The sound of the chime drowned out the chatter of the milling guests; it reverberated with a majestic effect in the audience hall, and signaled the of...icial commencement of the festivities. Acoustics was one of many things not left to chance when the grandiose chamber was built in the time of the Founding.The crowd of guests went by in silence, ushered inside by dutiful servants and thick-set expressionless Protectors gathered on two opposing sides of the hall, leaving a wide stretch of room. Could have killed a whole load of people." Geoff thanked them and took thenames and addresses of two other single people whom he didn't know and who sawthe accident."I think maybe I'll keep the police out of it thoughbut that doesn't mean she's going to get away with it. There's been no personalinjury and Morrisons car park is private land so we don't have to report it. Ialso doubt if her insurance will cover the real cost of a classic car, so maybeI shall have to make sure she does pay '. See the owner is an old friend of mine, called Chubby, and seeing as it's his club he wanted his name on it.As soon as I walked in, music blasted through my ears, being so isolated this last year must have made them sensitive to the loud music again. But never the less, I pushed through the crowd, even dancing a little with a few drunk woman, but finally made it to the V.I.P section.Before I could enter though, a huge guy put his arm in front of me, I looked up and he shouted over the music,. But short term leases were tough to find too. So, being a long time friend of Paul's, I offered to let them stay at my place until they figured things out. I told them stay for a year if they wanted. I was happy to have them around as I had just split up with my long term partner and the house felt empty.They took up the offer. It ended up going better that I ever dreamed.Paul was a doctor, and we had been friends in university through playing rugby. Heather was new to me - though I had heard a.