In the meantime, can we do something that gets my mind off tonight?”Heather looked at Liya.“Liya girl, would you mind if we all went to the pitch?...��“No. Not at all. Let’s do that.”Liya did not hesitate. If I didn’t already know it, that would have made Liya’s love for Gracey obvious.We quickly got re-dressed, grabbed all four of our soccer balls, and told Dad we were going to the pitch. Fortunately, there was no one using it.“I suggest one or both of two things,” Heather said when we got set up.. . lying on the couch with the murder of the mouse a nearly forgotten memory. To create a bit of atmosphere I had piled logs in my fire place even though it was about 26 degrees Celsius and I was coated in a thin sheen of sweat. Beside the fireplace was my "Christmas tree", a short, stubby, rubber plant in a cheap plastic pot. I had draped a bit of tinsel over it and had briefly contemplated stringing some lights on it but decided against it, as it would surely sound the death knell for this. ”Kandra’s eyes were wide, the male had moved? He’d seen nothing, one moment he was there, the next he was over the body. “No apologies needed, though I think that your friend is in trouble.”The mournful sound coming from where Difina and Jimison had been fighting drew their attention. Difina was holding Jimison close howling at the top of her voice. Akira had already moved to Jimison passing several compact medical scanners over him.Akira tried to get Difina to release Jimison, only to be. These fellers killed Peitri, Rubin and Roger. They've come to claim the farm. I always told you slaving was a bad way to make money." He told her.The colour drained from her face. She turned and ran screaming towards the house. "Mary, Sheila, these bastards have killed the men folk."Robert spurred his horse towards her, drew his club, and hit her on the back of the head. She collapsed onto the ground "Get to the house quickly, there's a good chance they've got crossbows in there."They rode.