We’ve missed the theatre. We’ll come again next month when it’s in Newport. Okay?”My sister nodded, disappointment writ large on her face. I h...gged her, and she looked up at me a resigned smile on her face.“Does anybody know what’s supposed to happen next?” I asked, my mind still full of the testing.Dad obviously assumed I was talking about just todays plan, because for a moment his answer made no logical sense. “Cash and carry then home.”“What? Oh. No. I meant with these.” I waved my card,. I'll keep the drink though, if you don'tmind." How can I mind?" he'd replied. "It's my homage to a beautiful woman!"He turned and left, and there I was, all the more valuable in Dan'seyes because another man had desired me and I'd preferred him. Dandidn't realize it was a setup until our wedding three months later,when he met Scott and Deborah at the reception. "You really are all Iwant and need," I told him to placate him. "Was there any other way Icould have persuaded you of that?"He was. As a servant he had a silent and calm manner, and was used to being ignoredby Kath's friends, unless they ordered him to do something. Now, however, hesensed Della watching him, and turned.'Open the door to the refrigerator,' she told him, and he did so. She observedsilently. 'Take the glass from the top shelf.' He removed a tall glass, filledalmost to the top with a clear liquid. He examined it.'Drink it.' Hesitantly he raised it to his lips. 'Yes, it is my urine,' shesaid. 'Drink.' He had an. I do not care. They lead me from the room where two tall, heavily armed men await them. These are my new owner’s men, my escort and my guard. We travel through many dark, silent corridors to a carriage. I am placed in the back with the two women on either side. The men climb into the front compartment and goad the horses into action. The roads are good and soon I see that we are passing through broad streets lined with trees, statues and fine buildings – all the trappings of empire. But there.