Chapter 82: Predator, Part 2

The company of so many: I can only take it for so long. As the party mood develops, I retreat again, looking for looking for... I'm not sure what I'm looking for...

Still, I enjoy the festivities, when I can choose to be on the fringes, rather than immersed in the whole jolly-holiday thing.

Rolling out from the lounge comes the sound of mixed voices singing...

Mitch's voice... I'd not realised she could sing well... "Fo-ur calling birds... Threee... French hens... Twoooo turtle doves..."

Then many voices all together... "And a partri-idge in a pear tree...""

Kirstie's voice, "What's next? What's five?"

Michael, Mitch and Jenny, Haswell and his wife, all shouting... "Gold RINGS!"... Followed by gales of laughter.

In the quiet of the hall, I stand, an ear cocked, listening to it all, then realise I'm smiling to myself.

Should I join them again?

?

They might expect me to sing...