About all I could do inside was fix a couple of faulty plugs on lamps and make sure that all the weather stripping on the doors and windows was tight...."Come warm weather," I told mother, "we've got to get these drafty windows replaced by new ones with double thermal-pane."Mother made spaghetti for dinner, I started a fire, fixed a salad, opened the bottle of good Bordeaux I had brought as a gift, and we sat down to eat. After dinner, mother had a cigarette and then cleared the table while I. "- you're the town's hero." She gave him another squeeze then whispered in his ear. "Oh I wish I was ten years younger." She wiggled against his thigh. "Oh, you make me all hot and bothered." She giggled.Arron's cheeks started to heat up. "Jerina!"She giggled again, patted his cheek, turned and took his arm. "We are going to see the town elders and get you confirmed officially as a Hero of Harcross." She leaned close again. "And they can bloody well up your stipend as well, tight bastards!" How. I could not wait fora free opportunity to wear it but alas it was not to be. When I returnedto fetch it the following morning it was gone! I was mortified as I knewone of the daily cleaners must have found it and most probably handed itto matron. My dark secret was out! I felt like running away there andthen but where would I go? I only knew this small provincial village. Todepart from it would feel like falling off the edge of the world. Therewas nothing for it but to face this calamity head. I heard Karen ask the other two women something when the full effects of the elixir finally hit me. It started as a slight tingling at the back of my head that extended down the back of my neck. This was followed by a very brief fainting sensation, as if I were experiencing a head rush from standing up too quickly. For some reason I momentarily lost my peripheral vision, which augmented my feeling of lightheadedness. I tried to listen to what the women were saying, and vaguely heard Gloria ask.