The others that came with him grinned and found chairs. Mark was looking over all of the books spread out on the table. “Ooh, I’ve not seen that o...e,” he said and happily reached for it. He looked at Mage Terrill, “Is this from your collection?”“Yes, your Lordship,” Terrill replied, surprised.“Mark is fine, please. We are all friends here,” he said offhandedly as his eyes skimmed through the book. “Ah, this is an old book. Ooh, here’s one that hasn’t been copied into any of the new editions.”. "Good. The other girls and I are going out in fancy dress. Do youwant to come along?" Er OK. What sort of fancy dress?" Oh, don't worry about that, we'll get that organised for you. Justmake sure you're ready to go at 5:00 on the 31st." Thanks, er, I don't even know your name." It's Di and don't mention it. We're going to have some fun."-------The 31st arrived and, at 5:00 on the dot, Jody went to "Hi & Bye,"Di's desk."Great, you're here. We're getting changed upstairs so let's go."When. So I put my head down, saying asI closed my eyes, "Why don't we finish up. I still need to get homebefore I go out." I grimaced inwardly at how harsh I sounded, but I wastoo upset to really care.Lying there, again near tears, I thought to myself, *You're a hypocrite.A hypocrite and a fraud.* *No, my life is okay the way it is,* I arguedback.*No. You're a wimp, a wimp and a coward. You never commitwholeheartedly to anything. You're afraid to give up being comfortable,even when a little risk. I mean it. If it wasn’t for Cam none of this would have ever happened. I’m the luckiest person around.” “No Charles, I’m the luckiest person around.” She touched his hand and held it in hers. “I’m the one who should be honest with you.” She looked down and away and spoke softly. “From the very first day I saw you I knew I wanted to be around you, with you, and well I don’t know. But I knew there was something extremely special about you.” She finally looked directly at him wearing a blank.