Und alles h?tte vermutlich wunderbar funktioniert, wenn nicht diesed?mlichen K?hlkreisl?ufe am Ringbeschleuniger ausgefallen w?ren. Und nunwar es mein... Aufgabe, diese Mistdinger wieder ans laufen zu bekommen. Asw?rde heute sicher ?berstunden bedeuten, damit die Herrn Physiker morgeneinen neuen Versuch starten k?nnen. Zum Gl?ck hatte ich keine Familie,so dass niemand zuhause auf mich warten musste. Mit meinen fast 30Jahren w?rde ich mir wohl bald mal eine Frau suchen m?ssen, wenn ichnoch Kinder. I think that any of us who have spent much time in Ship’s academy will agree that they managed to learn the material. It sometimes was not fun, but I think that any of us who have been there will agree that we’re proud of the knowledge we acquired — no matter how difficult the learning was. I might even add a caveat to that. The harder it was, the more pride we had when we finally passed the damn test.”There were several chuckles in the room as he finished the last sentence.“How long are we. I’ll need to fill up before I leave, so we can say goodbye there. OK?’ Helen nodded and they walked together to the vehicles. When she pulled onto the road he followed her, pulling to the curb at the edge of town. Helen pulled over when she saw him stop and got out of the BMW. The two of them climbed out for their few last words. Standing together, neither could think of a thing to say. Duncan stood memorizing her face while idly kicking rocks into the gutter. Helen’s eyes were fixed on his. And it is NOT to be opened either. One more to come.’ ‘Chocolate,’ she said through a smile, recognizing the gold Godiva box, the fax still in her hand. ‘I’m going to KILL him…’ Now this little mystery was starting to make sense. She had long cut him all the slack he needed for his career, which took him on the road too often for their liking. The good times were exquisite, though too few and far between for them both. Now this — the faxes, gifts — and, the doorbell? The florist’s timing was.