“Is Annie answering your calls?” I asked as soon as I sat down, not bothering with the whole awkward introduction stage. I just dived straight in....His face dropped. “No, she’s not talking to me. What about you?” She wasn’t even talking to Ryan, the person she truly loved the most. I felt even more guilty than ever. “No, I’ve been calling her all day, nothing.” We sat in silence for a moment before he said his next words. “Look you’re a lovely girl” I finished the sentence for him. “But you. ”“Did you want it? Did you mean it?”“Yes, why?”“If you wanted it and you meant it then you have nothing to be sorry about. The only way that you could ever know what I wanted was to ask me. If things were even slightly different, I would have given you a different answer but Julie and I are too good together. I can’t let go of that Marg.”“I know. You won’t tell her will you?”“Is there a reason why I should tell her, Marg.”“See, that’s why I love you so much. You always protect us all no matter. A thought occurred to me. “What time do you have to be home by?” I asked Mel.“An hour earlier than yesterday because Mum will finish work and make dinner earlier,” explained Mel, looking at her cartoon-character watch.“When we’ve finished our drinks, we’d better clean up so you can go,” I said, feeling pangs at the thought of Mel leaving.That thought put a damper on things, so we finished our drinks in silence. Mel dumped her can in the trash and I put my mug in the dishwasher.“Shower,” I. ”They giggled together.“Anyway you must stay for the party, it will be such fun.” She said.Sandy blushed, “I’m so sorry I have nothing to wear.”Marianne laughed again, and then her eyes glittered wickedly.“Darling,” she said gleefully. “What a totally marvellous idea.”“I don’t understand,” whispered Sand.So it was that when the guests arrived for the Halloween Masquerade, they were shown to a side room. There Marianne standing on a raised platform addressed the assembled guests.“Friends,” she.