This is not the way I envisioned Christmas this year.With tears streaming down her face, her mother’s face, Erin says, “Dad, have you noticed how ...uch weight you have gained since mom died? We both let it go because at first we were all grieving but have you noticed how much bigger your clothes are. I do most of the laundry when we are all home, and I’m scared for you, and for us. We lost Mom, we love you and don’t want to lose you too.”She got up and got my stocking down from the mantle. "I don't think that you have thought of a price, because I think youhave been questioning my logic. That means that the price is irrelevant,it is simply symbolic, so I think that you should accept the ?5."He raises his glass in a toast. I meet his toast."Don't say anything. I think you should go to the lavatory now and ifyou accept that your price is ?5 then remove your knickers and when youget back to the table pass them to me."I stand up carefully, and make my way into the pub, I don't have a. ’ ‘Yes Fi. Great name and great legs and tits.’ ‘Roy!’ ‘Yes Alice? Why don’t you try to relax while in a warm bath and I’ll make you a hot chocolate. If you can’t cope I ask Doc Talbot to give you a sedative.’ Next evening when Fi returned home from her job she’d just quit she was asked to sit down by her serious-faced parents and told it was a family conference. Her normally liberal but complex mother said, ‘Roy.’ ‘Um your mother and I want you to revert back from this ridiculous name to. Not, mind you, that she could recall where she'd seen the woman. She just knew she had."You want her," said the woman. "Use her. She will love every second of it."Kiera shook her head, trying to make her brain function, then frowned. Had someone just been there? She wasn't sure, but it seemed like there had been. Maybe it had just been her lust talking, because she felt like she was drowning in it. Kiera turned and looked back at Cindy, and stopped caring if there'd been someone in here with.