I saw the worry on Mandy’s face too. After a while, it was time for me and Mandy to go out for the afternoon. Jayde had arranged beforehand to stay ...ith Jim and lock up the house when it was her clocking off time. I and Mandy wouldn’t be back until the evening, and it so irked me to leave her alone with Jim, who obviously would love to have his wicked way with her. I had to go, however, Mandy expected me to. However, when we got to the cinema, I couldn’t relax, wondering what was going on back. ‘Besides, I do my job well enough. Everyone else loves me. He’s the only one who doesn’t.’ ‘And little Jenni has to be loved, by everyone.’ Mark shook his head, ‘You are still seeing that shrink, right?’ Jim put his hand up, ‘Stop right there. We are not here to sort out Jenni’s issues. We are here to get drunk and play pool.’ ‘Amen. Get me another drink and rack’em up’ She flagged the waitress and ordered. Jim got the triangle out. ‘Hey, we’ve got too many people.’ ‘Pete and Tony are coming.. Why, I wondered, couldn’t they just talk to each other? Had the art of whispering been lost?I watched Chantal while she set up the table. She passed by a laughing Bella and hugged her before moving on. Chantal was very touchy-feely today. She was full of soft smiles and glowing. Maybe it was because her daughter was turning sweet sixteen.I automatically smiled when I spotted Bella. In the last two years she’d hardly changed, yet the lady she was becoming was shining through, elegance emerging,. Why are you doing this for me?’ ‘Everywhere in the world millions of people are being killed, Hans. If I can save one life I think it’s a good thing.’ By now Hans had unpacked the contents of his knapsack. Ruth picked up a book with a black leather binding. She read the title. ‘Serviceman’s New Testament. Are you devout?’ she asked. As she leafed through the pages, she said, ‘Yes. You’ve been reading it. It even has the Psalms.’ ‘Read me your favorite one.’ Ruth turned the pages and said,.