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"The alternative," ruff voice, "is not very appealing"

She changed the subject and talked about a new restaurant Lord and Lady Batten had discovered All Great-uncle Richard had to do was suggest his disapproval of a topic and she retreated Was there ever any real love and passion between these two? I wondered, or had all of it died with their little girl years and years ago? Should I pity thenore them? I wondered

Saturday afternoon, I went to Randall's dorm to work on my part with hi them in my room at Endfield Place Our plan was to work for a few hours and then go to Piccadilly Circus

"There's a great pedestrian area We'll see all the shops, clubs, theaters, as well as the most visited museum, Guinness World of Records I'll show you Her Majesty's Theatre and the Royal Hayo to a production at one of them next weekend, if you like"

He talked so fast and so excitedly, rushing about his rooazines and brochures with pictures to show me, Suddenly, he paused and looked at me as if he just realized I was in the room, too

"You look upset today What's wrong?" he asked

Beni used to tell me I was a poor liar because my face was like one of those one-wayor what I felt and believed, and I never kneto the world

"You ht as alk around naked, Rain," she used to say

"Maybe I'ood an actor after all, Randall," I said and flopped facedown on his bed

"Is there anything I can do?" he asked

I rested my forehead on h, could I lock out the world? Could I wish and wish and put myself back in time? How I missed Mama and Roy and even my troublesome sister, Beni

Randall put his hand on my shoulder and sat beside me

I thought hard about ht of deception turned my heart into a lump of lead in' my chest Hoonderful it must be to not have to worry about every word you said, not have to be terrified that you will reveal soht accidentally speak the truth

"The people I' with, Mr Endfield in particular, had my room searched yesterday," I told Randall bitterly "He had his arments!"

"Why?"