＊
「Steven，萬聖節有咩節目？」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡig86s6sdI0
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHwmCNTApO
「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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLvAR3Ur74
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAFvQrCC98
這個把頭湊到我面前，呵氣如蘭的女生是我的同事Emma。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBX0EpOcwq
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBX32QuD0WS
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8p1Gp9Ajs
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJ1E4RL5or
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYKKaWUGHB
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VyQiIvsXD
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPcKEDZsrf
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOuzm7gbRr
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0DvZueygO
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuROhyNctB
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhPOCh5ngx
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxxZErRVGT
原因你懂的，說太多又蘇玉華了。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12qOBV7MAq
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7n9AWio1u
為甚麼是伯明翰？483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OqmDPRnCE
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lJHnDMYnc
因為是工業重鎮？還是因為伯明翰是英國第二大城市？483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoI1Yrrfn1o
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74fYgtRvtb
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVrQFKPlsQ
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1JUnASFAM
總之就是這樣。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUb2s16Upll
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIN51FJ9yR4
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozpG0MFzjy
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukTIu0MlpF
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMuhLszXZ7
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAMUlFVqfo
「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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpuGf69Qwz
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfNIp5f6K6
呸，別再聽KOL說甚麼在英國工作只有下午茶和啤酒。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAS3PYesiO
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljrxUdXB67
還有圓渾有致的屁股。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3uwiPu8l1
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtX65bYW6m
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskKSuRhzEn
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvCBYhMy7k
Emma俏臉緋紅，瞪了我一眼，咬唇耳語道：「邊個頂唔順好難講呢。」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgKllzCqiY
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBJQQU1itW
「我當然知道正日要忙。我想問你24號，星期日吖！」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsinrSCIYGu
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhGLA8vrPz
「24號？」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLki84QD0Y7
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hgzGR1W2g
「24號係你生日。」她喐起豐厚的嘴唇。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0xT21X9gv
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCxNcM26yE
吖，對了！我幾乎都忘記自己生日。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBybGqrtWZ
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW55pDIrABw
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUm7NgRpsBw
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0QEaeSLyT
「所以⋯⋯去你新屋慶祝？我都未去過參觀呢。」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVnq9CVG4y
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJC6izDfxw
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDYgEu5IaK
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iwqvCOfvw
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。」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3M3M8LZgA
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7ImNJ3xis
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoG31RbAGL
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQesMs2Y37U
若然，如果沒有發生那件事⋯⋯483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyUx3Gv5Po
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafYxwe1LcA
＊483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Xc3uvgHnY
10月24號。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgJ7AAxTzY
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJpwOiwcjf
也就是我訂的情趣內衣送達的同日上午。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlOr0WjvlX
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySChJKtyGE
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7Swj6pYek
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkoUXQNAfF
酒吧名叫Sun？Sin？看不清楚，也不是重點。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUL6kVDdrR
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuODVnEyMY
奇怪的是他的說話。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmz0H7B6f8
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzA13Ua4KM
「終於有人。」司機大叔腋下夾住黑色包裏。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9b311Hdo5U
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanUkHPhWh8
「嗯？」我不解。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8JXm4uFAi
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2VKVpSkTY
司機大叔搖了搖頭，遞上Emma的內衣讓我簽收。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKBXlJfStX
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xPUgzWOhR
「最近出門小心呀，Kid。」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9E1fBpkIwf
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlqYrig7oH
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。」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvT1Msb8bex
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8qs3qhZYH
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgYxk1CZIY
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktdVTk7Dgs
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNQDLhTyWu
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1r8p8m5JI3
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAI0BdvIPm
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQELe5jRnA
「哈，治安嘛。」司機大叔壓下聲線沉吟：「萬聖節。」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0ABHLHVBg
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNCnNZ98GS
「吓？」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakMlxXki3I
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZPOqfXHx1
「小心萬聖節。」他重複。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uvvKYd5o4
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0RSXCk5ly
我被他混濁的藍眼眸盯得渾身不自在：「呃，So⋯⋯Happy Halloween？」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArYSH54eAu
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdnH07rsdb
「Happy Halloween, Kid。」司機大叔輕按鴨舌帽道別，轉身上車離開。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeqIxnPGaM
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVS6juZ3gXb
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IJEKtWly3
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbg2wwnEnA
剎那間葉聲靜下來，街道好像伸長了？483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnD0pDn0aN6
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Bq5Pwmp5A
我揉揉眼：「打少啲飛機。」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOfiEZ0HS7
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0s3lzr9Sk2
噏噏，褲袋電話震動。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGYSr4Rzx9
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuBGo8NFil
是Emma的訊息，內容是茄子和心心眼的Emoji。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByUCdYIPfz
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7vr44eXKQ
「啱，今日真係唔可以打飛機。」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ibf9hgRSu
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZrUTmYNso
然後，我回了她英國國旗，扯起來了。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iWNN1S6k4
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkFIu1vaSF
＊
黃昏時份。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDRHY3yoF2
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Sp8ZdYpLd
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOA3P2Qmib
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8RQNPu1CV
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyXWszRwBu
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aiRRzzcyr
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPixZfJ5he
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wWQ3vVzfd
我蓋上手提電腦，踢著拖鞋到玄關，開門迎接Emma。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJxe1OHTIP
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISpabA3U61
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc91bmshRBX
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbjJIDIzAZ
「Surprise？」Emma 眨動大眼睛，裝可愛問道。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFZ4Z5Hz6C
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcfq0Kjbcz
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOeqTegwgi
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡperZVmmnd8
其中三個人我認出來，因為我們是同事。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkET1D010Fd
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDllhwyv8wh
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjTYqAxlul
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvgxbPU7BQ
不要誤會，他是我健身室前輩。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0Q9Rb5svv
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEIh7eUtJn
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFec8XvGzJf
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCokImS0k3V
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLfIMIN5Hr
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgds2LyZ6S
「Hiya。」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1ordv9uKO
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOftOHFK8G
說話的是一個嬌小斯文，打扮成小魔女的金髮女生Mia。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7OSTadnxY
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPs35f5WdCR
Mia，她就是我一直沒有和Emma一起的原因。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtL3jo0ZHZz
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVqGBpxvlW
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUubelBvCa
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPDfNgNZFF
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0DCoh38pQ
原因很簡單。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOhILqF4dC
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyWuIG6F4l
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTPnoByMAt
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJoi3E6r62
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMwLrqwYom
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rq6dGeoxe
Mia今天來我的生日派對，絕對是意料之外。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkEERw7K8x
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj84SAYLtjZ
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrf0qIw5H0q
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9W5ikfapi
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuA4mnUgNWL
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs35r38HH3W
「嗨⋯⋯Mia。」我在Emma身下，與Mia尷尬地對望。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXW31HZdgIf
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHUimeUBHx
「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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QaHUcigRh
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9m6qnVfcAO
我爬起來一邊乾笑，一邊把他們迎進屋內。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RzHBDGJVd
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9FsZFt4Ji
Emma有意無意的在Mia面前喙了我的臉頰一口。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVFHgcmT5z
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtK10l1EZ1H
「Happy Birthday and⋯⋯」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIENuENa6h
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSajfNRwsD5
「Happy Halloween！」她說。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyT3oMuIJBQ
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqm2AJTtQWQ
大門關上，門樑的風鈴叮叮作響。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZOXMzYcZa
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9arAQbET8a
＊
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8XkNcczoq
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiFqc2Fxv1
「啪，啪，啪。一嘢⋯⋯一嘢轟入去？What？」他讀得生澀滑稽。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGPN3y7BWg
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtLvJ1RHHC
與此同時，Mia和Ella在與飯廳相連的溫室佈置。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MhwMhkC52
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDub2fzlLWK
「Steven。你間新屋真係唔錯。」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHqhFX5oqF
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAS1c2NWBWj
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAViXYmw4c
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoyqwy1NTU
我裝作毫不在意，繼續話題：「過得去，哈哈。而且價錢好公道。」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TTHFCgO9U
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSU9DTcIdbZ
「喔？幾錢成交？」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaDUBXC5AY
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ubvM62D9m
「25萬鎊。」我豎起手指。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYsQQF9am8
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpKalShGDE
羅夫被啤酒嗆得咳嗽：「真係咁抵？」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbkolLGfQ9
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfveOg6AKdR
「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。」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiotdZaHCHA
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4ODegGGke
Peter頓了一下，補充一句：「公道得誇張。」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7hzK5z5Mt
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJto2I6e9Z2
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpFCeGmcEL
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpO6mPIeoI
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrDkvDfs8P
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbcCqAvH2q
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJtADLP40v
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZXI0pSOXf
退一萬步說，即使沒有一盞街燈，25萬鎊都絕對划算。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡce45WY7TlB
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRGWu3nU7l
「但一個人住三房，唔會覺得陰森咩？」Peter問。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoUJPrdAqz
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcnhs53viH
「買定先，遲早用得到總冇壞。」我不自覺瞄看玻璃溫室的Mia。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynoGLjAHkU
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3DxQ9tBmJ
「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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhQA9LQPzz
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26psUeui0O
羅夫灌光啤酒，忽然豪邁地笑道：「今晚我哋唔打算返屋企喔。」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy48xO6HV6E
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpA7wjX0Gf
我瞧看Emma一眼，後者聳聳肩。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBhaAAPtuY
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAi8c0OfJsQ
我推開木門：「好，哈哈！我出去起爐先，你哋隨便坐。」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgy38NB3k5y
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiuaKw6atE
＊
「要幫手？」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqkrLpoa2J
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjpbmagTv2
當我在花園擺好火爐的炭時，Mia走到我旁邊遞上火槍。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVOB2qhZCM
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBm5FaQ88vh
「唔該。」我晃晃頭，尷尬地接過火槍。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzP7rvZnXW
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFabHygjad6
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMkZkDCvZH
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SrZx2IgS9
啪嚓。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVLsKyKxG6
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOUn1OXYxj
我打破沉默：「多謝你今日肯嚟。」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoFMKbti7u
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKy1V8Vwsx4
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkTlZ3KxeJ
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxtvEXRIsT
「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。」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblMZqNRSA3
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1BgtQ2kdw
「多謝。」我舉起酒罐一飲而下。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMTocN5G3c
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzT51stwCk
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKcNmpisuL
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVMQFLjkEl
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhs5KdQYbDo
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYf76zjz7ER
「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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGe9ZkE4ueB
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88KmD8tk5V
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2w6ni38Z1
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MLqqADDav
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJA5EWRGsl2
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTsipsZfTm
「Mia？」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUF3dvqlADh
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJHNni5VV2
Mia回過神，裝出鬼臉：「嚇到你呢，嘻嘻。」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeqNsB1tng
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjtR3SayHK
「喔喔，嚇到囉。」我陪笑道。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqqyFK6254
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoshorKNsd
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6tZpesF4i
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfz0AgHL160
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDhbRPcIpD
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2GU8Hybve
羅夫的牌品比酒品差，特別在輸了幾張十鎊鈔票之後。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewtCR9nGwd
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVkMsOhrII
洗牌。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqr0AURPRhy
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eKlgHIqMC
派牌。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJp5GaqesiA
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ323cPiIta
「Shit，Peter。你點搞？醉到手殘呀？」羅夫咬住煙，晦氣地丟出一張牌。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatOs5XiF5I
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MXQpJ9EFZ
Joker，小丑牌。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQOwgUhV35
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bigW0OvZV
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yzCNkfZBD
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsvc8Yk1vp
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5lo8sH23b
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6xg4teeuW
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdu1pEJcpU
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkSrKwkmt3
「我？冇理由⋯⋯」Peter大惑不解地搔頭。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3A72JGzQK
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRY980hRFlD
「好喇好喇，我哋休息一陣，酒都飲完囉。」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLyUirir3G
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgn6zHfgFc7
Ella說罷便朝大家露出貝齒，紅唇拉出一抹古怪的笑容。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPDcpLYPkr
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMs11NvrQJ
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhFu3udwad
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iPOBCw9lq
「童話故事同商業社會嘅衍生品？」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18ZHEnRQLA
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BrtbnvArJ
坦白說，我真的不知道。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuptVsasd7
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gmDHuX5qI
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？483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPXYdJpgjE
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzNTzDEh9m
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？483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvGHlb1V2I
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPfzkxMNTF
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbv1XZbSK9
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfeF0360Aj
然而，Ella的答案讓我們安靜下來，室外的空氣驟時急降十度。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy90tXWT27J
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fOlrqlt6k
「萬聖節真係有鬼。」Ella說。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwFPEaxr8q
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTF2ctajxw
「迷信呢。」Emma第一個反駁。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnTXeni9cu
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhCli9ePWm
「Who knows?」Ella攤手。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcIYJhk8F7
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlf2PTQaxDK
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4BEbXZ4tl
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJA5L8Ix0Ic
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5apXqJcGrG
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5NUCcajTi
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhl7UWhftco
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZVy6GBZKK
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyvnUe3ay0
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlGUeARPld
至於南瓜則是Jack-O-Latern 的傳說有關。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKIsfa7gBe
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TiAa8QiBa
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。」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMydKDmiw2
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9jcSId2Hy
羅夫笑道：「咁多鬼咩？佢成日都講鬼，我一次都冇見過，哈哈！」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUvsc5nFIG
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETKYeSVlb0
我非常同意，老子甚麼鬼都不信。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQ5iL2hoGQ
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatz5jTslFI
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483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapIyVHcoWd
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDItMPntkl
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPdSHosWbw
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0Eqrixzzr
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17dthC5u4L
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysGPKtNxTX
Ella瞬間察覺到我的眼神，我趕忙移開目光。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaC5CVjUyms
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPoipf3kcQ
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhY6i12qHET
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZZrYDK4hr
我雖然好色，但那種事情怎也做不出來。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sIxAiJJNQ
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLRmhCi8E2
「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。」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtrRC1sBoQ
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5saIc0PIU
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91Kv91QUIV
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdbiOLXsGN
「Halloween當然要玩啲配合主題嘅遊戲先有意思啦。」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oDgE0khI5
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PdvUyzGdb
Ella坐下來，幽幽地笑道： 「 Ouija Board。我哋揾鬼出嚟咪一清二楚囉。」483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bveSiGaeM
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOEzVZH4c4
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwblQ1GG9t
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPK8xNgyILQ
通靈板（Ouija Board），就像我們的碟仙⋯⋯483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYUrwz452f
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPVMGexnQ5
「Happy Halloween！」Ella笑道。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr41j7Vi7z4
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuZ4Hh2bYx
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。483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgLQII8mep
483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fEpaaFZty
＊
然後按「加至主畫面」