The doorbell rang about 11.45 and I threw on my dressing-gown and answered the door to find David standing there, looking forlorn and with blood-shot ...yes. I suspected he’d been crying.At this point, I should mention that we had not been particularly tactile in our friendship up to now. Once the G-word had been discussed, David had taken to hugging me affectionately when I answered my front door to him but that was as far as it had gone. So I was a little taken by surprise when, as soon as the. "And they require I confer with the soon to be crown prince as to his role in tomorrows ceremonies!" I am more than capable to instruct Tenchi on anything that he needs to understand!" Ayeka returned disdainfully."Unlikely." Ena admonished flatly."While I'm certain your knowledge of basic ceremonies rivals my own. There are several, how shall we say? Items upon which I must personally instruct." Over my dead body!" Ayeka growled."Uh Ladies?" Tenchi attempted to interject."You have been out of. "She is quite good at "performing"... I give her that," she added, withdrawing the tape from her safe and giving it to the niece.Vickie added it to the others."Uh, if you should happen to hear anything from Yuki or her parents..." I'll let you know immediately." Thanks," replied Vickie and left.Andrea picked up the phone on the second ring."Andrea Beaumont." Andrea, it's Laurel." Hi Sis, how are you?" I'm fine, it's Vickie I'm concerned about. Every time I've called you've told me she wasn't. The Service has been her family. What is the most important work still left undone?Popova considers her options: how would she know her career had been crowned by success? She would have to rely on the opinions of others, to some extent. Suppose she were to be promoted to General? That would be a confirmation...She considers further. To die in vigorous middle age, as a General of the KGB. A life dedicated to the welfare of her country and socialism would be a life well-lived. It would be a good.