"Sorry folks," my father announced from the living room doorway "it's a power cut, they reckon it will be out for at least two hours."His words were n...ot greeted with pleasure, but as always my mother came up with a solution."Dan," she called across to my father, "go get the radio CD player, it runs on batteries and we can at least put the music back on."So my father went and got the player and soon we had music again, it didn't take long for the mood of the party to return and more, I noticed. There was a fleeting naughty feeling of satisfaction at that before I banished it. I wondered what her double barrelled fiancé made of it.With the residue of those feelings still fresh, I began to think about her again. I didn’t want to but I couldn’t help it.The information was clear enough. Penny thought I was cheating, unfaithful. So questions arose from this. Did she confide in Martin as a friend, and this turned into a love affair? Did she mistakenly take Patty’s suspicions as certainty?. "He must draw a good income," Anson answered soberly. The son of a caretaker, he was certainly impressed.Smilingly, she scribbled again, 'We live well enough.'"I should think you do, Miss Maynard," Anson nodded. He changed the subject. "You are an accomplished horsewoman."Again, she scribbled. 'It is one of my pleasures, besides reading.'"It must be lonesome for you to live here in Devon."She shook her head and scribbled, 'I would not fit in with society.'"Because of your..."She nodded. At long last, I gave up. Setting my cutlery down, I made quiet excuses to a few members of the party around me and I slipped quietly out of my seat. I made my way out of the restaurant, dodging the tables and chairs strewn in my way. I wasn't a smoker, but no one at my table knew that. No one at my table knew me. I just needed to get away for a while. Stepping out into the cool air was a welcome relief and I breathed deeply, filling my lungs and relaxing my shoulders. It felt good to be away.