Today, thankfully, they were strangely absent. As she got closerI noticed she was carrying a bag from 'The Emporium', which is a highclass ladies clot...es shop, and my smile widened. "Hi Maya," I pointed tothe bag. "I see you're going up in the world. Shopping at 'TheEmporium'?" Hey Julia, It's not shopping. It's my uniform. I've got a job as ajunior assistant," she smiled. "It was Mrs. Hughes idea. I'm trainingunder a girl named C.J." Maya paused. "Aunt Susan and I agreed with herthat it would. After lunch Suzie left with her small suitcase and headed for the station. Clare also left to stay with a friend overnight. About 7pm Dorian and Bethan knocked on the door. Hannah greeted them.They came in and Peter met them. He was pleased to see Bethan.“Are we staying here or going upstairs?” he asked.“Well, let’s see Suzie’s new weapons!” giggled Bethan.They all went up to Suzie’s room and Hannah opened the wardrobe. “There!” she said.Over the next few minutes they all examined the canes and. I sure as hell hoped I was as sharp as him when I am eighty. If it weren't for the white hair and skin like leather, he could have passed for fifty. Well he didn't have any teeth and he ate with his hands, but otherwise he could have. He was active enough for sure.Me: If you don't have anyone else, I will go with you. About all I can do is pull you out if you fall overboard. (I smiled when I said it.)Juan: I ain't never fell out of no boat sober, but I shore do thank you for the offer.He had. My eyes were open but everything was so bright and I couldn't work out what I was looking at. And there was this rushing sound in my ears; I could hear other things, like when you were getting dressed, but they seemed far away. And there was this steady, regular thumping noise, too; I remember trying to think what on earth it could be." You were conscious, then?" Oh, yes. All the time, I think. I remember you kissed me when you left. I wanted to talk to you, get you to stay, but I couldn't.