＊
「Steven，萬聖節有咩節目？」494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RakrNhcsA
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7DGzTYEmI
「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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk73OUE6rLR
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KT5ZNQdTw
這個把頭湊到我面前，呵氣如蘭的女生是我的同事Emma。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFs5veDGzOD
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAijlcZrkaQ
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVJ6Sz2yhK
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdKAgGRGse
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BSmsEk5Ii
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfs6UyRQZP
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJ0JQabLm8
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5i88FPDHr
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvcKnjpHmu
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5gKS8SYbd
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkJ1vA8B1G
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxsEXtdfdb
原因你懂的，說太多又蘇玉華了。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOy6Z5vJgIt
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzGVrrPyZz
為甚麼是伯明翰？494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YJNeDCICo
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsD6TSAHize
因為是工業重鎮？還是因為伯明翰是英國第二大城市？494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSFWRhwFxt
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhfEvapFLx
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFJplB3rNU
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcnsbv47Tu
總之就是這樣。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7h0A75rV0
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3qr377vcr
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymd4tPDUHA
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yr4YXWcIL
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KSd2RNR5O
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5l0OXSsFN
「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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkU1SOgO38
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFS4taQ22K9
呸，別再聽KOL說甚麼在英國工作只有下午茶和啤酒。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0Cy4qDwuO
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqq2UOAgC0y
還有圓渾有致的屁股。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtyfRYH625
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQOG14AAAo
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEh4y1Ic87
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnl8NMDwBLL
Emma俏臉緋紅，瞪了我一眼，咬唇耳語道：「邊個頂唔順好難講呢。」494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6CuoX60Ob
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuZPEmsRyB
「我當然知道正日要忙。我想問你24號，星期日吖！」494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8vcJazPx7
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6znjHBzzBH
「24號？」494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKhJg1jIXo
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTw6ifMYkZD
「24號係你生日。」她喐起豐厚的嘴唇。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmzGHTrcby
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomLOEgS6dW
吖，對了！我幾乎都忘記自己生日。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHO9T5UEge
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2Vl3RmVPv
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeIAcGijcD
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qB7N2EX8y
「所以⋯⋯去你新屋慶祝？我都未去過參觀呢。」494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWPUY7QKjd
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLssETcXTvi
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbYqBFGi2v
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DbgZANeNc
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。」494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUI51z8cGRp
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEOrgIbN3O
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gdoWS9JgU
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVutjcxtB1
若然，如果沒有發生那件事⋯⋯494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVIbN0wOEj
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghGh9npjBD
＊494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOaBUyxrgr
10月24號。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsjElIorHX
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvBofSC1pE
也就是我訂的情趣內衣送達的同日上午。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKWrTOZPyv
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuz8bJorcox
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDIzXtgV1Z
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwtqZbctBo
酒吧名叫Sun？Sin？看不清楚，也不是重點。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3Hyj5rUj4
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjDtk5ocLt
奇怪的是他的說話。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BnzLMW95W
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOp4WxC0TPS
「終於有人。」司機大叔腋下夾住黑色包裏。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFD9KlypRv
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9updMU2tWy
「嗯？」我不解。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOK6jLndT6
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfn3G1ai2ZH
司機大叔搖了搖頭，遞上Emma的內衣讓我簽收。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdV9AZVP7F
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLiHkLQ05u
「最近出門小心呀，Kid。」494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVktcjW7JVV
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOGtyLEtrx
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。」494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uutq8MzKV
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBfih6DqZD
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56NyJo4dR2
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXubLreatu
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydIXnibSlO
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4VZ4eP8yf
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqFyenRiyC
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVO3WFFQqP
「哈，治安嘛。」司機大叔壓下聲線沉吟：「萬聖節。」494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjujL4KzCVG
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0F2PT6dkqb
「吓？」494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfgEJWAKJ0
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbaM5tStib
「小心萬聖節。」他重複。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3H5ZKf6Owy
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kkKtqzzWW
我被他混濁的藍眼眸盯得渾身不自在：「呃，So⋯⋯Happy Halloween？」494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokCFr2mHJW
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidYkba0SiF
「Happy Halloween, Kid。」司機大叔輕按鴨舌帽道別，轉身上車離開。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrojbAOhu3P
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtfgyVVhU8
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjrn4sary4
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltafP5Flsf
剎那間葉聲靜下來，街道好像伸長了？494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIAvtWQZYp
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UersQ3WxN
我揉揉眼：「打少啲飛機。」494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvravMN2Ek
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1UM7x0AJV
噏噏，褲袋電話震動。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23bTxYGcai
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sOaz3fMtP
是Emma的訊息，內容是茄子和心心眼的Emoji。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqT5bthTF8e
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4bQd4iQkG
「啱，今日真係唔可以打飛機。」494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TeCeGJ0KC
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0kuxXiuQy
然後，我回了她英國國旗，扯起來了。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoa07ZnGag
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVUkp8V2N1
＊
黃昏時份。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBzm3HUthw
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wCOysxsZZ
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0zlymjvTU
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07tkw7t5ig
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QZUcCt3pp
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaogWl9cdjQ
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Kta5MEBZ7
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCLTbi396s
我蓋上手提電腦，踢著拖鞋到玄關，開門迎接Emma。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kXhBdAEHO
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPggjWB6g8
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAXxMvakvW
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qOeFz1Ptx
「Surprise？」Emma 眨動大眼睛，裝可愛問道。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qrT0Kip7W
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4iE7Lsg96
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpWQzpVCyX
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTfVuXnF1L
其中三個人我認出來，因為我們是同事。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Y2Gdg5yTC
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLottUPIDWz
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZo7xqfLiob
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMLq4NExN5
不要誤會，他是我健身室前輩。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10WEp9aDVJ
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHdEgAV4t3
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGI2OOsGvD8
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJljMpY9Su
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCt63EY52Ju
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwfPd2DluA
「Hiya。」494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FDSWe9H5W
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhAsNxrM9m
說話的是一個嬌小斯文，打扮成小魔女的金髮女生Mia。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsrXajJ3Di
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfw35z1AHw
Mia，她就是我一直沒有和Emma一起的原因。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4lRCTvoLU
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dvJq09SoG
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eup3QlClx
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYVEXgdclp
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ELGtDbqQl
原因很簡單。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGq6gu5cElX
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxp7B83rG4S
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnjbspPJVR
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKffCdjH6b3
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWm12dWswuY
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5U4W5ZEP7
Mia今天來我的生日派對，絕對是意料之外。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxBXJMyz4n
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSESm9q84zT
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDVfDuSbNY
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfPuIw7Lhs
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBxNXL6uyv
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwn90WlcGHl
「嗨⋯⋯Mia。」我在Emma身下，與Mia尷尬地對望。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9gelEIxGh
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMT7Llq4kXv
「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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfo7HTFZS5
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXG53u4oEw
我爬起來一邊乾笑，一邊把他們迎進屋內。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMnnYW50iL
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUWa14bqhJ
Emma有意無意的在Mia面前喙了我的臉頰一口。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZ4pesKzXZ
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVztUV7PVix
「Happy Birthday and⋯⋯」494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyepVQSk7ky
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxTiWDhWAf
「Happy Halloween！」她說。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lcQO7Ky0b
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwUQJSo7t9
大門關上，門樑的風鈴叮叮作響。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBAl1YFpM6
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntuFZJbOeH
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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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCF2mE6ss92
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlKC9N4f5L
「啪，啪，啪。一嘢⋯⋯一嘢轟入去？What？」他讀得生澀滑稽。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1P0IJjnMZ
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdvIcSnueo
與此同時，Mia和Ella在與飯廳相連的溫室佈置。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUW1JAiuTg
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUW30B4kih
「Steven。你間新屋真係唔錯。」494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLi9ySixMAB
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd35q7v2p77
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRU2Dbibyg
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3hmUNOr3O
我裝作毫不在意，繼續話題：「過得去，哈哈。而且價錢好公道。」494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIZ58OfW5Z
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIuIdmCpSd
「喔？幾錢成交？」494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaRkTzENWu
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMAigffNqB
「25萬鎊。」我豎起手指。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEegMKzJRgU
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1iGTS2jgA
羅夫被啤酒嗆得咳嗽：「真係咁抵？」494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybX9njt650
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqiRIMpswP
「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。」494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtVzdGrXE9
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEC20FhfzQd
Peter頓了一下，補充一句：「公道得誇張。」494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDGb5Aamxp
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7wQ9V312g
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtWZCZKdbY
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9nTKh0sqK
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpN0mljEdlO
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHryTxWMX3
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CYjyJQBZp
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeHmPQgHuI
退一萬步說，即使沒有一盞街燈，25萬鎊都絕對划算。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhLaU9HKRY
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8SsKgZws9
「但一個人住三房，唔會覺得陰森咩？」Peter問。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAfQ3MaMWd
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymDoJ7ZYnr
「買定先，遲早用得到總冇壞。」我不自覺瞄看玻璃溫室的Mia。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtVZCNBfnZ
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfW1JEOagQ
「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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OFgIziTvY
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPgjNlJIhM
羅夫灌光啤酒，忽然豪邁地笑道：「今晚我哋唔打算返屋企喔。」494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6uZgRxeNY
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORN7LjqDy9
我瞧看Emma一眼，後者聳聳肩。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rTnnNyr5R
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK57J7CFUD1
我推開木門：「好，哈哈！我出去起爐先，你哋隨便坐。」494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSboABha9b
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpBBqZTdSx
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「要幫手？」494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9yxkRNSA8
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgu9PQkhkYm
當我在花園擺好火爐的炭時，Mia走到我旁邊遞上火槍。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgavor7xrt
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2jyNcR37f
「唔該。」我晃晃頭，尷尬地接過火槍。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKkIFDulaN
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeIRg7afsx
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDO7L1NKRP
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMd7oTeaRR
啪嚓。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCeREXDYkA
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGs9GvfTd7t
我打破沉默：「多謝你今日肯嚟。」494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXp4xjUc4q5
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2LWp8Bjzv
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNJZq2XZ7j
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpbsEg0TkA
「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。」494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhqr4ZmWEa
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAeeTNWXGb
「多謝。」我舉起酒罐一飲而下。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbh3Oqut1th
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcC6A8lMZRo
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0m3z54CulT
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwSLxhcOpz
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdBwRKYkGY
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWr1Jses8X
「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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Y6bbc8NCM
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5uEUDaV6o
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qxSFu6Gb2
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpDXA3GZug
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3ITlPnOvc
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTd81FEFk1y
「Mia？」494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLmOdWAoDh
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUU0osF1Rju
Mia回過神，裝出鬼臉：「嚇到你呢，嘻嘻。」494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MfcbtTgN3
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXvncEeC3d
「喔喔，嚇到囉。」我陪笑道。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBDo0PHcj4
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lHC4U0y2n
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjHzBWGXha
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnW0UtqtPT
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgKCWMTn34
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjm9lgsbGy
羅夫的牌品比酒品差，特別在輸了幾張十鎊鈔票之後。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjUn68DZmm
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtSA49UYwL
洗牌。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGezyJwXNwS
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeHJ2f7NrT
派牌。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXtaKQzsns
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yZNXZzALo
「Shit，Peter。你點搞？醉到手殘呀？」羅夫咬住煙，晦氣地丟出一張牌。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzQRwoQnQY
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CPeIgqDhr
Joker，小丑牌。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXif8KiX7v
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFgzjbOAvf
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeS7RW5WNu2
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQffR1neR5
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dfM4Jrii9
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4qUH20PXA
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ci9wzflWe
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbKj6t1odJ
「我？冇理由⋯⋯」Peter大惑不解地搔頭。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBxqJeq3uw
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vVxBgVWtc
「好喇好喇，我哋休息一陣，酒都飲完囉。」494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YbJ6EFPJf
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGfpoUuLiK
Ella說罷便朝大家露出貝齒，紅唇拉出一抹古怪的笑容。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBc4gfE3jRP
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dSpKAKGyY
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiOpa9qZbc
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7K489DES97
「童話故事同商業社會嘅衍生品？」494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCVxIvdJsS
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6Nm1ekRip
坦白說，我真的不知道。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcq9LTpSFUK
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn04R8uObw9
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？494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmJ7eGhxnC
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDssOR8Zmcg
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？494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCFWJcDJ1b
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3VkINZvjq
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqfUMN9Fi2
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkfYPkqnvb
然而，Ella的答案讓我們安靜下來，室外的空氣驟時急降十度。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Z25cAhN4U
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaA9XEob4bS
「萬聖節真係有鬼。」Ella說。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UKliZfBDg
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoqkgyoUnO
「迷信呢。」Emma第一個反駁。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQFEn5ofx1
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWIP6dGBWg
「Who knows?」Ella攤手。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIX311b8rzE
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxEzT2uzzo
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWqebMD7Fd
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrRuSMLkFg
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGid8TeB1G
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwITuKGoGAR
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaVFctdxeL
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dAUyKZCOc
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbHbTgNHy1
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4s068SrNI
至於南瓜則是Jack-O-Latern 的傳說有關。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWEQbywjdA
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lK9WssSIv
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。」494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvgaRFKr5B
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFIoacoiTV
羅夫笑道：「咁多鬼咩？佢成日都講鬼，我一次都冇見過，哈哈！」494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCZe2cJ19X
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FenLH1oXY
我非常同意，老子甚麼鬼都不信。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmcVHuqMo7
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxBk7TEAWF
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494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhyUVKhXUr
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy40QlAGNaU
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyu2hbbVY8k
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntGkV6s6F8
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMimgz5CnVU
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRo3lbUnERZ
Ella瞬間察覺到我的眼神，我趕忙移開目光。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCGxTgZKzs
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgAjadzR3v
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGcujzgaLZ
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwO6b2eE2W
我雖然好色，但那種事情怎也做不出來。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEd51uve0n
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCd14W5QTh
「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。」494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbnvlTt4Wr
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TNovB7tyd
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6C60VPNd7e
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2L0nzW0AxZ
「Halloween當然要玩啲配合主題嘅遊戲先有意思啦。」494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RoRUCOirw
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpG8EBBevxg
Ella坐下來，幽幽地笑道： 「 Ouija Board。我哋揾鬼出嚟咪一清二楚囉。」494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNgPwJ2L3J
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIsR6VbGf3
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXpxJEEk3q
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPgpjMHQUB
通靈板（Ouija Board），就像我們的碟仙⋯⋯494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDaspNRM54
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIcjQmy39k
「Happy Halloween！」Ella笑道。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvFgAXkxgR
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7gXCDUU5X
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。494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhhlklKIVp
494Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMT7miNR81x
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然後按「加至主畫面」