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「Steven，萬聖節有咩節目？」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5ZxVWBPA3
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbND86f9ND
「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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00RmuEiBSU
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZlPIMe0Nh
這個把頭湊到我面前，呵氣如蘭的女生是我的同事Emma。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYygBvTSenT
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCm7VNHgnrA
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3h2MLfg0E
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhs1lsFkrG
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJq54hD8ZQ
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUb0rvExml
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aBMDMg3D3
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tmt83Ho0c
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdpLASGsLJ
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfoqXfGqWi
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nH3vrS8zM
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzTAQ77aul
原因你懂的，說太多又蘇玉華了。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2rWhsUW1a
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMF48bFwZQj
為甚麼是伯明翰？483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13AfdHvZ4y
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0budae2kwn
因為是工業重鎮？還是因為伯明翰是英國第二大城市？483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTYXcIJmO8
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscMgfZvTpd
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgAFEq6cYB
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8v8by04OLf
總之就是這樣。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQdjAL8fye
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXm3JXRVAp
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpH4UaTgOw
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlxt89yHgK
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jI1iyBfqn
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhuUSiF5dD
「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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1mI9Rok1b
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2t8LhkOxz
呸，別再聽KOL說甚麼在英國工作只有下午茶和啤酒。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcTMJQHjwu
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqIoKP1LHw
還有圓渾有致的屁股。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4gR0plLLl
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Vh6lKZ2Of
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHqCy5nF0g
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSuyep78tp
Emma俏臉緋紅，瞪了我一眼，咬唇耳語道：「邊個頂唔順好難講呢。」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PdEqOIIwP
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvsAyh6cB3
「我當然知道正日要忙。我想問你24號，星期日吖！」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3p5syRH80
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7YwgEiCKY
「24號？」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOU7sfI6Y7
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhG4S0hjeG
「24號係你生日。」她喐起豐厚的嘴唇。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxB1x1oxHe7
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWVAeI6v8x
吖，對了！我幾乎都忘記自己生日。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkqZPxhS59
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOn231mwPf2
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEvYl3HqAZ
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidAcongSYK
「所以⋯⋯去你新屋慶祝？我都未去過參觀呢。」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqrqPODHsN
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2PxsT0fnq
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAX3fM4mWPx
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp28o0gDt0r
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。」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaDRIoz1U1
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRPDqzq0gG
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8uRfV4RWX
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMUHIHslLF
若然，如果沒有發生那件事⋯⋯483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mCbCJErnO
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYCJgoat5J
＊483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRz92vIDzL
10月24號。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3CMC3j1oL
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5mC3KSE8T
也就是我訂的情趣內衣送達的同日上午。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27CbDAFcd4
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4ZbL7PM6D
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJw09bLEDAQ
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpP4PmPVdI1
酒吧名叫Sun？Sin？看不清楚，也不是重點。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJGvhs1EIK
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrNz1NcvD4
奇怪的是他的說話。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtYx1S8oS1
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvuFBdq7Pe
「終於有人。」司機大叔腋下夾住黑色包裏。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZekF7qiHjL
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDXEBq64Rv
「嗯？」我不解。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrXICx2ZQn
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5iLrN2mJT
司機大叔搖了搖頭，遞上Emma的內衣讓我簽收。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxYQ7U7gwR
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvCAl0M2F1
「最近出門小心呀，Kid。」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRU2GTnWNmk
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yO8uBlkU1
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。」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmygEkixvr
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEJTGlXfDu
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyJuZDZVw8
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd81jScr1nI
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZE2byRnF4g
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡND41Ub4StK
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4efsrU3d3J
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMViLyv8Uf
「哈，治安嘛。」司機大叔壓下聲線沉吟：「萬聖節。」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgcvMvWt5c
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHZBPbIpwp
「吓？」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdxApHd4YG
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwq4gyjmI2A
「小心萬聖節。」他重複。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRaNiUebWJ
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1McfIbushP
我被他混濁的藍眼眸盯得渾身不自在：「呃，So⋯⋯Happy Halloween？」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5V68sw8Fj
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvI4KEBlQGN
「Happy Halloween, Kid。」司機大叔輕按鴨舌帽道別，轉身上車離開。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9bxY6MgbA
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZ30jvCXj2
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdY2PXqLZlT
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡck5O8qZvMz
剎那間葉聲靜下來，街道好像伸長了？483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFZ7KdhbB1
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrO1W1Pp3A
我揉揉眼：「打少啲飛機。」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AQTooaPxp
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5zhSj6mx7
噏噏，褲袋電話震動。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2C1AgqVn7w
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzMgl6RrFf
是Emma的訊息，內容是茄子和心心眼的Emoji。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnsFQLofV9
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJgwftD51l
「啱，今日真係唔可以打飛機。」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFuzD63kfO
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXAF45CR8H
然後，我回了她英國國旗，扯起來了。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNwTXBWx24
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmbTQ5Y8FW
＊
黃昏時份。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw38m1EunR6
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrunWA6Dee
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNl4u7IhTc
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuyGlz8IL6
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4pOBujCJO
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawAsefvLSL
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0nVx95951
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡera3oru86X
我蓋上手提電腦，踢著拖鞋到玄關，開門迎接Emma。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8b7rDdWfB
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgOlen4sHJ
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhnYft1Vql
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyyJPaDzUi
「Surprise？」Emma 眨動大眼睛，裝可愛問道。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0zcNklGGV
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYxp65Jdwy
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKcjG5PVDz
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRKBGHZ69s
其中三個人我認出來，因為我們是同事。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfxxmcLiyw
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKqYVHZaQy
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWixemqYCXp
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZCafOKMe8
不要誤會，他是我健身室前輩。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOH0zUVFALw
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WxybAcigm
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLECc4UEqKR
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK71wC1j3J7
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjiA5Xe4C8
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjaufDBgPF
「Hiya。」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXac46MHH1
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPH2o97dZeQ
說話的是一個嬌小斯文，打扮成小魔女的金髮女生Mia。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvS17eq6aX0
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbX8iTIgs6j
Mia，她就是我一直沒有和Emma一起的原因。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwm1faDKuV9
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdD17AXpgS
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOMmATtGwK
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbw7WYfVE0
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEP0nyL0K6O
原因很簡單。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqy5ZSpvTi
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jhjNK1YMz
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPxaLYXuLL
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjKZHCf6qF
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF63dYyRb1Z
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZJAFly2F5
Mia今天來我的生日派對，絕對是意料之外。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHG1vQtNJ8I
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLDoy8sQyj
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsT4RQcIoP
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSzNsONdMi
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEp0E5DZz2
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp11JEwII0q
「嗨⋯⋯Mia。」我在Emma身下，與Mia尷尬地對望。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchvgrKjtYr
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyv28VrEa2
「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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLh5tbW1lH5
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYUCYdJ6XQ
我爬起來一邊乾笑，一邊把他們迎進屋內。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNlpCO9IL7
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpYpRxWZp3
Emma有意無意的在Mia面前喙了我的臉頰一口。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVFCQhqJot
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNvmc3I6nA
「Happy Birthday and⋯⋯」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0GjOZxust
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoDL4zgc6F
「Happy Halloween！」她說。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRVACo8uQU
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRooWBjkal
大門關上，門樑的風鈴叮叮作響。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0HtXaYGMS
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ541Rpd7irn
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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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHk7fffjruB
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPPnrNl2Jx
「啪，啪，啪。一嘢⋯⋯一嘢轟入去？What？」他讀得生澀滑稽。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtea0oL5yk5
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkaGuWu1JU
與此同時，Mia和Ella在與飯廳相連的溫室佈置。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gYJf0kYET
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLrGyNiEcX
「Steven。你間新屋真係唔錯。」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLAar8hq6b
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1It16PiFt
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnt65zD9TPX
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cj8ujq5Lu
我裝作毫不在意，繼續話題：「過得去，哈哈。而且價錢好公道。」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jItP6Hbom
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09DyzfamK7
「喔？幾錢成交？」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgD5kJ12l5R
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWHpOtF6an
「25萬鎊。」我豎起手指。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuohUJLga1o
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQhpk02BrY
羅夫被啤酒嗆得咳嗽：「真係咁抵？」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kZZirCSQv
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliqtTrqIje
「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。」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHe8Ad9j0N
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uwkDxTOvB
Peter頓了一下，補充一句：「公道得誇張。」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0Yo4CRAZE
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqlnZZ2gu6
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4N12WlVpK
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFGLDGqxeS
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sHPAggTqu
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYYFnpelEf
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptr5NlIvIP
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBhThtFDPM
退一萬步說，即使沒有一盞街燈，25萬鎊都絕對划算。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2xFpEH9bm
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmka4Rivzu
「但一個人住三房，唔會覺得陰森咩？」Peter問。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxASZZcG9A3
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkBSBZIJIX
「買定先，遲早用得到總冇壞。」我不自覺瞄看玻璃溫室的Mia。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hIGAiHlrE
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsSLIPAxUu
「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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8FZn8fPE0
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUkIwg2SeM
羅夫灌光啤酒，忽然豪邁地笑道：「今晚我哋唔打算返屋企喔。」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KDEi7epVx
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMgRfO3jEm
我瞧看Emma一眼，後者聳聳肩。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOS0c27J0wT
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBGMLwTyPZ
我推開木門：「好，哈哈！我出去起爐先，你哋隨便坐。」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkc8tQDst45
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWr7kMY3LL
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「要幫手？」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgBXEzetxO
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7speizXMNC
當我在花園擺好火爐的炭時，Mia走到我旁邊遞上火槍。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexHwsQQLfj
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFXsSXE7jR
「唔該。」我晃晃頭，尷尬地接過火槍。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9n8IKQrLmb
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmg4HL9NNjp
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlu2eVjP5f
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqeOhKo01N
啪嚓。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZJz81BUkN
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunn6SwkzPZ
我打破沉默：「多謝你今日肯嚟。」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzE8FHY7TnF
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0OjQyDt3V
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2reINFXFJn
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrwZT6bXzi
「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。」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMK8e1GN9l
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaXRnnQR2m
「多謝。」我舉起酒罐一飲而下。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ELRsuqvoJ
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQH10qDkHpP
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzvkhghG4n
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0pTeISCQA
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqudZBX92PO
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5adBsaKRmF
「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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HVU2NzZAC
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wbFJitTBX
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kJBIRwy61
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShe9MyI2Cx
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uP8uiPMct
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55ggia3YLB
「Mia？」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Qzngej7RM
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxAJKw0kri
Mia回過神，裝出鬼臉：「嚇到你呢，嘻嘻。」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybgFz8lgCu
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXadVwVNlXE
「喔喔，嚇到囉。」我陪笑道。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0azBIbmPZg
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfHKBVAkax
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyDI2NNb8i
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wYxNyqUUL
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFq0gmcMxtt
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7th5bHwEoU
羅夫的牌品比酒品差，特別在輸了幾張十鎊鈔票之後。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGnQIaoARt
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizdi8GCSVh
洗牌。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69lpwrj0jU
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgN5OWqSyT
派牌。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGyu8ZlSdu
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7KNlbnXMK
「Shit，Peter。你點搞？醉到手殘呀？」羅夫咬住煙，晦氣地丟出一張牌。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHsDfc9ypX
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrfRXKXROw
Joker，小丑牌。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkDpA54fjx
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlayLGHFnA
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qNHrzCINU
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLERYSPcbCH
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1w6d5FWZdc
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVbp9J7LFC
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnllBu9rEH
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Bsq96MCLm
「我？冇理由⋯⋯」Peter大惑不解地搔頭。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhabOJFchx
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaM6pGTFiqc
「好喇好喇，我哋休息一陣，酒都飲完囉。」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJReE4TnPt
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdq4HvoiwXt
Ella說罷便朝大家露出貝齒，紅唇拉出一抹古怪的笑容。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbHerGBpMy
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlaAfJrOeE
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqtzehuCyr
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8lGLxXXhX
「童話故事同商業社會嘅衍生品？」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaaFywXhMt
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71qV4YiaGW
坦白說，我真的不知道。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFbip393bU
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HjPsavc34
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？483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jZQqj5Euf
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuK8bz8QTN3
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？483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrqj3FfLDu
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hoqLO4gOX
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oxAW577EE
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYH3vos3K8
然而，Ella的答案讓我們安靜下來，室外的空氣驟時急降十度。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTNmVW2P2c
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzR45IK1na
「萬聖節真係有鬼。」Ella說。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIasvk8C6f1
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFTWV3xlyO
「迷信呢。」Emma第一個反駁。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBTpyXQH5C
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSZ9wQH1KD
「Who knows?」Ella攤手。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyzYDT8Qhx
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EwFOFgmnJ
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHNatgL1er
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReevWpVFqU
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RjdAgkaMz
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdHFpOBVrd
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcTaIpngvK
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVt491DFd3B
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPD8vkKVmy
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiere5NSUKX
至於南瓜則是Jack-O-Latern 的傳說有關。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2PrYcHNCO
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWWVfmt5uA
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。」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLtnHHMHtj
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDitRvX9Ug
羅夫笑道：「咁多鬼咩？佢成日都講鬼，我一次都冇見過，哈哈！」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOxhx5GMTU
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnH21PVj38
我非常同意，老子甚麼鬼都不信。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnTd1jRwSa
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxTuLMZFCH
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483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8Ad6UJjhA
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRotDd3UZD
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYynfESFfC
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMg3dpw0mq
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWY0fVctOq0
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyDXmBVfEN
Ella瞬間察覺到我的眼神，我趕忙移開目光。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpFh8EsQBb
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3HB8LwvA4
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmUZMDeO9C
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2lAvLIMAN
我雖然好色，但那種事情怎也做不出來。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdPmZH5oVX
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsuguhIa0E
「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。」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWzba7TtEP
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCao4Wavbkl
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBArFvXBqRy
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQOPwYmbht
「Halloween當然要玩啲配合主題嘅遊戲先有意思啦。」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjYFJ2WRDm
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrATHlYIPD
Ella坐下來，幽幽地笑道： 「 Ouija Board。我哋揾鬼出嚟咪一清二楚囉。」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCUEZpF75o
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkKlH10G0f
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLRLwuuXdq
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuz8VWYNj9
通靈板（Ouija Board），就像我們的碟仙⋯⋯483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xkkcq2cU0
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgvrGbBAME
「Happy Halloween！」Ella笑道。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrW8asoJqKt
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5b6zhlC55y
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9B9N86Tdhj
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jhpR7BQQI
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