＊
「Steven，萬聖節有咩節目？」482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0oS8ZXEe5
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxeTTqKBuf
「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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfArvJNb1w
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxu4bQhzBBL
這個把頭湊到我面前，呵氣如蘭的女生是我的同事Emma。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKQKai945i
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakp6pEXpvU
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsl5J1NogI
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZPk4ts8ya
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbUvzkjPaV
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgasq2e586G
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdT0GkHkams
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9LDlYKSCK
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTWp2xtVrU
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrubonhjAJ
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTS9L0ruCzF
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jKl0YrSxH
原因你懂的，說太多又蘇玉華了。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXgfZlXDgU
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9KFuYxXSp
為甚麼是伯明翰？482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0mpc5DI9B
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHp5whqVFqD
因為是工業重鎮？還是因為伯明翰是英國第二大城市？482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDA7CNkrTf
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSbC2k752g
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGGbCyEkAF
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2lGRBq5W6
總之就是這樣。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukFoNoC01E
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGixB30r7k
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32CMbFnRtO
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfK0tm0NYIU
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmm2oLaHyk
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqYAUAxZQE
「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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIqMGxiUH8
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qD0D0Mt1F
呸，別再聽KOL說甚麼在英國工作只有下午茶和啤酒。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2FXCaDuKk
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkH6fO9iKBs
還有圓渾有致的屁股。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreeC409cja
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg18XzHEPIW
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSno0pxIHl
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vqSlVRfwH
Emma俏臉緋紅，瞪了我一眼，咬唇耳語道：「邊個頂唔順好難講呢。」482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK58onqtB24
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcAHKAMQj2
「我當然知道正日要忙。我想問你24號，星期日吖！」482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvH5bUNa3lk
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2QegtSJ7O
「24號？」482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVsOL0XUFg
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjNewqutlI
「24號係你生日。」她喐起豐厚的嘴唇。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsAWtznYRP
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡri803lIfs2
吖，對了！我幾乎都忘記自己生日。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJUtBSxpI0
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59JvuAQb0d
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpQboZ9SCl
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFNmvStYmn
「所以⋯⋯去你新屋慶祝？我都未去過參觀呢。」482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQx6c08Z7v7
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1r6EW79HQb
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23dusW8NFB
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcx96TG1fum
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。」482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMS9B4Xo3f
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUkgMYhA6q
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtagJi7jVZ5
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwljstNDdF
若然，如果沒有發生那件事⋯⋯482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKPe04cfVA
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLg8MlXGkb
＊482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyuak1KMEf
10月24號。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHoOK1Bo7h
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7alNEgRwbf
也就是我訂的情趣內衣送達的同日上午。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30brHYf1rt
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXp0oRXV5F
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAi5o7jDtx
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdejcwpJ8uB
酒吧名叫Sun？Sin？看不清楚，也不是重點。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjLxOaJm0J
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMmASViwrM
奇怪的是他的說話。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoxMMRKbG6
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctcD1fDAWP
「終於有人。」司機大叔腋下夾住黑色包裏。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPEShRAPSb
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSkqxu2pju
「嗯？」我不解。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruRbcsgDRf
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoL2Sx3plSP
司機大叔搖了搖頭，遞上Emma的內衣讓我簽收。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWTaVR0EaH
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoih2XSiVAP
「最近出門小心呀，Kid。」482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvryngjtyxX
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpYUwlK7fY
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。」482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCCkavTrOq
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRbWaHNFXY
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3Oy0amJBn
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfU1dzHdf0
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gh4zHruAq
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckg1towTYV
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbq36r8ZdGU
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDgJ6zPXAY
「哈，治安嘛。」司機大叔壓下聲線沉吟：「萬聖節。」482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotQ487Jr9N
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDaEdnqCW4
「吓？」482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGRS1r1sNd
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8SL0DGZ3j
「小心萬聖節。」他重複。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡampB2icW55
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ824hF0xDzf
我被他混濁的藍眼眸盯得渾身不自在：「呃，So⋯⋯Happy Halloween？」482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQLgXstFZA
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aik20w0gy
「Happy Halloween, Kid。」司機大叔輕按鴨舌帽道別，轉身上車離開。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3F66dkrIu
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRByjVVzhH
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmCR9Cgoha
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNSL1asDaT
剎那間葉聲靜下來，街道好像伸長了？482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0neDdBgw1Q
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusPcwQupK2
我揉揉眼：「打少啲飛機。」482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWOX3Aptv6
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAMXZw38aa
噏噏，褲袋電話震動。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ59UawRq7c
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvrCAYme3j
是Emma的訊息，內容是茄子和心心眼的Emoji。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPz9cMUpsLs
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmH4cIqRyq
「啱，今日真係唔可以打飛機。」482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtGznYRLqB
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuNwMdvpBR
然後，我回了她英國國旗，扯起來了。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneNy0OcVcA
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafCdaeiDQ3
＊
黃昏時份。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgI1Pi1I3Y2
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoK4k4SVpNS
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYroJAUbFuu
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshX1KfDJM1
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIv0uDza7dp
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKnleIIFbB
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNHM06Dxt5
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKKHFMGlXW
我蓋上手提電腦，踢著拖鞋到玄關，開門迎接Emma。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAFx0BgtNh
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATqw11OTO2
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtie5qjXWCx
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDeudapeVj
「Surprise？」Emma 眨動大眼睛，裝可愛問道。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJ82TbqIBG
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEio2ylHim3
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0SlolJ7gS
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0REKqNGKG
其中三個人我認出來，因為我們是同事。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0edPzcPiNJ
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuOdz6mTx9
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyE8wZPrZLo
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqd6KFCCzFW
不要誤會，他是我健身室前輩。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGs0VnosiI
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsVfrME3vJ
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJdqrmWqel
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroIAqfpkA5
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvi7MGl2lxg
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvTWIGJZKY
「Hiya。」482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEfc2fZ2rD
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZwwqitQGG
說話的是一個嬌小斯文，打扮成小魔女的金髮女生Mia。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRa3HS8A07
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQAYOdM41u
Mia，她就是我一直沒有和Emma一起的原因。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoF01caGfP1
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmtpTsKItB
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuT9dzuyxkM
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ut3LAOa1T
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcecP647wk
原因很簡單。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XCZrlwNE6
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPCscWJEEj
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ALuquZQgp
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimZco1csGK
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb20OXgUdzC
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EyKW7FANy
Mia今天來我的生日派對，絕對是意料之外。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhjt4Apt5l
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJlzPQdF99
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpxcbwTXcF
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzqvROnXfV
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMO09jW8ay
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VD8V3TaCE
「嗨⋯⋯Mia。」我在Emma身下，與Mia尷尬地對望。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6r6NAmx7B
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡev26Ld7Jkt
「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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXjmlV5XSs
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaOnrLWGSw
我爬起來一邊乾笑，一邊把他們迎進屋內。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43IKsB5LC6
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MEuMdKqkS
Emma有意無意的在Mia面前喙了我的臉頰一口。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnPPTjcELH
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXz8SfEH8P
「Happy Birthday and⋯⋯」482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxfpgwSSVT
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJpHBCnZm3
「Happy Halloween！」她說。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdf12w8MBr
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXHIKvRLNS
大門關上，門樑的風鈴叮叮作響。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZa3hPCE2S
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sgIcyeYzp
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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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlkESizn1c
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lD2KHdqF2
「啪，啪，啪。一嘢⋯⋯一嘢轟入去？What？」他讀得生澀滑稽。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLky4lHdiC
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIUV7dlpn9
與此同時，Mia和Ella在與飯廳相連的溫室佈置。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmM4s4nsAx
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuy8qYneJMY
「Steven。你間新屋真係唔錯。」482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKo4xCKr8b
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKx1WSymNIr
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJk1Itnfub
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xizmP9W2Y
我裝作毫不在意，繼續話題：「過得去，哈哈。而且價錢好公道。」482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrElSY15S2
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSUVLaPDIH
「喔？幾錢成交？」482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtPvgIaYoA
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGglohsacR
「25萬鎊。」我豎起手指。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXj3NKRdfsP
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQfNLPPGYX
羅夫被啤酒嗆得咳嗽：「真係咁抵？」482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiiSIlVi6q
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGoSuYkHg8
「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。」482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh01xg0Ixop
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KSho94GmW
Peter頓了一下，補充一句：「公道得誇張。」482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LBEsIljws
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkAhnHAUZt
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXw9WQpL2P1
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3JwthPJHe
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObuW92z8A0
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQcVoDuZD6
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94XfhFpI88
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKQkY5HOWx
退一萬步說，即使沒有一盞街燈，25萬鎊都絕對划算。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxRKndapi2
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhlKwdK4IG
「但一個人住三房，唔會覺得陰森咩？」Peter問。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMCykqogKh
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jhDr1eNpZ
「買定先，遲早用得到總冇壞。」我不自覺瞄看玻璃溫室的Mia。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyHb1RBkVM
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCabZ67DTf6
「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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaNpBIkAtp
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDNXdy6IfE
羅夫灌光啤酒，忽然豪邁地笑道：「今晚我哋唔打算返屋企喔。」482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4KHxNxeAo
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IXoOUbPCw
我瞧看Emma一眼，後者聳聳肩。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk842mvw8ce
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvQYJXr4mf
我推開木門：「好，哈哈！我出去起爐先，你哋隨便坐。」482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4h2MXVoc4
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5kT2X4vfN
＊
「要幫手？」482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIkiieCEB7
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgII1DQWnr
當我在花園擺好火爐的炭時，Mia走到我旁邊遞上火槍。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8gsDTQlu5
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1sASd2ZGy
「唔該。」我晃晃頭，尷尬地接過火槍。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnmVGz2K2X
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Nks0g8a5o
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡji2JwneRlu
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4ifaLLzGA
啪嚓。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxn64nPBZRz
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeVU1CAKiR
我打破沉默：「多謝你今日肯嚟。」482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXjZzJOzHn
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0d33FGZmN3
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAukn5FjbDs
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhUYWHHhmQ
「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。」482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡai9QJwLOj7
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8HB2aghaD
「多謝。」我舉起酒罐一飲而下。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzqerTc5fI
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtw30szyqiR
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eQwxKF041
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHb5RxIi6tT
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtl4SaoxiHE
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGYUVIxvw1
「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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROo4UboOVl
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg74MCqQwgA
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiHsYtnSLe
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGqxmFvpvS
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eKftm2gKC
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvhE17ZvKS
「Mia？」482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVHzd14GnS
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsysstobfk
Mia回過神，裝出鬼臉：「嚇到你呢，嘻嘻。」482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5p0u3BC7Z3
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AcpFdrKJu
「喔喔，嚇到囉。」我陪笑道。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikb1pIQ0yF
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJkIi2rTZX
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncSnDPjxs6
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYHfHz2cSm
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBe6yRzVtLF
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnE39iAsYo
羅夫的牌品比酒品差，特別在輸了幾張十鎊鈔票之後。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZn31EhJeM
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBVF29n2km
洗牌。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVSw89vN83
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdMw7l6xbc
派牌。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGY30Y0okJ
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebaplo7mHP
「Shit，Peter。你點搞？醉到手殘呀？」羅夫咬住煙，晦氣地丟出一張牌。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQTNjblVye
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGX7PEUU2M
Joker，小丑牌。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3riI6N6KG
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgsvNaHyGA
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kPcHRtThd
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRgBKc1Kb2
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nhIzfUBTG
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSlFcjZMsH
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycgqXmkeRm
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNSI6rAPeU
「我？冇理由⋯⋯」Peter大惑不解地搔頭。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXKSCw7rAn
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGakRVszt9
「好喇好喇，我哋休息一陣，酒都飲完囉。」482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPl69L5LKB1
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpIR6LLyp1
Ella說罷便朝大家露出貝齒，紅唇拉出一抹古怪的笑容。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡww7AbmVcJ9
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpok1lunIC
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡligSSbQvM1
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADbsMm0MMX
「童話故事同商業社會嘅衍生品？」482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡog2eoddCLD
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzJuMZb3uG
坦白說，我真的不知道。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxEcRdVJWB
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAu3lyQ5EL5
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？482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8UXyyEIX4
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ydWf9zK8w
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？482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NBvlmwM3H
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmS98C26Of
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJj0WqpvZBq
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TrQqq82io
然而，Ella的答案讓我們安靜下來，室外的空氣驟時急降十度。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6F1jT3QQFq
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6ELPzbMrS
「萬聖節真係有鬼。」Ella說。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNbAesMPCr
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnWM1TJf7v
「迷信呢。」Emma第一個反駁。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkQvavDjYd
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1YKAHlKGC
「Who knows?」Ella攤手。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IinhD9KUM
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlN9DxKndS9
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNBzOT7t0Q
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNE0h6551O
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyokdwLDhUo
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftf18MkhTi
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMuM6yXTZc
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjX8UDkYhVF
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkGW7k9qsr
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RCTZ0BogN
至於南瓜則是Jack-O-Latern 的傳說有關。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfv8fRNSU3T
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6HWInO0KH
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。」482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBwcjqgkRS
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaVBXqtzzw
羅夫笑道：「咁多鬼咩？佢成日都講鬼，我一次都冇見過，哈哈！」482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ84MHbvwWA
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPGsEda6Ff
我非常同意，老子甚麼鬼都不信。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo76o249EOz
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEHoiHSHLF
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482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3SfTQr7fz
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZwKQMhRIk
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWzb8izaOg
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVhgLDdrW0
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMhd04jGKb
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMtyKBlqfp
Ella瞬間察覺到我的眼神，我趕忙移開目光。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0PGCZqk5K
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdLMz85QG9
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoIy4IUKwZ
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwV0gcLh3x
我雖然好色，但那種事情怎也做不出來。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKw3wXqPyI
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaVyabDIq5
「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。」482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvvy7iEBIz
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4txDS4GoY
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNRTiBTXpT
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BsDNSySbW
「Halloween當然要玩啲配合主題嘅遊戲先有意思啦。」482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9s9N3JHA7Y
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxe6TfgY6GR
Ella坐下來，幽幽地笑道： 「 Ouija Board。我哋揾鬼出嚟咪一清二楚囉。」482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEC9wJ5Wgmg
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78sTERrSMV
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvqtDpUvdy
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEOQ83tXe1
通靈板（Ouija Board），就像我們的碟仙⋯⋯482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLe9KAtcux
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIo273Xhra
「Happy Halloween！」Ella笑道。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrv5w7xFpPF
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQccBLpYoe
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。482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVnGgAc5pj
482Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB69r36YVI2
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