..” was all Phoebe managed before he said, “Out!”Naturally Phoebe worried all weekend what this meeting was about. Does he want to sack me? Is i... promotion? Am I being moved to some other job? She found it increasingly difficult to concentrate on anything, or even to sleep, which was precisely the effect David had been aiming for by the timing.Monday came and the regular Monday Meeting where any problems were aired and the previous week’s progress reviewed, leading to any necessary plan changes. “Don’t deny it. It did,” Angie added.“OK, it might have done.”“We’re only getting a takeaway if you have a decent straw though. Is it a decent straw?”“What is it with you and straws?”“Have you ever tried a straw?”“What?”“Just teasing, but obviously not -”“Two – to take away please, Mac,” Grant had made the decision as he slipped off his stool and grabbed his coat and hat, in that order.They each took their drink and headed out into the cold night air. Grant watched as Angie’s nipples hardened. ....................................The next morning, Tim Fallon lay in his single bed, listening attentively for the sound of his wife driving off to the golf links in her SUV. As it departed, he bounded out of bed, wearing only a small T-shirt and went down to his office, to re-acquaint himself with the doings of the cloaked count and his voluptuous female prisoners. He knew he could safely remain in the dungeon until lunchtime.The two women's golf games were pretty evenly matched. With her. The look of icy calm on his face had several of them averting their eyes in uncertainty as their attempt at intimidation failed miserably.The lunch period was just about over, and Pete was bringing his empty lunch tray to the collection window, when a small touch on his arm brought him back to reality. He looked down at the pale, tiny hand, gently touching him on the wrist, and his heart nearly stopped. Ashley Waters stood next him, looking up at his scarred, battered face, those glorious eyes.