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「Steven，萬聖節有咩節目？」453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqY7ZiEnpF
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl27JAokqfr
「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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapjH5p44Py
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeSROuvLSg
這個把頭湊到我面前，呵氣如蘭的女生是我的同事Emma。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZR0lBMnUB
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVdIc1CmFb
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXI0zouh3x9
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2He8u1dS8
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMeFafGukD
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQ4fZgJOmo
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIhGo6bVbS
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmZKyq1Ref
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qmThrCsfU
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvbkQeR9ch
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8I5b0bA4U
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo752QQLkzf
原因你懂的，說太多又蘇玉華了。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcUy4hOze9
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvz2nBCWh05
為甚麼是伯明翰？453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOIvFgd8pg
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cYYJZej6H
因為是工業重鎮？還是因為伯明翰是英國第二大城市？453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27WOkLD3qK
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89kz3bkp8m
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8k2odWJnJK
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEEQf1vSTD
總之就是這樣。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GiFnBoErs
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fVhn2icNK
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5el0ykdzjw
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUle7DMkBM
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRy7z8u28Wx
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHBHOiGA20
「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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNglzws2dH
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRoaUBjrXw
呸，別再聽KOL說甚麼在英國工作只有下午茶和啤酒。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9B8sCTfQT
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4irvFrqIw
還有圓渾有致的屁股。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fhJloPS9c
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXU8ShA3qi1
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFrGTAuWWH
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHSytg207r
Emma俏臉緋紅，瞪了我一眼，咬唇耳語道：「邊個頂唔順好難講呢。」453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnpaRQUvr4
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DKoI2rWgh
「我當然知道正日要忙。我想問你24號，星期日吖！」453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDDnZn8UBK
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdVlGCMj5O
「24號？」453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1pB4ACAue
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZJYLt0TlI
「24號係你生日。」她喐起豐厚的嘴唇。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2gMQd6AXO
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTlmz9lj0z
吖，對了！我幾乎都忘記自己生日。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHXy0CfNCO
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVGmcikEaM
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYuyMTotlk
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfLSv03cyS
「所以⋯⋯去你新屋慶祝？我都未去過參觀呢。」453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasZ6p5dCm6
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oqX4Dr2SF
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgbl8drTZv
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBUwK7VHrZ
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。」453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJU0uvQzBO6
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDz8Snn2oG
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfO49O7O8pc
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxemSeaJyXw
若然，如果沒有發生那件事⋯⋯453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweVZotee2T
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wCB7aPxOL
＊453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaV6k9eCWDW
10月24號。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtRBwFTKWU
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtieNm30RL
也就是我訂的情趣內衣送達的同日上午。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzd2JdTM1mo
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifOBOTp37N
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRIB4PW5cC
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7AWuZfzBY
酒吧名叫Sun？Sin？看不清楚，也不是重點。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfNO0arona
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeARadycrk5
奇怪的是他的說話。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aAr9zNvVy
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZ6UqORtkT
「終於有人。」司機大叔腋下夾住黑色包裏。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmW83XAfeW
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5mgBxxiDc
「嗯？」我不解。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgDFsFyRDy
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGGn1AnYH3
司機大叔搖了搖頭，遞上Emma的內衣讓我簽收。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPOjMD6eft
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPPxJ0poqD
「最近出門小心呀，Kid。」453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorDzj766m5
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieyq2MFJkk
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。」453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBdmgVSlSc
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloiPQJE4au
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7rkbZy4mr
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtexJmNhq1L
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgI2uF7n41
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVbDjMSksN
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vYN5u6QDq
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdKpkoqYbe
「哈，治安嘛。」司機大叔壓下聲線沉吟：「萬聖節。」453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJB8lV9t5i
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPlAcjqq5F
「吓？」453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxF1e8UWmt
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnw1LpT5GH2
「小心萬聖節。」他重複。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7AGfvU1Jx
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OBETQZyao
我被他混濁的藍眼眸盯得渾身不自在：「呃，So⋯⋯Happy Halloween？」453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztrJXNxa5a
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEVKBzHqDb
「Happy Halloween, Kid。」司機大叔輕按鴨舌帽道別，轉身上車離開。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcyGCqubGh
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoI8jPs8mY
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtX0mVBwgDX
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjOG5UzsW4
剎那間葉聲靜下來，街道好像伸長了？453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLzwLNalMt
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPd9Cffvii
我揉揉眼：「打少啲飛機。」453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLX6EKG8D0x
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlyc6KiBgw
噏噏，褲袋電話震動。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hR9AI0PCs
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrulNnGCWu
是Emma的訊息，內容是茄子和心心眼的Emoji。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAe9SyM81H
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1uUyO7iHY
「啱，今日真係唔可以打飛機。」453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFOnUfVyYH
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF92FKkoGX0
然後，我回了她英國國旗，扯起來了。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0ZKk55Irb
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEH4SKiihly
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黃昏時份。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bXAmaN7Nm
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcVxlUYfQt
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOszrLdWcr
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrMchontdu
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlWOHUAE6U
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgU5ld3JSuc
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQy9FdRtERS
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LWLoSBaiw
我蓋上手提電腦，踢著拖鞋到玄關，開門迎接Emma。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8N9bsQt468
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8UDVI6CS8
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWB2l1RqXfa
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXmvhXO7hl
「Surprise？」Emma 眨動大眼睛，裝可愛問道。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLDCVeHTse
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUFC4b0vbB
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNivPlmRVC
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaF06MFO28c
其中三個人我認出來，因為我們是同事。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VSQkp5AIl
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSwDTpqZDC
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FoMIqiEcY
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HUXIkN1J2
不要誤會，他是我健身室前輩。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcClr9Ei5H
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIKfA1Br7q
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBceaNi9ksb
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvky6AEyrru
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrd8LO0eHwp
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJnOGjqLDI
「Hiya。」453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iDpbspHfi
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmA9KA2Kbt0
說話的是一個嬌小斯文，打扮成小魔女的金髮女生Mia。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcmYAvxBhA
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPwt32vqFW
Mia，她就是我一直沒有和Emma一起的原因。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pm1qLm656
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhHn6QeVkb
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEg9bWRjL2
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkBcHLotQw
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsygzImfExB
原因很簡單。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrdhFbhv4r
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcGQzYdcNz
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgq575NYvqF
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmk3RlyIP8q
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRXIU8aVT1
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZgDxObPwM
Mia今天來我的生日派對，絕對是意料之外。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IHHCuDmQw
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINZvZqLP6O
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTyYQNM54E
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsN6TLnsfu
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGqmWzt0so
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGi4z2oozpo
「嗨⋯⋯Mia。」我在Emma身下，與Mia尷尬地對望。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKzZvKqc73
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2EafvrOv5
「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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvQsyrDEHr
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6A1KDb6q4B
我爬起來一邊乾笑，一邊把他們迎進屋內。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFv2eLWCv1
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCCkZxiXIf
Emma有意無意的在Mia面前喙了我的臉頰一口。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VfShndo9e
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMrVRvKdXd
「Happy Birthday and⋯⋯」453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1z1husJPs
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XBA1j6V2u
「Happy Halloween！」她說。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLsZD2FVi8
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAkjTOLKua
大門關上，門樑的風鈴叮叮作響。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirL2avh1Zm
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zzQGev698
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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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEcWdAgAU0
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEb5drURM4
「啪，啪，啪。一嘢⋯⋯一嘢轟入去？What？」他讀得生澀滑稽。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvi4OkzgIzd
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwmCCf8w8e
與此同時，Mia和Ella在與飯廳相連的溫室佈置。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW85FJXQ77o
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPbary5PAP
「Steven。你間新屋真係唔錯。」453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLizLfqADzq
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3XeLoFGcC
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCrYKahoaZ
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncXC6YiMA2
我裝作毫不在意，繼續話題：「過得去，哈哈。而且價錢好公道。」453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzoSKMPXLy
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXdUmYdatr
「喔？幾錢成交？」453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOfHrOLasv
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlZW1m70dV
「25萬鎊。」我豎起手指。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTu9pcGfEs
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSl6kUSeYuq
羅夫被啤酒嗆得咳嗽：「真係咁抵？」453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXcAn0Pkxs
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwaRrZFu8G
「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。」453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2aAZT1z1l
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxRGXzjD4e
Peter頓了一下，補充一句：「公道得誇張。」453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bneS09CY5
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9kRiLav82
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dot1zTUnh
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGhfv0OeTB
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnUegb1kPJ
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibSjRXsTdh
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpJUgOZ7h0
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvGk2EiS45
退一萬步說，即使沒有一盞街燈，25萬鎊都絕對划算。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgT7iYjVyV
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwA8d8BQoV
「但一個人住三房，唔會覺得陰森咩？」Peter問。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aqOs2hnA0
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUSvjBiPIf
「買定先，遲早用得到總冇壞。」我不自覺瞄看玻璃溫室的Mia。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEDuCkS8Gw
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpnu7xNN8W
「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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Yk7GYmEVt
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1qjkjLJo8
羅夫灌光啤酒，忽然豪邁地笑道：「今晚我哋唔打算返屋企喔。」453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KBRsIxvgm
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrT6Zql8CG
我瞧看Emma一眼，後者聳聳肩。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Mwp4hcIQI
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrckXgBIai
我推開木門：「好，哈哈！我出去起爐先，你哋隨便坐。」453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqV2AC4pDZA
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjxCn26SfZ
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「要幫手？」453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsdnKEI6Fo
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPRwjcXgBy
當我在花園擺好火爐的炭時，Mia走到我旁邊遞上火槍。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReGFTex5PU
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aujpTOhBZ
「唔該。」我晃晃頭，尷尬地接過火槍。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzva7AIg4M
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1K3oLx6wG5
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98SvEpAU2u
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZNYShE2uj
啪嚓。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMO6i7y9fVs
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TWcLeIpDs
我打破沉默：「多謝你今日肯嚟。」453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvQI15KN43
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhrxhE6hFF
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tvgSc3kBK
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22K1XHJX61
「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。」453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxEYZ7kReS
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYmU9OGBQy
「多謝。」我舉起酒罐一飲而下。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMigGZlDpW
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhVEH6Erqm
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYtmmRCQrZ
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZeICdeATI
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQx18tw2NSG
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXinl56jjM
「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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lX8IiGXVl
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4PxwjWicE
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZWq284Uuy
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovW8ZneLfI
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOcpvmYPEW
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUohfovuOp
「Mia？」453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6LtZmX6YH
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpDU755vNe
Mia回過神，裝出鬼臉：「嚇到你呢，嘻嘻。」453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrX5nbRF4hV
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrq7BD3UER
「喔喔，嚇到囉。」我陪笑道。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqigMvTsK6
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdD7gJXRopp
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iZZBkU95z
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAD7kuYpky8
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1j2mzuGvs
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDZLTxTJnF
羅夫的牌品比酒品差，特別在輸了幾張十鎊鈔票之後。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7OD6gPqJA
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWd51vu6Ho
洗牌。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlpTUKLesp
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjYtwXTuxI
派牌。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZg0eA7QPVU
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5y6gv8x4s
「Shit，Peter。你點搞？醉到手殘呀？」羅夫咬住煙，晦氣地丟出一張牌。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmp9nzsOI6g
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6fSDE2acl
Joker，小丑牌。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhGuaMZzwD
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡha8LFqbqXI
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KQVlEoE2q
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pKiNIP27s
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGh02z6B8h
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThVokcoVvy
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuPHcMWs1q
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVr5w4WTeN
「我？冇理由⋯⋯」Peter大惑不解地搔頭。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95xb4NsMVZ
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXU0SQ4tbr
「好喇好喇，我哋休息一陣，酒都飲完囉。」453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QRfGhbwjY
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGS2DCrMHp
Ella說罷便朝大家露出貝齒，紅唇拉出一抹古怪的笑容。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNMtqwfhV7
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZKeaZeJvV
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SmZcsl9Wu
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GsOznvJCO
「童話故事同商業社會嘅衍生品？」453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkv06ab4k0y
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HSpdAFMbl
坦白說，我真的不知道。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1NDJerXXG
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ez1lW0sfc
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？453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWHWkLJZUx
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVfFNRDHNM
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？453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XfFHccmVg
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKqNG8TwsM
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljByhThSa3
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgCpNm6f9l
然而，Ella的答案讓我們安靜下來，室外的空氣驟時急降十度。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqCGB2QK6m
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PGg8kxGMe
「萬聖節真係有鬼。」Ella說。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRFn21LA01
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgzAEB5jUP
「迷信呢。」Emma第一個反駁。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh03xCp95lw
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4neoYkv02q
「Who knows?」Ella攤手。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuf0qUN5ON6
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqSYz5QcQp
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHmX3oqYe9
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgeCIlN97d
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhH9kSiOVd
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGckPSOzYQb
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHC3IrqdLH
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIFN4zc13B
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnsgaMJNS8
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhPBmzOAAR
至於南瓜則是Jack-O-Latern 的傳說有關。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUXkfe2nCm
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DqLCQpRWJ
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。」453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyL4Hi7IvPd
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TQz6vxtDi
羅夫笑道：「咁多鬼咩？佢成日都講鬼，我一次都冇見過，哈哈！」453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuoof7GbUM
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0w3x0Ob59
我非常同意，老子甚麼鬼都不信。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhKfdMORhO
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6aCgN3rHR
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453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjOyCmbsRd
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zN5vX9UVZ
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG82I96VgAg
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlYrPvMcgt
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkb6jRL1sw4
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gMnH1JitS
Ella瞬間察覺到我的眼神，我趕忙移開目光。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWp3xgGvaho
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdkkhg49jP
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcI6ZO5yvu
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkkZq2W1b3
我雖然好色，但那種事情怎也做不出來。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHpD9nXTmz
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMz1EcQaD7k
「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。」453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjt8UK0zQo
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaK01dR7MU
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXW1oJdZD2G
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lDSDhBT7j
「Halloween當然要玩啲配合主題嘅遊戲先有意思啦。」453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtE06kh9JS
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0VHwlX8s1
Ella坐下來，幽幽地笑道： 「 Ouija Board。我哋揾鬼出嚟咪一清二楚囉。」453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhY4pJpsds
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleSrM3vyPp
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wPA6tbLtt
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwWUEbif8W
通靈板（Ouija Board），就像我們的碟仙⋯⋯453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLI3yiy0Foz
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhZyzskTgt
「Happy Halloween！」Ella笑道。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwQKQqv8xY
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQwD9nnLB1
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。453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOahPhmDl7O
453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGiRHJNU67
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