"Wow," she muttered to herself, her voice breaking the silence. She pushed her fingers into her hair and stared at the chicken scratch she'd put on pa...er. The seven digit number stared at her and she shivered. Nausea rolled through her and she pressed her palm to her stomach. She pushed back from the table and reached for the phone."Gabe?" she asked the voice she recognized immediately."Sarah? Everything okay?" he answered back."Yeah, do you think you can come by and pick me up. I don't really. In the end, I decided that the fact that he dildo wasblack was just coincidence, although at the back of mymind lurked a nagging doubt. Was I just being na�ve? During the next week, when we went shopping or for ourevening walk, I watched her behaviour carefully, like ascientist examining a slip under a microscope. Everytime a black man, whether young or old, passed us, Ilooked out of the corner if my eye to see Isabel’sreaction. Yes, there it was, a look and little smilefrom each young. " Oh, my God! Stop talking right now!" I throw one of the balled-up tissues at her as she bends over to slot the saucers in the dishwasher."Kiera and Will sitting in a tree…" she sings to the dishes before slamming the door shut."Stop!" I stand and push in my chair. "fine, I'll dance with him," I sulk, snatching the cloth she passes across the bench. "But you're wrong. I'll never kiss that man, let alone marry him." Uh-huh, we'll see." She beams. "I bet you five jars of Nutella you have your. Her husband was away for a couple of weeks on temporary duty, so she was delighted to spend her time with the older woman who was quickly becoming her dearest friend ever. As the sun set, Allyson went on to tell stories of coming to this very spot when she was in high school. She described how she had lost her virginity in the back seat of a car (not her best sexual experience). Then, with some trepidation, Ally asked Sam if she could keep a secret. The older girl, now somewhat tipsy, sat up.