＊
「Steven，萬聖節有咩節目？」460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXQTcADwBL
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vq2H1rpFD
「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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9PBCnejtW
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LwFa1Cdwj
這個把頭湊到我面前，呵氣如蘭的女生是我的同事Emma。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0alLyjOFCJ
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVbhhRxfnX
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzR1fDwdnpe
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxW7AGL9QK
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7saBYSuLf
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK50lBJoWe1
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNiki4SS4o
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lOu0PzSFA
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFa4h4HAnu0
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iMiF5fH2x
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlm8HDXKet
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAM1OAxTxlQ
原因你懂的，說太多又蘇玉華了。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0151QvnA0
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaQfJVo7Zi
為甚麼是伯明翰？460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrT9hDypY0W
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPVXDtK6Sm
因為是工業重鎮？還是因為伯明翰是英國第二大城市？460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPONLVtGHPW
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoZoup2bGT
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lCoVYtD7o
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuQP0PXINS
總之就是這樣。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALkIWYYrLj
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Z0NBzKQnn
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2CqEvsmb0
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBKdoJpPZZ
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡys3jiuGH3H
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXHDZHNWgM
「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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiXvLAUkPN
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIGDvbE4Tw
呸，別再聽KOL說甚麼在英國工作只有下午茶和啤酒。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPLsNBwEgT
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgUi8ayCKt
還有圓渾有致的屁股。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZJf4ZxN6u
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjmiqEP0bM
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbj4NjifIR
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6VfSpS6XC
Emma俏臉緋紅，瞪了我一眼，咬唇耳語道：「邊個頂唔順好難講呢。」460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHm0ccOm6wd
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceARYcA9P9
「我當然知道正日要忙。我想問你24號，星期日吖！」460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx270yUf5Z0
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUH92lNgf2
「24號？」460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkaj76bt7k
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoP33gH8eC
「24號係你生日。」她喐起豐厚的嘴唇。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKzjliSwCR
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Q1vLYhOuN
吖，對了！我幾乎都忘記自己生日。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNBUgvWC2T
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFXneVwbDe
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnAKsxswo5
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmnbvADUp1
「所以⋯⋯去你新屋慶祝？我都未去過參觀呢。」460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCT5ZwHPkXX
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0KcOGUark
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPpKuKRTSV
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04BNQjYSLd
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。」460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjV1p3Eyd8
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfEbvNTnMF
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehu1OxJzp3
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkbvuL9dXJ
若然，如果沒有發生那件事⋯⋯460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhLrTazkdr
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KuHg467CR
＊460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPQaEi2e40
10月24號。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9njInitkhl
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB81VzvYsWE
也就是我訂的情趣內衣送達的同日上午。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3iqraOdZq
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzQ9js792N
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdfpAEFw7J
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYNg0iqyVy
酒吧名叫Sun？Sin？看不清楚，也不是重點。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRNCOUaWg7
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOHFigrh2t
奇怪的是他的說話。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwOtqy91Ra
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmWMd1qZ5X
「終於有人。」司機大叔腋下夾住黑色包裏。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqTqT63hDp
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7bqGZqQu2
「嗯？」我不解。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRb5dHgQEr
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXmNjO8CRm
司機大叔搖了搖頭，遞上Emma的內衣讓我簽收。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9WQIGacNf
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhgFTcbv4y
「最近出門小心呀，Kid。」460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUC4qR8RWyC
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6l2qsRiS4G
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。」460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8b9bapMGJt
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKftCcLVtY1
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXnQbBwxhf
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdii6aCGcxN
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTrA3f081W
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxDPWWkY49
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7bGmBF56S
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDGziDm8ho
「哈，治安嘛。」司機大叔壓下聲線沉吟：「萬聖節。」460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1XdME5bqZ
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6OoSQcHCR
「吓？」460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaXie05onW
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3iJfK7E8S
「小心萬聖節。」他重複。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYkgYkFjBo
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3IrwfFQbb
我被他混濁的藍眼眸盯得渾身不自在：「呃，So⋯⋯Happy Halloween？」460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWpohr33jC
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvkNck95Vq
「Happy Halloween, Kid。」司機大叔輕按鴨舌帽道別，轉身上車離開。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hpdIa2ebH
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFH2vZe4dVj
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbs7lZ7iSP
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUaCEtPwLz
剎那間葉聲靜下來，街道好像伸長了？460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrVU0ggnTY
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXH9M1XCii
我揉揉眼：「打少啲飛機。」460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjF2aL74bK
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7RTfO16Xg
噏噏，褲袋電話震動。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwsB9HtUzz
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNKWTKV6rr
是Emma的訊息，內容是茄子和心心眼的Emoji。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1nFU70l2f
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDNPRfWUpr
「啱，今日真係唔可以打飛機。」460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3sOlsqqh4
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvWvQeYzd5
然後，我回了她英國國旗，扯起來了。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpP3nvsivRi
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJl6fiIAa7p
＊
黃昏時份。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOndr8ncp0y
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45gY9knm7d
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDUg7LPdbn
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKv6df7pC0
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVq0pUVSwqs
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZwI1dilT0
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucjAh0yGGB
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ859Nzj7qUg
我蓋上手提電腦，踢著拖鞋到玄關，開門迎接Emma。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRT8KbDvwen
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYrEmQjWH0
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDipILTGOC
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqux4KMw3m
「Surprise？」Emma 眨動大眼睛，裝可愛問道。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUjX7uYmYE
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJ672yA5Wj
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAE03bspZq
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvYHEP6NFj
其中三個人我認出來，因為我們是同事。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOH7GKd3VIR
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSJNHoJcls
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLvz3AhfE9
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4J7yqmwdA
不要誤會，他是我健身室前輩。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFQS5uVm5d
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBcIC3wYLl
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSQTR75Zdj
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpY5ZNnWbH1
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74xzyYS3Uk
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLTVb8jTYK
「Hiya。」460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZmmWeen8R
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hS72NuAmQ
說話的是一個嬌小斯文，打扮成小魔女的金髮女生Mia。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaAtSJDPZb
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzvTO5ILIz
Mia，她就是我一直沒有和Emma一起的原因。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uZ2m29gtL
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUz4fL9m2Ym
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nfYeAyLFM
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaKYC2jFBb
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQasZOFXNpn
原因很簡單。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquYZWYvboG
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kyAzTxl6R
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7o3vcad6Bu
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IoVkIX1AJ
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmXOsCogal
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZAqRXWalH
Mia今天來我的生日派對，絕對是意料之外。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gV6jb7JST
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo346y4nJAy
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBiUYXHTZv
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlwGTgcJAy
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrujmcvgQXa
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cqXtVvVQ4
「嗨⋯⋯Mia。」我在Emma身下，與Mia尷尬地對望。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjNQPp71zX
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkq9Q1fj0NY
「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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzp8uJ6qkWP
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6Ae50XzWv
我爬起來一邊乾笑，一邊把他們迎進屋內。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoiBMXLTKz
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FnwgmtDBE
Emma有意無意的在Mia面前喙了我的臉頰一口。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQZLHoSqCf
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1zHqT860n
「Happy Birthday and⋯⋯」460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4ZnWN9lav
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9grSEeB1iM
「Happy Halloween！」她說。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezlMHWj3w3
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEYhaYfZch
大門關上，門樑的風鈴叮叮作響。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvsRBj7sis
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaKjPWy9eG
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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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NaL2ZZRgR
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwGl8QrIcc
「啪，啪，啪。一嘢⋯⋯一嘢轟入去？What？」他讀得生澀滑稽。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHP3NtSgxLt
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMBJ2YKdmT
與此同時，Mia和Ella在與飯廳相連的溫室佈置。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBW8mgy8Tf6
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieEuk5O9fa
「Steven。你間新屋真係唔錯。」460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWAu6Vm0hn
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3Abn9iTlr
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMPOgeNNEo
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52rUg4HB6s
我裝作毫不在意，繼續話題：「過得去，哈哈。而且價錢好公道。」460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jPa6SKMDg
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKnWPFwKaA
「喔？幾錢成交？」460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqAMo2d0of
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoIgchEi5D
「25萬鎊。」我豎起手指。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5EgZ6mVUM
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFJuj0jcVq
羅夫被啤酒嗆得咳嗽：「真係咁抵？」460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlg7hw7CAq
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyDhGLhbZZ
「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。」460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24HOZXBrhR
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuiRD5wDsh
Peter頓了一下，補充一句：「公道得誇張。」460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFPtDehfS2
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2mOacNLDG
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIrZx3LANO
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8sGEDL02B
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoAdEOKVIu
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQ6g0NyTzA
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDOCAMyyzb
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYn1o1LK1nY
退一萬步說，即使沒有一盞街燈，25萬鎊都絕對划算。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFjrnA0mZu
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPGnZUZu8q
「但一個人住三房，唔會覺得陰森咩？」Peter問。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4pwrd4Nuv
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XJLmSMIhK
「買定先，遲早用得到總冇壞。」我不自覺瞄看玻璃溫室的Mia。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRPV1EAdTs
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lQs4GK6o8
「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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbnyxahdKq
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oTFJzCKHY
羅夫灌光啤酒，忽然豪邁地笑道：「今晚我哋唔打算返屋企喔。」460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbISCCXWfM
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNfipIAWLK
我瞧看Emma一眼，後者聳聳肩。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHf6moA58ye
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPajNFkzXcN
我推開木門：「好，哈哈！我出去起爐先，你哋隨便坐。」460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡch4lE62UcJ
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQaWqqUfk1
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「要幫手？」460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yGZ6n1jMy
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEIAnqpden
當我在花園擺好火爐的炭時，Mia走到我旁邊遞上火槍。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnQeYKPYHi
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsP1INwUJA
「唔該。」我晃晃頭，尷尬地接過火槍。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNg1ykF8haQ
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LEuA1C1gj
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirsMaNk5HE
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMP36HGpnK
啪嚓。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEVQYAvnQI
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAGc6hfVD9
我打破沉默：「多謝你今日肯嚟。」460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGIqBLydWS
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSRhjtt1Kg
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3BE6zwZ5R
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpJyQFe5r3
「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。」460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hHfMXjj2J
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqup6ULhtj
「多謝。」我舉起酒罐一飲而下。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8cbXU283S
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMeH71K07g
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDI2GYKkIh
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiHIdcJBy6
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatpolOtki5
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWkjsGmE2m
「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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZjzTZBSn6
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhnu7Bda13
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8DfTufrQx
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoF3I0M9IX
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡli3Pfu3Q8L
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCV92qVS0GR
「Mia？」460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vfUETiPuK
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CEwEdYhT2
Mia回過神，裝出鬼臉：「嚇到你呢，嘻嘻。」460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlzQh2ORjP
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqLZLUFHGd
「喔喔，嚇到囉。」我陪笑道。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8MmbD458N
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA079TvwANt
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4slMkXtnCB
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOOo4CWsXE
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aSOr9993D
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39kdiycX24
羅夫的牌品比酒品差，特別在輸了幾張十鎊鈔票之後。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Tvrjh9OPD
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbAhmBJvQ1
洗牌。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxokvtlSu84
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILD2loiW3e
派牌。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8c7zwtNHn
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlgF5e6F6w
「Shit，Peter。你點搞？醉到手殘呀？」羅夫咬住煙，晦氣地丟出一張牌。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzk5qcSc9fI
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOc7VSSnVym
Joker，小丑牌。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbk0Mhdyxc
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeQKtOLWbh
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcd06jcJQDO
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpggttLAor
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpagyKclbil
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJa0HC4baa
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4g8YjepnR8
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBL85nPAJ5
「我？冇理由⋯⋯」Peter大惑不解地搔頭。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjknWsdLDAX
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ603AvtbAt
「好喇好喇，我哋休息一陣，酒都飲完囉。」460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvI052zwCoV
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cUjJrN67N
Ella說罷便朝大家露出貝齒，紅唇拉出一抹古怪的笑容。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJ3GyuSXcG
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DywZkvBnF
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfKcQghprI
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfr1fiVkkWC
「童話故事同商業社會嘅衍生品？」460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaTMfKJayE
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvM9DVUVf5
坦白說，我真的不知道。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNlvuB1WwP
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ954oOCaFJv
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？460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTDi2F4HD3
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWTeZC0IJJ
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？460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmrBjkxbAC
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszjXPQPoP9
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyxbKFUObE
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiLB5G2Lvc
然而，Ella的答案讓我們安靜下來，室外的空氣驟時急降十度。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyMzjVu3Vx
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT14ORm3tcM
「萬聖節真係有鬼。」Ella說。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuTmlxcneP
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qC1M90LN1
「迷信呢。」Emma第一個反駁。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYjhlQzhK0
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRo1QVBM0O
「Who knows?」Ella攤手。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMm74g4UFb
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWhDm5kNnB
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fG6E6BjWl
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIiysTxRTl
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg02BpawrlB
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFw6ArsBYS
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDOAWGWva4
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ft40CYsKW
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKPxJ1umuE
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxADIBnPVaw
至於南瓜則是Jack-O-Latern 的傳說有關。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqI5FsPB31A
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzXXtOOCZr
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。」460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjOdkwqEFP
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnZxuYgt3r
羅夫笑道：「咁多鬼咩？佢成日都講鬼，我一次都冇見過，哈哈！」460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCDAoi21gk
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgKznlF7dq
我非常同意，老子甚麼鬼都不信。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0akpvtxCl
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNySDGuPqsp
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460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6BQ0iWMhF
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalc4LCwIWd
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpC1EwW74dn
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUrxMHeOD1
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRoHeClqav
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ShpzgnDmH
Ella瞬間察覺到我的眼神，我趕忙移開目光。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dULEkoo41
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9g9JulD9q3
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Oy7Iuto3Y
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpTNAmCz7H
我雖然好色，但那種事情怎也做不出來。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOt39TUqSx
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbTcQZLK5n
「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。」460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡck6pvu0IWR
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RH76mJERq
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdX21c0Yka
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxM7U80ibL
「Halloween當然要玩啲配合主題嘅遊戲先有意思啦。」460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEIHY0jzWo
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Fx7RVmOrD
Ella坐下來，幽幽地笑道： 「 Ouija Board。我哋揾鬼出嚟咪一清二楚囉。」460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMei6DCM8LW
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvD4viMqBa
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjhVJwkJnL
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXY4Y6UXT9t
通靈板（Ouija Board），就像我們的碟仙⋯⋯460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LPBcfLAs9
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlB1bxqRjCW
「Happy Halloween！」Ella笑道。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRbiCZBPOQ
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvUzQ0JnVN
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。460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbK7fCOz8Pn
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUehdoVMHT8
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