＊
「Steven，萬聖節有咩節目？」464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhRaYXw9el
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡri9LZx2Gx8
「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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiYnO3B2GO
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMLDIwX3Rn
這個把頭湊到我面前，呵氣如蘭的女生是我的同事Emma。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61uxixPIyu
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAyUxkbhYE
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsPDQpWPH0
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsBFD1txFW
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPMwQ3PCsH
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY44sdXJYR2
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CRgoMug2L
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcILVPvKjrE
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINk8sGXufD
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFd37pJd37
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwRoel8zYR
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9fvX7EIvZ
原因你懂的，說太多又蘇玉華了。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsFQFkl7Xk
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTaOMF8w8V
為甚麼是伯明翰？464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQjeXVDS6F
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVl5ctjxiK
因為是工業重鎮？還是因為伯明翰是英國第二大城市？464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECWJBS7zSF
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHgRe8yKHA
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eza7oZ8U7
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgF0d6lhm4l
總之就是這樣。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2tLoSJqMB
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZDCqnpAKO
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBYZ9fwTvQ
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7yq5QEjSA
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmx9k0izH3N
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDe2HpV22kc
「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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbszPrbddvj
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Nvote4sUr
呸，別再聽KOL說甚麼在英國工作只有下午茶和啤酒。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijkSexjZAJ
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhgPaFTuKU
還有圓渾有致的屁股。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyk2D4qIjNL
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayfdG5yvB0
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnCjJpqKHx
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBSRDugfDM
Emma俏臉緋紅，瞪了我一眼，咬唇耳語道：「邊個頂唔順好難講呢。」464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cU8qVh67W
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyq4ARHohnu
「我當然知道正日要忙。我想問你24號，星期日吖！」464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMcYp06nHW
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXau3IyhL5
「24號？」464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzMWvqSPVn
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoenj3SMg2
「24號係你生日。」她喐起豐厚的嘴唇。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ060VHnSima
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTVt80SOeX
吖，對了！我幾乎都忘記自己生日。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjbyho21w6
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5knK90Fra
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hEbcPMJxz
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZsi20kcMR
「所以⋯⋯去你新屋慶祝？我都未去過參觀呢。」464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliF3m2ePKb
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeCCTfsTdX
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIbydEFtJU
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfnC2asxP9
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。」464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMJga9hhUa
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVhiJR9Whr
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgITOl9tvh
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlGFvrc4Wv
若然，如果沒有發生那件事⋯⋯464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioEakyngHC
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwQHjdKWNx
＊464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwXaYIWYkn
10月24號。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6t5qw65ku
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡow1L2xAqOy
也就是我訂的情趣內衣送達的同日上午。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzJp05dFVf
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCM84ec30xy
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsF12sZgUuv
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67WFkcHSX4
酒吧名叫Sun？Sin？看不清楚，也不是重點。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHvynzRXzf
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDvyjXOUOe
奇怪的是他的說話。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFzSH97JHP
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2m2DUuBVVF
「終於有人。」司機大叔腋下夾住黑色包裏。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseKCr8gPjo
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvjanvCiIp
「嗯？」我不解。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfD4s67otbt
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4GB6fKAta
司機大叔搖了搖頭，遞上Emma的內衣讓我簽收。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3b8Hpbpts
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMJHtTUGqK
「最近出門小心呀，Kid。」464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2wBhPhAdX
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkr12ruSQA
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。」464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6duMYsUk5
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEjKdQ80p4
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYdbi8rvmR
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMGrYs8tdq
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5UscO7Vz5
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIh8kMWC1kU
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYAW7JG5eD
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqLLo7FHPF
「哈，治安嘛。」司機大叔壓下聲線沉吟：「萬聖節。」464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YDG9kV0bd
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcu5FQkBCIJ
「吓？」464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnDLNzVZzb
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDa8XULYHaA
「小心萬聖節。」他重複。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEeMxCbDhm
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsQof53q3z
我被他混濁的藍眼眸盯得渾身不自在：「呃，So⋯⋯Happy Halloween？」464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgt4rwUOdP0
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RRjUcAF8D
「Happy Halloween, Kid。」司機大叔輕按鴨舌帽道別，轉身上車離開。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFoZ92wCs4
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqEtJqd3K7
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8LyGzcEWE
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSeQoOtOIR
剎那間葉聲靜下來，街道好像伸長了？464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5P8e0NcSPS
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrU8nP7kGNN
我揉揉眼：「打少啲飛機。」464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsHAUpgeq1
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡve5BxLDETz
噏噏，褲袋電話震動。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHERziexzpz
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIy7xtyO0h
是Emma的訊息，內容是茄子和心心眼的Emoji。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJkaIqlbxr
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSBzASgngv
「啱，今日真係唔可以打飛機。」464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUkBFzm0mj
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfvtSFShM0
然後，我回了她英國國旗，扯起來了。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHDPfJUqzJ
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAsWTA3LAE
＊
黃昏時份。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevHw2ZbRgY
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrztKcrZCe
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhvdRWjlEF
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrF7Udv3SB
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpl94g5xFEt
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5JBlPFPYw
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5JkjA73dp
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8q4psMAfPd
我蓋上手提電腦，踢著拖鞋到玄關，開門迎接Emma。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8Se30Xgtj
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EBatyeHH5
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjXyUC95uc
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡge8AMChbcp
「Surprise？」Emma 眨動大眼睛，裝可愛問道。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzcLy4BFRu
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyB2OcNkzaR
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSc69IC4kM4
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgI74NyNkMi
其中三個人我認出來，因為我們是同事。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBS9t9ebmn
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULtWS3sC54
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYmymlghGd
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkg9p5oxqf
不要誤會，他是我健身室前輩。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLfV3m36b6
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eaeyUgWOX
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGMfI67evM
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoILUMaRFm
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PNjyszKkg
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GZeCitSNu
「Hiya。」464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9634a7d0O
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlRVXEp4LX
說話的是一個嬌小斯文，打扮成小魔女的金髮女生Mia。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJ9uoOOYTv
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjdyvNH50I
Mia，她就是我一直沒有和Emma一起的原因。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukSJCM8sTO
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ292VzJJtWh
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYGxBGk5hQ
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6FGpjhdpQ
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9FlEaoGVu
原因很簡單。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLoqccatdm
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcq8wwv615H
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWxPDQCHal
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHBPSUvOWh
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhn068ns9p2
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFteSUf6aN
Mia今天來我的生日派對，絕對是意料之外。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXJbFmTpuO
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtaQPmiOQy
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6ISmgQKI5
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4R7znWY91k
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtAUyltMzy
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnYvREw7sG
「嗨⋯⋯Mia。」我在Emma身下，與Mia尷尬地對望。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdBAMYlWCp
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FcvsTrE8Z
「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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4bCa1Jgyj
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuJ1v3MJd3
我爬起來一邊乾笑，一邊把他們迎進屋內。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJjAngOR9N
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0U1USdL6H
Emma有意無意的在Mia面前喙了我的臉頰一口。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfElA6QKSrV
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1bwTzvh35
「Happy Birthday and⋯⋯」464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKj5XohMenO
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyB6S492MLa
「Happy Halloween！」她說。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOdXdYRLhl
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwI8P7ul3PC
大門關上，門樑的風鈴叮叮作響。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVGrtLCeX5
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzOVKuUo7r
＊
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClAYM8JfQi
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXLShwD7kQ
「啪，啪，啪。一嘢⋯⋯一嘢轟入去？What？」他讀得生澀滑稽。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeT24Ry6v9
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5diO69SKTd
與此同時，Mia和Ella在與飯廳相連的溫室佈置。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMw9RqHaav
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSE3hTFrEG
「Steven。你間新屋真係唔錯。」464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFJQvvblqc
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbVMXrxU8a
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDD1Jam5Gc9
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUy2GsXduL
我裝作毫不在意，繼續話題：「過得去，哈哈。而且價錢好公道。」464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9sfrFMHBS
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rsAkjgIKx
「喔？幾錢成交？」464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNDPjY49Sj
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OOJOE7DGz
「25萬鎊。」我豎起手指。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2OwssXFLR
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FC5j5maVI
羅夫被啤酒嗆得咳嗽：「真係咁抵？」464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBY9WKnRgN
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEEtbYHN0h
「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。」464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYqzRMI32r
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIQvDB0u8D
Peter頓了一下，補充一句：「公道得誇張。」464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaHouEuo4Q
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67GTaBXuZJ
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO26zJCOTUq
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3XppQQjgb
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyd5yOdZEV
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cFDd1UA0E
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraK2OlQkBj
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWvs07B1OR
退一萬步說，即使沒有一盞街燈，25萬鎊都絕對划算。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfUAAUc9wS
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMLbymD4hN
「但一個人住三房，唔會覺得陰森咩？」Peter問。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDb6P8zOUZ
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB56kCUOjv4
「買定先，遲早用得到總冇壞。」我不自覺瞄看玻璃溫室的Mia。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlrD3zTaM2
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhCDxpmd4L
「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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLT2rSHtER
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1E36L1Duxo
羅夫灌光啤酒，忽然豪邁地笑道：「今晚我哋唔打算返屋企喔。」464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoE8OWDivW
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SChx6RkR1
我瞧看Emma一眼，後者聳聳肩。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7uigueuLZ
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWaxHhbYuY
我推開木門：「好，哈哈！我出去起爐先，你哋隨便坐。」464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAr5apJ8Yun
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5BJcxo3iB
＊
「要幫手？」464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFDd6rA5gi
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RW9UuJCxr
當我在花園擺好火爐的炭時，Mia走到我旁邊遞上火槍。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ551LyHHg3I
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtY1zSmXwF8
「唔該。」我晃晃頭，尷尬地接過火槍。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3e7NbUtLf
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXnhpaxr2B
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5psHXu9Edg
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniq7NPGsiu
啪嚓。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoicxWqwo7R
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqnjjgKtlW
我打破沉默：「多謝你今日肯嚟。」464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwctNKTrQ9u
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaPmQdl0Gt
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cEcvCyXYr
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfo6UDURht
「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。」464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhFEgMC9X9
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5s5lraQDgp
「多謝。」我舉起酒罐一飲而下。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVe5527pj2
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QZeGe6olB
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2c0xHqYCv
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2gObtvnHk
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOgkZQGtaV
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEHH7kI8GV
「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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTAGmwlGRU
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1F4m88Wii
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31RPZsbiy5
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rTI0rS0NT
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwTDmy8C2W
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyJrh1enfA
「Mia？」464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZnnK9CcPt
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jwqMEWGzc
Mia回過神，裝出鬼臉：「嚇到你呢，嘻嘻。」464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyM7FnPbIB
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYAzXe5i5J
「喔喔，嚇到囉。」我陪笑道。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzbAod35VZ
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyjJ2SbATZ
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQNulwG1iE
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTlai2R9gG
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFf4v6wCkrp
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDL4SZPG5DI
羅夫的牌品比酒品差，特別在輸了幾張十鎊鈔票之後。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSZctrI1D6
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8fBFRQHH6
洗牌。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGLSoA5jJS
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUBdGJdjST
派牌。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIP5gN9Krh
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuDGq4oQ7o
「Shit，Peter。你點搞？醉到手殘呀？」羅夫咬住煙，晦氣地丟出一張牌。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9RQ70FzHI
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56cdIdJsqC
Joker，小丑牌。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDazuqzMvmb
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXn6poBLdqh
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjq1ZSj2mlG
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15P1AxYQUo
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzs980oQ43H
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZzvKxl46P
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeD843Wj5q
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotGfviFHdB
「我？冇理由⋯⋯」Peter大惑不解地搔頭。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBAsU5zcPx
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuFkRU5DvI
「好喇好喇，我哋休息一陣，酒都飲完囉。」464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVStQlJJoMG
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFX0xIm4YIo
Ella說罷便朝大家露出貝齒，紅唇拉出一抹古怪的笑容。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7XqYsbi7D
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fz3d35nPg
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIwWgLFHWu
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOYPZM53Rt
「童話故事同商業社會嘅衍生品？」464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wbnT1fT75
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGg19tGUkWC
坦白說，我真的不知道。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYpVrwTbUl
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQgtETMNp2
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？464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHIMoKpmZI
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2i6QhZpW0
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？464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWci7pa6S2D
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfLmmJWVbH
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecrpwxJQvO
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiO5hh5tX1B
然而，Ella的答案讓我們安靜下來，室外的空氣驟時急降十度。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LZfup55AC
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNtV9KV1l0
「萬聖節真係有鬼。」Ella說。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaaAvjqYMl
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHR646wfBOq
「迷信呢。」Emma第一個反駁。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4nEDU2qY2
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNQCu2WdMB
「Who knows?」Ella攤手。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGImD7E3yi
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqokNyZFzJ
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrl1sVgl07a
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwrFRXk3J8
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqVY6q2ZG4
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6kGsfr5E8
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXQCm5mQ6b
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsfPcQJs7u
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTdHqR0RzJ
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7cUnJX7Ku
至於南瓜則是Jack-O-Latern 的傳說有關。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycBr6xqr5G
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7UUfrjMn3
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。」464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsq91llSqkJ
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2YmFC7oIC
羅夫笑道：「咁多鬼咩？佢成日都講鬼，我一次都冇見過，哈哈！」464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpw8jImFiw
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZT9gTpXXb
我非常同意，老子甚麼鬼都不信。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjcarhLYSK
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjyBkuyiHO
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464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrLMCtVJM3
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOfnR4zvyE
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAo1w1sZFaY
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrLUvhWGWc
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uDerAtwND
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubrCkuPo1v
Ella瞬間察覺到我的眼神，我趕忙移開目光。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycIJOJXxNd
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSf6IqplsIX
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJVLO7j7Pa
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqUm93gBRT
我雖然好色，但那種事情怎也做不出來。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj03IOUS56z
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPI36FeLI5a
「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。」464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrgs6x0Ynq
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEtl3cvk5n
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4Nnr0OuKH
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaUdXO1HK3
「Halloween當然要玩啲配合主題嘅遊戲先有意思啦。」464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGRmAWh7BK
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOkd4fi7Vw
Ella坐下來，幽幽地笑道： 「 Ouija Board。我哋揾鬼出嚟咪一清二楚囉。」464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX68PjGS64O
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAqJWVd0nE
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaHaf4petb
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlbEIaSmqn
通靈板（Ouija Board），就像我們的碟仙⋯⋯464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2Yy0n7TVu
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IH55DHVOQ
「Happy Halloween！」Ella笑道。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIosT5QvH6
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQif9OFxLe
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。464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQVtxmxGFt
464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmN3y0NgKs
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然後按「加至主畫面」