I couldn't make sense of it except for one explanation only.For some reason I had been brought here to stay. Was my Mistress here?What happened to al... the people at my home? Where was I? I couldn'tbear to think of the only answer that made sense. I got up and triedthe door, it was locked.I think I may have been lost in my thoughts as I didn't hear anyoneunlock the door, but it swung open and I recognised Askey as he camein."How are you feeling, sweetheart?" How do you think I feel?" I. Ich weinte, und Papa versuchte mich zu troesten.Ich fuehlte mich wohl in Papas Armen -- wie ein kleines Maedchen.Aber troesten konnte er mich eigentlich dennoch nicht. Ein halbesJahr! Eine Ewigkeit!Das halbe Jahr dauerte wirklich lange. Waehrenddessen vertrauteich Papa an, dass das rosa Spitzenkleid noch immer in meinenTraeumen vorkommen wuerde. "Schau' 'ma mal.", meinte er. Na ja,eine Zusage war dies wohl nicht direkt. Aber eine Absage war eseindeutig auch nicht.Gegen Herbst zu kam dann. WhileI hoped Geoff would get enough of the hint to sit across from me, with thetable safely between us, he opted to take the seat right next to me.Forcing me to turn my back to the door in order to face him."I'm sorry if I ..." Will you fracking stop apologizing already," I said. I didn't raise myvoice, but there was power and anger behind them. "All it does is make mefeel guilty."He blinked, leaning back. "Why are you feeling guilty?" Because, if not for my stupid wish, you wouldn't have been. He ground his teeth to keep from yelling at her and closed the door with a loud click. His boots landed in a corner where he kicked them and his shirt was flung onto the floor as he undressed for bed, making no attempt to be quiet. Giving her no heed, he stripped off the last of his clothes and turned off the lantern before plopping onto the bed, causing the small frame to creak in protest. He tossed and turned, finally facing the wall and punching the small pillow into a ball beneath his head..