And then, I “was” eating lunch with them, both of the senior Hardys. They’d surprised me at the Pasture; well, they knew where to find me pretty...much any time that I wasn’t working, and especially Saturday lunch time.“It’s been a while,” said Grant. I shrugged.“Can’t fault your reasoning,” I said.“In our defense, we may be guilty but so are you,” he said, “Yes,” said Penelope, butting in. “It wouldn’t kill you to visit us once in a while.”“Hmm, no, it wouldn’t kill me. I’m just busier than you. " But is it what you want?" I asked her."Let's get tonight out of the way, and then see how Saturday goes, shall we?"I reached out my hand and eased back the strands of hair threatening to curtain her left eye, and as I hooked strands behind her ear, I thought how beautiful she was. And then I thought of how beautiful Carol was, each girl in her unique way was stunning. To see them together would be a dream come true. But did that even matter now the girl Nadine was on the horizon?Carol and. The name that slid into his consciousness during his ruminations was Sirrush. Michael shrugged as he picked up speed crossing the bridge just around the corner from his flat. The name falling to the back of his mind as the rest of the day’s activities took its place. The day had moved along easily. After his run Michael moved through his day, always conscious of either Tera, or Valerie, usually of both of them. Lunch passed in a similar manner as breakfast had. Easy discussions, quiet laughter,. "Fuck!" I said, in English."What?" Lauren asked."Everyone calm down!" I shouted, "Lauren -- please give me a minute. Maybe -- get us some wine or something."Lauren took a deep breath, then said, "Fine! Where is the kitchen?"I asked Fiorella. She pointed to an old swinging door. Lauren passed through."Now," I said, "What was that again? A 'genius loci' is the ancient spirit of a place, correct?" Yes," Katia said."So, the spirit of Milan has kidnapped Jess and Ines?" Yes. We got together last.