94 Caroline\rquote s voice was monotonic.
\par 
\par \'93}{\cs25\i\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof Rocksette}{\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof ?\'94
\par 
\par \'93Yeah.\'94 Still there was no emotion at }{\cs25\i\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof all}{\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof  in Caroline\rquote s voice.
\par 
\par \'93Well, Marianne\rquote s with Chris right now, I should think.\'94
\par 
\par Caroline lifted her head from Pearl\rquote s shoulder and }{\cs25\i\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof looked}{\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof  at her, carefully. \'93What are you saying, Pearl?\'94
\par 
\par \'93Chris likes having beautiful young ladies around him. Well, what red-blooded male wouldn\rquote t, especially if they take their clothes off for him? Normally, he\rquote s a perfect gentleman and does no more than look, and most of that\rquote 
s through his camera lens. But he\rquote s single and not bad looking, and sometimes, well, things happen.\'94
\par 
\par Caroline didn\rquote t know what to make of this. \'93So Mari\rquote s }{\cs25\i\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof gone}{\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof  with him, he\rquote s \endash  he\rquote s screwing her?\'94
\par 
\par \'93That upsets you, Caroline? It shouldn\rquote t really, you know.\'94
\par 
\par \'93I dunno }{\cs25\i\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof what}{\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof  it makes me feel, really.\'94
\par 
\par Pearl looked Caroline straight in the eye. \'93It\rquote s opportunity, that\rquote s what it is, girl. You need to find Simon and make use of it.\'94 She shivered. \'93Plus, it\rquote s cold out here and I need to get back in the warm.\'94
\par 
\par Caroline realised that she herself was getting cold. \'93D\rquote you think they\rquote d make us a coffee? I could }{\cs25\i\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof murder}{\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof  one right now.\'94
\par 
\par She stood up.
\par 
\par \'93Then I want to find Simon and see what\rquote s going on!\'94
\par 
\par 
\par }\pard\plain \s41\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f27\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof - - - - - - - - - -
\par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f27\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof 
\par Alison, meanwhile, was coaxing more out of Simon.
\par 
\par She was doing it expertly well, using hands and tongue, gazing up at him. But Simon wasn\rquote t responding all that quickly. It was late, he\rquote d been drinking quite a lot, and this would be their third \lquote trip\rquote .
\par 
\par \'93Come on, Simon, you know you can,\'94 Alison told him.
\par 
\par \'93I dunno \lquote bout that,\'94 he told her with a slight slur. \'93Just wanna sleep.\'94
\par 
\par \'93I could offer you a pick-me-up,\'94 she told him. \'93I got some in the bathroom.\'94
\par 
\par \'93Pick-me-up?\'94
\par 
\par \'93She leaned in close to his ear, and whispered, \'93Just wait here, Si.\'94
\par 
\par She came out with a compact mirror, a straw, and something in her hand. It was a clear plastic bag.
\par 
\par The contents were white.
\par 
\par }\pard\plain \s41\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f27\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof - - - - - - - - - -
\par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f27\fs24\cf9\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {
\par }}