Patel and Joe were genuinely sad that we were leaving, we'd been good tenants and not only was there mutual respect, but we'd grown to like each other...as well and even Joe who we'd not really known all that long was quite sorry that we were going too.We spent most evenings in the garden, the girls just drinking a few cans of lager because of their condition, while I dismantled the greenhouse and generally got everything together ready for the move. We'd decided to go on Saturday, two days after. I have every one of your books. You are an exceptional writer,’ she said. Her praise made his chest puff up a bit and he smiled at her. Sliding an arm around her waist he ushered her farther into his house. He gave her the tour, showing her each room on the lower level. ‘Well, that’s the lower level, the only thing upstairs is bedrooms and bathrooms. Where would you like to go for dinner? I just moved here recently so I don’t really know what’s available,’ he said, his hand still resting on. I was, as it turned out, indeed pressed into usher service even though I had not been part of the rehearsal the Thursday before the big event.The dancing music began to play after all had had an opportunity to eat, have a drink, and relax a tiny bit. My rival got up and led my daughter, and his, out onto the floor for the official start of the social hour.I was shocked out of my socks as Ava came up to me after the father-daughter dance and dragged me out onto the floor for a dance. She smelled. The third base coach flashed the sign: steal second. I waited a few pitches and took off on a breaking ball away. I beat the throw, although I felt a slight tightness in my groin when I stood up. A few pitches later, one of the guys laced a hanging curve ball into right field. I took off and rounded third. Urged on by the coach, I headed home. I slid, avoiding the catcher’s efforts to tag me. I trotted to the bench and knew I was going to pay a price for this: my thigh ached. I had.