＊
「Steven，萬聖節有咩節目？」452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VNcMKbu9w
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9JmmGPdV8
「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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1E4kDwmrmt
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUC0fm6Dfm6
這個把頭湊到我面前，呵氣如蘭的女生是我的同事Emma。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcDm2dAq9F
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPHWK6LsyS
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtLuqsojLW
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSb7CnvbYh
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj88TUzm4Pa
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nUrWJjqSu
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQqxJf6r9S
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgC3OAxJlNM
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgzo6WDrfH
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26AQ4HCSbG
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqaHkSc6nc
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTho5G0RoV
原因你懂的，說太多又蘇玉華了。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vPC3UmQjM
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Xtt7IeJyD
為甚麼是伯明翰？452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMoKSiNeMw
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYPoD1Q9v6
因為是工業重鎮？還是因為伯明翰是英國第二大城市？452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBho74ugzRt
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqYzHEurbD
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vbpdsoaGR
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3I0dX3hiqM
總之就是這樣。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIBymeyBfc
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjsnEvLjgN
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiER1M0ywAD
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGcTYs9bjr
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8rNUn7tEX
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEv7uPaEcG6
「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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9wdQxgvW6
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rqniQUXGn
呸，別再聽KOL說甚麼在英國工作只有下午茶和啤酒。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcYY7jOAn5
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkP0IFqHHT
還有圓渾有致的屁股。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1WIIbFhSi
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhzQH2Gyyk
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzwK7Inb1O
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIWB3w0Hji
Emma俏臉緋紅，瞪了我一眼，咬唇耳語道：「邊個頂唔順好難講呢。」452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jjE2i8M2R
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBuEfDKnZB
「我當然知道正日要忙。我想問你24號，星期日吖！」452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSMCWaBlt0
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZvZsEFJye
「24號？」452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAEKByhJXL
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rjRWWgNkL
「24號係你生日。」她喐起豐厚的嘴唇。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FqgxpWylz
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsaSRwH6fAH
吖，對了！我幾乎都忘記自己生日。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcmasL4YSE
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9tw8Jwc28
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkm8Ww5MRnY
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNd5xBtu1q
「所以⋯⋯去你新屋慶祝？我都未去過參觀呢。」452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaRvBTBsjB
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLkc9i7B9Z
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt98MHGYYd5
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl34ylMXo0T
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。」452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNidfZjXaqD
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVGBGUzoR3
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1EkWJUsSs
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsF4yxidx1P
若然，如果沒有發生那件事⋯⋯452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZvlTGytKi
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMS7ugcF4q
＊452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqXwP8P7LP
10月24號。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgClF85oFnh
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxLg4aHLDN
也就是我訂的情趣內衣送達的同日上午。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6A0HqNsVI5
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VtyAMk1I3
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4erfmvu3H
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaV6OPwN29h
酒吧名叫Sun？Sin？看不清楚，也不是重點。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVx9f8QN79M
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyOqB4JNEV
奇怪的是他的說話。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxvtFXcRhC
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNed7WKmSX2
「終於有人。」司機大叔腋下夾住黑色包裏。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOqQEdEFyA
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTAeqOBGdq
「嗯？」我不解。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvDr0d65L1
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSwkUTCgiY
司機大叔搖了搖頭，遞上Emma的內衣讓我簽收。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GQuXh4814
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLG34elkcDZ
「最近出門小心呀，Kid。」452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lxcjFjMcH
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJMHvVYJ4P
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。」452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6rgUoOBre
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDeFHSOTNf
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWkLlvHlMy
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCx4TNQcIZY
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodKBDkGGCl
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LPIRCBmvB
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPRrNcTuM9
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldzZDsPewb
「哈，治安嘛。」司機大叔壓下聲線沉吟：「萬聖節。」452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxd5QoYtEig
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk325DCvMAr
「吓？」452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8uRZshWhg
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIZ5oQLZRr
「小心萬聖節。」他重複。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qNJG7OyKo
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAAVOAqOiV
我被他混濁的藍眼眸盯得渾身不自在：「呃，So⋯⋯Happy Halloween？」452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoQUS3c92e
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrGLBHebpw
「Happy Halloween, Kid。」司機大叔輕按鴨舌帽道別，轉身上車離開。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0afLFJrJz
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEh3Z77mbI
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuIQfdRenM
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoOw2H2mJK
剎那間葉聲靜下來，街道好像伸長了？452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5O6DkBCTe
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1i7xUHssTe
我揉揉眼：「打少啲飛機。」452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6Bs85Ucr0
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nVVvQFPS0
噏噏，褲袋電話震動。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11yILGzK9a
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBB8591xMhS
是Emma的訊息，內容是茄子和心心眼的Emoji。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiuUe24Pqo
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqINXrrAgM
「啱，今日真係唔可以打飛機。」452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLRKJOsXgX
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHZxN27wxV
然後，我回了她英國國旗，扯起來了。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFzXacVjP9
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRdz1XoZlu
＊
黃昏時份。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4FvAO16gT
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvlFi9LKlD
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1V6KzLWFw5
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfd7nJl9QM
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYTfcFMENP
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHYLwRtd15
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusns6d0lJz
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PoYXuJ5Wq
我蓋上手提電腦，踢著拖鞋到玄關，開門迎接Emma。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLs8bOCiucD
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMpAbKAbg2
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2t00XLKFY
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ563OlcRHrl
「Surprise？」Emma 眨動大眼睛，裝可愛問道。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFksuTomY7C
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKp4tfxKQJl
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1uUR9Pshm
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNTjrpOxul
其中三個人我認出來，因為我們是同事。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoAblAcNZr
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8K4jV7m5k
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByLJPMoGMZ
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciIR1Ecrv2
不要誤會，他是我健身室前輩。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMG1l6ZbSE
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPBRBjKa5a
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFsjAcR1cR
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tUokv1aPM
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaQ3EIqeRw
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaOCzjgXxU
「Hiya。」452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpOrFKIeJd
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8l9xMeQgI
說話的是一個嬌小斯文，打扮成小魔女的金髮女生Mia。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4r7SKYlKik
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYI7BEVDdwK
Mia，她就是我一直沒有和Emma一起的原因。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4tXcAh8hd
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTnWmCHSLM
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxg2VrWProh
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjcFezw0hO
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmPdWtW7aF
原因很簡單。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKLMdYvLeF
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aPLti15bG
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiYEoRuId3
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0qwazQnDx
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WVfuA8QuZ
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76COR02lZI
Mia今天來我的生日派對，絕對是意料之外。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHY6wCDoksC
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrS4tlKi04n
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8Nry4wZKL
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHom23Vymh
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvVnhoKXwX
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPumzBHAVVL
「嗨⋯⋯Mia。」我在Emma身下，與Mia尷尬地對望。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgwji0T0sr
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnH8Jx6Kyot
「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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EA7vCSSb2
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHprVwVvX0
我爬起來一邊乾笑，一邊把他們迎進屋內。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvo1Ow1iZtd
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSUxlJhdLu
Emma有意無意的在Mia面前喙了我的臉頰一口。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiUq5fwuqP
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJFtSQdlsa
「Happy Birthday and⋯⋯」452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kUz9uQB45
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6Oas7ij90
「Happy Halloween！」她說。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ACPOAde3j
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6nF1iOgvW
大門關上，門樑的風鈴叮叮作響。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fiuIRXRE1
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCro5ix5yIW
＊
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmRJwFq0g3
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPRp9H4K4Q
「啪，啪，啪。一嘢⋯⋯一嘢轟入去？What？」他讀得生澀滑稽。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9MBHlr0gB
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGQJTd93gT
與此同時，Mia和Ella在與飯廳相連的溫室佈置。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUIBzvMluf
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXdU8eSan3
「Steven。你間新屋真係唔錯。」452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuU9hPSabJ
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7GrHVzMsh
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTHjP36BbD
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3L953HrTV
我裝作毫不在意，繼續話題：「過得去，哈哈。而且價錢好公道。」452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sjsHQSF2L
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkBjFUWeHz
「喔？幾錢成交？」452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ozssAGIP7
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJC71SJpuiz
「25萬鎊。」我豎起手指。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoqJ4WMDQI
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fNAdGH5OH
羅夫被啤酒嗆得咳嗽：「真係咁抵？」452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuclO55kX0r
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXW7eI5ljM
「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。」452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsxDAWYJuc
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TMKWhhMq0
Peter頓了一下，補充一句：「公道得誇張。」452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhLB8IkITE
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTM05Wq3sa
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EUcR8PgQD
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcFD12goal
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDM6CqjCzn
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq324VkHQOH
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0AM5MJIrM
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgT37PF5i8Q
退一萬步說，即使沒有一盞街燈，25萬鎊都絕對划算。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcuTWE8T7R
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hf3ZmikJr
「但一個人住三房，唔會覺得陰森咩？」Peter問。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcQBBfdreF
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvaUvONiQQ
「買定先，遲早用得到總冇壞。」我不自覺瞄看玻璃溫室的Mia。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡco5Y6fHTFy
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡym7mP9qebE
「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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs40QWfhoeL
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKpAnvYNOm
羅夫灌光啤酒，忽然豪邁地笑道：「今晚我哋唔打算返屋企喔。」452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8aVty1li0
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NTFO8OSlw
我瞧看Emma一眼，後者聳聳肩。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdtr6YWh28
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqqqtLjCv4
我推開木門：「好，哈哈！我出去起爐先，你哋隨便坐。」452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6YldsLj4A
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mehIz4Pmy
＊
「要幫手？」452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5PLgxezYi
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJxe6FpBwq
當我在花園擺好火爐的炭時，Mia走到我旁邊遞上火槍。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVmBR7xNMS
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggbOzUFLvs
「唔該。」我晃晃頭，尷尬地接過火槍。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETw6XxtrAQ
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKndemDYt7
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0rIvgkO3h
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtu5RuytSzQ
啪嚓。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzw6Hu1Jh4u
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4NWiD7VsG
我打破沉默：「多謝你今日肯嚟。」452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdQUQPnI2P
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmkMYw2gaX
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQ3CF8WZcK
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPqLv0PewL
「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。」452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTjIYxCMYN
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZrM3uaHJJ
「多謝。」我舉起酒罐一飲而下。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtXJ0uRLui
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7L8rGGPKX7
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWnMPKilRV
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7FG2lZ45H
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMg7zs5ijpv
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGZeSLejLJ
「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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEs3FORglC
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfcUfBuUnl
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5v9S2fqPF
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySDclCCyCq
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUyATBCFtn
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnXrjDCivk
「Mia？」452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ48VpYvMMn
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRh4ELWRsU
Mia回過神，裝出鬼臉：「嚇到你呢，嘻嘻。」452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgGirptP4b
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkny9Pgj9I
「喔喔，嚇到囉。」我陪笑道。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTHAnOEwKG
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmJxTOAkiM
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFoKhuS2Sc
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgng7Cmw1gP
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkouRe527Rl
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9EC9NffFJ
羅夫的牌品比酒品差，特別在輸了幾張十鎊鈔票之後。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBb4pxfR6l4
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmX45wvqjS
洗牌。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlrsVnCYPH
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHYPqt5ruA
派牌。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO03vVsQJBC
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbG9VYD4ty2
「Shit，Peter。你點搞？醉到手殘呀？」羅夫咬住煙，晦氣地丟出一張牌。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKS0bOYJB0
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZznX38E2p
Joker，小丑牌。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5Y47JZEAG
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnsu3hdnWn
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiQq72MqTd
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxHJgijVUT
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqh1h2eR1I
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXa7fAUBUkL
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4gCI59QuC
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYdzay3Zjk
「我？冇理由⋯⋯」Peter大惑不解地搔頭。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekxnKw2j1R
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyav1Uj8jNb
「好喇好喇，我哋休息一陣，酒都飲完囉。」452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1de8c6CzPi
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPmvmYtL73
Ella說罷便朝大家露出貝齒，紅唇拉出一抹古怪的笑容。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq17NkMpK0F
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZW01RpCkio
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstdMdoPVQv
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtSYXuv0kE
「童話故事同商業社會嘅衍生品？」452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAvdI1Xv51
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrjS0yKokR
坦白說，我真的不知道。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbhXC68NoE
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHDzPRkpfr
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？452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd45Z45myRm
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxt7HRdwSG
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？452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvu3zsLIChc
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoBuB9hRsX
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DOLzI49IK
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMfy9HmfCB
然而，Ella的答案讓我們安靜下來，室外的空氣驟時急降十度。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVr3hLc5yJM
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqoWgxd8PT
「萬聖節真係有鬼。」Ella說。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7wgfdfltL
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQUc198yTh
「迷信呢。」Emma第一個反駁。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Jx4cCqQk1
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01o4VtT7yN
「Who knows?」Ella攤手。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLr1KaJRc9Y
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXbVMhoHYA
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVIHLrhtBd
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBNnj6uhR9
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmMzO1UQVn
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡny0AJh5eA4
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgP6Vgetme
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPN30DgxXB7
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2j5u25Suf6
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJe1rO7S1I
至於南瓜則是Jack-O-Latern 的傳說有關。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kPO2j36Ut
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0fKdutjNW
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。」452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1IWTMFo8R
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQa7Z11RxvE
羅夫笑道：「咁多鬼咩？佢成日都講鬼，我一次都冇見過，哈哈！」452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTsRnsV8vD
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRNwPF83yN
我非常同意，老子甚麼鬼都不信。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUiFvTJSz5
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0zz61LYFH
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452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4mBpHqDpJ
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEYy7KUxjR
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlsgoJ6aul
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhc9az7yRi0
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTtOjb6tCX
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0xRtENSPa
Ella瞬間察覺到我的眼神，我趕忙移開目光。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILfEewBXbQ
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkjQffQoA0
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgo05fgckTS
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKr3SToiaax
我雖然好色，但那種事情怎也做不出來。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmka5KqNxIP
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1X5viwX00
「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。」452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvIeJdHn8a
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeM5QGFrMDl
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAp56gl00b
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXWP0LfgmG
「Halloween當然要玩啲配合主題嘅遊戲先有意思啦。」452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbFYWfmsjY
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0ThEw8lMR
Ella坐下來，幽幽地笑道： 「 Ouija Board。我哋揾鬼出嚟咪一清二楚囉。」452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTYfAVdueS
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlG70549xr
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCo4WVPF8IC
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhfshw7NfC
通靈板（Ouija Board），就像我們的碟仙⋯⋯452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnyAu82XCG
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsmd9WSe64
「Happy Halloween！」Ella笑道。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqqtBOHjjq
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBqYlwFBQC
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。452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDlhT0FMxm
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdxWlNdVb8
＊
然後按「加至主畫面」