Tobias was happy to do anything for Tessa, and that meant even today hewas happy to watch her get treated like a princess. She got made up andthey had...a nice lunch before heading home to get ready for the big night.He had something special for her. She got ready in her room as Tobiasprepared the gift in the living room. He looked up when he heard hercoming down the stares and stared in awe as she glided gracefully to thebottom."You look lovely Tess." Her large smile beamed bright at him."I have. I had returned to Louisiana every spring break since Ihad begun my college career at Harvard, but this spring break promisedto be special, indeed. Mardi Gras came at times which always seemed toconflict with my class work, but this year, by pure luck, spring breakhad been scheduled to coincide with the most exciting time of the yearin my home state.Most tourists associate Mardi Gras with the great drunken mob thatrules the streets of the French Quarter every spring just before lent.But for. She had other clients, but she'd always treated David as if he were her only client. David adored her, and she returned his admiration with equal affection and respect. She was about fifty years old, chubby, short, and a ball of energy.Because setting up Ridley had taken the entire morning, David had called her, and she'd agreed to meet Flint and him for a late lunch.While they ate, Flint outlined his security plan. Gloria offered to help him set up the budget for the plan, and Flint gratefully. (gorn = East London pronunciation of 'gone')"They've only been an gorn and kicked the poor cow out'er 'ouse, 'aven't they?"It is a peculiarity of East London speech to convert a statement into a question, which can take some getting used to, as can the dropped aspirant.She calmed down and I got the full story. The local council had given Miriam four weeks to vacate her parents' former home, as it was still council owned. With the former tenants deceased the council now wanted the property for.