We got a bit separated on the thirty minute drive to his exclusive gated community and by the time I got there I didn't even see her car. Valet parkin...g (mercifully complimentary) was sending off vehicles right, left and sideways and her Lexus was already well out of sight. Still, I hoped that I'd meet with her again inside, to further renew our acquaintance.Inside Mallard Manor, the estate was a huge sprawling monstrosity with rooms upstairs and down enough to hide a small army. I didn't see. The storekeeper mooched around on a shelf until he found what he waslooking for."There sir. They accompany the uniform."He held out a matching cap and a white nylon and lace apron."I'll take them!" Bill snapped and strode over to the counter.The storekeeper followed, and laid out the maid's uniform, cap and apronon the counter."And sir may I suggest these." He produced a package of black, fully-fashioned stockings."How much for the lot?" Bill asked."Fifty pounds sir, for the job lot," the. He looked at the almond girl and she nodded, understanding. Together, they rose and went after her, Jagger pulling her up short by her shoulder. At least this way she would have a chance. Against the old woman’s protests, Jagger and the almond girl enclosed her between them. He faced her from the front, with the younger woman behind. They clasped their free hands together and pulled themselves in tight, snugging the old woman in tightly. Jagger looked at the almond girl over the old woman’s. She paid close attention. “The fruit of a thousand dark hearts was his that you sacrificed, young onnnnnnnnne…”She shivered, the voice was no longer in her ear, it was in her head. The thousand desert storms were in her head and there was nothing she could do about it. “But he was your sacrificccccccce…”She felt the voice dart from one corner of her mind to another, exploring her memories, becoming intimate with her love and compassion for her ‘sister’ Nadira, and leaping into her mothers’ arms.