” “And you’re stuck?” “Yes, my suspenders are fast in the zip.” “Your…suspenders?” My neighbour had a far away look in his eyes when...he said the word ‘suspenders.’ “Yes, I think it’s a bit tight to be honest, what with my boobs and everything.” “Your…boobs.” “Yes! Stop repeating everything I say!” “Sorry Danielle, I’ll just get some pliers. Oh I’m neglecting my manners. Do you want a coffee?” “Yes please.” I waited and sat on his sofa as I heard him fumble around in his tool chest. He came back. . well, even before that there wasn’t much going on, and so ... I don’t really know.” She looked around even more lost than before. I smiled and rubbed her arm gently, trying to ease her mind a little. “Well,” I said, “maybe I can help you with that.”She stared at me for a moment, as everything in her wanted to protest and run away. Still, in the end curiosity overcame her fear, and maybe something told her to just go with the flow this time, so she just nodded and smiled as I took her by the. ”Sally looked up at me with her legs tucked up under her bottom and twirled a wisp of hair in front of her ear with her long, thin fingers that were so unlike mine.“Are you a young folk or an old folk, Daddy?”That was a question that I found on my mind more often these days since I was past the forty year line of ended youth. Years ago it was “don’t trust anyone over thirty”, but these day it was “you better start thinking about social security if you are over forty”.I knew my mom had just. It’s his favourite way of smuggling Undesirables out of the country. That way, when I drive the hearse onto the ferry this evening, I’ll have all the correct paperwork, and we won’t get stopped.”Alison felt a sudden pang of regret. “Must you leave today?” she asked. It was all happening too fast for her liking. The shock of realising that Eva was leaving had made her forget that her time with Rob might be so short.“‘Fraid so. Too dangerous for Chad to wait around any longer. And my mum can’t.