But to do that something had to suffer; Alex was often gone on consulting trips three or four days a week and Robin was often alone.Robin had though a...out leaving him, but she had gotten use to the money, the big new house in an exclusive community, the country club, the live-in nanny, and the fancy cars. She liked the pampered life. She knew that Alex wasn't getting any on the side; he was totally pre-occupied with clients and major projects.Alex stuck his head into the bedroom, "Gotta go.. I smile, Peter's gonna be celebrated whether he wants it or not."Oh man," I say, sitting down by cute girl, "I am so glad I didn't miss this." So I see." She chuckles."Peter always there for me. Ida kicked myself if-n I found out later that I missed this."She looks at my jacket and her brows knit, "What color is your friend?"I shrug, "White guy. Oh, school, right. Same as me. Green with a gold stripe." Like those?"She points to the water. I'd been so busy on the phone that I stopped paying. How else could he ever win a girl like that? Walking to the village pub that Sunday lunchtime, Charles past the landlord clearing glasses from the beer garden. “Who was that Fred?” Charles asked the man, as they both watched the sleek car drive away. “That, young Charlie, was Mrs D****r; the new owner of the Manor House. Don’t get any ideas boy, you’re well out of her league. She might keep you as a toy boy, but that’s about all.” The landlord laughed as he carried the glasses inside. . The shade-cooled grass tickled her toes as Caitlin walked out into the meadow. Her mother had sent her after mushrooms and told her to hurry back, and Caitlin would indeed hurry back -- after she found enough mushrooms. But who could tell how long that would take? She could not stand to be too long out of the light and warmth of the sun. Of course, the moist cool shade of the deep forest was also nice. Her mother called her fickle, but Caitlin had decided long ago that she liked many things.