Set in a clearing, about an acre in size, snow had melted to reveal spots of lawn and carefully planned bushes. Surrounding the property were old tree...s, tall and leafless, and green pines.A wide double door opened when I rang the bell. Alia appeared, smiling, her eyes sparkling with pleasure. “Finally. I was about to shoot myself to put me out of my misery,” she said, taking the bottle of red wine I proffered.Peals of laughter echoed from inside.“Come on in,” she invited.Her house was. Without looking back at me, Sonya then began to saunter back towards thedoorway, leaving me bound and naked on the bed. “Hey,” I said with a surprised laugh. “Where are you going?”“Back to the party,” she said, looking back to cast me a fittinglydevilish smile. “I have guests to attend to.”“What about me?” I called out as she slid the door open.“Don’t worry,” she assured, stepping outside. “I’ll be back.”I laid there stunned as I heard the glass door slide shut. I was fullyexpecting Sonya to. Your step-sister is my dietician and her mother will start my physical training real soon.”“That sounds great,” Jamie said. “Maybe when you are in better shape, I can pace you. I’m a swimmer too.”“What’s your best 200 meters?” Mary asked him.“My best 200m Free is only 1:39, and my 200m Fly is 1:59,” Jamie said blushing. “Both are unofficial.”“Wow!” Mary said. “Jamie, why don’t we all go back to your place with the Olympic standard pool?”I looked at April, and she ran up and changed into the. "Please hear me out before you make any comment and then you can tell me what you think."I looked at her and she nodded in agreement though she looked slightly worried because I was not usually this forceful with her. I outlined my plans for the future as I saw it and finished by asking what she thought about them.Rebecca sat for a while thinking about what I had said. Then she asked,"You are certain that you can pass the A levels without taking the standard grades?" Yes I am confident I could.