＊
「Steven，萬聖節有咩節目？」462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoN3BJZRm6J
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZx1zShI7Y
「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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpb8Ao0hnsI
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGdkB0R2W4
這個把頭湊到我面前，呵氣如蘭的女生是我的同事Emma。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FM5076pGs
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYtGsxuWj2
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzXiVpMwAD
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zwzdLBq8E
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8gqAD59Gr
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28dnC3TZS5
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cB7Q6ouDk
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbs2aFyKfzN
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaxz2AXaLK
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19Mlvd6svP
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcq1N3JrBdr
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfViHa4tO7j
原因你懂的，說太多又蘇玉華了。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyyvaXonTc
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa71lSMfQEn
為甚麼是伯明翰？462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYq9IBsjO5
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEIDI7eO99
因為是工業重鎮？還是因為伯明翰是英國第二大城市？462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61E3Gt2aFY
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzd1OnfLhZM
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMshgjjNIW
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aplboqtXp
總之就是這樣。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLru4SjiAZP
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6gXnjCXp3
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1jHSEP4eS
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Fl32Xq9cf
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hfADZYPCb
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDwCZSSRw1
「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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdjPIqSqo7
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ddhT2wmzU
呸，別再聽KOL說甚麼在英國工作只有下午茶和啤酒。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtrw5TPx5U
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLJRDWw1pr
還有圓渾有致的屁股。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBUN5CeY0d
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6jot6u4Lz
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ehO9yZQCB
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneylTr101l
Emma俏臉緋紅，瞪了我一眼，咬唇耳語道：「邊個頂唔順好難講呢。」462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zBgKsWvqC
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gjERF4iEr
「我當然知道正日要忙。我想問你24號，星期日吖！」462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4xsFBAlQK
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq25m2hF07k
「24號？」462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDGcekBZrf
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8j2I9iC1c
「24號係你生日。」她喐起豐厚的嘴唇。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hPt2vWJv1
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGvgqmUaFW
吖，對了！我幾乎都忘記自己生日。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP06RQOSZFg
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOnduzWQfO
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOkLV3o7y0
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJ2USGqIC5
「所以⋯⋯去你新屋慶祝？我都未去過參觀呢。」462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPnllMnGwN
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOq1R3P5OI5
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2MjweBUQ5
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHGqaE36RD
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。」462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSEopbfruc
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeFcgnD8ub
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRf2brU8lR
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGbCo9wumR
若然，如果沒有發生那件事⋯⋯462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMzd5i9B7T
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFGJgnZGk3
＊462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLADXFZ8Kc
10月24號。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9EeYR3Lbn
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0T1V15eBp
也就是我訂的情趣內衣送達的同日上午。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKQmytPnfZ
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPkU7YVhBx
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kGIkSXsXt
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEj8FSutwQu
酒吧名叫Sun？Sin？看不清楚，也不是重點。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8ptkeGMky
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMd4WJpvYn
奇怪的是他的說話。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdWBBa5Zwc
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡka0ANc28Ot
「終於有人。」司機大叔腋下夾住黑色包裏。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoakGzPD7gj
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIsCBD4miM
「嗯？」我不解。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxJt6D8JIF
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXQrQ03XMp
司機大叔搖了搖頭，遞上Emma的內衣讓我簽收。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxDGTmdz8P
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkkzqo0sLU
「最近出門小心呀，Kid。」462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTQ7Ctguwb
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZ3tvD5uam
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。」462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveP6M8zCUP
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nl8IlR2kC
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuCRFODoU8
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMi9sqq71p
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnOhvRHfOu
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQhk8pj7Dw
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDdYHFgsu9
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0Nd8nKfe3
「哈，治安嘛。」司機大叔壓下聲線沉吟：「萬聖節。」462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXG2A3Xt0Y
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi66c1SueMF
「吓？」462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOdH6PKcvW
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbQxAtXv7H
「小心萬聖節。」他重複。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAtfwmvAOO
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSen4XY7DfM
我被他混濁的藍眼眸盯得渾身不自在：「呃，So⋯⋯Happy Halloween？」462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AitYsx63K
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfLpYmSMim
「Happy Halloween, Kid。」司機大叔輕按鴨舌帽道別，轉身上車離開。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUOiG36msZ
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNZYyDCkbB
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtyJ95qMqa
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NZv2nocBY
剎那間葉聲靜下來，街道好像伸長了？462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvvuTNC77G
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOm103xRjjy
我揉揉眼：「打少啲飛機。」462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9kAruvXI5
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExMZkfFfmF
噏噏，褲袋電話震動。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSSLHi9ZU1
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7QQCNps8Z
是Emma的訊息，內容是茄子和心心眼的Emoji。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnlvgsycfi
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcq1pT0nr5F
「啱，今日真係唔可以打飛機。」462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmezMG3Gig
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEfcdUQktD
然後，我回了她英國國旗，扯起來了。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ46yGVv0bW
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhTAoT00eY
＊
黃昏時份。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXD7uvKdbPH
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMA15YYOFH2
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKQkrNc9VV
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29OymCQaGe
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0unsqRZO4h
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1nckGOLTP
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwx5qLWLQZ
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEdVEgmM4j
我蓋上手提電腦，踢著拖鞋到玄關，開門迎接Emma。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7d4tmR6pEj
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWKeMrLPsU
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTPhQ5wZHu
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtClJfqDt0m
「Surprise？」Emma 眨動大眼睛，裝可愛問道。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMlqVPQJqE
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPB8dZJwKCA
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDd8mN4biy
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bSLT5KJrq
其中三個人我認出來，因為我們是同事。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDO4Gb6Arc
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YTOxyak5t
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0lRU6fekt
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJELH7MHMTr
不要誤會，他是我健身室前輩。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ68EZaqX5q
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeKtXGyWwR
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YHNOdsxaM
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbNLqQt1lH
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7XwXpC9UD
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDG7u7XlxK
「Hiya。」462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrO3uplI7lc
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPLQpkAP08
說話的是一個嬌小斯文，打扮成小魔女的金髮女生Mia。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxASM2HYE8G
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYn5zCTsq44
Mia，她就是我一直沒有和Emma一起的原因。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKfQowWVNO
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQapIP5MAp4
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7BeFdTmFW
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHfSDV3UOt
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1UDEdpYYI
原因很簡單。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYZqnjLwJK
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsoddCjbL1
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG40qrRV1b0
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeXrpeGi8A
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZarrXt1o9
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpBXvjm6t3
Mia今天來我的生日派對，絕對是意料之外。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDm9MZz6vah
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlH027nHWeV
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpQhj900rE
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCMiSILDk9
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGrqmdy5Q7
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWe6AeM4Eyk
「嗨⋯⋯Mia。」我在Emma身下，與Mia尷尬地對望。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdo3CWJe9P
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzOITaoUfx
「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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWh3u3Y3g3
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMg0lSJ7Vlq
我爬起來一邊乾笑，一邊把他們迎進屋內。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyxVLzeh4l
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8BSoqUnAX
Emma有意無意的在Mia面前喙了我的臉頰一口。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYM8jK9C2aK
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkrSKWHXzm
「Happy Birthday and⋯⋯」462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZ723gGbQr
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgjXs1ltib
「Happy Halloween！」她說。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpTeUVKfIW
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAAdnYWpBR
大門關上，門樑的風鈴叮叮作響。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSYTw41nIc
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjmLdloD0l
＊
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2vNxWF0ne
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAyY3wR7HJ
「啪，啪，啪。一嘢⋯⋯一嘢轟入去？What？」他讀得生澀滑稽。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlrbckEoVV
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1nHTrzT60
與此同時，Mia和Ella在與飯廳相連的溫室佈置。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUqx5wrn5I
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vhspiWIoo
「Steven。你間新屋真係唔錯。」462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uT7sear3s
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUB27vtfsO
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlncWK82zC
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMQAOiIyBk
我裝作毫不在意，繼續話題：「過得去，哈哈。而且價錢好公道。」462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2eqUx5iv8
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7DblFZaER
「喔？幾錢成交？」462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNH4C2zNwWr
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78JC23hY8c
「25萬鎊。」我豎起手指。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvavttQaJ0
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0esSiG6AKb
羅夫被啤酒嗆得咳嗽：「真係咁抵？」462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmvVqsGCyd
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGN1u5MSZfm
「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。」462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUznt4updP
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVXjzARlku
Peter頓了一下，補充一句：「公道得誇張。」462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcpqecIJBX
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaeV02JICl
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPO491mCacz
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9g3rqfeXk
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDaCXtdYxk
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLphvpGLpO
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHR6hMmXxZZ
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NrjMW4Rh5
退一萬步說，即使沒有一盞街燈，25萬鎊都絕對划算。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKOlvgVXOg
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNWzxsyx0D
「但一個人住三房，唔會覺得陰森咩？」Peter問。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwa89LGNa5m
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8T1aTLLv8
「買定先，遲早用得到總冇壞。」我不自覺瞄看玻璃溫室的Mia。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPfI1xwURg
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGXIOqBvGd
「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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzqUebP8FH
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MOhRabg0R
羅夫灌光啤酒，忽然豪邁地笑道：「今晚我哋唔打算返屋企喔。」462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAoYbnBtGC
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmFVABzHLr
我瞧看Emma一眼，後者聳聳肩。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwiKR3Ads2
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTrshdlmit
我推開木門：「好，哈哈！我出去起爐先，你哋隨便坐。」462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeWWcrEgdP
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRT2EbmL2S
＊
「要幫手？」462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgw9T9hyGQ
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBFRMUXXWV
當我在花園擺好火爐的炭時，Mia走到我旁邊遞上火槍。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6NJQe7AWi
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18saoGMi0m
「唔該。」我晃晃頭，尷尬地接過火槍。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RvPEn5oJx
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtZT3glTAf
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡie4uZdm5Wx
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRBkJidJvA
啪嚓。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbkSoq6l4Y
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSzN5PIcaq
我打破沉默：「多謝你今日肯嚟。」462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqCjlgFIxb
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshCLfcdxKC
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbOsjoHMCr
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuvboXeRXW
「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。」462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSu8MVQHUw
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxFHFxQXKv
「多謝。」我舉起酒罐一飲而下。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo27W52j8K6
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesMqrydxSm
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmHTvhtfz2
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSp5n70b3X
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEsG544N94
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yrhByn1bV
「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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcqMmTpJQv
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iAlbZ9RdR
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqbsZ6plny
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfHrtsDWzl
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡev1QLobPgv
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAaIqvZaPP
「Mia？」462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGb1yehZeUI
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnwo2tEgkN
Mia回過神，裝出鬼臉：「嚇到你呢，嘻嘻。」462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdafCI0uMW
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1225FNCHg
「喔喔，嚇到囉。」我陪笑道。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iZeW1u1KK
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtT8JXMUQlv
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVh1B4ylVN
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleo6cZGfdC
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSXqWczMvS
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtDOmMehw9
羅夫的牌品比酒品差，特別在輸了幾張十鎊鈔票之後。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHefuQj9zrh
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhA7jFBam5
洗牌。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsC1xQlrUlX
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqfV8CqSbY
派牌。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaARr5w7hXn
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1oqMcICBn
「Shit，Peter。你點搞？醉到手殘呀？」羅夫咬住煙，晦氣地丟出一張牌。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSr1HW6LHLf
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWPjB4B5xf
Joker，小丑牌。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBnt1lB1fK
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNJoqksCTa
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCITAoaH8O
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGG1QOAWKS
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPzhRviQNW
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEjjnFw7pM
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GlLciBqUh
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKVn2E49V9
「我？冇理由⋯⋯」Peter大惑不解地搔頭。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTx4JmzezSu
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoX9oBcE1FW
「好喇好喇，我哋休息一陣，酒都飲完囉。」462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpb2jXqak33
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuryZnFxtNn
Ella說罷便朝大家露出貝齒，紅唇拉出一抹古怪的笑容。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZk32c4SrA
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AHtbxHqPx
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJt4O3FG252
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoXwmsf8Q4
「童話故事同商業社會嘅衍生品？」462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkA2keYAahE
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMux7rnjHH
坦白說，我真的不知道。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudrsvWkMjY
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgWrzj4ePZ
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？462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKCsUzGkQA
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYDk74R4Gu
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？462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuiw06MOVu
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKd6Hj16Imp
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyyjuUzqQy
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQUod5X5SQ
然而，Ella的答案讓我們安靜下來，室外的空氣驟時急降十度。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4L4pZmuAeB
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQUym8bZP6
「萬聖節真係有鬼。」Ella說。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6hUEDk3xY
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXHFCwbUFg
「迷信呢。」Emma第一個反駁。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVnI1fKUbW
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSh6XNCr7F
「Who knows?」Ella攤手。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUm0wwAmdz
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEyq1sqiTd
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CjwOsx1zN
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKMKRZ9qaa
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYEFnYPgqW
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcla1AarNm
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK74ZIP8GKD
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tGg1aARdb
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUn0lv4qXe
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuMNFAEuxa
至於南瓜則是Jack-O-Latern 的傳說有關。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkpX2Oo6tm
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbDI6M8w8b
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。」462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoGk2ayST7
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs38vRowl0m
羅夫笑道：「咁多鬼咩？佢成日都講鬼，我一次都冇見過，哈哈！」462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUjC7uBR2D
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFyai4GjDi
我非常同意，老子甚麼鬼都不信。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZfyIqwqrj
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gZvWtVj7T
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462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsb0p7BrRkQ
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeDMdwkHPx
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUauUSweJK9
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbvioV0veg
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWdvBjnY4S
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75KXvEPY2z
Ella瞬間察覺到我的眼神，我趕忙移開目光。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicMlT9kD5t
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCl7mKzPL5b
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLad1CkexGp
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Dgq5tJiTs
我雖然好色，但那種事情怎也做不出來。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ17epjsrmV
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTF6goZtWOG
「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。」462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcV1yPF0jAo
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3R5Z6yUm1n
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvQ24tssLG
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJsFwMA4hR
「Halloween當然要玩啲配合主題嘅遊戲先有意思啦。」462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOv2LABD1Sq
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkNCeBx6Pw
Ella坐下來，幽幽地笑道： 「 Ouija Board。我哋揾鬼出嚟咪一清二楚囉。」462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyKGoOI7dY
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Lqxj2I2Oz
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnYAniyoUD
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfewYXrx1r
通靈板（Ouija Board），就像我們的碟仙⋯⋯462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NwkyEzvt4
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08Gu4JuFPm
「Happy Halloween！」Ella笑道。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63z4hNWZmW
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaD1naY8W3h
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。462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAWv1ozcJJ
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eoPWV6deY
＊
然後按「加至主畫面」