"Here, it's my journal. It's all in there, okay?Please don't ask me about it anymore." She dropped the book on thebed then turned and walked into the ...athroom and closed the door her.They soon heard the shower come on.They were all nervous. Most of them huddled in groups whisperingamongst themselves. All were dressed to the nines; some having spentclose to two hours on their hair and make-up. This was a veryimportant day. Today they were to meet their husbands. The men hadall been preselected. The carpet was a thick woollen affair, a deep maroon in colour, which matched the curtains almost perfectly, and the cream coloured sofa and chairs kept the room light and airy."Thank you ... my aunt is the owner; she gives me good rates, and likes to take care of me."He could hear the fond smile in her voice, as her tone warmed, and the stiffness left, and he smiled in return."You are all close, your family?" he asked almost wistfully, and Iris blinked in surprise."Yes ... after mum died .... Jon turned and saw Desna.“Lieutenant, how may I help you?”“Where were you on the day 237 of this year?” she asked, her voice utterly flat.Jon shrugged. “In my quarters, researching a new book I had purchased, translating it from what the writer clearly thought was High Gothic to Low Gothic.”Desna nodded, then walked past, saluting Vynn as she walked past. Vynn watched her go, then smiled at Jon. “Still, at least I’ve sent an astro to my prize agent, and we should be in system long enough to be. "That comment did little to calm the teenager's nerves."Crap," Diana mumbled barely audibly, as she absently opened her drink and put it on the table. Standing, she pushed the comfortable chair closer to Hope's, sat, then leaned forward to take the girl's hand in hers for a moment. "I'm doing this all wrong, because ... well, because I don't know how to do it right," she finished in a rush. She couldn't help but let out a soft sigh. "Look. First off, you have done absolutely nothing wrong..