Confused, she asked, “What time is it?”“Four. You were supposed to be over here a half an hour ago for Thanksgiving Dinner,” replied the young...woman with a sudden trace of concern in her voice.“Oh,” answered Silvia as her mind tried to establish a plan. She asked, “I had an unexpected guest and lost track of the time. Do you mind if I bring someone over with me?”“No problem. We have a nice little turkey that will feed a dozen people.” Carla wondered about the identity of the unexpected visitor.. It's an innocent laugh, nothing sinister, so immediately I need her to fucking leave.My confidence is back, almost, and as I walk into the gallery, I take a moment to observe him.He is tall, more than a six-footer, and his hands, which I noticed the first time we met two years ago, are hard hands, big, ready to work, to quarry stones, or mould a breast.His eyes are dark, not brown or green, but murky, as though they hide secrets.He does not look like an artist, I realise. He looks like a. ?How wonderful. Shall I get sick now or wait until after lunch? Momdecided we would go to ?Lend Me An Ear? after lunch. That means abigger mess when I get sick.The only eventful thing that happened during lunch was that I spottedthree girls in my class. They waved but didn?t approach our table. Inodded back. At least they didn?t go to Missy?s when we were in there.I was embarrassed enough without that. I prayed that they were notgoing to shop earrings today.Fortunately the girls were not. ‘A little,’ I admitted. ‘But I have no idea why. I hardly know you …’ I feigned a sudden interest in the water in front of us, inky now as night descended suddenly. ‘Would you like to kiss me?’ She tasted of salt water and tobacco. There was a tang of the afternoon’s beer on her tongue as well. To me she tasted delicious. ‘I prefer a man with a mind,’ Ulla whispered to me when the kiss broke. ‘Someone like you, Englishman.’ Desire flared and my hands went behind her. I felt the muscles of her.