has effectively scrambled all the connections in your brain today. So I am grateful to her. Do carry on my dear Jared. I Love the new you.’ ‘I Love you too Arty Girl.’ Karis smiled at my use of her old nick name, and went back to hob top to melt some chocolate.
We all had dinner encircling the big table in the main front room. Sam was there too. Leo had put him next to the open window and given him a ceramic ashtray. Marcia came up to me looking flushed. ‘Darling!’ she exclaimed, ‘I adore you. I think I’ll have another one of these!’ ‘Marcia… what have you been drinking?’ I examined the glass; an unnamed cocktail. Karis really had swept in and created some of her special magic. I didn’t know what it was called but I thought perhaps it had at least a double measure in it from the way Marcia was reacting. ‘How many of these have you had?’ ‘This is the second one… I think.’ ‘Let’s eat dear Eve. Then I will kiss you without fear of being too intoxicated.’ ‘I’m not intoxicated… intoxicating enough Jay?’ She slid her arm around me and pulled me close. She was warm and musky and her glittering eyes were close to mine. She reached into my mouth with her tongue and passed me a piece of fruit. I dissolved into her then, feeling the tension go. The hollow feeling was replaced with hunger. We hadn’t eaten since this morning. That was perhaps why she was so giddy. She carried on kissing me. She was sweet like peaches and wine. And scented like flowers at midnight. I began to feel quite a different sensation of hunger. I drew back from her slightly. We were in separate rooms. I was wondering if this was the time to break the barrier. I had waited for her to take what she wanted. Marcia was not a woman who could be physically resisted with ease. She was very strong, and had the statuesque build of a warrior woman. Adam had remarked that she would look good in tight leather and carrying a sword. But then he did watch a lot of those kinds of films. ‘You better sit down Jay.’ She whispered, and kissed me again, ‘I wouldn’t want to have Karis tutting at me for being a bad girl!’ ‘You’re beautiful…. Let’s go outside.’ ‘Not now. I have to help in the kitchen in a minute.’ ‘You could just ask me to leave the room.’ Sam remarked. We both turned, having forgotten he was there. He blew smoke rings into the air. ‘I think that’s my signal.’ Marcia said and swayed round the furniture out of the room. ‘Magnificent woman!’ said Sam appreciatively. ‘You think so.’ ‘I do,’ He prodded a finger in my direction, ‘Just get her wedded and bedded as soon as you can. I’m really in need celebrating something good for a change.’ I didn’t know what to say to that, so I took Marcia’s advice and just sat down.
Dinner was the most pleasingly relaxed affair. Karis and my Mother were bringing in quite a few trays and dishes. We helped ourselves to whatever took our fancy. Leo poured wine for those who wanted it. I swirled the glowing purplish liquid round the glass. I felt oddly light. I was eyeing up the “Friend” who had come with Karis. Sam was talking to Leo at some length. I couldn’t make out what they were saying. Karis’ friend was a guy who wore a shirt and tie that had been crumpled with use. He still had his sleeves rolled up from earlier and his tie was over the back of the chair. He had quite watchful eyes. My mother had told me just before he came in that he was David Morel… beyond that I didn’t know anything. He had dark floppy hair that he periodically brushed away from his face. He seemed to like to keep everyone in his eye line at all times. He tended to turn around in the chair if anyone walked behind him. I hadn’t actually met him properly yet. I was trying to work out why my sister had so favoured him that he should be invited today. He had an easy, winning manner with people and later I found was a fan of