The rest of the day was uneventful and even boring. He got an e-mail inviting everyone across the street to the neighborhood pub for a drink to welcom... him back. By the end of the day the rain was falling as Gary went across to the pub. When he got to the pub, he recognized Isabel, Rodger the plant foreman, and a couple of girls from accounting. He was rather bored by the idle chatter but stayed around to be sociable. One of the girls from accounting was Lisa, who was a taller, bigger, but well. The driverwaited outside for a while, then the bride and groom exited the carlooking a little bit more happy. There were some whistles, and yells ofcongratulations, and the party was on.The reception was in a lodge hall, there was a bar, and a DJ, but all ofthat was after the food. A buffet- chicken, fish, or dry tough tri tip,and over a dozen items to pick from. They laughed, told stories, therewere speeches, and a bit of roasting- but not so much.No one said anything about Daniel until Molly. " So last night you wanted me to have sex with Gavin as well?" I asked."Not if you didn't want to, we wouldn't have forced you only if youwanted to do it."I lit another cigarette. Melissa was stretched on the grass now fastasleep in the sun."I'd better get her inside before she burns," I said."Alex speak to me, we can still be friends can't we?" Debbie asked as Istood up and walked towards the steps. I picked up Melissa and took herinside gently putting her down on the settee she stirred. Could I have a minute?” I asked and stood up, realising I felt slightly dizzy, moved blindly to where the door should be and stepped out into the corridor, on auto pilot, seeking the toilet.“Anais? That’s an unusual name.” I could hear the question in her voice over the sound of the bar, the usual one where I explained I was named after my maternal grandmother in France, not the novelist. She’d whispered my name, calling me as I crawled back up from under the covers, my chin wet with her, the.