＊
「Steven，萬聖節有咩節目？」446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmd1PwL4eIf
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoSd1prSJU
「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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVsWYLWWvW
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDuK0o7SZT
這個把頭湊到我面前，呵氣如蘭的女生是我的同事Emma。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aK14EFafb
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoFn2wJ5Xk
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZMwsIhl5S
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3d92bkMsKA
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NG9FnW0pN
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mOQVp3OKM
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTh3OCyCuI6
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5vHT8u4jw
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIj7QA07s5h
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBv10l2uo0u
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKotW8naQZU
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJz8JP75qtl
原因你懂的，說太多又蘇玉華了。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPcMf4KdMn
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4gC8yrgZd
為甚麼是伯明翰？446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcv1bK6OAnX
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNuUpmPdCD
因為是工業重鎮？還是因為伯明翰是英國第二大城市？446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz50lOOLFOl
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslT0vRCuGk
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSz8zj2eGdr
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVETu7rjRE
總之就是這樣。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEN39WWFBva
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrmyIMKifu
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNipl7zhtxn
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxUrerQ1Pe
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDqtY0MQU1
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECLv1IPumm
「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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mDhDsVy29
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwOCjP0X3W
呸，別再聽KOL說甚麼在英國工作只有下午茶和啤酒。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUiH4HG0zH
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5oDsd04jO
還有圓渾有致的屁股。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRNgd0G85c
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaibzqlA1fQ
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmYsk45mQs
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPDtojY9ZC
Emma俏臉緋紅，瞪了我一眼，咬唇耳語道：「邊個頂唔順好難講呢。」446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ye5zrVoKw
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWpECSErX8
「我當然知道正日要忙。我想問你24號，星期日吖！」446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrwKov5rD5
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaNjk4FgKk
「24號？」446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7v8vn4LqLN
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMkDGc0tm6
「24號係你生日。」她喐起豐厚的嘴唇。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeinAsmtfZy
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcn0Xy90RyO
吖，對了！我幾乎都忘記自己生日。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5HCxIpwOn
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjutDbzmt85
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lN2g7Wn0x
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Kc4w4QvyG
「所以⋯⋯去你新屋慶祝？我都未去過參觀呢。」446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mRPWjly5t
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7POqIBlgih
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZoIwmbo9z
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigK6gmzCds
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。」446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmn0sxe4UHt
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKumbm35xJ1
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7tbavoPY5
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZTaOMqLBr
若然，如果沒有發生那件事⋯⋯446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRRZAKbt7k
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXGxc6S8oH
＊446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0xtQ4Dj8v
10月24號。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXZ2b2QsYn
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Qxq7kcoJk
也就是我訂的情趣內衣送達的同日上午。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPPeIpujkf
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fKynHsLWt
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAjMCBfP0X
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6QQn1Rjmz
酒吧名叫Sun？Sin？看不清楚，也不是重點。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCih1sgYZb4
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8GwyOpmxL
奇怪的是他的說話。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0g9hilbaC
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxF45GoRN0u
「終於有人。」司機大叔腋下夾住黑色包裏。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQE56xbkQF
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhsFJHvpyT
「嗯？」我不解。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN08r2kahro
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB05DBHXt8E
司機大叔搖了搖頭，遞上Emma的內衣讓我簽收。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0REVHnk5Y
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv04K2iYpd0
「最近出門小心呀，Kid。」446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcdmdwPWbj
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIEocXe93E
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。」446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCoCk2ksTF
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeizU2uIj9e
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgSuMYkwh3
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLfaO457M8
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsV5ADTli9Z
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fvxf4545w
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcnglGBdPu
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7abAQap0hu
「哈，治安嘛。」司機大叔壓下聲線沉吟：「萬聖節。」446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLE2hvF9Oqm
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbFniLawwV
「吓？」446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1M0jXDXOo
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoxw39rKlK
「小心萬聖節。」他重複。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYt6VJtp2SA
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36R4goOL3S
我被他混濁的藍眼眸盯得渾身不自在：「呃，So⋯⋯Happy Halloween？」446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbRPwR2ft9
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7l8GaRunpB
「Happy Halloween, Kid。」司機大叔輕按鴨舌帽道別，轉身上車離開。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNaxthTeEj
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmapwQdQ8eq
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sM06Jhwv0
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTSQ6e6peO
剎那間葉聲靜下來，街道好像伸長了？446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4isRGFLcGk
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoalCN0pjT
我揉揉眼：「打少啲飛機。」446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgbGdbhapN
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrMqs3r4dY
噏噏，褲袋電話震動。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqISR1ndtd
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPPYBtXUa4
是Emma的訊息，內容是茄子和心心眼的Emoji。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSaRYyGlVV
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8NCMCXoxu
「啱，今日真係唔可以打飛機。」446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOzEK3MQTn
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlWagp5Ivs
然後，我回了她英國國旗，扯起來了。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6LVW1KML0
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmX46ooDxuf
＊
黃昏時份。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeX1zBgPcu
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyzIXMrvnC
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9fR6o1dRS
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGFjGVU7mw
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2MJNLr97R
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu66tFd3GY2
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMXlEZgzCy
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEv3kamZEqB
我蓋上手提電腦，踢著拖鞋到玄關，開門迎接Emma。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpN0g37RmHn
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapWQqtZGiU
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDeJep9lOm
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMY9tdjB6pi
「Surprise？」Emma 眨動大眼睛，裝可愛問道。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVcnlruk20
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcdtUvigmD
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDhtNhUVHK
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1to6yooPqy
其中三個人我認出來，因為我們是同事。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BvfP3tjlq
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqvDWEOt8U
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bY6y5YYVT
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenlXq7Gjp6
不要誤會，他是我健身室前輩。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0q90cYgPl
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ802ETmTJhi
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQRCOVEalW
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlK0M2FJjVp
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNwwiX03Ma
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NuDc9r2hI
「Hiya。」446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNsunL5HSW
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhcghqqT3N
說話的是一個嬌小斯文，打扮成小魔女的金髮女生Mia。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOdsUr4BjX
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJ9sM44tF5
Mia，她就是我一直沒有和Emma一起的原因。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwNBmzfJhu
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5LTHKK9AW
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojs9xD8IPY
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZKgFp1QTi
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpaBEoNKGj
原因很簡單。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡps13HYxkuj
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7NPmtqJ1v
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGdYyyR6iE
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0caciAGKk
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDyeG6Firj
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25JIppN1ov
Mia今天來我的生日派對，絕對是意料之外。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡak9pkBaFg4
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JxNujAHtA
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvU9WlP3H1
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYVFqPqnf2
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiUrztE3CY
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaMvL5lkot
「嗨⋯⋯Mia。」我在Emma身下，與Mia尷尬地對望。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmUaGmjW9i
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXSpHtPliF
「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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZImtrbGWG
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrCFZbKV8j
我爬起來一邊乾笑，一邊把他們迎進屋內。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsqGVQX7Au
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7zUgonRc6
Emma有意無意的在Mia面前喙了我的臉頰一口。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVrxPojEgL
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKbFDQU1xB
「Happy Birthday and⋯⋯」446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4YgKxdz8f
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJByIPLnRR
「Happy Halloween！」她說。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuP8eOyzWZa
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0smdexiFZZ
大門關上，門樑的風鈴叮叮作響。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YgK8bJqSe
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9mZvntIgu
＊
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQuKFhd0GG
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSIuv3sNDO
「啪，啪，啪。一嘢⋯⋯一嘢轟入去？What？」他讀得生澀滑稽。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAdTkBwO4Z
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkD17XmBKMk
與此同時，Mia和Ella在與飯廳相連的溫室佈置。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hTLlY8UxE
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aLeXzSFCa
「Steven。你間新屋真係唔錯。」446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjV11SH2nA5
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsYWg8K0l8
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Y16Pgzd5k
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS61SfudCPN
我裝作毫不在意，繼續話題：「過得去，哈哈。而且價錢好公道。」446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFc59FAx51
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgKyLslpux
「喔？幾錢成交？」446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqaMRr35iW
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylR289sSXY
「25萬鎊。」我豎起手指。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYVvsk6A7H
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1kP9pZu3m
羅夫被啤酒嗆得咳嗽：「真係咁抵？」446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZtLJzyJE8
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQBVbjRE7S
「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。」446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6mzWwjChQ
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GfAAy9Ifl
Peter頓了一下，補充一句：「公道得誇張。」446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdHWGzadCP
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqcR7TwoVz
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnfxILXxh9
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIVqwqtOG4
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMQJxGjd9f
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceGZTUyGW0
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZr2cOKeQk5
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXAaZqrR61
退一萬步說，即使沒有一盞街燈，25萬鎊都絕對划算。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Z6r1MB3nn
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrs4PyTmVp
「但一個人住三房，唔會覺得陰森咩？」Peter問。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGq2r8oWTfF
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6JAfagyPi
「買定先，遲早用得到總冇壞。」我不自覺瞄看玻璃溫室的Mia。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroqHbY2eYg
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWy6vYQ2VUV
「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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrmlJnz5fU
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkbxl3K1ba
羅夫灌光啤酒，忽然豪邁地笑道：「今晚我哋唔打算返屋企喔。」446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeM4aoKvBWZ
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5R15EwXAT
我瞧看Emma一眼，後者聳聳肩。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQuIrro0wA
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTxR8uO5tW
我推開木門：「好，哈哈！我出去起爐先，你哋隨便坐。」446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPP86iTySOc
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWD9SXeGMc
＊
「要幫手？」446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLXZlaYStu
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tulxooS6T
當我在花園擺好火爐的炭時，Mia走到我旁邊遞上火槍。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0j7oMhp4Xz
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsmKJnK8nU
「唔該。」我晃晃頭，尷尬地接過火槍。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJN8qVQ8M3B
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRGthRsev1
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUalgOVIggu
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5aoHgnHDv
啪嚓。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKcUbibAwa
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnJBgMh870
我打破沉默：「多謝你今日肯嚟。」446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOnOJTpt2Y
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsscI7LOYx
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3leKO8szZ
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjp5xSNuKzB
「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。」446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3YixsLxq7
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmnyAQqChh
「多謝。」我舉起酒罐一飲而下。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDyC4oy5di
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWw2tZh8pL
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTdR4q8x9N
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokhwm1KPSv
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqKXEk3GId
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5GXo6SeVy
「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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqVlxyM4ir
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUl8ey86qp
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8N8tfA2nTd
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubkaGWqzgt
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXjXBlg5Bg
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfjLtT63ru
「Mia？」446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeuBPSGprD
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45gvI46YRx
Mia回過神，裝出鬼臉：「嚇到你呢，嘻嘻。」446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBivSlM9q8
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ850I5Ku6uu
「喔喔，嚇到囉。」我陪笑道。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNULVPUja0
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZJNjJqqsV
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRXz3Td0Dj
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdwYAmPQCv
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFunxYRzw2z
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQe4lt7Udw
羅夫的牌品比酒品差，特別在輸了幾張十鎊鈔票之後。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTB0QRiVcqb
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73TBfBAaol
洗牌。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAdJwSpJmS
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2qXJlF1ho
派牌。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdwj9Ntk9L
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fDKEselEO
「Shit，Peter。你點搞？醉到手殘呀？」羅夫咬住煙，晦氣地丟出一張牌。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMK6d3YKMZs
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIBEh664VX
Joker，小丑牌。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs55OuhKavu
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDNNdxr2TR
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIcToDQYxw
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoW8Z2zTdZR
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPfbcCACQb
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yl9zaOogL
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNC8WvuYo86
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOyuRSBmmy
「我？冇理由⋯⋯」Peter大惑不解地搔頭。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjDRZR17Ne
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpK43EuV1n
「好喇好喇，我哋休息一陣，酒都飲完囉。」446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOvuODkxaY
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsGC2BAjUp
Ella說罷便朝大家露出貝齒，紅唇拉出一抹古怪的笑容。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oSbVsuSMb
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUv1PooO0lN
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NXJu12PhP
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3QRHFVFZZ
「童話故事同商業社會嘅衍生品？」446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMs7LiSTcT
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cnE9mtBCS
坦白說，我真的不知道。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JbYotdRcM
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8P1NBMRTHo
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？446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0flWB5TTEm
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSO9JsGcLxS
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？446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwVU4881hb
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULfQV6TI5F
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ093n0oVJq1
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNQAIdK8yD
然而，Ella的答案讓我們安靜下來，室外的空氣驟時急降十度。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWyLT3skUJ
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VJFSWf4eR
「萬聖節真係有鬼。」Ella說。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3ORKIOhO9
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5waBMf2Mx
「迷信呢。」Emma第一個反駁。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmrG4s3moy
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWi9aAY8K8
「Who knows?」Ella攤手。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWcSYZzG97
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiyR2nfzRs
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1F12QyLvAH
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwKyDkDlBn
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOu6xoMHmD
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbiry2dVob
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNSfDFn9A9
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeDzWvtj6k
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGG904c61s
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GQFlO9VOU
至於南瓜則是Jack-O-Latern 的傳說有關。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFL4UdFypj
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3QLUsChZY
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。」446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsNGHlihrj
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2qYWJkhI5
羅夫笑道：「咁多鬼咩？佢成日都講鬼，我一次都冇見過，哈哈！」446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwK1om05S35
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDrBsDNqyX
我非常同意，老子甚麼鬼都不信。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGAucwLGfb
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqR7KbnUCyj
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446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzn1Mee6QnY
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYuWGcRSP1
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURP8riHZyA
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDWl8A8Z4b
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDOGo3xnhs
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yuyywYfrT
Ella瞬間察覺到我的眼神，我趕忙移開目光。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLzzbbSyE8
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezYAp0snnD
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZi9aaoxne
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gPUywYEbS
我雖然好色，但那種事情怎也做不出來。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Lk1aSfFOR
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUtPYuxpkm
「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。」446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYZBVv5pJ8
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOFZeO2cFP
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8uouVEt6u
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1jYjFJOT7
「Halloween當然要玩啲配合主題嘅遊戲先有意思啦。」446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIp4xsJS84
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhKmcp1Prb
Ella坐下來，幽幽地笑道： 「 Ouija Board。我哋揾鬼出嚟咪一清二楚囉。」446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OiMlLZIrq
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESpFGLP1Ty
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvEphgST9S
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWwdC4v8cP
通靈板（Ouija Board），就像我們的碟仙⋯⋯446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLOEFIYToA
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgX7K9OwFSX
「Happy Halloween！」Ella笑道。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkCx9QaZmv
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKM9gsnASKe
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。446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2NTkZ02dy
446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGQPoSgYdi
＊
然後按「加至主畫面」