”“Do you know what it’s like? They ban everything – so there’s nothing to do but have sex. Mobile phones are banned, the internet and TV are... banned, nothing like swimming or hiking to do. They ban checkers, for God’s sake! There’s nothing there except beds!”A wistful look flashed across Julia’s face, some long-forgotten moment of bliss, “That’s not quite true, Kathy. They have tables and chairs, and shower cubicles for when you start getting creative,” she corrected in a calm, matter-of-fact. If I still had one, he thought with regret.“Ah, the guest of honor had finally arrived,” de Sade stood and offered a graceful bow. “And just in time,” he added as a bell rang and everyone stood.Baroness Graveek strolled in through a door at the back of the hall. She wore a black, translucent drape from her shoulders that floated around her legs. The same diaphanous material billowed around her arms from wrist to shoulders. Thigh-high, black leather stiletto boots sheathed her long legs. A black. ..we both were.Alexis grabbed the bill, "We can talk about that offer some other time, and you need to get back to work."Looking at my watch I almost shit; two hours had passed. "Oh crap, time flies when you are having fun." It sure does," she smiled back, kissing me on the cheek. "I got the cheque; get your ass back to work."I kissed her back and added, "Tip her well."She smiled, throwing me for a loop, "Who says I haven't already tipped her well?" What?" I asked, confused by her. Friday 25 th June: The arrangements for my holiday to Paris have been finalised. I am to stay with the daughter of some family friends. Her name is Lily and she is studying French Literature at the Sorbonne. She lives in a one bedroom flat so I will not have the privacy I enjoy at home. Still I expect I will have to share a room at Uni so it will be a good preparation. Saturday 10 th July: School has finished and I am on a shopping trip for the gear I need for Paris. Lily is two years older.