The kids went for their favoured starters as we had expected. Sam came back fairly promptly with our drinks and leant across the table right in front ...f me to pass the drinks to the kids. I wasn’t complaining as I got an eyeful of her top and the down between her breasts – I wasn’t sure that the buttons had been that undone that much when she served us earlier, but with the sight in front of me, I wasn’t complaining. We ordered our starters and main courses and then got into more natter about. And then they were back to their usual discussions about Dad's daily joband what ridiculous things the neighbours had done yet again. James beingthere did seem to throw a bit of a wrench into their conversation though.Soon the talk petered out, and they were left in an uncomfortablesilence.Dad coughed and cast a glance at James. This time, at least, his eyesdidn't wander."So, son...how are you holding up? Or, uh, should we call you a girlnow?" He seemed thoroughly uncomfortable. "Well, I am a. “Here we go. Sunshine of Your Love.”Without waiting for Carl to set the pace, I just started the riff at the right speed. Pete frowned at me. I ignored his look and luckily he and Carl joined in. Bruno missed his cool bass entrance again, but at least he sang this time.“So how did it go?” Heather asked.“It went,” I replied evenly.There was a giggle on the other end of the line. “That good, huh?”“Bruno totally freaked out!” I wailed. “We had to stop after we started the first time!”“Oh no! What. Don’t forget, James is coming.’ He walked the grounds, alone with his thoughts. Returning to Stanhope had brought back feelings that he had long suppressed. Perhaps Alice was right. Perhaps he was in love with Kathleen. Then what? Should he tell her? And if she said she loved him, as Alice believed, what should they do? Marry? What would Father and Mother say? Suddenly life at the front became easier. It was black and white, life or death there. No grey area. McTavish found him pacing beneath.