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「Steven，萬聖節有咩節目？」448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmKA25VMVP
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQNtMGo3Sm
「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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHk3S73961
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4AQoRhzQb
這個把頭湊到我面前，呵氣如蘭的女生是我的同事Emma。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRhK2Nxapf
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ixqn3GcSF
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IfhbDqZoo
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUuJ7Fa1Gn
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mdczZU0WZ
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGYtjdXpsF
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3PA2M8EeZ
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPLAN8ZBa6
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOy3IyoJAX
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4VJvkEInk
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBUcnX8j0o
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2bZUQURyU
原因你懂的，說太多又蘇玉華了。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QgSnbLpy9
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NhjfjiJNG
為甚麼是伯明翰？448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxn8IiZYDz
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifOCitiJzs
因為是工業重鎮？還是因為伯明翰是英國第二大城市？448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZvb5kfLht
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDN3xxEIVd
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpmujr7Hkx
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhQRwKETC6
總之就是這樣。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoBYlylsIV
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX37A1fG9ji
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2DzD5LdNx
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dr60HQIev
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLeirLuoxC
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9NecsjSdg
「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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxxzpAMmBz
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdewm1JXA0
呸，別再聽KOL說甚麼在英國工作只有下午茶和啤酒。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRB8eA2zQYG
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKswyJnDlcb
還有圓渾有致的屁股。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCryBo5nQRq
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Rex1Z9qGq
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEi5mQxQk8j
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7CY7MnQBM
Emma俏臉緋紅，瞪了我一眼，咬唇耳語道：「邊個頂唔順好難講呢。」448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5tDdlcRei
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRN1MmMQFB
「我當然知道正日要忙。我想問你24號，星期日吖！」448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡensfbTSfeo
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ069fqeG5jD
「24號？」448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQpdtn278M
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Qd6Pq1OQK
「24號係你生日。」她喐起豐厚的嘴唇。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ah2W7HkmO
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rMywqFTaB
吖，對了！我幾乎都忘記自己生日。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzK0Z8PjlSm
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVDoOQ9vi7
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODI2WXahk6
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHjCTkpl6O
「所以⋯⋯去你新屋慶祝？我都未去過參觀呢。」448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTdmVPNoJ8
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TXqU6tajb
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmh9HIu2ou
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItK14ZTu05
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。」448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiTZTxPJCX
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflw9dogSxy
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkjWdtE32j
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxlc3XhaFw
若然，如果沒有發生那件事⋯⋯448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9Ft0Zkj2b
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWHcubnJby
＊448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYhSLmp2nG
10月24號。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qrcL2oGlV
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyG9Cb0jcM
也就是我訂的情趣內衣送達的同日上午。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUejYiRdT1K
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqvFzovdB1
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBKWENrBA8
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTaEAbNorE
酒吧名叫Sun？Sin？看不清楚，也不是重點。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiJJASAMgA
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwcnpRCyZf
奇怪的是他的說話。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBmjEEwnzy
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIi4c3CIdh
「終於有人。」司機大叔腋下夾住黑色包裏。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LtCfcIlZ6
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAudFjhFdD9
「嗯？」我不解。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlpfXrLv8z
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZidavDg8G
司機大叔搖了搖頭，遞上Emma的內衣讓我簽收。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSeWvYMxEz
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRN3ljjuHTg
「最近出門小心呀，Kid。」448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkZ7BphuAM
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2Hx8Drykn
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。」448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBvqiGHSEw
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ov3gkVEQz
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUrqwo73P7
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRZnS1bPfX
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejWch2xPnS
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKF9U7tVMXE
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD17vRPQeo5
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6ZxCnQbVy
「哈，治安嘛。」司機大叔壓下聲線沉吟：「萬聖節。」448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45jUJmzfSW
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLVlUusinP
「吓？」448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtpW6vV5ZE
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApMoKJMcuR
「小心萬聖節。」他重複。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FUwIXdOLa
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqDYV3LTFV
我被他混濁的藍眼眸盯得渾身不自在：「呃，So⋯⋯Happy Halloween？」448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyU5FF03Jd
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIXhu7WQI5
「Happy Halloween, Kid。」司機大叔輕按鴨舌帽道別，轉身上車離開。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk64CsCFBHE
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROMYhO1szP
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKoyy9qykB
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPhhdThoEW
剎那間葉聲靜下來，街道好像伸長了？448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkS3AvaM0jC
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHXmmnNhAq
我揉揉眼：「打少啲飛機。」448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjs05DULydC
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZltnZBJA4
噏噏，褲袋電話震動。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIPEeLO2WA
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1wAvyan1p
是Emma的訊息，內容是茄子和心心眼的Emoji。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjx2td4r4bP
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0ifa93JjQ
「啱，今日真係唔可以打飛機。」448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7amLDk9v4
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaskSvMDzwU
然後，我回了她英國國旗，扯起來了。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoABuR9bppN
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwk1DdUhvG
＊
黃昏時份。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuAssvepdd
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuy7vRWK8PG
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAF9qo3m1z
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBhsE3FV90
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf33O5RchzJ
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrmbGbNITt
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHda9CapU0
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkreZw7kZB
我蓋上手提電腦，踢著拖鞋到玄關，開門迎接Emma。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6b9JO3wiJG
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2YlZzzLdV
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5W2re4yVh2
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavrnUYR0mA
「Surprise？」Emma 眨動大眼睛，裝可愛問道。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBWoxvotgV
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQFpE6NMhs
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Nj5qEMWRW
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiGrEAuX4M
其中三個人我認出來，因為我們是同事。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eVU87l9px
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9N2b7nnHc
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AE6033ogh
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHo4iS4RpGT
不要誤會，他是我健身室前輩。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKDwZo1w52
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdy28SaJO11
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSaYQ4m4Bh
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XMbWpujq9
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANUnkY5LJD
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡha05qoNQM6
「Hiya。」448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdeZn40i8z
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJh2Eq2R9F
說話的是一個嬌小斯文，打扮成小魔女的金髮女生Mia。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHE2UuWOTm
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOzwI7wTE5
Mia，她就是我一直沒有和Emma一起的原因。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjXLAt1NhO
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYamhjxDpIx
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDJQRylauR
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡds9OO977ab
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihFjtFbf0J
原因很簡單。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQodGUpIvFy
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnXByRAN2m
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5Rh9XUqe5
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtL9Uaa9vyG
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITmd3nDDWo
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP447EtuyBe
Mia今天來我的生日派對，絕對是意料之外。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tyzfQ9wyk
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3QHlwQTbx
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkyfvXqUIf
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5gcdUQX9w
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwN3odpDBH
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoZY9ZH6v8
「嗨⋯⋯Mia。」我在Emma身下，與Mia尷尬地對望。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdJamgXjaT
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPwQ7z8Exf
「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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaOAsQlWUL
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiZ2y5RNmC
我爬起來一邊乾笑，一邊把他們迎進屋內。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KFj4qsEDK
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEslJ1GkmiM
Emma有意無意的在Mia面前喙了我的臉頰一口。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1bNeXIRMz
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHxsVKNyNf
「Happy Birthday and⋯⋯」448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0t26UyXXa
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnKvJ1PQes
「Happy Halloween！」她說。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEjI3BqkQM
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAHwkDwEUr
大門關上，門樑的風鈴叮叮作響。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasvuZLqWxQ
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡospAtOU2i5
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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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2EQ6DcSob
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxpm5ZfVrN
「啪，啪，啪。一嘢⋯⋯一嘢轟入去？What？」他讀得生澀滑稽。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxUBkvRXG0
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhRYbokvMt
與此同時，Mia和Ella在與飯廳相連的溫室佈置。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4shCmIDt2J
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXDowiIxts
「Steven。你間新屋真係唔錯。」448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06BNwIRfLi
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQbN6zg8cR
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8erjCVTarr
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMcwBylJtC
我裝作毫不在意，繼續話題：「過得去，哈哈。而且價錢好公道。」448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPiD2dUK1F
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueZndKZtdo
「喔？幾錢成交？」448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWxQWe7l3Q
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXkMae16zq
「25萬鎊。」我豎起手指。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Fsq0eRgRJ
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDwIQqqqgP
羅夫被啤酒嗆得咳嗽：「真係咁抵？」448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aftD9pMqk
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuylhj7snlC
「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。」448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOp1CDHp1Z3
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9tkpFi6Ri
Peter頓了一下，補充一句：「公道得誇張。」448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEY8xJDQiHU
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0YYk65VKh
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvVHUhhGzq
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuflokMJrJd
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfp7UvfWiS
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6XIBbrWot
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLbKVoj618
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5VTD1KArV
退一萬步說，即使沒有一盞街燈，25萬鎊都絕對划算。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xBuC1uhW2
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsK4MgeALXE
「但一個人住三房，唔會覺得陰森咩？」Peter問。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFl5O23vt6
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPdcAe2BP2
「買定先，遲早用得到總冇壞。」我不自覺瞄看玻璃溫室的Mia。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUwDeTiKf6
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpX1OoagEMi
「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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1430s4ZQua
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJU7DUbkCVq
羅夫灌光啤酒，忽然豪邁地笑道：「今晚我哋唔打算返屋企喔。」448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfmpc1Zj1l
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIZhF6bBDA
我瞧看Emma一眼，後者聳聳肩。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3ZbkHL0g8
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLJk8W6je8
我推開木門：「好，哈哈！我出去起爐先，你哋隨便坐。」448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23zqvQHvKB
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBpCnR2inF
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「要幫手？」448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡus6W60CEnD
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvdOjVsaOY
當我在花園擺好火爐的炭時，Mia走到我旁邊遞上火槍。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBMHX7D2Jp
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTo32GJ2xXl
「唔該。」我晃晃頭，尷尬地接過火槍。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqWozOl46A
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfywF5qrmq
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSloMjTNrm
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23TaOd6rAw
啪嚓。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrxPlVuRPO
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6gwlPbBsw
我打破沉默：「多謝你今日肯嚟。」448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFRh5tm4nW
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpNHUIiXsz
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30rVqFNCU8
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGoVv3pTXo
「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。」448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdhG64Y4Fx
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkIxuDQzQV
「多謝。」我舉起酒罐一飲而下。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KaJgdcB6k
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1vog0h33P
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIB2BHoct7e
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWzR4n0x21
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz53S0EUZiM
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwb8vz9EeE7
「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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOHYlL7q0V
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdsELQ0q77
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWMEesJ8uu
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2wF9PaUSQ
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkymo2vLTfC
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkqJTo6PoO
「Mia？」448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3jL8jNjXw
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH20OJqT8J1
Mia回過神，裝出鬼臉：「嚇到你呢，嘻嘻。」448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrNXfCjfKH
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZL3jvEtf7K
「喔喔，嚇到囉。」我陪笑道。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduu9Lk1nKF
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhay2cP3QAv
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtSnOrhDmc
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHLWjS3oA8
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTClmAju5gU
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95NqUY7dXv
羅夫的牌品比酒品差，特別在輸了幾張十鎊鈔票之後。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pLE9mq2EX
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77RXEasAB9
洗牌。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAlE6aoCJu
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdC8Q2aTSfl
派牌。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0L7d0goUQ
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5l5AEBhlWN
「Shit，Peter。你點搞？醉到手殘呀？」羅夫咬住煙，晦氣地丟出一張牌。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXAsoYvzdj
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIIH3GXmwe
Joker，小丑牌。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGD5q6Bodh
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVArBtmxdM
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWP6YkcVQx
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlScQHa5lm
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13R32JVAf6
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdR3bK6GJS
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvkd9lS83h
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGc3mOjMY1l
「我？冇理由⋯⋯」Peter大惑不解地搔頭。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmqMOk0unM
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMew6FwPRiH
「好喇好喇，我哋休息一陣，酒都飲完囉。」448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nx44IMlAq
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9gLPxe67X
Ella說罷便朝大家露出貝齒，紅唇拉出一抹古怪的笑容。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbGIAc33Ra
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJX07ZK617
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIrLgxgz5c
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkEqz6DwRb
「童話故事同商業社會嘅衍生品？」448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7m92A3u7a
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4YRXWQSn4
坦白說，我真的不知道。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGqlNJKwY5
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsN9NDeniuo
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？448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ejXeNZab7
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyr2dRehZP
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？448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7mWeG7cZv
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfAn6waueP
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljtSiBPIFL
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2Qg9nXZcw
然而，Ella的答案讓我們安靜下來，室外的空氣驟時急降十度。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisQ3YhBbRF
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMzfDCEAfi
「萬聖節真係有鬼。」Ella說。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvn6hUrkocY
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98J4YlVyOu
「迷信呢。」Emma第一個反駁。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LOuKuxB1l
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1h2fVqu67
「Who knows?」Ella攤手。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEUMukHLMK
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyllxuEHWtP
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRPBk2vAjG
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhLLsJKCcO
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3KklE1T8z
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmxY9MYNZW
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGatJNLzSEy
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1TBXnm1iJ
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7cYNYKkjv
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmgyderHGb
至於南瓜則是Jack-O-Latern 的傳說有關。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tudJyY7c9
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RsLvhYCkS
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。」448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExOrzntyKl
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpsypptDK6
羅夫笑道：「咁多鬼咩？佢成日都講鬼，我一次都冇見過，哈哈！」448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLun6PnMgOz
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODkw61QqjI
我非常同意，老子甚麼鬼都不信。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgNqr0LaP7
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHg9e89UAGU
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448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPxVrKSKR6
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMy2TY2b8k
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwrxPPwV3a
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjIOPr5lbW
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LvzA4z5l3
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqeD3M8RAA
Ella瞬間察覺到我的眼神，我趕忙移開目光。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrA7tUx2Luc
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VcnQkDlBA
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5Qn5ovKOS
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7pI1HnjnJ
我雖然好色，但那種事情怎也做不出來。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kqNNS0Vwv
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYVjm2ros4
「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。」448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qoUBGsLhi
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCXf9gFIQc
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIHLeazUmE
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9A44m5v2F
「Halloween當然要玩啲配合主題嘅遊戲先有意思啦。」448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKU8qODrGv
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sBlDcRGC1
Ella坐下來，幽幽地笑道： 「 Ouija Board。我哋揾鬼出嚟咪一清二楚囉。」448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPdnU2Z6TA
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO03SfhSVPm
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5t3JqUwo2
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGj2Lkxl5J
通靈板（Ouija Board），就像我們的碟仙⋯⋯448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5LB1yuBqa
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylxfb2IdyA
「Happy Halloween！」Ella笑道。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59uWZrqh5J
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeoKllv2PJ
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。448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bQIfx5T3Y
448Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDY5hk3up9d
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