The bikes were sold and replaced with, first, a Morris Minor, then a succession of vehicles increasing in size.Raising a family is enormously satisfyi...ng and I can't say I really missed the bikes. There was always my son, or tomboy daughter, dangling from some recreational apparatus, clambering up a rock face or paddling a canoe. They left home and moved away to where they could find work. Married, and presented us with gorgeous grand-kids.Then Marjory died. One of those weird problems with. Let me tell you what is about to happen to you. My friend here is always hungry. He'll eat almost anything, including animals as ugly as you. He'll start with your hands, I think."Smokey started to lean towards him, but I called him back. I think the guy shit himself that time. "I should add", I informed him, "that we wouldn't want you to bleed out too quickly. Each stub will be sealed by fire". I pointed to a bush next to him, and incinerated it. "Oh yes, I forgot. Smokey just loves. He knows that he can onlydraw off so many suiters. They, after all, want good eye candy on theirarms.His closest confidant is a must invite. Ralph will be his anchor for thisstrange passage in his life. An honest friend and a like-minded thinkeras to what has gone wrong in society. Four or five others add confusionto the calculation, and Max has done everything that he can to come outahead tonight, hopefully.Max breathes a huge sigh. Not of relief as that is not in the cards, buthe has done. I hadn’t imagined for one second that Miss Manson would resort to this. Joanne would be livid at having to punish me.“Miss, please would you do it?” I asked softly, looking for some sympathy and understanding.Pauline simply smiled. “I’ll pop in to see that she is punishing you properly, as I know about you two.” Pauline began writing on a sheet of paper and continued talking.“You will hand this to Miss Wilson and she will read it fully before administering your punishment.” She continued.