"They make a nice couple," Cynthia said. "All right. That has to be the core." Let's talk it over with the others."Alex and Irene were both in the Par...ntal Version clone. When Jared let them know they needed to talk, Irene withdrew to meet them in the Lab."We found the core programming module," Cynthia said, and explained how they'd done it, and confirmed what it was."That presents some problems," Irene said. "Did you isolate it?" No, because that would be a change to the environment." Good. I. I could almost feel milk rising up inside me and flowing into him. He'd been such a dear baby, I'd loved him so much and still did now that he was almost grown. Whatever anybody said, this can't be wrong, I knew.He was bracing himself with one hand on my leg, and his other hand held my breast, stroking it. The last sniffles from his crying were running onto it from his nose. The warmth and pressure of his hand spread up my thigh, and I realized I was sopping wet. I could see the bulge in his. She cannot love you. She can serve you, care for you. Because of her programming, your unhappiness is actively painful to her ... to us. I have come to realise that my provision of the avatar you call Romy may be ... probably is ... detrimental to your long-term well-being. The conflict lies in my desire to continue to communicate with you. And in that you would be distressed in the short term if I discontinued the Romy programme." Oh." I chewed that over while she sat waiting for me. "So .... You can't smell the buses any more. Can't we just walk around for a bit?" Later. We have to see the shop first. Ethel's expecting me." But not me?" I'll tell her who you are." It might be better if I stayed outside. If she didn't see me." No. We'd better stick together. Until we know how it all works. Without me, you might not be able to get back, or ... anything! Come on."The bell tinkled and the wooden floor echoed to the tap of Sally's heels. The bell on the counter. Somebody coming. Sally.