＊
「Steven，萬聖節有咩節目？」447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZyK26pQfm
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIlUSqS470
「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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoyW0T5lpq
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPoXdz4yQc
這個把頭湊到我面前，呵氣如蘭的女生是我的同事Emma。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFAwwdIRHz
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWtZyWU6AD
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WKBDaDxPB
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wKhmxsvpP
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiM1jJId0RM
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNekG9oK5YT
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpCD5SdCMr
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfRy9rBgeU
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqfORn1IJd
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4T2VvsOoo
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwDmgAlbWS
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡet5fIetbfl
原因你懂的，說太多又蘇玉華了。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFguxkE4Yo
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOvfSiULXO
為甚麼是伯明翰？447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwezV00jxyG
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5CLez0nQ7
因為是工業重鎮？還是因為伯明翰是英國第二大城市？447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJ06VN8OAp
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLDg03OFpa
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwu3JaNI9s
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRyB7FUvgm
總之就是這樣。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JM7k0tgtq
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAkgxOi0nj
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eg1LFwwaS
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVGibGMysU
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3qMZSLAcy
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGBjoFIuMy
「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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0SbodhrOb
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqUNAKQ6Zc
呸，別再聽KOL說甚麼在英國工作只有下午茶和啤酒。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnK1fWJsTo6
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAT0roPaHs
還有圓渾有致的屁股。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEmU8ygevo
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6Tnq8EpVu
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDkFayYEX2
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErbdFOMa4h
Emma俏臉緋紅，瞪了我一眼，咬唇耳語道：「邊個頂唔順好難講呢。」447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzh446ahVO5
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyrfGZJ4ja
「我當然知道正日要忙。我想問你24號，星期日吖！」447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTXe94ofDB
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFd0B9KoiZ
「24號？」447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2fxqbE5jH
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVy4nTTqDja
「24號係你生日。」她喐起豐厚的嘴唇。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRsrTvzrC7
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnH9HuovufH
吖，對了！我幾乎都忘記自己生日。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhKtFYcqkl
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2L5e4KC99
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrS3PASJGxd
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5n890mTHTe
「所以⋯⋯去你新屋慶祝？我都未去過參觀呢。」447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjI7guj0Rkc
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuthFaOOxEZ
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkU7kwvD7YK
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdzYTpwNCu
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。」447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpROzUeuwF
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYodIK5FzV
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYdgkJC8hT
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOjIat3Rg1
若然，如果沒有發生那件事⋯⋯447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsGt87Rc0D
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HbPmfD1QB
＊447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKM43lrPGu
10月24號。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUevbluTziS
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uTGm73R1H
也就是我訂的情趣內衣送達的同日上午。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl12Xihl5DS
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9KJSWsFLW
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhkAqWruGU
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNstip8Nquy
酒吧名叫Sun？Sin？看不清楚，也不是重點。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uYWCmPs9q
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXBzeY5o19
奇怪的是他的說話。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00SK1n4ZB3
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhAjO9LMLt
「終於有人。」司機大叔腋下夾住黑色包裏。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LmcpUsgny
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00qM4catsC
「嗯？」我不解。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPwStS5pKR
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBO42fS0AYS
司機大叔搖了搖頭，遞上Emma的內衣讓我簽收。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcClnWie8Hr
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFl8gpWCmY
「最近出門小心呀，Kid。」447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hi5hkDg4R
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVtLu3rLQb
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。」447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZuUoIX29Y
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVN0ZKjgDa
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSfTeSoILc
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbK2kGtha3Z
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WThDbuR4k
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolGhzCNrlz
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMSkzYgzFi
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJ07w2OunJ
「哈，治安嘛。」司機大叔壓下聲線沉吟：「萬聖節。」447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5mXu1Zl99
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMbTZatdym
「吓？」447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcQNED7pdj
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVRZtAKHdC
「小心萬聖節。」他重複。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWgv54coRF
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiBpN8pqoi
我被他混濁的藍眼眸盯得渾身不自在：「呃，So⋯⋯Happy Halloween？」447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtPopCzkwu
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidu6jBy0Ml
「Happy Halloween, Kid。」司機大叔輕按鴨舌帽道別，轉身上車離開。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRviuTzeCIl
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzWrhkaoPJ
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXgSWKEFMt
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYYtw8x2xS
剎那間葉聲靜下來，街道好像伸長了？447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyxFIEuDeA
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrudUjazyM3
我揉揉眼：「打少啲飛機。」447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplt0SaUObj
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIfU6mfeSA
噏噏，褲袋電話震動。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfegGV3Tiz
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWh2MoZMoK
是Emma的訊息，內容是茄子和心心眼的Emoji。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyg0jL6Q9tB
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsST00OUUBf
「啱，今日真係唔可以打飛機。」447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyXjiPXoa6
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOWwVH9SWj
然後，我回了她英國國旗，扯起來了。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JmNSWl3yk
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vI98R2kPL
＊
黃昏時份。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQT34QgHb4N
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5L8d6kGY6
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIPzqQ2f7A
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXk06vIMf1
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxbX03O6tk
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaiqyYINwC
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtzPHuetT7
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxsJMlLtrN
我蓋上手提電腦，踢著拖鞋到玄關，開門迎接Emma。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1qXN1OxiP
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMogDTiTBwH
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7J4xmVy4Gm
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9TdJsNB88
「Surprise？」Emma 眨動大眼睛，裝可愛問道。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycukZSdTsp
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtyHuwjUDm
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43PAuKafZ9
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdB8Ihfwmmx
其中三個人我認出來，因為我們是同事。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2ks2HyBJU
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7luNZ6tFB
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3anGXtQvyZ
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBlKSrmkMh
不要誤會，他是我健身室前輩。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mAN82sfKg
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3Z7CB3lre
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMgzLLRnuK
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNL9yAywhwT
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡER9sXZgiza
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0h6pmxnrTA
「Hiya。」447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfPq9dLmhw
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qV7mTuOSd
說話的是一個嬌小斯文，打扮成小魔女的金髮女生Mia。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWFZ0N0Qqv
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iDfYJoq6n
Mia，她就是我一直沒有和Emma一起的原因。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquYwOYF429
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzjc5MkK1L
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLYab0GKD2
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJXTFeqBah
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWBcNRD28n
原因很簡單。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJsxg0Bppm
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRfBBR1GTJ
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFN0jRCxYp
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3JgckiN40
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGBEh5MLHp
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDom2r7PTz
Mia今天來我的生日派對，絕對是意料之外。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AvZkOHt8z
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfmw6NwB35
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfAbpnuY73
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXOgvPojPT
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOHgldBZMk
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fdebNA2ne
「嗨⋯⋯Mia。」我在Emma身下，與Mia尷尬地對望。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLNV450Af2
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbG5enu0KDH
「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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogyMA2gxJs
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNJm27419G
我爬起來一邊乾笑，一邊把他們迎進屋內。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2WVeNYEV5
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjbjonvyWL
Emma有意無意的在Mia面前喙了我的臉頰一口。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iFE55DFwO
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrY3ruYX3R
「Happy Birthday and⋯⋯」447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2LpIKDsm8
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaXQAZWlHs
「Happy Halloween！」她說。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88Sb0EsDBT
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaK8IFraDUE
大門關上，門樑的風鈴叮叮作響。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFcJLnDBOY
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCPAvPKToG
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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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90MUNTIz56
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiSu9J8rT8
「啪，啪，啪。一嘢⋯⋯一嘢轟入去？What？」他讀得生澀滑稽。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLI5kXUAbs
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4tslAoFTO
與此同時，Mia和Ella在與飯廳相連的溫室佈置。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡel5tFqHyEl
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFMmcwNpp2
「Steven。你間新屋真係唔錯。」447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbqJHdKWuM
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFZTMhR3eT
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlb1xKJmQJn
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7OymFuT0s
我裝作毫不在意，繼續話題：「過得去，哈哈。而且價錢好公道。」447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSmLvcBFka
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzMC3m23nd
「喔？幾錢成交？」447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6tHQQUADd
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5ZXl16wrv
「25萬鎊。」我豎起手指。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgd8vaG93xa
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡporjxL0dco
羅夫被啤酒嗆得咳嗽：「真係咁抵？」447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscti1xs1Ux
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkfaR0KKdA
「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。」447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXxiP52yZn
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZbViDQfpS
Peter頓了一下，補充一句：「公道得誇張。」447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLscmlL9X9
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJUBRvaN3r
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YSH386CmL
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtf1hQCs09v
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4ath714tC
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAWluZMGam
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5IdZgTlox
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiy7nZrBGtw
退一萬步說，即使沒有一盞街燈，25萬鎊都絕對划算。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAQ4oWaDjq
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlfZJ8C5GE
「但一個人住三房，唔會覺得陰森咩？」Peter問。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fgjdBoQBO
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNd61m71J9
「買定先，遲早用得到總冇壞。」我不自覺瞄看玻璃溫室的Mia。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShnFXlVKj6
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbWv0ORyJV
「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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDW0OaJMy8K
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4oIviv1J4
羅夫灌光啤酒，忽然豪邁地笑道：「今晚我哋唔打算返屋企喔。」447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuYLwb7HOw
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtIrjjcQfY
我瞧看Emma一眼，後者聳聳肩。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgmd066386
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpS4t3MhvfM
我推開木門：「好，哈哈！我出去起爐先，你哋隨便坐。」447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKD5ZHs8yuT
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgweBsWVri
＊
「要幫手？」447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJyhClOYIQ
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoTkGVgpNb
當我在花園擺好火爐的炭時，Mia走到我旁邊遞上火槍。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTQPseRRx7
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9OrbAYYaV
「唔該。」我晃晃頭，尷尬地接過火槍。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2WeNgGdJI
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1XWHMtYuA
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwapFn2akz6
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNbD7VAqMQ
啪嚓。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoMNpH0KBT
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0ET1bk4lZ
我打破沉默：「多謝你今日肯嚟。」447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJzeQSogg6
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHrTWTSWxV
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgKfcEYlcV
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqo6dSPfMJo
「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。」447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBHduLvaKC
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2GaH6ppFQ
「多謝。」我舉起酒罐一飲而下。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ddkjNFFJl
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCw1b4mfyS8
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UTuhx8nfZ
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DukUu4q9C
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPlNCNiM6l
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCU86Rjl50d
「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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuRrbUK5xi
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwW053FZj8C
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9YjiypLqF
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZAneQN5W5
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVV0A8NckJ
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ypldmwo2Q
「Mia？」447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvK9EyoHxtg
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ67QD9CwdV
Mia回過神，裝出鬼臉：「嚇到你呢，嘻嘻。」447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fOUTjdVRd
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcCvmGVKkm
「喔喔，嚇到囉。」我陪笑道。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqsSkXFQOq
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOPMVbZCEd
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdmhidW2Sq
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kB1dpKYY2
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5dSlgNfSQ
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJ4fPbEqZb
羅夫的牌品比酒品差，特別在輸了幾張十鎊鈔票之後。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTPA2I7VxK
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bcBdJ82JE
洗牌。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcVPdeGueB
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpgg7hX5hR
派牌。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAXOQ3Ao8b
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeq7rNfZEkg
「Shit，Peter。你點搞？醉到手殘呀？」羅夫咬住煙，晦氣地丟出一張牌。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFvfKclxaA
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IqGWyAxYO
Joker，小丑牌。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqx9jRKm8z
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzk5QGYQQO
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqBmsVmFoJ
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gHfW4daO9
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5XMZKNCfV
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUohMltT8So
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVSheww8sy
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PmhPZRryu
「我？冇理由⋯⋯」Peter大惑不解地搔頭。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3M1QvdolsM
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEeNgmNzQ4
「好喇好喇，我哋休息一陣，酒都飲完囉。」447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjxyTxDqgr
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHZ9opGOxS
Ella說罷便朝大家露出貝齒，紅唇拉出一抹古怪的笑容。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKGoks1Goo
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8k9tcVoH5
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡty9eo3Kz1T
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpix4Sf6lnO
「童話故事同商業社會嘅衍生品？」447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAn0a9nxTj8
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJDHtE8eWG
坦白說，我真的不知道。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIo7tnblwE
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMaOtFb1wp
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？447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOce05ZJPgK
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2cq5iSES0
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？447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvGTOaFBEq
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RocLWg8hp
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrp8D6tqQVc
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZti2YdUILW
然而，Ella的答案讓我們安靜下來，室外的空氣驟時急降十度。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0icTu97E99
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshdSMMCLoy
「萬聖節真係有鬼。」Ella說。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxIx55tWuz
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AFvijI6rB
「迷信呢。」Emma第一個反駁。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0hhCn7B4v
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4o0A8PwGU
「Who knows?」Ella攤手。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GCQhMyw8U
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhI1QGLLEm
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡao3c2C0vuA
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfBOCkxdxx
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoWiZUn7Ji
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWtRBdBsvW
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7lthT8ppA
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObmhwhoYhB
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqAvP3OPxI
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeWyX10foS
至於南瓜則是Jack-O-Latern 的傳說有關。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6M12GmH5mB
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonVwJK0tFJ
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。」447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtV9i8nkLCv
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eo2Il0r4y
羅夫笑道：「咁多鬼咩？佢成日都講鬼，我一次都冇見過，哈哈！」447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkTrLoDOV8
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjQ0ZxhU6x
我非常同意，老子甚麼鬼都不信。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpxhw2aVBB
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5mwTQNyKs
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447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ56VqGyJeT
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Xn2hb66Zd
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3YxOe4cBk
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTXbBXjnWT
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28LrwieGRB
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3edno9Oxe
Ella瞬間察覺到我的眼神，我趕忙移開目光。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwek390ktuk
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6PT9gRo6j
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu199e0soO0
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQW81P9N4d
我雖然好色，但那種事情怎也做不出來。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0kUqtZUfx
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEObEF4ORB
「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。」447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73IM6cjVgz
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXm2rCiyq62
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HYWXXs3Gp
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqlkZA9ndE
「Halloween當然要玩啲配合主題嘅遊戲先有意思啦。」447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3WhJjg3fB
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4uiA4CiJm
Ella坐下來，幽幽地笑道： 「 Ouija Board。我哋揾鬼出嚟咪一清二楚囉。」447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9I0INAGiF
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynvR39h0ZS
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEM5iuKQUpI
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkk34avLJw
通靈板（Ouija Board），就像我們的碟仙⋯⋯447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnteu1orrl
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvr73oMAen6
「Happy Halloween！」Ella笑道。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkANAOMlR3j
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1LwmC49fj
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。447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqycR56eVH
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0wld5LTyc
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