As usual, there was food, karaoke singing, dancing, and stories shared, overall, just a good time had by all. At one point, a handsome young man asked... me to dance. I decided one dance wouldn't hurt so I decided to give it a try. He led me out onto the dance floor and try as I might, I just didn't enjoy the dance. When the song ended, I excused myself and went to the restroom. Lara slipped and said, "You okay Alexis?"I looked up at her and smiled. "Yeah, I'm okay." Bad dancer?" she asked."Wrong. Most historic monuments of note had been destroyed during the many centuries of war. Everything of natural beauty was now employed as a military installation. Beatrice and Paul had to make do in very substandard lodgings, as did the rest of Lieutenant Korolyov's party. The one bedroom and attached kitchenette and bathroom in their fourth floor apartment wasn't much better than what they'd got used to on the space shuttle.The couple had little to do except make love and when not so engaged to. "She was a vacuous, self-obsessed, self-important, selfish witch," Matthew muttered and looked at his sister. "Who I really am no longer fond of. Ever since we took out a joint tenancy and she fucked off paying nothing. But I'm suing her for that."Amelia grunted. "Did you split because she wanted you to do something with your life?"Matthew took a deep breath; he had always struggled to get on with his sister and her living in London and only coming to the Midlands every few months had scarcely. “What happened?” “It’s all good news,” he replied. Laura could see the smile on his face from the tone of his voice. “You got them to sign?” “Of course I did,” he answered. “Did you ever have any doubt about it?” “Not with you making the presentation,” she said with certainty. “Does the front office know yet?” Evan pulled his car off the road and into a parking lot so that he could concentrate on his conversation with Laura. “I have not told them yet and don’t plan to do so until tomorrow.