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「Steven，萬聖節有咩節目？」444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Qv8LYw0fi
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemqZ9RaUdY
「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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qYeYm9WQr
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfNJ4n8llt
這個把頭湊到我面前，呵氣如蘭的女生是我的同事Emma。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjrHk9gpkP
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeznphFIw8
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsEAqn55sm
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mgBTL0ouh
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRwyzALow9
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPef5jlRaiu
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVUcGrYxQx
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aE0ANEDNU
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLXU2cyjdJ
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eQmHWuQAc
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyDSAYnKDw
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaXn9isC7F
原因你懂的，說太多又蘇玉華了。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysagO23CsQ
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnMMp3upB6
為甚麼是伯明翰？444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyotsRMmBy
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4kzCPoSNE
因為是工業重鎮？還是因為伯明翰是英國第二大城市？444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdv3S2eV37U
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKz85dXe8Ui
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Vmt6qDmhx
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3kfP2cbNz
總之就是這樣。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkWMmCd33h
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0O30B3T4a
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeTUmORw2Q
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdrWNmikgC
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKO1pHvVj7z
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyacSSYrfO
「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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9j273vrRmn
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LeE91IY6n
呸，別再聽KOL說甚麼在英國工作只有下午茶和啤酒。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllZRBs8qGJ
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkY3Nr2PyOG
還有圓渾有致的屁股。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmA1PrbPgQW
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpk3QhPFsI
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytsrUJHHBU
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dIqYFkSv0
Emma俏臉緋紅，瞪了我一眼，咬唇耳語道：「邊個頂唔順好難講呢。」444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfySk3y8jUV
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhlMMQMnMD
「我當然知道正日要忙。我想問你24號，星期日吖！」444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8SwioLSXc
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdD2DV2vjJ
「24號？」444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuz0rLf8y9u
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCei7AJXf2s
「24號係你生日。」她喐起豐厚的嘴唇。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUvPEkwNAE
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLOvlTZv88
吖，對了！我幾乎都忘記自己生日。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyzvSwLTOJ
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmE0fw79sz
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40ruuviAk3
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNycXF7Jnm
「所以⋯⋯去你新屋慶祝？我都未去過參觀呢。」444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMAccn3IDr
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KReHaWEaS
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8fEnPSgxv
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5Zn042yVS
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。」444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWJ5uDuDYa
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJVXuaOnOb
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7feKkmZpG
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfnmuwjosE
若然，如果沒有發生那件事⋯⋯444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKw64kXUbE
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNa1GRzDo3
＊444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvk2HMzHgh
10月24號。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTa55yZEWeb
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjnNTZIykf
也就是我訂的情趣內衣送達的同日上午。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqxz8EvRWP
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIMne34sED
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9v9aeRsC3H
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblBzb0Oej6
酒吧名叫Sun？Sin？看不清楚，也不是重點。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EnyZs3yl6
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKSTLkg4xT
奇怪的是他的說話。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9lg8bQyc2
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jwvCIsCOG
「終於有人。」司機大叔腋下夾住黑色包裏。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CDHPhcrfG
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvEGIwC4z4
「嗯？」我不解。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQrlfrXyXl
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmbvLtU1SX
司機大叔搖了搖頭，遞上Emma的內衣讓我簽收。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWdWEXikWx
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKZaSE5hcI
「最近出門小心呀，Kid。」444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaQ7OLrKaz
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFk0VmH12XJ
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。」444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwan0rsmmsr
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZBUCRwDYw
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmDiaeM48u
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtspduW2mTW
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGuSl461td
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bVBqm8Tpb
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrekT4xeJO3
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0nxCzEucD
「哈，治安嘛。」司機大叔壓下聲線沉吟：「萬聖節。」444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnN1fLLcy9
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaRrJZKRFM
「吓？」444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5eccnonF1
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKI9uyAsI8M
「小心萬聖節。」他重複。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qs3hO8wcR
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5eWLJp69n
我被他混濁的藍眼眸盯得渾身不自在：「呃，So⋯⋯Happy Halloween？」444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiFeXcgIIG
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJqROiVyHY
「Happy Halloween, Kid。」司機大叔輕按鴨舌帽道別，轉身上車離開。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TSefiVgPY
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47VaYX7uwV
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGUactQH6u
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4o0uo90I4Y
剎那間葉聲靜下來，街道好像伸長了？444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZc6w12zgA
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFvHzyt8pV
我揉揉眼：「打少啲飛機。」444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oZ2tQ6kyS
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbY2MfX9PiL
噏噏，褲袋電話震動。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprW8q46E2r
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIJopcgn6t
是Emma的訊息，內容是茄子和心心眼的Emoji。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKJAwwLIPe
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYy3gylbD2S
「啱，今日真係唔可以打飛機。」444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWtXXBfabL
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHHjkiBfGt
然後，我回了她英國國旗，扯起來了。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcPwSGna1C
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXG8iZSFCI7
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黃昏時份。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uK9fEzro6
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFsm7uw5uO
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtTD4LSEhH
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiPUAiZCOj
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbsCtXlaxx
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqwbuvu7fy
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcKoFwjZZ3
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRjHlz9FoU
我蓋上手提電腦，踢著拖鞋到玄關，開門迎接Emma。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlYY2HP6Dq
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ci01SXVP4
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDkqc3MFyk
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVVnUsGf60
「Surprise？」Emma 眨動大眼睛，裝可愛問道。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMgQcgQodB
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfawiPrsE98
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0NsKKShCz
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfJ7NUHEdn
其中三個人我認出來，因為我們是同事。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvBK5Z4aSp
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLb80c6tci1
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9w6ejpc9GA
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBF0WYQ2tfF
不要誤會，他是我健身室前輩。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPne0thSys
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRp7ewneye7
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfB3fs4k83
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgzatvGta4
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyLw0MrBCG
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohe6cDoELx
「Hiya。」444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNvWpnXX9u
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXhLjIxSoV
說話的是一個嬌小斯文，打扮成小魔女的金髮女生Mia。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Tnt50Tdg0
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3XeKiWOIz
Mia，她就是我一直沒有和Emma一起的原因。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWSo1lR97p
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhy6vm9ecr
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLmki30Umz
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOm7yg33TML
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bypjRm8kQ
原因很簡單。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYV9oW8eCXz
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4NM0kDRpN
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqv6MHLc2D
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBA389m6zU
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvKFY80eLn
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkqtlFeWOK
Mia今天來我的生日派對，絕對是意料之外。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENj72Y0KXi
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEIWGcgmWl
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrtB1wWklX
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgr7vUWYaUj
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4ykMBtrcy
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1piTONxHpg
「嗨⋯⋯Mia。」我在Emma身下，與Mia尷尬地對望。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRmNX17WHQ
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTT43bPthu5
「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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxGBmGMRmZ
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GdglBuNBN
我爬起來一邊乾笑，一邊把他們迎進屋內。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7f7XS3fByh
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1zm99rnZn
Emma有意無意的在Mia面前喙了我的臉頰一口。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHhojtURow
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPat2DdWdhd
「Happy Birthday and⋯⋯」444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7E4W7w3Bun
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdY7ic9e6x
「Happy Halloween！」她說。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxO3JExMjG
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5dG1Wb2Og
大門關上，門樑的風鈴叮叮作響。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlQTGaw9Rx
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUH3vJUPan7
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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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSjMEJp1gL
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevsbYcTuGc
「啪，啪，啪。一嘢⋯⋯一嘢轟入去？What？」他讀得生澀滑稽。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5QQzvZgMG
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuv7dP7PxTT
與此同時，Mia和Ella在與飯廳相連的溫室佈置。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDU5ZBUsahf
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQ8qCKQANv
「Steven。你間新屋真係唔錯。」444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6QLHqKJSf
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3F3UPK10e
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJ8MFhLTxM
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcFZAvx9wP
我裝作毫不在意，繼續話題：「過得去，哈哈。而且價錢好公道。」444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6cjfD0Y1G
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIaiiGuBL8
「喔？幾錢成交？」444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pOxEE8Eho
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROvBr63F7Z
「25萬鎊。」我豎起手指。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQk6WjZYGr
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkp34BIgcs
羅夫被啤酒嗆得咳嗽：「真係咁抵？」444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPotxycDI4
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZySabf3UTL
「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。」444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfbrkZN8Jo
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwVzhWUkgH
Peter頓了一下，補充一句：「公道得誇張。」444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MnDOqHNJd
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6HL5pTSFc
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbOmQHADHS
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVDXDsBOBX
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4Isw06hm9
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscLpGBbmpP
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrjXHX1KHq
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VAATQQiGH
退一萬步說，即使沒有一盞街燈，25萬鎊都絕對划算。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JT6hO4o4L
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWBIZYHcY4
「但一個人住三房，唔會覺得陰森咩？」Peter問。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡct9FbjmJ9B
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDqhlskKsQ
「買定先，遲早用得到總冇壞。」我不自覺瞄看玻璃溫室的Mia。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Q3baATCle
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zivAJoO06
「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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8tFwJkyVS
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXM73voQEwB
羅夫灌光啤酒，忽然豪邁地笑道：「今晚我哋唔打算返屋企喔。」444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dT2mIyiYx
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVoQ2ZnIE1
我瞧看Emma一眼，後者聳聳肩。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3n5ir04D2O
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHbAC731ex
我推開木門：「好，哈哈！我出去起爐先，你哋隨便坐。」444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHTJvlUs92
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaUjgpaXjH
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「要幫手？」444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRkRjbQSjE
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMTAoqyyMa
當我在花園擺好火爐的炭時，Mia走到我旁邊遞上火槍。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqliZWw2AN
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpy4oe1RMq
「唔該。」我晃晃頭，尷尬地接過火槍。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJ4DOMfQIz
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkwzAGgSmV
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbnR7yZ9rZ
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKqAUxqMij
啪嚓。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtUhmSPfDh
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwN1eX32zv
我打破沉默：「多謝你今日肯嚟。」444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEDCjdDBoN
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkjyadDuEN
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSw5eQjLCON
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTpGA0OBlF
「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。」444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRUyPBnVpP
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLr1R1cwV0n
「多謝。」我舉起酒罐一飲而下。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpuQlUCSyR
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYALG9rXkOH
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XHuNdhA6Y
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjOGBKbgqR
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xvBGnpCA5
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BcGsDLI6p
「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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZP3uIY3xV
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijteQPOUcS
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0E8k56iGzK
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYH3Mcr5Sc
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeNj8HuDaP
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePwHZvSfzP
「Mia？」444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLbEkr7Ies
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBCaoD64Yr
Mia回過神，裝出鬼臉：「嚇到你呢，嘻嘻。」444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2b9KQdJ7o
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJuEvwtTAE
「喔喔，嚇到囉。」我陪笑道。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbgL9YkEIv
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡducMm23vqv
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5nbOexSyx
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmD3ntf6GSz
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09OpSgeDOq
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6CompKFBo
羅夫的牌品比酒品差，特別在輸了幾張十鎊鈔票之後。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWGzQtlQY3
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcDK4tYg1n
洗牌。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1cWMar9zG
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoC8pXvboGA
派牌。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mTstw1VSN
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnr2IiiAa4C
「Shit，Peter。你點搞？醉到手殘呀？」羅夫咬住煙，晦氣地丟出一張牌。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjypdiWZf8T
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJTxaAuApZ
Joker，小丑牌。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡii2jMUL0hm
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYJc9z0Ei6
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKVxf5dOOp
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43Q1wVX8GC
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1IMths4DA
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbaxjVk9Ou
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbhnzSZ6uu
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvdIdxpFp6
「我？冇理由⋯⋯」Peter大惑不解地搔頭。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfEjuxydbp
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxiQADw3VK
「好喇好喇，我哋休息一陣，酒都飲完囉。」444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgNmP8p6Q7
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnM22IODJB
Ella說罷便朝大家露出貝齒，紅唇拉出一抹古怪的笑容。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvzUlmKcEv
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsJz5074i8
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNItkivNZju
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ861Q1fEL3Y
「童話故事同商業社會嘅衍生品？」444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0UHapfP8n
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELORhHn3Cz
坦白說，我真的不知道。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAIT8nrlkV
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OGccFYcPo
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？444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzKpVbuK9L
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7c8JCiEDJ
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？444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZbs4eTJXR
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6WObbvMW1
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxONHHGXOH
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1hT54fQSP
然而，Ella的答案讓我們安靜下來，室外的空氣驟時急降十度。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlqwWmaUWs
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8QwQTqEU3
「萬聖節真係有鬼。」Ella說。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6GZ2bl4hI
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZ3ZDS7FVz
「迷信呢。」Emma第一個反駁。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwRxqRuCbW
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVcGhGBaHd
「Who knows?」Ella攤手。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUC0fku6QJ3
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CLur2WJpH
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYeeDYLRrS
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANmaf7sH6K
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoBJENXEYC
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbC3nbK17BK
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ABxJHCcdq
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SZ4P3ksI3
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygYqeBvvHm
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwm3vqq0AQ
至於南瓜則是Jack-O-Latern 的傳說有關。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjiqsJxqQv
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBj9CLRwGCk
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。」444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65tDtIsMg6
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOAgWWLS8n
羅夫笑道：「咁多鬼咩？佢成日都講鬼，我一次都冇見過，哈哈！」444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvxhnE39ef
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqkY6euRIO
我非常同意，老子甚麼鬼都不信。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzS1LWkh2V
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQuRSIDG0n
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444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxVlKIBI0S
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWEOmPlqYU
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyqoOgZtwo
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4r1iyXhQh
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5x7OkVMQX
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31Mtiaj6DY
Ella瞬間察覺到我的眼神，我趕忙移開目光。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSAJ0ld9jK
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNf0hCWbP1Y
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaRiuv9NYZ
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdMSolSS8M
我雖然好色，但那種事情怎也做不出來。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWMBsFfSQI
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1j3zrQ3nIl
「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。」444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjViu5AnWmT
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBX3oIOmZt
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dajU130dc
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkPe7rKdjW
「Halloween當然要玩啲配合主題嘅遊戲先有意思啦。」444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41rHaCCGa1
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFQzIbWfW9
Ella坐下來，幽幽地笑道： 「 Ouija Board。我哋揾鬼出嚟咪一清二楚囉。」444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lphnYIFBp
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡay9WjPXy3M
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PQAGJgZrc
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyKOpYRSUh
通靈板（Ouija Board），就像我們的碟仙⋯⋯444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaGgmGQZAJ
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycq74zeKsH
「Happy Halloween！」Ella笑道。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgX17RGDxAA
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TwNVc3P5A
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。444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoH4IYs7oC4
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyciFNztS3Y
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