His hand cracked down again. “Two. Three. F-four.”Why had she been late? Why had she wasted all that time in the goddamn corridor, spent so long p...cking out her stupid dress? She could see it on the floor, feel the soft material next to her foot. It was so comfortingly familiar.Every time his palm slapped down, her eyes closed tight and she sucked in a long breath, holding it until she thought the pain might have passed. It didn’t work but she did it anyway. Routines made things easier, right?. "The third string needs quarterbacks, too." His laughter stopped abruptly with a little help from Robbie's elbow. "Seriously man, it's not as much fun without you." I don't know," I said as I maneuvered Tami between us, my hands resting on her shoulders. "Monster Girl's a lot of fun in a tight huddle."The quick blush on Mark's face confirmed that Robbie and he were getting pretty tight, and I really didn't want to know how tight. My theory is that all the girls I know revert to innocent virgins. We've spent a lot of time getting help from Father Martin and I think I am better now. Maybe I shouldn't have been too stubborn to accept his help earlier. But however things are now, I can't undo what I have done to the Lady you're obviously in love with. If you can't forgive me, I will only have myself to blame, but I ask one thing of you – please don't make your mother pay for my idiocy. I beg you son, please contact her at least. I will stay out of it if you wish, but Cath should not have. I waved the waiter over and asked if he knew where the lady had gone.“Sorry sir. She left whilst you were in the Gents. Is there a problem?”No problem. Oh well. Another lonely night in my room … on my own … on my birthday.On my way back to the room I grabbed a bottle of red wine to keep my company through to bed time. As I staggered to my room I was thinking about Suzy and perhaps I should give her a call before bed time as I felt a little guilty about the unfaithful thoughts I’d been having.