‘No, thank you,’ she at first refused, then decided she was thirsty and took a gulp. ‘You very pretty,’ he said. ‘Thank you,’ she said. �...�I didn’t know you could speak English.’ ‘We learn from the work here.’ ‘Oh.’ ‘When your husband come back?’ ‘I don’t know. Why … do you ask?’ She felt the color come to her cheeks. ‘Nothing,’ he said. ‘What’s your name?’ She tugged her skirt gently across the full smoothness of her thighs. ‘Makumud,’ he said. ‘My friend name is Khalid. He think you are very. I told him, "I think you're likely to be sadly disappointed today, but we'll see what happens later."I nodded to the third, genetics-aware, Jew, who said, "I trained as a scientist before I became a rabbi. We thought that might provide a useful perspective." More useful than some others, I suspect." -- To the group, I said, "Before we start our discussion proper, I'll mention that I'm allowing an hour for this conversation. It could very easily be shorter if I lose interest or suffer too much. Victoria groaned from the bed where they had laid her.Mark bent over her."It's me, darling, Mark," he whispered."Mmmm," she murmured drunkenly."I love you, darling."MmmMMmm!" Sergeant Roberts is bringing you a cup of tea and Serena will help you to bed." Want choo ter come ter bed," she muttered.Mercifully Sergeant Roberts, now fully dressed, appeared with the tea."Thank you, Sergeant Roberts," said Mark. "I think this is the moment for the men to disappear. Shout, Serena, if you need help.". "Would your first husband have worn a dress in front of the family andask to be forgiven?" No, he was all man," she replied. "He'd rather have a broken heart thanput a dress on." Dave is all man too, and it took a sincere and dedicated man to do thisnot even knowing if it would change my mind about marrying him." Thank you all for coming," she said.Everyone stood and began to leave. Laura's mom approached her again."Laura honey, I hope you have come to your senses and dump this guy. Idon't.