I was melancholy for the first time in this body. I did not enjoy it. Distantly, barely audible even on the still night air, I could make out the peal...of bell. My mind silently counted the rings, falling back on old habits. My room had at least three clocks, of various descriptions, that I knew of. Somehow, though, even a new body can hark back to ancient traditions. Eleven o’clock. Looking up at the moon, full and bright in the sky, I sighed to myself one final time. I remembered staring up at. I didn’t know their Father too well, but enjoyed the occasional chat along with Dave when he spoke to them every so often to make sure they were doing all right.”“I’m told she was a consort?”“Yes, with the Perfumed Garden Guild, one of their best and most in demand,” Mum confirmed.“Do the kids know?”“Not yet, though I doubt it will bother them, not now. They meet the occasional one at the various functions Dave and I now attend as part of Manny’s entourage,” Mum chuckled.“Ah, they see them as. "You refer to him as she. That must be confusing. You know I have justhad an idea." What is that?" Mary is going on maternity leave in five weeks time and I needtemporary replacement four days a week. Chris or Melissa could do thatand still do his other work for me at the same time."I burst out laughing. "Keep looking for a replacement for Mary."Julie was just about to leave when Melissa came to the hall door andshouted, "Goodbye."I closed the door and went into the kitchen to see Melissa. I had an ingrained habit of never referring to it by actual title unless in the process of being water-boarded and unable to breathe properly without spilling the beans.Of course, I was taking notes in my little notebook after a bad experience with using the little recorders they gave to all new employees to transcribe details onto final reports. Mine was a bit tricky and when I tried to download the data all I got was a high-pitched whine that sounded a bit like one would expect from mermaids.