‘Not gonna happen! Face it Carla, you’re twenty years behind the times,’ Nicolette said to Carla. ‘No, closer to 40 – and I’ve never under...tood why!’ Carla started to explain, but Nicolette cut her off. ‘All your arguments are nonsense. Sex is wonderful, liberating and good for you. Men today want a girl with experience – to use a cliché, they like a gal who is a lady in public and a whore in the bedroom!’ Nicky giggled and added ‘There are even some men who like a gal who’s a bit of a whore in. As they emerged from the Palace, his Officers and Havildars formed an arch with their kukris. A carriage conveyed them to the waterfront where a sleek boat with six oarsmen awaited them. With their luggage already on board, they set off down river.Susan had changed into trousers and a jacket with a cream coloured blouse underneath. She lay back against the cushions that were piled at the back of the boat under the awning that protected them from the sun. “It was a wonderful ceremony, David,”. . so whatever he decides, I guess that’s up to him.”“Oh,” I said. “I’m sorry...”“It’s my own fault,” she said. “I made an impulsive decision, and I should’ve known better.”“What do you mean?”“Did Chad ever tell you how the two of us met?”I shook my head. “No...”“I was on vacation in Hawaii, and Bill was on shore leave. Of course, being young, I felt like I was in paradise, and I told myself it was love at first sight. But then reality set in, and he got orders to ship out. I was worried. I knelt and checked over the mower. The wire to the spark plug was secure and there was plenty of gas. Getting up, I tried starting it myself. There was not so much as a cough.“Spark plug, maybe,” I said after some thought, “I have a spare for mine. I’ll get it and the tools I need. Just a minute.”“Thanks, Ken. Don’t know what I’d do without a good neighbour like you,” Miranda replied with a smile and a shake of her head.I wandered back to my garage and dug out the plug and the tools I needed.