[MaC] ] And so it begins ... Arabella & Pamela

[Nowsounds]

>>
>>        Pamela kept up a stream of inoffensive chatter as they left Flash 
>> in
>> the kitchen, locked the flat (Alice had been given the night off), and
>> waited for the lift. "I wonder if Mrs. Evans will bring me her sock, so
>> I can set the heel for her. Strange thing to bring to a cocktail party,
>> but I suppose stranger things have happened around Mrs. Evans..."

"Indeed they have," Arabella said. "She's a good-natured woman, and I can't 
help liking her, in spite of her being a magnet for odd occurrances. Or 
perhaps because of it."


> His uniform was pressed and the creases were as sharp as the edge of a
> knife. Perhaps he was starting to grey at the temples, but the lines
> about his eyes were from sun and laughter, not age. Michael adjusted
> his eyepatch in the small mirror in the hall. He had taken to not
> wearing it around the apartment, but for the other tenants' sake he
> donned it as if it were part of his uniform.
>
> He made sure his key was in his pocket and made for the door only to
> stop at the last moment and return to the kitchen. There on the
> counter was the small box with the horrible bow and the large box with
> the glorious ribbon. Sure, he could fly planes and take them apart and
> reassemble them blindfolded, even if it was a smaller blindfold than
> before, but he couldn't tie a bow to save his live. Not one on a
> package, at least. The larger one had been done by one of the
> secretaries at the base. The small box slipped into a pocket and the
> larger went under his arm.
>
> A quick check to ensure that he had turned the radio off in the spare
> room and he was back in the hall, this time checking his hair before
> stepping out. He hoped that *she* would be there. In fact she had told
> him as much, but he still wasn't sure. He opened the door and all
> concern was hidden as a smile took its place as he noticed the women
> across the hall at the lift.
>
> "Good evening, ladies. Happy Christmas," Michael greeted as he joined
> them in waiting for the lift. He looked up and said, "Seems some of
> the others are on their way already."

"And a Happy Christmas to you, Group Captain," Arabella said with a smile. 
"It does look as if there will be a good turnout... As far as that goes, I 
think this party may be a very good thing. We all know we're at war, but 
fellowship and celebration are things worth fighting for, don't you think?"