＊
「Steven，萬聖節有咩節目？」492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbU1HWNFkQg
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBWJcVgK9X
「唔，暫時未有。萬聖節⋯⋯重有兩個星期。」我望一下茶水間牆上的月曆。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zUHTuL9YG
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVOYf9enuT
這個把頭湊到我面前，呵氣如蘭的女生是我的同事Emma。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdSCEsXTc4
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkdYUbqPmG
Emma是土生土長的英國女孩，留一頭柔順的及肩棕髮，五官標緻得像洋娃娃。不過，最讓人留下印象的是她衣服上甜甜的香氣。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmJoyDlEok
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJU93yU18C
喔，那是Jo Malone 香水，英國梨與小蒼蘭味，某次在她家裡的浴室看到的。鏡子中的除了香水，還有兩條卷纏在一起，感受歡愉與節拍的肉蟲。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyaz4glcnd
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6VRyXRjVJ
在浴室做愛是一種情趣，迴音大，從鏡子能看到對方享愛的表情，而且事後梳洗也很方便。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzk9ibIj256
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CqB5Oim33
不要誤會，我和Emma不是男女朋友，只是大家都喜歡文化交流，某些方面都投契，僅此而已。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNPR7hu5XQ
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyt8QUk1gZS
話說回來，我姓史，且叫我史提芬吧，二十七歲的單身白領，去年從香港遠洋來到英國伯明翰。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuNNUnPvr2
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4KpH74aPy
原因你懂的，說太多又蘇玉華了。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxF8nxs7aJy
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuWniXpCoo
為甚麼是伯明翰？492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJOD0QngKB
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZX5NHRt2H
因為是工業重鎮？還是因為伯明翰是英國第二大城市？492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTsaZ634yH
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWoISXtCOE
沒有那麼複雜，只是出發時正好有一間的專門做節慶活動的公司聘請，待遇不俗，而且剛畢業的女生非常多。再說，要是真的比較起來，英國有很多比伯明翰宜居的地方。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBavFNYPli
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouRG2xux3E
總之就是這樣。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YZAQmUtS3
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXuXeMcU5K
要深入了解一個國家，除了從性方面，就是從傳統節日入手，像Emma每次都說我很「深入」，叫到石破天驚，鬼泣神號。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5Drs1WWHC
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFsEwz6Ip8
就像剛剛落幕的Solihull啤酒節，又或者我們最近忙得如火如荼的萬聖節。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlH1a51AAHE
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiiUtL93DG
「31號我哋都要OT，你唔怕攰咩？」我趁著沒有人看見，手不安份地掃過她的翹臀，手指的動作更勝莫扎特的琴技。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Rm3sHE5NM
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZ5p4i7V0h
呸，別再聽KOL說甚麼在英國工作只有下午茶和啤酒。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZafGAqZOJu
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerCDtRBRCF
還有圓渾有致的屁股。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdi9ARYVMM6
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFruZbDIoXz
我的工作負責跟不同商場和機構接洽，安排活動和場地佈置，雖然不用親自動手，但在活動時出現，拍些照片寫報告用。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR28kESEEAN
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01neoNhYiR
Emma俏臉緋紅，瞪了我一眼，咬唇耳語道：「邊個頂唔順好難講呢。」492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvfqSDKqAH
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ongq5Z8kI
「我當然知道正日要忙。我想問你24號，星期日吖！」492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRclidtd82e
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTP1gaBIG2
「24號？」492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79jLXeVsyL
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJ7xN80LU8
「24號係你生日。」她喐起豐厚的嘴唇。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKDcedaLhA
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBbJk8MKJz
吖，對了！我幾乎都忘記自己生日。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBik3icG5ry
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2geKOtjsec
要說的是，Emma作為女朋友絕對是好選擇，只是我沒有這個想法，原因之後再說。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIGNbDn35P
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcw1CDzK4sJ
「所以⋯⋯去你新屋慶祝？我都未去過參觀呢。」492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlVkDXi02h
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlV7mPMhFE7
確實，每次都是我去Emma市中心，位於Newton Street的住所，就連她家裡都放了我的拖鞋和牙刷。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIqEQzJXAy
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMYAJtVT1d
我思索了兩秒，應道：「嗯。呢幾日傢俬都差唔多送齊。嚟我屋企開Halloween Party，參觀一下我間房囉。」492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWF2palNRQ
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PjirlvQSa
這肯定是最棒的萬聖節派對，我這樣天真地想著，甚至滿腦子都是一個成年男性該有的幻想，然後在Amazon上訂了一套魔女款式的性感內衣。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6b32pIZPs
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS50q6YvsgP
若然，如果沒有發生那件事⋯⋯492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruBLiVtwTC
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60xjeq85kw
＊492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1tjW9NK7X
10月24號。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hOXC1W1Q6
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiV1Veleqj5
也就是我訂的情趣內衣送達的同日上午。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpdq9y6eRu
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5rlU8DfSY
說來奇怪，送貨司機是一個酒槽鼻，戴鴨舌帽的白人大叔。我要說的奇怪不是他胸口的十字架項鏈；不是那部佈滿沙塵，車生堪坷的Citreon私家車，也不是擋風玻璃前的酒吧廣告牌。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9qgpOYb5e
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8aXm0ykc8
酒吧名叫Sun？Sin？看不清楚，也不是重點。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJc55NFVnwK
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5s0D0q3q8V
奇怪的是他的說話。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0JDbnHt3B
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0OmHHyJcs
「終於有人。」司機大叔腋下夾住黑色包裏。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sqreE4KJQ
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKim4D4eCa
「嗯？」我不解。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzGNRQ8wCk
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYU34SlVV08
司機大叔搖了搖頭，遞上Emma的內衣讓我簽收。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsYt5CWKpD
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTNWSdgM7Y
「最近出門小心呀，Kid。」492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaql7IPqHnd
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgInKgdE8LJ
我友善地問道：「呢條街治安好差？我新居入伙，對呢一區都未算熟悉。」492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6u7blv5wfF
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKUKQFGCt1
話雖如此，我在網上查過罪案率，這一區在伯明翰來說，治安不算太差才對。英國跟香港不同，即使是同一區，相距一兩條街或者一個公園已經差天共地。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIflfIIPaus
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikoL2nH7dX
我還記得自己剛到埗時住了一星期的Air BnB，街道一側是工地，木板圍籬破破爛爛，磚牆上噴滿塗鴉，另一邊是廢棄的工廠大廈，玻璃窗被砸碎，滿街都是Laughing Gas的銀色小瓶。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFn87CbfSSF
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4Dd9A6v1m
唔，未計走廊長期充斥大麻的氣味，也不意外。那不是《哈利波特》會告訴你的事。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8cT4RudO2
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFTQxWNdNO
「哈，治安嘛。」司機大叔壓下聲線沉吟：「萬聖節。」492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1hFeebFNo
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZADnYeHUn0
「吓？」492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSV3xvHSfPe
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90FVxSItsp
「小心萬聖節。」他重複。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TCBzr83fY
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OfsnY1OCk
我被他混濁的藍眼眸盯得渾身不自在：「呃，So⋯⋯Happy Halloween？」492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQ1vrXllRT
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgKA57tqCH
「Happy Halloween, Kid。」司機大叔輕按鴨舌帽道別，轉身上車離開。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35kZXcBpBi
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WePfAuxwb
我站在花園目送他的白色Citreon遠去。這時藍天白雲，燦爛的陽光穿過柳樹的綠蔭照在身上，我卻不禁打了一個寒顫。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUKjhubYyx
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WyeQ4aMn7
剎那間葉聲靜下來，街道好像伸長了？492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6FH4zoFdL
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JaBPYZRAJ
我揉揉眼：「打少啲飛機。」492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9b656OfGU
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7f08XkkGZ
噏噏，褲袋電話震動。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5MSrzA75M
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eFEi1xFmk
是Emma的訊息，內容是茄子和心心眼的Emoji。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecILmDuVd7
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwkRrcWv4c
「啱，今日真係唔可以打飛機。」492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdowe875XkK
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrj5YHFBPK
然後，我回了她英國國旗，扯起來了。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkCAUQwAEX
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvgn4FXYtA
＊
黃昏時份。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡig5GsWYgEY
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHyI4TtuL4
當我正在客廳敲鍵盤，屏幕上彈出一句句小說台詞的時候，門鐘響起來了。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudBWccEyx0
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXG8ZXxAcm
題外話，我是一個銷售顧問，閒時亦是一個寫故佬，就是網絡上千篇一律的爽文。想來，這也是我移民的其中一個原因。當然啦，支撐我的夢想除了收入可觀的工作、黑咖啡、還有替我出錢買下這棟獨立屋和全新Land Rover的父母。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCZorGHgHH
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNf2o7Gduo9
成功靠父幹，我有多少父幹但沒有成功，也算是特例，或者只好怪家父年輕不夠努力。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2Eo2QBhRd
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HDCyVmX19
我蓋上手提電腦，踢著拖鞋到玄關，開門迎接Emma。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI50SENY2ID
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZftEKfYt3
甫開門，扛著木球棒，打扮成小丑女的Emma便跳起來把我撲倒，騎在我身上呵呵笑。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFK7pBN4q6
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBouTu3pjk4
「Surprise？」Emma 眨動大眼睛，裝可愛問道。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7rEZ4Uu4u
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QFl9GNHOk
我的目光嘗試從Emma的低胸上衣移開，發現除了她以外還有四個人，兩男兩女。我知道這不是自殺特攻隊的設定，因為小丑女是DC角色，而死侍和鷹眼是漫威角色。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPJwxUuqKi
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nxFVdxiLQ
其中三個人我認出來，因為我們是同事。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTT1ckcLW45
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuseLW9svc
打扮成死侍的俄羅斯大漢叫羅夫，負責工程和場地裝砌。他高六呎一，長得慓悍嚇人，右臂紋了普京騎熊的紋身，褲襠藏著讓人望而生畏的凶器。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9BLtoJART
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7zfrvo1G6
不要誤會，他是我健身室前輩。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2YPB32i5t
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5zJarRzFu
另一個長得平凡的四眼男生叫Peter。Peter來自土耳其，據說家境不俗。Peter讀英國大學畢業時來公司當IT部實習生，畢業後順理成連成為IT部的一員，負責幫客戶網頁設計。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIs7PoDEDXx
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5M1tHhUk9c
Peter人不錯，就是個性內向一點，這次打扮成鷹眼算是一個重大突破。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMOsjcHB3O
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgOFMKfkgO
「Hiya。」492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflsyvvjhQc
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hsk04CNll
說話的是一個嬌小斯文，打扮成小魔女的金髮女生Mia。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbktFP5r6iW
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCh4Kumrifq
Mia，她就是我一直沒有和Emma一起的原因。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLz98Wy8t4C
她是公司的文員，年紀比我小兩歲，長得清純脫俗，大眼睛，睫毛鬈長迷人。如果Emma是野玫瑰，她就是夏天的小雛菊。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3pw8Et4Jv
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLpn8Jf2Si
有趣的是，我和她在市中心咖啡店認識。當時我坐在她旁邊的高椅，只顧敲鍵盤的我不小心喝錯她的咖啡，之後聊天才發現她是我公司的同事。接下來自然是一般情侶發展的情節，但沒有開花結果。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvk85C44DY
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAj5Vqva35
原因很簡單。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡac1Rxi2j1y
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZl0AYbzFYv
我跟Emma搭上了，而她某天在辦公室發現了。但願Mia沒有看到最後，Emma滿臉濁白，而我在喘氣的樣子。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡck0n4PYXU6
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOfStO8kPt
也許出於愧疚，也許仍然喜歡Mia，但對方討厭我是事實。畢竟沒有一個國家的女生能接受自己的準男友在其他女生臉上射精。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDJbHRbc51
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfacRKQ64K3
Mia今天來我的生日派對，絕對是意料之外。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwyL69634b
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgZdhn8LIy
最後一個人是黏在羅夫身邊，眼角和唇角掛著幾行假血漿的俏護士。她是羅夫的女朋友，來自羅馬尼亞的Ella。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjqdDQ8IgP
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwigDjkFs9
Ella樣子跟Mia比下去，但火辣程度絕對不比Emma低，看她護士裙的開胸拉鍊拉到肚臍上就知道了。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlX0s7MOTQp
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWs9tOzKZcF
「嗨⋯⋯Mia。」我在Emma身下，與Mia尷尬地對望。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQShcmahft4
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaig8KeuU8
「Hey，Steven！你唔會打算叫大家喺門口食風吧？」羅夫擺出死侍的招牌動作。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWoAZU8dC1
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBwwcITSNL
我爬起來一邊乾笑，一邊把他們迎進屋內。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7rrpV1Ftl
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCH85987vdx
Emma有意無意的在Mia面前喙了我的臉頰一口。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzTSfHgFSs
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgzVPRpBXM
「Happy Birthday and⋯⋯」492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQQ7Ey9vj1
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9uLs2BhE1
「Happy Halloween！」她說。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUPtnCCs8E
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvj3hYSJVL0
大門關上，門樑的風鈴叮叮作響。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51Susx4JBA
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCynxzjnYg7
＊
這時候，因為羅夫買了燒烤爐當入伙禮物，Emma正在廚房準備帶來的燒烤食材，發出陣陣嬉鬧聲。最近在學習漢語的Peter則埋首在我的手提電腦前，讀我還沒完成的甜故。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvq3fWmsqE
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMTo2Kq5eG
「啪，啪，啪。一嘢⋯⋯一嘢轟入去？What？」他讀得生澀滑稽。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHCUYJ7Aqb
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSGYanv0xl
與此同時，Mia和Ella在與飯廳相連的溫室佈置。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZp0ctV03yc
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvJ4QIZyzs
「Steven。你間新屋真係唔錯。」492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSX5ZTgCBZ
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCGsFH6BHS
羅夫拿著啤酒在客廳和飯廳間踱步，色瞇瞇的目光不時射入廚房。坦白說，我不怎喜歡他看著Emma 的眼神，像動物對自己地盤有主權意識，又或者玩具被其他孩子不問自取的道理相同。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmg5QfCczTj
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwR6Xy6R3Mp
我裝作毫不在意，繼續話題：「過得去，哈哈。而且價錢好公道。」492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbz3Ik83yZW
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncspa3lwSO
「喔？幾錢成交？」492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShODqGoebw
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPchaXTpkup
「25萬鎊。」我豎起手指。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeplxkj6QTK
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXhb62Au6q
羅夫被啤酒嗆得咳嗽：「真係咁抵？」492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YceYMnpw2
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5XRUihVQ1
「同區價錢三房獨立屋，平均35萬鎊，主要校網好，罪案率低，去市區都係三十分鐘，而且鄰近機場。25萬鎊確實係公道價錢。」492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrS7xQYZym
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2edJcF0Xx
Peter頓了一下，補充一句：「公道得誇張。」492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiF9N2k2aR9
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYISn0O8pia
我走到客廳：「經紀係香港人。聽講上一手業主生意週轉有問題，所以唯有蝕讓。25萬鎊，而且永久業權，嘿嘿。」我走到客廳。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9vZ9bs83J
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANyrwH8ciC
這間屋位於Solihull，距離伯明翰市中心不遠，而且區內都有一個不錯的商場和一條綠樹林蔭的商店街，即使不出市中心都能滿足基本生活所需。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfGygxA6kH
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmWOYrd6IC
唯一美中不足的是，這裡跟商店街步行需時十五分鐘。每晚到入夜時，沿路的街燈總是一眨一眨，遲遲未修理人員維修。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYMkWk2xF4
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5L3XBzkOh
退一萬步說，即使沒有一盞街燈，25萬鎊都絕對划算。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3huKbWQzA
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkHyNgpdIS
「但一個人住三房，唔會覺得陰森咩？」Peter問。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBJzsziZIq
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5wFDvEo7Q
「買定先，遲早用得到總冇壞。」我不自覺瞄看玻璃溫室的Mia。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbRg2N2lkY
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9HqjSPXo3
「又或者，你可以邀請我做女主人囉。」Emma捧著一盤生雞肉串，突然從後湊到我耳畔輕笑。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBQvAqeNSa
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFzTCGEmDq
羅夫灌光啤酒，忽然豪邁地笑道：「今晚我哋唔打算返屋企喔。」492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuS2G3r9gZ6
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMqs48v2GP
我瞧看Emma一眼，後者聳聳肩。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfi2esLlvqY
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkynX1JYP2
我推開木門：「好，哈哈！我出去起爐先，你哋隨便坐。」492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBOTTQnpzO
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcaG8Spw2b
＊
「要幫手？」492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLPAs1CNqT
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7nL7OyizJ
當我在花園擺好火爐的炭時，Mia走到我旁邊遞上火槍。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6HgW3PpEF
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiguE3lOVn
「唔該。」我晃晃頭，尷尬地接過火槍。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvj8hNtbri
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0o1p6ze0g
兩人一度陷入沉默，站在爐邊看著啪嚓啪嚓，冒出火星和輕煙的炭火。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGR8adO9ikr
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1SwqKy88H
啪嚓。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWp4U4cpZZw
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxG9zdIheEP
我打破沉默：「多謝你今日肯嚟。」492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHH4yA4kEt
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPVqO9j3tr
Mia沒有抬頭，仍然注視著愈燒愈旺爐火，火光使她的杏眸顯得更明亮動人。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYO6w5BVoN
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgTaD6l3tO
「唔好誤會，Emma同我講今晚係Halloween Party。不過，」她呷一口啤酒，續道：「Happy Birthday，Steven。」492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknf5tfntFW
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbeDZYP0Ph
「多謝。」我舉起酒罐一飲而下。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeBJsZGF4U
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWGkvhFmYa
接下來的幾分鐘的獨處，我和Mia談著有的沒的，彼此都心不在焉，欲言又止。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2v2jlTtWVL
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1weOk83hk
裝出來的自然，往往是最不自然的表現。我寧願她狠狠搧我幾巴，總比大方得體好。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmetRVkCbn
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaBT9F14ac
「唔，我有件事唔知應唔應該講，Emma－」Mia說到一半，俏臉突然煞白，啤酒罐失手掉落草地上。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvo2vTWyyR
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5M4bbWHasp
Mia的視線越過我的肩膀，瞳孔劇烈地顫動，彷彿看到駭人的畫面似的。可是，我轉頭一瞥卻只見空蕩蕩，昨天才修剪好的草地。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYifSRu7qi
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZR49i8TDbY
在我們身處的L形的花園（詳見前文圖示），我曾經見過幾次松鼠和惡巴巴的自來貓。但這次甚麼也沒有。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxLHlqC31q
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJGHqjVSYp
「Mia？」492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBBsoC2EAD
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4bLzv8A9C
Mia回過神，裝出鬼臉：「嚇到你呢，嘻嘻。」492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ745s8AztZf
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡho9ToUo6dv
「喔喔，嚇到囉。」我陪笑道。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9h66NfqmlN
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOusr7vcVIs
這時候，Emma、羅夫、Ella和Peter剛好捧著餐盤走出室外，朝我們的方向走來。我瞧看那片草地兩眼，沒有把事情放到心上，開始燒烤派對。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjyATRP5Df
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uFwSbqS7c
燒烤的香氣飄升，盤中的肉都全部清空。酒過三巡，我們一邊玩啤牌，喝光帶來的啤酒、紅酒和溝紅莓汁的伏特加，而Peter跑到廁所吐了兩次後，連酒量最好的羅夫都終於打了個滿意的飽嗝。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDgdPZUbuf
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqDsrgWGnI
羅夫的牌品比酒品差，特別在輸了幾張十鎊鈔票之後。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKopdRx7dJ
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzTVyNyPy2
洗牌。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6PGw68HSG
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgMJJmHeiP
派牌。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwU0rJjqC9
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvK2Ybjyh3k
「Shit，Peter。你點搞？醉到手殘呀？」羅夫咬住煙，晦氣地丟出一張牌。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7k7tXBcy80
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgWRPTXlnm
Joker，小丑牌。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxYCYkLNRw
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2veMbI1c9D
問題來了，我們玩的是德州撲克，不該出現小丑牌。而且，這已經是第二次了。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMEKCtLKlv
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhr23F6FGrF
也許因為酒意，牌上的小丑笑得格外詭異，栩栩如生，像惡作劇成功的模樣。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTHwpJ7Wwm
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXaMOYDv8R
也許因為Peter醉醺醺，洗牌時不小心把小丑牌放過去，又或者以為大家在鬥地主。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZj8BrKx8Z4
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGLqELAaUZ
「我？冇理由⋯⋯」Peter大惑不解地搔頭。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgZSLD7S7G
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTYeywztSG
「好喇好喇，我哋休息一陣，酒都飲完囉。」492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCk4vxXaZmy
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVREnIi9lv9
Ella說罷便朝大家露出貝齒，紅唇拉出一抹古怪的笑容。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiuPUjshwW
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXj1LFCVbKR
這個笑容告訴我們，這場萬聖節派對似乎剛剛才開始。
「大家知唔知萬聖節嘅起源？」Ella忽然問。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXPdvTpU7C
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmDi1lMuCm
「童話故事同商業社會嘅衍生品？」492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbZoMpDjQj
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HDUuXvQnO
坦白說，我真的不知道。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAoDwONtpN
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WPddEwmae
作為一個節日活動的銷售顧問，這當然不是值得驕傲的事。但懂計數的都不一定知道畢達哥拉斯是誰，對吧對吧？492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QpEE4J4IR
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvZhFuTdh3
在我的認知裡，萬聖節有南瓜、女巫、蝙蝠、奇裝異服、商場裝飾擺設⋯⋯還有就是萬聖節的床上慶祝活動？492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEd6wbWVVdG
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9knUfeHh5
嚴格來說，萬聖節是資本主義的工具，道理等同網絡遊戲不時讓玩家課金的活動；主題樂園售賣能戴在身上的飾品。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7S51T9zBEH
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCOZVa7xTp
然而，Ella的答案讓我們安靜下來，室外的空氣驟時急降十度。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3yw82Ejqu
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCBgMFQZND
「萬聖節真係有鬼。」Ella說。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhk9tkhvEQ
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqU7uIwtWG
「迷信呢。」Emma第一個反駁。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJTZkZBO67
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoa1V70kOoo
「Who knows?」Ella攤手。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJIVacWLou
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8VpyHfZTm
Emma的反駁並沒打消Ella說下去的打算。Ella變成主持，把萬聖節的起源媚媚道來。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXPuMt4HN7
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcl5BSAl2k
萬聖節的起源說法紛云，其中一個真實性最高的跟凱爾特人（Celt）和薩溫節（Samhain）相關。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8Bi2wepy0
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTvsykMtr4
凱爾特人相信每年十一月一日是新一年的開始，所以在前夜十月三十一日晚上是農作物收割的節慶。在這個晚上，人間與陰間的界線變得模糊，邪靈會出人間遊走，尋找替身。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoy7zTZRWm
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkZwH2mARz
人民點起火炬焚燒動物獻祭給死神，然後在十一月一日早上把灰燼分派到各家各戶以驅除惡靈。除此以外，人們在當晚會穿上奇裝異服，發出怪聲以免被邪靈認出來。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cjlGqVRGr
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgX9NNfnegX
至於南瓜則是Jack-O-Latern 的傳說有關。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAYyBkQGKd
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvg8ajnpe0
Peter附和道：「Trick or treat本來都唔係小朋友嘅活動。我以前睇過資料，以前嘅蘇格蘭人認為呢一晚鬼魂會喺屋外聚會。所以等『聚會』結束，佢哋會打扮成鬼怪，將鬼魂引出村外面，同時擺放食物喺門外以餵飽餓鬼。」492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxkoxyfEmH
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHvY5K2cES
羅夫笑道：「咁多鬼咩？佢成日都講鬼，我一次都冇見過，哈哈！」492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKSLUqfVyZ
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVK1nEFB17E
我非常同意，老子甚麼鬼都不信。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBvRFN54WT
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuEtoZV5lC
鬼神之說並不陌生，像中國傳統的盂蘭節或者日本的百鬼夜行。小時候我還跟過外婆燒街衣和打小人。還真是492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6W5BuW0Ym
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYauuIGfYp
Ella彷彿早知道羅夫不信邪，又或者說服羅夫才是她本來的目的。至少我們這一刻天真的以為如此。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvo0kXij2O
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthg9igwXdy
她上身微微俯前，從我的位置則好看到她的裙內的春光，兩團豐滿軟肉在晃動，而且沒有戴胸罩。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkt0yzeF1zc
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv34CCJH3X0
Ella瞬間察覺到我的眼神，我趕忙移開目光。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1wuvfdBSy
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOV5Jx2d26o
她微微一笑，嘴唇不著痕跡地造出「殊」的口型，卻沒有戳破，彷彿這是我們的秘密似的。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2X69Pxsdg8
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcnFfQuAfv
我雖然好色，但那種事情怎也做不出來。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9a3WrCVsd
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbS1S2StlM
「我早知大家唔信，嘿嘿嘿。所以我早有準備。跟我嚟，我有辦法證明畀大家睇，鬼魂真係存在。」492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2Ia8RD8wz
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs277yJqCZp
如是者，Ella帶領我們走回屋裡，自顧自地翻找背囊中的東西，然後一股腦地放在餐桌上佈置起來。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghlVoo5WC4
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNELvfQQrjR
「Halloween當然要玩啲配合主題嘅遊戲先有意思啦。」492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfp2X8oz6uy
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bCGN3es9O
Ella坐下來，幽幽地笑道： 「 Ouija Board。我哋揾鬼出嚟咪一清二楚囉。」492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWOCtqjjCn
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEsKHZeuyI
映入我們眼簾的是一塊殘舊的木板，木板上有個巴掌大，中間有圓洞的三角木牌，幾根白洋燭和一束鼠尾草。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡro3LaV5Uqi
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6uu8DPXR5
通靈板（Ouija Board），就像我們的碟仙⋯⋯492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGONodw6sme
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepq9jCfpl8
「Happy Halloween！」Ella笑道。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnar8ssMo00
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMkFhPVOb5
門樑的風鈴在響，彷彿在催促我們快點坐下來，展開一場絕對不應該開始，而且絕對會後悔的遊戲。492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOzQdaWfPH
492Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyZmWd3T0Z
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