*
「Steven,萬聖節有咩節目?」470Please respect copyright.PENANAqHCJGo5U1Y
470Please respect copyright.PENANAcf38KRnPQO
「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。470Please respect copyright.PENANArZ4QUIbedP
470Please respect copyright.PENANAmG4yuGj3eL
這個把頭湊到我面前,呵氣如蘭的女生是我的同事Emma。470Please respect copyright.PENANAdT58jML3v7
470Please respect copyright.PENANAG1lkyEouXg
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANAQKikRLdo4R
470Please respect copyright.PENANAuOzV38iNyf
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANAdfZjkRUG4V
470Please respect copyright.PENANAQbSenvXrRz
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANAWfFEoWnwie
470Please respect copyright.PENANA9nZfpAUYO1
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANATq8ElFgawV
470Please respect copyright.PENANAZFg9bgffyh
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANAiE0gkFMvYv
470Please respect copyright.PENANAKDTBqyAgOp
原因你懂的,說太多又蘇玉華了。470Please respect copyright.PENANAbNUEQLwLqW
470Please respect copyright.PENANAKj4chQqBg4
為甚麼是伯明翰?470Please respect copyright.PENANAveHZSefCp7
470Please respect copyright.PENANAohENUJHEnJ
因為是工業重鎮?還是因為伯明翰是英國第二大城市?470Please respect copyright.PENANAguzQEOzXkK
470Please respect copyright.PENANAUV3fVXSkA7
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANA1BeLVdzu8X
470Please respect copyright.PENANAniU9jY4oH0
總之就是這樣。470Please respect copyright.PENANAXYW3rN2iZ0
470Please respect copyright.PENANArLJTnkqcay
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANAasMNV9lFXs
470Please respect copyright.PENANA8ARQog6imd
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANA5JetukIb9Y
470Please respect copyright.PENANAZelyuXQ5Dt
「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。470Please respect copyright.PENANAW5LtoUliOm
470Please respect copyright.PENANAmFaxKhRGOP
呸,別再聽KOL說甚麼在英國工作只有下午茶和啤酒。470Please respect copyright.PENANAsB6sdIddRD
470Please respect copyright.PENANA8m6jjDDiGZ
還有圓渾有致的屁股。470Please respect copyright.PENANAK0G19juiyj
470Please respect copyright.PENANAKLdT27wT2g
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANATTHgPVwFO9
470Please respect copyright.PENANAPVd1DYKUuH
Emma俏臉緋紅,瞪了我一眼,咬唇耳語道:「邊個頂唔順好難講呢。」470Please respect copyright.PENANA7oyH87pw0d
470Please respect copyright.PENANAuE5wnl0vFb
「我當然知道正日要忙。我想問你24號,星期日吖!」470Please respect copyright.PENANAJgGKglkAb4
470Please respect copyright.PENANAXe226PIHjf
「24號?」470Please respect copyright.PENANAB5uQq6QXkP
470Please respect copyright.PENANA5NHLa5vhrl
「24號係你生日。」她喐起豐厚的嘴唇。470Please respect copyright.PENANAqGnDxMmR0e
470Please respect copyright.PENANA8Bzn4CzKtY
吖,對了!我幾乎都忘記自己生日。470Please respect copyright.PENANAMBAHKaPMDy
470Please respect copyright.PENANAtjWlExO6nN
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANAcH8bc0ycH6
470Please respect copyright.PENANANRwtOwLLWr
「所以⋯⋯去你新屋慶祝?我都未去過參觀呢。」470Please respect copyright.PENANAkfJj4Z0kz2
470Please respect copyright.PENANAOBFe9OvVnQ
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANAXLZswuy5v6
470Please respect copyright.PENANAvahsG9j0Mn
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。」470Please respect copyright.PENANAr0XTd3QQnb
470Please respect copyright.PENANA5qtXyg7faF
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANAXfcEovinzk
470Please respect copyright.PENANAEJU3aMcIR3
若然,如果沒有發生那件事⋯⋯470Please respect copyright.PENANAIaoSvriMFD
470Please respect copyright.PENANAVxXQ2BxGfq
*470Please respect copyright.PENANAQbE5cipuYh
10月24號。470Please respect copyright.PENANAkXMMQhtvpV
470Please respect copyright.PENANAWrs5STd6Eh
也就是我訂的情趣內衣送達的同日上午。470Please respect copyright.PENANA1RtDKzP3zP
470Please respect copyright.PENANA9XuWZNOxze
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANA1n1nEKFFfF
470Please respect copyright.PENANALhH1jiLIBY
酒吧名叫Sun?Sin?看不清楚,也不是重點。470Please respect copyright.PENANAeZTxzmCZaT
470Please respect copyright.PENANAwGsrdHqeQa
奇怪的是他的說話。470Please respect copyright.PENANAFqL4ZIWvwY
470Please respect copyright.PENANAsxXn5vgrJz
「終於有人。」司機大叔腋下夾住黑色包裏。470Please respect copyright.PENANADrlJd8AWMi
470Please respect copyright.PENANAoSI9P44s6z
「嗯?」我不解。470Please respect copyright.PENANAnrX2wlT6hv
470Please respect copyright.PENANAeRZ7aPSVKP
司機大叔搖了搖頭,遞上Emma的內衣讓我簽收。470Please respect copyright.PENANAXU6Q50YEFc
470Please respect copyright.PENANALyQPg27V8S
「最近出門小心呀,Kid。」470Please respect copyright.PENANAJOvLcc97D3
470Please respect copyright.PENANAQMCKAghsBX
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。」470Please respect copyright.PENANAsSalXcFojr
470Please respect copyright.PENANAtw43uqeJ6z
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANAsCQFuO8tdA
470Please respect copyright.PENANAo5TYHe6JYi
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANAvH6YWGQJzo
470Please respect copyright.PENANAT2rhoNTvY6
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANAJh6wGZgNSc
470Please respect copyright.PENANAfV1pv01Hkl
「哈,治安嘛。」司機大叔壓下聲線沉吟:「萬聖節。」470Please respect copyright.PENANAbkdgvKnqAA
470Please respect copyright.PENANAW1yqKTPdpn
「吓?」470Please respect copyright.PENANAGXYKP3oPkA
470Please respect copyright.PENANA2VIn4vzFje
「小心萬聖節。」他重複。470Please respect copyright.PENANAJwvr8mVAni
470Please respect copyright.PENANA54PTVbhGFA
我被他混濁的藍眼眸盯得渾身不自在:「呃,So⋯⋯Happy Halloween?」470Please respect copyright.PENANAXGY3SgT4YP
470Please respect copyright.PENANAXTqiYmKF0A
「Happy Halloween, Kid。」司機大叔輕按鴨舌帽道別,轉身上車離開。470Please respect copyright.PENANA6BZtK4Rx63
470Please respect copyright.PENANA1XnlTjf17M
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANAIv4aJOsrqP
470Please respect copyright.PENANAExEGan504M
剎那間葉聲靜下來,街道好像伸長了?470Please respect copyright.PENANAEjWFhDeg4Q
470Please respect copyright.PENANAm9no4f02Fz
我揉揉眼:「打少啲飛機。」470Please respect copyright.PENANAq68aWi673B
470Please respect copyright.PENANA3J4ejJHYT0
噏噏,褲袋電話震動。470Please respect copyright.PENANAiDSbggEnxT
470Please respect copyright.PENANAaY48RQMfju
是Emma的訊息,內容是茄子和心心眼的Emoji。470Please respect copyright.PENANAhvAvigzOit
470Please respect copyright.PENANAifXzRP310q
「啱,今日真係唔可以打飛機。」470Please respect copyright.PENANAZ3320N6baG
470Please respect copyright.PENANALSOaUfjaUR
然後,我回了她英國國旗,扯起來了。470Please respect copyright.PENANASy7mggsXZz
470Please respect copyright.PENANAgwPWSRaffX
*
黃昏時份。470Please respect copyright.PENANAsFgzUomU6U
470Please respect copyright.PENANAVuDGS2mJS1
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANADwsqjPiS8s
470Please respect copyright.PENANAbTfeXlEcm6
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANAaWI9axTwY9
470Please respect copyright.PENANAOvA4QFKHT3
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANANZAgITs21k
470Please respect copyright.PENANAwfeDb6F0Qh
我蓋上手提電腦,踢著拖鞋到玄關,開門迎接Emma。470Please respect copyright.PENANAv0KELXXIdY
470Please respect copyright.PENANAf03hR5JAGE
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANAX8vJQsUD29
470Please respect copyright.PENANA26powyWfKJ
「Surprise?」Emma 眨動大眼睛,裝可愛問道。470Please respect copyright.PENANAWVtBOjiSiW
470Please respect copyright.PENANA1XAtHbt8m2
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANAPi2C7Oputs
470Please respect copyright.PENANATOnFyRxRr4
其中三個人我認出來,因為我們是同事。470Please respect copyright.PENANAjO5pMqdKlS
470Please respect copyright.PENANAPNlfYVssG6
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANA9jACjCy3LO
470Please respect copyright.PENANAYIMShQQWK9
不要誤會,他是我健身室前輩。470Please respect copyright.PENANAP2CPvqSMls
470Please respect copyright.PENANAPiFzpLLv1I
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANAsoftvymq8o
470Please respect copyright.PENANA4lOAIHqy5l
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANAimarrvi9Wa
470Please respect copyright.PENANAWJWdmUqyRG
「Hiya。」470Please respect copyright.PENANANC2X5LQ1Pg
470Please respect copyright.PENANAeN8eQNicb2
說話的是一個嬌小斯文,打扮成小魔女的金髮女生Mia。470Please respect copyright.PENANAuycfSp8EFw
470Please respect copyright.PENANAUroQ1taWCz
Mia,她就是我一直沒有和Emma一起的原因。470Please respect copyright.PENANAFewl7b68xu
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANAyYNmsupUqa
470Please respect copyright.PENANAxcNBEmdsTi
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANAc8lMPT1d8g
470Please respect copyright.PENANATu4bPIWsei
原因很簡單。470Please respect copyright.PENANAybyEcPPDsG
470Please respect copyright.PENANAi12crn9R3Y
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANAluFS4SYeMR
470Please respect copyright.PENANAZK3z8G1JTs
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANAd2feTnaCNK
470Please respect copyright.PENANAqvbinJhT5J
Mia今天來我的生日派對,絕對是意料之外。470Please respect copyright.PENANA2gQe9tG0ZJ
470Please respect copyright.PENANAySM2xWBzm8
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANAPx4tqe6rV8
470Please respect copyright.PENANAhbFXht7Nkv
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANAzCsLY89B1O
470Please respect copyright.PENANAIkL7CtLA3q
「嗨⋯⋯Mia。」我在Emma身下,與Mia尷尬地對望。470Please respect copyright.PENANAsxO1KIdujg
470Please respect copyright.PENANAwgkWvrqxiW
「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。470Please respect copyright.PENANA6MX80sqspX
470Please respect copyright.PENANAaqlGxD29qG
我爬起來一邊乾笑,一邊把他們迎進屋內。470Please respect copyright.PENANA2dM9OIykmE
470Please respect copyright.PENANAHXauss3UX2
Emma有意無意的在Mia面前喙了我的臉頰一口。470Please respect copyright.PENANAyJhIH7YkDW
470Please respect copyright.PENANAow8wXdoDqb
「Happy Birthday and⋯⋯」470Please respect copyright.PENANA5KM2yZxORC
470Please respect copyright.PENANA4JjtWicQdr
「Happy Halloween!」她說。470Please respect copyright.PENANAHBvPk95K0x
470Please respect copyright.PENANAGMKbVPUssd
大門關上,門樑的風鈴叮叮作響。470Please respect copyright.PENANAoWLoO79qPv
470Please respect copyright.PENANAMHwbL5BW1D
*
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANAUVdhyhPu5O
470Please respect copyright.PENANAQgSpwgWdrK
「啪,啪,啪。一嘢⋯⋯一嘢轟入去?What?」他讀得生澀滑稽。470Please respect copyright.PENANA3zxn5uAayH
470Please respect copyright.PENANArJLP1XwMXq
與此同時,Mia和Ella在與飯廳相連的溫室佈置。470Please respect copyright.PENANAzdereQ5Et1
470Please respect copyright.PENANA9ebFtqHun6
「Steven。你間新屋真係唔錯。」470Please respect copyright.PENANA6H3YD1l2tH
470Please respect copyright.PENANAAG77LsbVT2
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANAjqN1nloVPp
470Please respect copyright.PENANAJkswogQVyz
我裝作毫不在意,繼續話題:「過得去,哈哈。而且價錢好公道。」470Please respect copyright.PENANAKhxcOofBsK
470Please respect copyright.PENANAv7IKXxvogD
「喔?幾錢成交?」470Please respect copyright.PENANAsE9Xgsd7C8
470Please respect copyright.PENANAZmDxdAoFqX
「25萬鎊。」我豎起手指。470Please respect copyright.PENANApWnv7vSk95
470Please respect copyright.PENANAdqKZX1MRld
羅夫被啤酒嗆得咳嗽:「真係咁抵?」470Please respect copyright.PENANAXLD45d1spJ
470Please respect copyright.PENANAWqUIBcBFYV
「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。」470Please respect copyright.PENANANQTQ8LJ3xQ
470Please respect copyright.PENANAbesXCfUV6c
Peter頓了一下,補充一句:「公道得誇張。」470Please respect copyright.PENANAGtY9G0vWRZ
470Please respect copyright.PENANA1hqRctCO82
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANADgvbevjWBb
470Please respect copyright.PENANADTYfLNS6MN
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANANp8CzpqXEQ
470Please respect copyright.PENANA7VlhdEEwUO
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANA8a9fQgQYXg
470Please respect copyright.PENANApGCP0xTE43
退一萬步說,即使沒有一盞街燈,25萬鎊都絕對划算。470Please respect copyright.PENANAuDB81YHp8R
470Please respect copyright.PENANAF39vPKzsdG
「但一個人住三房,唔會覺得陰森咩?」Peter問。470Please respect copyright.PENANASliJXqh6m7
470Please respect copyright.PENANASB5rRpLG1p
「買定先,遲早用得到總冇壞。」我不自覺瞄看玻璃溫室的Mia。470Please respect copyright.PENANAvlfT0DEBDn
470Please respect copyright.PENANAE2mzp7zgDY
「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。470Please respect copyright.PENANAnjW8u0DwQZ
470Please respect copyright.PENANAw3ByV7KD6r
羅夫灌光啤酒,忽然豪邁地笑道:「今晚我哋唔打算返屋企喔。」470Please respect copyright.PENANAcrdB8G1lnX
470Please respect copyright.PENANA1YE4MECyuv
我瞧看Emma一眼,後者聳聳肩。470Please respect copyright.PENANAOAwGfeO6wH
470Please respect copyright.PENANADHLQx7TRii
我推開木門:「好,哈哈!我出去起爐先,你哋隨便坐。」470Please respect copyright.PENANADYn9NQtPtj
470Please respect copyright.PENANAxvqtwY8exw
*
「要幫手?」470Please respect copyright.PENANA70dSpY3N61
470Please respect copyright.PENANAQusSPr4Z6b
當我在花園擺好火爐的炭時,Mia走到我旁邊遞上火槍。470Please respect copyright.PENANA6cxfVcsTIW
470Please respect copyright.PENANAhxLB7zKaJT
「唔該。」我晃晃頭,尷尬地接過火槍。470Please respect copyright.PENANA7t6lAyyljc
470Please respect copyright.PENANAjhopfZVnmS
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANAJuwLngx64v
470Please respect copyright.PENANAHh8iaUyYPX
啪嚓。470Please respect copyright.PENANAZ3rtw0o6kP
470Please respect copyright.PENANA2cc9LALSDF
我打破沉默:「多謝你今日肯嚟。」470Please respect copyright.PENANA5SOysy8RVM
470Please respect copyright.PENANAsFQNegnSFx
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANAuRsoUbQEyx
470Please respect copyright.PENANAruf4MBnYLr
「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。」470Please respect copyright.PENANAV0XTEr5c4C
470Please respect copyright.PENANAd7cX7EFaoF
「多謝。」我舉起酒罐一飲而下。470Please respect copyright.PENANATPy8znWwoV
470Please respect copyright.PENANAPuKtjZVy2N
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANAy7wUsAwzK5
470Please respect copyright.PENANAQAleUCfRrl
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANAe27YwI2JVg
470Please respect copyright.PENANALFu3z98LKS
「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。470Please respect copyright.PENANAWugWNAX5ll
470Please respect copyright.PENANAYx1vY1JZoH
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANAO91wPSbZaY
470Please respect copyright.PENANApg6SDx7Gpc
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANAljkO87pNb3
470Please respect copyright.PENANAncvFoyAh6K
「Mia?」470Please respect copyright.PENANAVnImPwPFki
470Please respect copyright.PENANAYPUj3b58LS
Mia回過神,裝出鬼臉:「嚇到你呢,嘻嘻。」470Please respect copyright.PENANAfrStKnEn1m
470Please respect copyright.PENANAUZA9IRwHKM
「喔喔,嚇到囉。」我陪笑道。470Please respect copyright.PENANA2eQ2oIjxNx
470Please respect copyright.PENANAAeRrZLKZMk
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANAODtWdcYYEN
470Please respect copyright.PENANAIIoKvlRrl3
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANAIXPbWUCtfC
470Please respect copyright.PENANAT1WUVEZB4I
羅夫的牌品比酒品差,特別在輸了幾張十鎊鈔票之後。470Please respect copyright.PENANArUvV5dkcBb
470Please respect copyright.PENANAx5EUszYTUx
洗牌。470Please respect copyright.PENANAhXAlKMCgTI
470Please respect copyright.PENANAw1xVCisQxU
派牌。470Please respect copyright.PENANAb7U9pSf3l6
470Please respect copyright.PENANAFQpyP6g0M9
「Shit,Peter。你點搞?醉到手殘呀?」羅夫咬住煙,晦氣地丟出一張牌。470Please respect copyright.PENANAynFdLIW9he
470Please respect copyright.PENANASczhK9oX8y
Joker,小丑牌。470Please respect copyright.PENANAmwabtxbxj8
470Please respect copyright.PENANAwOkM9vf68D
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANAhr7IHnn9Td
470Please respect copyright.PENANAUcOjYKCoxx
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANAczU9ylfeWO
470Please respect copyright.PENANARzUW4F8sqc
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANARCkHoxlBCm
470Please respect copyright.PENANAgCmr316R5E
「我?冇理由⋯⋯」Peter大惑不解地搔頭。470Please respect copyright.PENANAlSxOIM9Nsf
470Please respect copyright.PENANAZzgYwCYNb9
「好喇好喇,我哋休息一陣,酒都飲完囉。」470Please respect copyright.PENANA5nq4ue542D
470Please respect copyright.PENANAdCmQfTRBXf
Ella說罷便朝大家露出貝齒,紅唇拉出一抹古怪的笑容。470Please respect copyright.PENANAyloIA79yDM
470Please respect copyright.PENANAXjdimkQlTi
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANA3WYMw8rGzV
470Please respect copyright.PENANAubJQClbXkG
「童話故事同商業社會嘅衍生品?」470Please respect copyright.PENANAf3Hff34lc8
470Please respect copyright.PENANAYU74HKoLat
坦白說,我真的不知道。470Please respect copyright.PENANAQ1osKWQXkC
470Please respect copyright.PENANATWUbZm6pAj
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?470Please respect copyright.PENANAsjxZGXMG8t
470Please respect copyright.PENANAeNLWyBBifj
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?470Please respect copyright.PENANAeOLGYecopn
470Please respect copyright.PENANA0gkseWFHGC
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANAdtQF2RA0xm
470Please respect copyright.PENANABVCoTIPhXL
然而,Ella的答案讓我們安靜下來,室外的空氣驟時急降十度。470Please respect copyright.PENANAZHNbDCOUso
470Please respect copyright.PENANAiiEQHGTXD5
「萬聖節真係有鬼。」Ella說。470Please respect copyright.PENANAC6oYraQnNH
470Please respect copyright.PENANAkJTdwgRkBH
「迷信呢。」Emma第一個反駁。470Please respect copyright.PENANA7A4oh0Nouo
470Please respect copyright.PENANAT20qQRehte
「Who knows?」Ella攤手。470Please respect copyright.PENANABQ96fRzVFS
470Please respect copyright.PENANAu4FPLzLhzR
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANACPbmfduumA
470Please respect copyright.PENANAukwGZ2WLTb
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANAY7BvDWHGV3
470Please respect copyright.PENANARC7VTmbZRU
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANA9CV0osjt8s
470Please respect copyright.PENANAyutYuz3xtF
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANAmiMEV5kWnh
470Please respect copyright.PENANAYF9iQHj6E8
至於南瓜則是Jack-O-Latern 的傳說有關。470Please respect copyright.PENANAQVnMCevApu
470Please respect copyright.PENANAjXaOwUFcPW
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。」470Please respect copyright.PENANABMxbbrVR8s
470Please respect copyright.PENANA77mxAW3Lqx
羅夫笑道:「咁多鬼咩?佢成日都講鬼,我一次都冇見過,哈哈!」470Please respect copyright.PENANAKtCuVKtvQQ
470Please respect copyright.PENANALFbc2DAmXm
我非常同意,老子甚麼鬼都不信。470Please respect copyright.PENANA0Z4AXtMeqH
470Please respect copyright.PENANAI9tQSnnfA2
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470Please respect copyright.PENANAXmUeWtWZ7k
470Please respect copyright.PENANA8zgE1kT16r
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANAFAA2k9X6jr
470Please respect copyright.PENANA35fiyj48nB
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANANPLRSs5E9V
470Please respect copyright.PENANA1gxjJKhX4d
Ella瞬間察覺到我的眼神,我趕忙移開目光。470Please respect copyright.PENANA6tYhuoZpzZ
470Please respect copyright.PENANASWw6Vzezu0
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANAtppn7rltPr
470Please respect copyright.PENANADHnwU9Algk
我雖然好色,但那種事情怎也做不出來。470Please respect copyright.PENANAgW9408LwIR
470Please respect copyright.PENANAJJrwTjs9Gm
「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。」470Please respect copyright.PENANAaV4PPe3UKS
470Please respect copyright.PENANAeML7R11KQj
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANA5mgffq2H3D
470Please respect copyright.PENANAQNKDpJY2EP
「Halloween當然要玩啲配合主題嘅遊戲先有意思啦。」470Please respect copyright.PENANAtBhOIpcojm
470Please respect copyright.PENANAoTTyfOGbUx
Ella坐下來,幽幽地笑道: 「 Ouija Board。我哋揾鬼出嚟咪一清二楚囉。」470Please respect copyright.PENANAHT34TaxBxl
470Please respect copyright.PENANAeh15CsqdPC
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANAd58WFlkU3C
470Please respect copyright.PENANAdYamxPltI7
通靈板(Ouija Board),就像我們的碟仙⋯⋯470Please respect copyright.PENANAxzAFHtbUHk
470Please respect copyright.PENANAfvcngfpLL9
「Happy Halloween!」Ella笑道。470Please respect copyright.PENANAbhJhmzxVbT
470Please respect copyright.PENANAdUKNaWbXqh
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。470Please respect copyright.PENANAL5sibqC0qf
470Please respect copyright.PENANADIP9hbsICz
*