“But either way, back to the task at hand. Which is of course food and shelter. We don’t have enough of the former, and pretty soon we’ll have n...ne of the latter. The solution of course is money.” “I swear I don’t even know what you just said. Why do you always have to talk like that?” Jimmy said. “I don’t try to confuse you, it’s just so easy.” “Do you want me to pull this car over again?” Jimmy asked, but he was smiling this time. “I’ll beat your hillbilly ass Jim-bo.” “That’s it, you little. Graham followed us to the door but no further as he was still in his pyjamas and it was November. “There’s one other thing I want you guys to help me with before my birthday” he said, “I want to lose my virginity”!The day at the factory was boring and time went slowly; I was glad when 5.30 came and we joined the queue to get out of the company car park. On opening the front door we were greeted by a rich savoury aroma which showed that Graham had been working his chef’s magic in the kitchen. He. He knew I could not speakout on her behalf while I was in his prison. I will not return to Hisrealm. Not now." He tossed one stranger into the mud single-handedly. "Notever." He tossed the other one in. There was a brief flash of golden lightas the portal activated and took the strangers away.When the light faded, my father fell to his knees. As I pulled myself tomy feet, a chilly raindrop splattered on my forehead. Even before I couldhear him sobbing, I saw the wings draped across his. “Aye, that could be.”“Why do you ask?” I said, a slight twinge of worry flashing through me at his unusually thoughtful tone. How much did he talk to her about her experience with the filter building? Some, I knew, but all of it? Then again, maybe he was just noticing the same shifting alliances Muireann was talking about on the chairlift.“Because I wonder what it’s like,” Tommy mused. “Muireann, as you know ... She’s a rock for me. I need that, and I surely don’t know half the things she does.