Eventually I decided if I wanted him, and I did want him so badly, then I would have to resort to drastic measures, give him no choice at all. I waite...d until one Sunday morning when Mum was going out early to take her mother somewhere. Dad was still in bed asleep. Once the front door had shut I listened for the car to start, and she was gone. Just me and Dad left in the house. If ever I was going to act it had to be now. I stripped off my nightclothes, and went into the bathroom. Toilet, teeth,. So I quit with him -- it got to be too much. I neededsomeone gentler and more considerate, less fretful, less demanding. And that was when you walked into my life and changed everything,sweetheart." I'm glad," I said. What else could I say? She was circlingsomething. I waited for her to pounce."Nadine told me that's a primal animal reflex in males. Becausefear and desire and possessive hostility all conflict, making fora crazy mix inside them of horniness and jealousy. Because ourspecies. Fucking tough. And she didn't have much choice. Either she would remain homeless or end up dead. Olive wasn't gonna give satisfaction to the fuckers who were after her for the debts she could never pay. She wasn't gonna be one of those who'd be found rotting under a pile of garbage in a skip. Or tossed into a canal to float with the turds and ancient rusted shopping trolleys. Or thrown out of the top-floor window of a tower block.She was a survivor.But survival in South London so far from her. One will makewhoever takes it a man and one that makes whoever takes it a woman. Youmay have to take the second one, if you father wants you to." I will take that if I want to and not if and when my father forces meto. I am my own person." Hi, my name is Max, I am Chris' older brother and I was a lot like himin build and manner." Hi Max, great to meet you." Hi Princess Michelle, I am Alex Smith. The Alex used to be short forAlexandra." You are a woman?" Oh no, not anymore. The first serum.