And so does Sophia.”Sophia rose, her head bowed, still wrapped up in her problems. I led her down an alley, the bustle of the square dying down. I t...urned around, facing her. She frowned at me, her hands washing together before her.“You're afraid that I won't love you if I remember Kevin,” I said, a nice, blunt attack. “Even though I already told you that I would.”She blinked. “I...I...” Her head lowered. “Yes.”“You know I love you, right?”She nodded her head.“That I dominate you and spank you. We became friends, we began to talk, get to know each other. One day while lifting some large boxes from the back of a truck, I strained my back. It was painful but I didn't want to to make a fuss on a new job. I kept it hidden fairly well but Jackie, the lady I worked with noticed and invited over to her place after work for a bite to eat. By the end of the day I was moving slow trying not to limp but I accepted. I followed her to her place. It was a nice small house tastefully decorated. She. I didn’t understand the pain that...” He trailed off and hung his head.“Unfortunately, the sad tale of our line doesn’t end there.”“Father, you don’t have to. There’s no need to relive this.”His father pointed at him and said, “Yes, there is. You must know the truth. The whole truth.” He settled his hand on the table again. “Your grandfather took up his cause, the one that ended his life, as penance for the sins of our blood. You know of the Great Crater, and I’m sure you’ve heard of the tale. “No Maddy tonight Bri?” queried Ronnie, the busty black barmaid at the Spur and Crop pubm pulling him his usual pint of Old Cock real ale. “Nah she’s got paperwork to finish then do her rounds of the tents, as she does and loves,” he replied. “All done with the ops mate?” asked old George, quaffing a pint of Guiness, sat at ‘his’ seat at the end of the bar. “Yeah hopefully thanks,” Brian replied ruefully, thinking of the repercussions of surgery which he’d been advised about and made his.