This had happened on occasions but there had been a long spell since last time. Still if it meant a change of heart I would accept that.I was wearing ...this same blue summer dress. I kept it on, hoping it would be less provocative. I almost laughed at myself trying to look normal, with a jutting belly.Barton was leaning back on a sofa, a drink in his hand. He looked at me, and just smiled, "Ah, Linda, have a drink?"I shook my head, and he grinned as he directed me to a tall glass of milk on the. The bolt had been wrecked a few weeks earlier during an incident that had involved one of my drunken friends, the shower and a traffic cone (as most student adventures do). It’s a bit of a long story! What’s important is that the lock was broken. I had informed the landlord, who had been rather useless and hadn’t got round to fixing it yet, but since my flatmate was out most of the time and so I spent most of my time along in the flat, it hadn’t been much of an issue. Anyway, for some reason,. *And it was a big surprise, let me tell you. When she andher twin brother had set off for Europe to visit familyin the Balkans for the days leading up to the holidays,Katya had told me at the airport what she had planned."So that you don't forget me I've arranged for a gift tobe delivered to you on each of the eleven days I'll beaway." That's not necessary, my love," I said. "I couldn'tforget you if I wanted to - and I don't." That's sweet," she said, laying her hand on my cheek,"but I want to. ’ ‘Come on Silas, I come from Texas. Don’t attempt to load that crap on me. Load two bucks on to the price of each coat and that money comes to us.’ ‘Ohmigod, $450,000. This is the end. I’m dead.’ ‘Silas, if I do my usual good job you will be pleading to your manufacturers for more product. Forget you are Jewish. Be a business man.’ ‘But Jewish men are businessmen.’ ‘Oh. That was just a wee slip Silas. Think of yourself as a tough dealing Texan.’ ‘Me, a wheeler, dealer from Dallas?’ ‘It.