A ringing in my ears was replaced with laughter, my mom’s laughter at that.As the red haze subsided and my vision returned, I looked at my mom snigg...ring at my discomfort, yet she still sat there with her legs drawn up and her happy face resting atop her knees. There was confusion aplenty as I tried to place what was happening into the neat little stacks of logic in my head. Had I just been scolded, or chided? The laughter seemed to point to jest and happines on my mom’s part.“By, but you are. They had me maintaining their weapons, and repairing ones that broke.If a weapon had to be test fired, they had someone else do it. I could watch the test, but only while I had my hands and legs chained together. I was searched thoroughly, several times, any day I worked on anything. And when I say thoroughly, I really mean it. It wasn't just weapons I worked on. Most of these guys were educated in Madrasas (schools which were heavy on Koran and hatred of the west, but light on anything beyond. . sweetheart ... I think you're possibly the bravest person I've every known..."She opened her mouth to speak, but he held up his hand and went on, "I don't think I've ever known you to back away from a difficulty, a challenge, a threat. No matter the potential for you to be hurt – physically or emotionally – you've stood straight and met the problem head on ... until now." What are you talking about?" Jack Cooper."There was a very long pause then, before Dulcie let out a breath... "Oh.". We became friendly with most of the staff and would always have Friday afternoon drinks.As time went on Deb came back to our accommodation more often and sometimes Anna would come too. She was obviously close to Anna and I suspected there was something there. One Sunday evening all the staff had left and we were closing Reception when Deb came by. We asked if she would like a drink and we headed to the bar. Reception and the bar were closed so we sat and drank and talked for ages.After a while.