But then she would smile and add a whole new layer of effervescence to the atmosphere and everyone would automatically feel better about

being themselves. She disarmed people, unlocked them with her own charm, which brought no harm at all. In that way herself and Jessie were the perfect couple. The perfect balance.

The doorbell squeaked and buzzed and rasped waking Jessie from his reverie. He observed the now running red paint and scraped and brushed at it. Manipulating it for some ten minutes. Then he threw some yellow towards it and walked out towards the front door. He opened it. There was Mary sitting on the bench across the road finishing off her Chinese food.

“The ribs were DIVINE” she shrieked “you really should answer your door on time No starters for you. DUCK”