Fisher of Men

1 ZMITTa NMMT NWZ 6MQT .Q[PMZ R][\ ÅVLQVO PQ[ NMM\ I[ I VM_ K]ZI\M ?PMVM^MZ PM \ZQX[ ]X Q\¼[ QV N]TT X]JTQK OTIZM *]\ 6MQT Q[ I UIV _Q\P UQ[[QWV [QVKMZQ\a IVL PMIZ\ M^MV QN PQ[ QVM`XMZQMVKM IVL VI\]ZIT [PaVM[[ LW TIVL PQU QV \ZW]JTM VW_ IVL IOIQV M[XMKQITTa _Q\P \PM TILQM[ 1 TW^M I JWWS \PI\ UW^M[ aW] \W \MIZ[ WVM UQV]\M \PMV PI[ aW] TI]OPQVO W]\ TW]L \PM VM`\ <PQ[ JWWS Q[ Q\ Aled Jones, broadcaster and singer ¹8IU¼[ JWWS Q[ I OZMI\ ZMIL 1\ Q[ I \ITM WN ZMIT XMWXTM _PW TI]OP PI^M N]V IVL TW^M TQNM 1 KWUUMVL Q\ _IZUTa º George Carey, former Archbishop of Canterbury.

By the same author With Hymns and Hearts and Voices

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Copyright © 2013 Pam Rhodes This edition copyright © 2013 Lion Hudson <PM ZQOP\ WN 8IU :PWLM[ \W JM QLMV\QÃ&#x2026;ML I[ I]\PWZ WN \PQ[ _WZS PI[ JMMV I[[MZ\ML Ja PMZ QV IKKWZLIVKM _Q\P \PM +WXaZQOP\ ,M[QOV[ IVL Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or \ZIV[UQ\\ML QV IVa NWZU WZ Ja IVa UMIV[ MTMK\ZWVQK WZ UMKPIVQKIT QVKT]LQVO XPW\WKWXa ZMKWZLQVO WZ IVa QVNWZUI\QWV [\WZIOM IVL ZM\ZQM^IT [a[\MU _Q\PW]\ XMZUQ[[QWV QV _ZQ\QVO NZWU \PM X]JTQ[PMZ Published by Lion Fiction an imprint of Lion Hudson plc ?QTSQV[WV 0W][M 2WZLIV 0QTT :WIL 7`NWZL 7@ ,: -VOTIVL ___ TQWVP]L[WV KWU Ã&#x2026;K\QWV ISBN 978 1 78264 000 4 e-ISBN 978 1 78264 001 1 First edition 2013 ;KZQX\]ZM Y]W\I\QWV[ IZM \ISMV NZWU \PM 0WTa *QJTM 6M_ 1V\MZVI\QWVIT >MZ[QWV )VOTQKQ[ML +WXaZQOP\ ¶ ! ! ! *QJTQKI NWZUMZTa 1V\MZVI\QWVIT *QJTM ;WKQM\a =[ML Ja XMZUQ[[QWV WN 0WLLMZ ;\W]OP\WV 4\L IV 0IKPM\\M =3 KWUXIVa )TT ZQOP\[ ZM[MZ^ML ¹61>º Q[ I ZMOQ[\MZML \ZILMUIZS WN *QJTQKI =3 \ZILMUIZS number 1448790. ) KI\ITWO]M ZMKWZL NWZ \PQ[ JWWS Q[ I^IQTIJTM NZWU \PM *ZQ\Q[P 4QJZIZa )OMV\" 4QTQ 8IVIOQ 8IV 5MLQI 5WV\ZW[M +ZM[KMV\ 4WVLWV 6 -, !

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)VL _I[V¼\ \PQ[ M`IK\Ta \PM UWUMV\ PM¼L JMMV _WZSQVO \W_IZL[ NWZ [W TWVO' )[ I [WWV \W JM WZLIQVML LMIKWV \PM KMZMUWVa _I[ TM[[ \PIV \_W UWV\P[ I_Ia VW_ \PW[M aMIZ[ WN TWVOQVO WN ZMKWOVQbQVO PQ[ KITT WN [\]La IVL XZMXIZI\QWV PIL []ZMTa ITT JMMV TMILQVO ]X \W \PQ[ UWUMV\ · _PMV PM ÅVITTa [M\\TML WV \PM XIZQ[P QV _PQKP PM _W]TL [\IZ\ PQ[ UQVQ[\Za ?I[ \PQ[ \PM XTIKM' ?W]TL PM JMKWUM \PM :M^MZMVL 6MQT .Q[PMZ WN \PM 8IZQ[P WN ;\ ;\MXPMV QV ,]VJZQLOM' 0M ZWTTML \PM _WZL[ over in his mind. They had a nice ring to them.

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6MQT KW]TL R][\ UISM W]\ \PM [QTPW]M\\M WN I ZW]VL NMUITM NIKM []ZZW]VLML Ja \PQKS VMI\ K]ZT[ TMIVQVO W]\ WN \PM ]X[\IQZ[ JIa _QVLW_ ¹AW] U][\ JM 6MQT AW]¼ZM MIZTa 1¼TT JM LW_V QV R][\ I [MK 8]\ \PM SM\\TM WV 5QVM¼[ I KWNNMM°º And the head abruptly disappeared. /M\\QVO \W \PM JIKS _I[ Y]Q\M I KPITTMVOM 6MQT KTIUJMZML W^MZ \_W JQSM[ I \ZIQTMZ IVL I PI_\PWZV J][P _PQKP PIL ^MZa VMIZTa []KKMMLML QV Q\[ I\\MUX\ \W [\ZILLTM \PM VIZZW_ XI\P ITWVO[QLM \PM PW][M .QVITTa PM UILM Q\ \W _PI\ [MMUML \W JM \PM JIKS LWWZ _PQKP _I[ VW\ R][\ IRIZ J]\ _QLM WXMV +TW[QVO \PM LWWZ \QLQTa JMPQVL PQU PM R][\ KW]TLV¼\ PMTX PQU[MTN PM [\MXXML QV\W I TIZOM ITIZUQVOTa U]LLTML SQ\KPMV QV _PQKP \PM \IJTM \PM _WZS\WX[ IVL M^MV \PM PWJ _MZM XQTML ]X _Q\P M^MZa\PQVO NZWU [\IKS[ WN XTI\M[ IVL K]\TMZa \W KWT]UV[ WN TM\\MZ[ VM_[XIXMZ[ IVL UIOIbQVM[ 7V \WX WN \PM KWWSMZ _I[ I 0WTa *QJTM WV _PQKP _I[ XZMKIZQW][Ta JITIVKML IV WXMV KWXa WN \PM *WWS WN +WUUWV 8ZIaMZ 6MQT OZQVVML 6W\ U]KP LW]J\ I ^QKIZ TQ^ML PMZM ;WUM\PQVO JZ][PML PQ[ \ZW][MZ TMO 0M TWWSML LW_V QV\W \PM KITK]TI\QVO OIbM WN \PM JQOOM[\ Æ]NÅM[\ OQVOMZ \WU PM¼L M^MZ [MMV 0M _I[ WV \PM XWQV\ WN TMIVQVO LW_V \W OQ^M \PM TQ\\TM LMIZ I \QKSTM ]VLMZ \PM KPQV _PMV PM NW]VL PQU[MTN [\IZQVO QV\W aMTTW_ MaM[ \PI\ OTMIUML _Q\P UITM^WTMVKM 8TIQVTa \PQ[ NW]Z TMOOML ZM[QLMV\ LQLV¼\ \ISM SQVLTa \W ^Q[Q\WZ[ I[ Q\ LQL I [TW_ ZMKWVVIQ[[IVKM ÅO]ZM WN MQOP\ IZW]VL 6MQT¼[ TMO[ 0M OZIJJML PWTL WN I VMIZJa [\WWT IVL [I\ WV Q\ PI[\QTa KTI[XQVO PQ[ JZQMNKI[M \W PQU IVL X]TTQVO PQ[ SVMM[ ]X I[ PQOP as he could. ¹.ZIVS º <PM [IUM ^WQKM [W]VLQVO \_QKM I[ TW]L ZIVO \PZW]OP \PM PW][M NZWU [WUM_PMZM ]X[\IQZ[ 8

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¹<MTT PQU _PMZM \PM \MI Q[ \PMZM¼[ I TW^M 1 \PQVS _M¼ZM W]\ of biscuits.”

1V\ZQO]ML 6MQT TWWSML \W_IZL[ \PM WXMV SQ\KPMV LWWZ I[ the sound of slippered feet padded in his direction. Round \PM KWZVMZ KIUM I LIXXMZ TQ\\TM UIV _Q\P OZMa PIQZ J]\ []ZXZQ[QVOTa J][Pa LIZS JZW_[ <ISQVO [\WKS WN \PM XW[Q\QWV[ WN JW\P UIV IVL KI\ JMNWZM PQU \PMZM _I[ I [aUXI\PM\QK gleam of understanding in his eyes as he smiled at Neil. ¹;WZZa º PM [IQL ¹Ua _QNM¼[ WVTa R][\ OW\ JIKS NZWU IV ]VM`XMK\ML PW[XQ\IT ^Q[Q\ ;PM¼TT JM LW_V [PWZ\Ta 1¼U .ZIVS Ja \PM _Ia )VL \PI\¼[ )ZKPQM 9]Q\M PIZUTM[[ ZMITTa M^MV QN PM LWM[ TWWS I JQ\ ÅMZKM ?PI\ KIV 1 OM\ aW]' <MI'º ¹6W \PIVS[ ITT \PM [IUM º O]TXML 6MQT VW\ \ISQVO PQ[ MaM[ WNN \PM NMTQVM XZMLI\WZ JMTW_ PQU ¹1 LWV¼\ _IV\ \W X]\ aW] \W any trouble.” ¹7P \PM SM\\TM¼[ IT_Ia[ PW\ QV W]Z PW][M º [UQTML .ZIVS ¹AW]¼TT VMML \W TMIZV \PI\ QN aW]¼ZM RWQVQVO \PM ZIVS[ AW]Z ÅZ[\ IXXWQV\UMV\ I[ I K]ZI\M MP' ?MTT aW]¼TT JM ITT ZQOP\ PMZM 5IZOIZM\ _QTT TWWS IN\MZ aW] º ¹.ZIVS PI^M aW] NW]VL PQU'º <PI\ ^WQKM IOIQV ¹AM[ LMIZ PM¼[ ÅVM )ZKPQM¼[ OW\ PQU KWZVMZML°º ¹7P NWZ PMI^MV¼[ [ISM OQ^M \PM XWWZ UIV ZWWU \W JZMI\PM )ZKPQM º <PM :M^MZMVL 5IZOIZM\ 8ZW_[M [\ZWLM QV\W \PM ZWWU PMZ arms clasped around a large box full of collecting tins. ¹<ISM \PM[M LMIZ JMNWZM 1 LZWX \PMU ?Pa 8M\MZ TMN\ \PMU PMZM _PMV \PMa [PW]TL JM I\ \PM +P]ZKP +MV\ZM 1 ZMITTa LWV¼\ SVW_ º <PMZM _MZM [MKWVL[ WN KWVN][QWV _PQTM \PM JW` _I[ PIVLML W^MZ ITUW[\ L_IZÅVO .ZIVS _PW [\IOOMZML W^MZ \W LMXW[Q\ \PM TW\ WV \WX WN \PM WVM XQTM WN XIXMZ[ _PQKP _I[ ÆI\ MVW]OP to perch it on.

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¹5IZOIZM\ 8ZW_[M º Pushing her spectacles further up her nose so that she KW]TL XMMZ I\ 6MQT I TQ\\TM UWZM KTW[MTa [PM UW^ML \W_IZL[ PQU PMZ M`XZM[[QWV _IZU IVL _MTKWUQVO PMZ PIVL [\ZM\KPML out to clasp his. ¹0W_ VQKM \W UMM\ aW] 6MQT ,QL aW] PI^M I OWWL RW]ZVMa'º ¹6W\ JIL I\ ITT 5W[\ WN \PM \ZINÅK _I[ OWQVO \PM W\PMZ _Ia )VL 1¼U ^MZa XTMI[ML \W UMM\ aW] \WW º 6MQT JMKIUM I_IZM \PI\ 5IZOIZM\¼[ I\\MV\QWV PIL LQ^MZ\ML NZWU PQU I[ [PM []LLMVTa [\IZML I\ \PM KTWKS WV \PM _ITT behind him. ¹0MI^MV[ 1[ \PI\ \PM \QUM'º ;PM OZQUIKML \W_IZL[ 6MQT ¹4WWS 1 SVW_ \PQ[ Q[V¼\ QLMIT J]\ aW]¼TT [WWV ZMITQbM \PI\ XIZQ[P TQNM Q[ VM^MZ XZMLQK\IJTM 1 PWXM aW] _WV¼\ \PQVS UM Z]LM J]\ 1 LW VMML \W XWX W]\ NWZ I [PWZ\ _PQTM 1 _WV¼\ JM TWVO J]\ 1 PIL I KITT MIZTa \PQ[ UWZVQVO NZWU >QWTM\ WVM WN W]Z ZMO]TIZ KWVOZMOI\QWV UMUJMZ[ ;PM¼[ QV I LZMILN]T [\I\M · JMZMI^MUMV\ aW] SVW_ º ¹7P º [IQL 6MQT ¹PI[ [PM TW[\ I NIUQTa UMUJMZ'º ¹AM[ · IVL VW 1\¼[ PMZ J]LOQM 8WXXM\ ?PMV aW]¼ZM VMIZTa VQVM\a IVL aW]Z JQZL Q[ aW]Z WVTa KWUXIVQWV \PMV TW[QVO \PI\ NZQMVL Q[ I LZMILN]T [PWKS 0MZ LI]OP\MZ Q[ KWUQVO W^MZ I\ PITN \MV NWZ \PM KMZMUWVa°º 6MQT NMT\ PQ[ MaMJZW_[ [PWW\ ]X _Q\P K]ZQW[Q\a ¹6W\PQVO NWZUIT 6W\ M^MV KWV[MKZI\ML OZW]VL IT\PW]OP I JQ\ WN PWTa _I\MZ _QTT [WWV X]\ \PI\ ZQOP\ 6W 8WXXM\ Q[ LM[\QVML \W ZM[\ QV XMIKM QV \PM [PILM WN >QWTM\¼[ UIOVWTQI \ZMM º ¹0I^M aW] _WZSML W]\ R][\ _PI\ aW]¼TT [Ia LMIZ'º MVY]QZML .ZIVS ¹6W\ ZMITTa 1¼TT XTIa Q\ Ja MIZ <PI\¼[ _Pa 1 _I[ TWWSQVO QV \PM *WWS WN +WUUWV 8ZIaMZ MIZTQMZ WV \W [MM QN \PMZM¼[ 10

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IVa\PQVO \PI\ UQOP\ Å\ \PM JQTT 6W\PQVO Y]Q\M ZQOP\ 1¼U INZIQL )Va QLMI[ 6MQT'º ¹.WZ \PM J]ZQIT WN I J]LOQM'º 6MQT TWW[MVML PQ[ OZQX WV PQ[ JZQMNKI[M \PMV TW_MZML Q\ \W \PM OZW]VL JMPQVL PQ[ [\WWT I[ PM _I\KPML )ZKPQM _IVLMZ I_Ia QV JWZMLWU ¹1\¼[ LQNÅK]T\ ZMITTa _PMV aW] KIV¼\ M^MV OQ^M I XW\\ML PQ[\WZa WN \PM TQNM IVL IKPQM^MUMV\[ WN \PM LMIZ LMXIZ\ML I[ aW] _W]TL NWZ I VWZUIT funeral.” ¹9]Q\M º IOZMML 5IZOIZM\ ¹*]\ >QWTM\ \MTT[ UM [PM¼[ _ZQ\\MV I XWMU <PI\ UQOP\ LW \PM \ZQKS )VL XMZPIX[ I PaUV' ?PI\ LW aW] \PQVS'º ¹»)TT <PQVO[ *ZQOP\ IVL *MI]\QN]T¼ º []OOM[\ML 6MQT ¹<PI\¼[ OW\ I TQVM IJW]\ /WL UISQVO \PMQZ \QVa _QVO[ QN 1 ZMUMUJMZ ZQOP\Ta°º 5IZOIZM\ OZQVVML _Q\P IXXZW^IT ¹/ZMI\ UQVL[ \PQVS ITQSM -`IK\Ta _PI\ 1 KIUM ]X _Q\P )VL \PI\ ZMUQVL[ UM 1¼^M LW_VTWILML \PM IKKWUXIVQUMV\ NWZ »)TT <PQVO[¼ WV \W Ua iPod. A bit of music might add a touch of atmosphere. Where IZM \PW[M [XMISMZ[ _M \ISM WV PWTQLIa .ZIVS' AW] SVW_ \PM WVM[ \PI\ _WZS WV JI\\MZQM['º ¹1V \PM ]X[\IQZ[ K]XJWIZL 1 \PQVS 1¼TT OW IVL TWWS º ¹/ZMI\ 5MM\ UM _Q\P \PMU I\ \PM NZWV\ LWWZ )VL aW]°º 5IZOIZM\ \]ZVML PMZ OIbM \W_IZL[ 6MQT ¹° UQOP\ TQSM \W \ISM I TWWS IZW]VL \PM KP]ZKP _PQTM aW]¼ZM _IQ\QVO 1 ZMITTa _WV¼\ JM TWVO ;WZZa 1 KIV¼\ \ISM aW] _Q\P UM J]\ 1 LWV¼\ \PQVS >QWTM\ KW]TL KWXM _Q\P VM_ NIKM[ R][\ I\ \PM UWUMV\ º ¹1 Y]Q\M ]VLMZ[\IVL )VL 1¼L _MTKWUM \PM KPIVKM \W \ISM I TWWS IZW]VL \PM KP]ZKP _PQTM aW]¼ZM OWVM º ¹/W [\ZIQOP\ W]\ \PM OI\M I\ \PM MVL WN W]Z OIZLMV AW] KIV¼\ UQ[[ Q\ º 6W\ IOIQV ¹<PM LWWZ¼[ WXMV J]\ Q\¼[ I \QOP\ Å\ 2][\ _I\KP Q\ LWM[V¼\ 11

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[TIU [P]\ JMKI][M Q\¼[ \PM LM^QT \W WXMV IOIQV *IKS [WWV ?M KIV OM\ LW_V \W J][QVM[[ \PMV 73'º 6MQT VWLLML VW\ Y]Q\M []ZM _PQKP XIZ\ WN \PM LMT]OM WN _WZL[ PM _I[ IOZMMQVO \W *]\ 5IZOIZM\ _I[ ITZMILa W]\ WN \PM ZWWU ¹.ZIVS .ZIVS 1¼U TMI^QVO ?PMZM IZM \PW[M [XMISMZ[' 7P there you are.” ;]ZXZQ[QVOTa 6MQT PMIZL \PM ]VUQ[\ISIJTM [W]VL WN I SQ[[ JMQVO XTIV\ML ÅZUTa WV I KPMMS ¹:MUMUJMZ \W OM\ \PW[M KPWX[ W]\ WN \PM NZMMbMZ )VL LWV¼\ NWZOM\ aW]¼^M OW\ \W ZMIZZIVOM aW]Z LMV\IT IXXWQV\UMV\ WV .ZQLIa 7P IVL \PM ZMKaKTQVO JQV VMML[ \W OW W]\ \WLIa *aM LMIZ *aM º <PMZM _I[ I []LLMV LZI]OP\ I[ \PM LWWZ WXMVML \PMV [TIUUML [P]\ · IVL [PM _I[ OWVM ¹:QOP\ º [IQL .ZIVS I[ PM KIUM JIKS QV\W \PM SQ\KPMV ¹1¼^M got my marching orders and so have you. The church is that _Ia ,W_V \PM OIZLMV \PZW]OP \PM OI\M ]X \PM TIVM I JQ\ · IVL aW]¼ZM \PMZM º <PQ[ \QUM 6MQT ZMITTa KW]TLV¼\ UQ[[ Q\ ;\ ;\MXPMV¼[ TWWUML ahead of him the moment he stepped beyond the garden OI\M 0M KI]OP\ PQ[ JZMI\P 0M¼L IT_Ia[ TW^ML WTL J]QTLQVO[ IVL KP]ZKPM[ PIL JMMV I XIZ\QK]TIZ NI^W]ZQ\M M^MV _PMV PM _I[ I [UITT JWa <PI\ _I[ XZWJIJTa JMKI][M WTL KP]ZKPM[ PIL JMMV I XI[[QWV NWZ PQ[ NI\PMZ \WW <PMZM _I[ VW\PQVO PM¼L TQSML UWZM \PIV KWUQVO IKZW[[ I KP]ZKP _PQKP PM PIL VM^MZ ^Q[Q\ML JMNWZM ;\WZa JWWS[ · \PI\¼[ _PI\ ,IL PIL KITTML \PMU 6MQT ZMUMUJMZML [W UIVa PIXXa PW]Z[ _PMV \PM \_W WN \PMU PIL _IVLMZML IZW]VL IVL QV[QLM IV IVKQMV\ KP]ZKP VW\QVO I 6WZUIV KIZ^QVO PMZM WZ I /W\PQK IZKP \PMZM <PMa _W]TL LQ[KW^MZ UI[WVZa UIZS[ TMN\ Ja \PM J]QTLMZ[ NIKM[ KIZ^ML QV \PM _WWLMV [KZMMV WZ \PM KPZQ[\MVQVO NWV\ WZ M^MV I\ \PM \WX 12

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WN XQTTIZ[ · NIKM[ _PQKP XZWJIJTa TWWSML ^MZa TQSM [WUM WN \PM KWVOZMOI\QWV UMUJMZ[ QV \PM IZ\Q[\¼[ \QUM# \W_MZ[ P]VO _Q\P JMTT[ _PQKP PIL JMMV Z]VO M^MZa ;]VLIa NWZ KW]V\TM[[ OMVMZI\QWV[ M`KMX\ L]ZQVO \PM ;MKWVL ?WZTL ?IZ [W PQ[ ,IL PIL M`XTIQVML # \IXM[\ZQM[ IVL NILQVO UMLQM^IT XIQV\QVO[ \MTTQVO \PM *QJTM [\WZQM[ \W KWVOZMOI\QWV[ _PW KW]TLV¼\ ZMIL WZ _ZQ\M# M^MV [_ITTW_[ VM[\QVO QV \PM MI^M[ R][\ I[ \PMa PIL LWVM for as long as anyone could recall.

AW]VO 6MQT PIL TQ[\MVML UM[UMZQbML QUIOQVQVO \PM [\WVMUI[WV XQK\]ZQVO _WZ[PQXXMZ[ WN \QUM[ OWVM Ja TWWSQVO ]X I\ \PM OZMI\ JMTT[ _PQKP PIL KITTML \PM NIQ\PN]T \W _WZ[PQX LW_V \PM aMIZ[ )VL \W \PI\ [UITT JWa Q\ LQL [MMU \PI\ PQ[ NI\PMZ KW]TL ZMIL \PM [\WZa WN MIKP KP]ZKP I[ QN Q\ _MZM I JWWS VW\QKQVO LM\IQT[ TIZOM IVL [UITT _PQKP ZM^MITML [W U]KP WN \PW[M _PW¼L SVW_V \PM J]QTLQVO JMNWZM \PMU ¹1N \PM[M _ITT[ KW]TL WVTa [XMIS°º 6MQT KW]TL [\QTT XQK\]ZM \PM [WN\MVQVO WN PQ[ ,IL¼[ NIKM I[ PM¼L [IQL \PW[M _WZL[ ¹° LZMVKPML QV ITT \PI\¼[ PIXXMVML PMZM \PW[M _ITT[ IZM <PI\¼[ _Pa WTL KP]ZKPM[ PI^M []KP I _WVLMZN]T I\UW[XPMZM <PMa¼^M [MMV Q\ ITT IVL NMT\ M^MZa MUW\QWV )TT \PM _WZZQM[ PWXM[ RWa[ IVL [WZZW_[ WN \PM XMWXTM _PW¼^M KWUM PMZM LW_V \PM aMIZ[ · \PM[M _ITT[ PI^M IJ[WZJML \PM TW\ ?PI\ I \ITM \PMa KW]TL \MTT º 6MQT NW]VL PQ[ XIKM [TW_QVO I[ PM \PW]OP\ IOIQV WN PQ[ ,IL .QN\MMV aMIZ[ WV IVL PM [\QTT UQ[[ML PQU <PI\ ÅVIT QTTVM[[ PIL ZWJJML PQU WN PQ[ bM[\ NWZ TQNM IVL PQ[ LQOVQ\a \WW )\ TMI[\ PM _I[ I\ XMIKM VW_ 6MQT OI^M I _Za [UQTM ?MTT I\ XMIKM NZWU 5]U¼[ [PIZX \WVO]M I\ \PM ^MZa TMI[\ 1\ _I[ WN\MV [IQL \PI\ 6MQT TWWSML TQSM PQ[ ,IL · IVL PM KW]TL [MM \PM TQSMVM[[ QV \PM \PQKS _QZa PIQZ PM¼L QVPMZQ\ML NZWU PQ[ NI\PMZ 6W_ILIa[ 6MQT SMX\ PQ[ KZWXXML [PWZ\ [W 13

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\PM \QOP\ K]ZT[ _MZM PIZLTa VW\QKMIJTM · ]VTQSM PQ[ ,IL _PW PIL TM\ PQ[ PIQZ OZW_ Y]Q\M TWVO \W_IZL[ \PM MVL U]KP \W PQ[ 5]U¼[ IVVWaIVKM M[XMKQITTa I[ Q\ \]ZVML OZMa .I\PMZ IVL [WV PIL IT[W PIL \PM [IUM TWX[QLML OZQV _PMV \PMa TI]OPML _PQKP _I[ WN\MV JMKI][M \PMa [PIZML I [QUQTIZ [MV[M WN P]UW]Z · J]\ JMaWVL \PI\ 6MQT KW]TL ZMKWOVQbM TQ\\TM WN PQ[ ,IL QV PQU[MTN 0Q[ JZWIL [PW]TLMZ[ IVL [\WKSa NZIUM KIUM NZWU PQ[ 5]U¼[ side of the family. Her brothers had both been rugby players ¹NWZ \PM KW]V\a º I[ [PM VM^MZ \QZML WN \MTTQVO IVaWVM _PW¼L TQ[\MV 8Pa[QKITTa 6MQT _I[ XMZNMK\ NWZ I [KZ]U PITN )K\]ITTa \PM \PW]OP\ WN OM\\QVO IVa_PMZM VMIZ I [KZ]U _I[ PQ[ QLMI WN a nightmare. <PM OZI^MaIZL _I[ VQKM ) [\ZIVOM \PQVO \W \PQVS IJW]\ I OZI^MaIZL J]\ PM¼L IT_Ia[ NW]VL \PMU NI[KQVI\QVO [QVKM PM¼L [XMV\ PW]Z[ _IVLMZQVO IZW]VL \PMU ZMILQVO MXQ\IXP[ I[ I SQL <ISQVO I Y]QKS TWWS I\ \PM [\WVM[ QUUMLQI\MTa VMIZ \PM XI\P I[ PM _ITSML 6MQT _I[ ^IO]MTa I_IZM WN \PM KP]ZKP KTWKS chiming noon as he reached the imposing Gothic-arched XWZKP LWWZ 1V [XQ\M WN 5IZOIZM\¼[ _IZVQVO WVM \_Q[\ WN \PM ZW]VL UM\IT PIVLTM _I[ MVW]OP \W ZMTMI[M \PM TI\KP [W \PI\ 6MQT KW]TL MI[QTa X][P \PM LWWZ _QLM MVW]OP \W [TQX QV[QLM 0M PILV¼\ ZMITQbML PW_ U]KP _IZU\P \PMZM PIL JMMV outside in the late Spring sunshine until he stood for a moment breathing in the essence of the building as he _ITSML ITWVO \PM JIKS XM_ \PMV \]ZVML \W UISM PQ[ _Ia ]X \PM KMV\ZM IQ[TM <PMZM _I[ I Y]QM\ KWWTVM[[ IJW]\ \PM KP]ZKP IV WI[Q[ WN \ZIVY]QTTQ\a _PQKP LQLV¼\ MV\QZMTa K]\ W]\ \PM J][\TM WN \PM []ZZW]VLQVO UIZSM\ \W_V 0M KW]TL [\QTT PMIZ \ZINÅK VWQ[M KPQTLZMV¼[ ^WQKM[ NZWU I VMIZJa [KPWWT IVL M^MV OMV\TM JQZL[WVO J]\ Q\ NMT\ I[ QN I JTIVSM\ PIL MVNWTLML \PM J]QTLQVO ÅT\MZQVO M^MZa\PQVO ]V\QT Q\ [MMUML LQ[\IV\ IVL removed from him.

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+W]TL \PQ[ KP]ZKP JMKWUM PQ[ [XQZQ\]IT PWUM' 0M KWV[QLMZML \PM \PW]OP\ I[ PM _ITSML \W_IZL[ \PM ZIQT IVL TWWSML ]X I\ \PM P]OM KIZ^ML _WWLMV KZW[[ [][XMVLML IJW^M the altar. ?I[ \PQ[ Q\' ?W]TL PM JM IJTM \W JZQVO [WUM\PQVO _WZ\P_PQTM \W \PQ[ KWUU]VQ\a' ?W]TL PQ[ KWV\ZQJ]\QWV I[ I K]ZI\M QV \PQ[ KP]ZKP UISM I LQNNMZMVKM \PI\ _I[ JMVMÅKQIT' +W]TL PM JM PIXXa IVL N]TÅTTML PMZM' 4QSM I [QOP PM NMT\ I [_MMX WN KWTL IQZ JZ][P XI[\ PQU · IVL I\ \PI\ M`IK\ UWUMV\ KI]OP\ Ja \PM [IUM []LLMV LZI]OP\ \PM PMI^a KP]ZKP LWWZ [TIUUML [P]\ [PI\\MZQVO \PM XMIKM IVL [PISQVO \PM ZIN\MZ[ I[ Q\ MKPWML ZW]VL \PM WTL J]QTLQVO * * * .ZIVS XQKSML ]X \PM XPWVM ITUW[\ QUUMLQI\MTa Q\ ZIVO ¹7P .ZIVS LMIZ 1¼U OTIL 1 KI]OP\ aW] º 5IZOIZM\ LQLV¼\ JW\PMZ \W _IQ\ NWZ IVa OZMM\QVO NZWU PMZ P][JIVL JMNWZM [PM continued: “This budgie thing is proving to be a bit more complicated than I thought. Violet lives in sheltered housing run by the KW]VKQT I[ aW] SVW_ IVL JMKI][M [PM _IV\[ \PQ[ KMZMUWVa \W \ISM XTIKM I[ \PM JWLa Q[ J]ZQML [WUM »RWJ[_WZ\P¼ Q[ [IaQVO _M VMML _ZQ\\MV XMZUQ[[QWV JMNWZM \PM J]LOQM KIV JM QV\MZZML IVa_PMZM WV KW]VKQT TIVL +IV aW] JMTQM^M Q\' ?MTT WN KW]Z[M aW] KIV )Va_Ia >QWTM\ Q[ JMZMN\ PMZ LI]OP\MZ Q[ \PZMI\MVQVO \W KITT \PM TWKIT VM_[XIXMZ · IVL 1 VMML \W JM PMZM NWZ I _PQTM \W XW]Z WQT WV \ZW]JTML _I\MZ[ º ¹)VL XMZPIX[ M^MV XW]Z PWTa _I\MZ WV KW]VKQT TIVL [WUM\QUM \PQ[ IN\MZVWWV º KP]KSTML .ZIVS ¹7P aW] XWWZ WTL \PQVO ;\QTT QN IVaWVM KIV OM\ \PQVO[ [WZ\ML W]\ aW] KIV º ¹1\¼[ R][\ 6MQT \PI\ VM_ K]ZI\M · _MTT PWXMN]TTa our VM_ 15

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K]ZI\M QN 1 KIV XMZ[]ILM PQU \W RWQV ][ · U][\ \PQVS 1¼U LZMILN]T \W JM [W \QML ]X _PMV PM¼[ KWUM ITT \PQ[ _Ia°º ¹?MTT PM¼TT JM OM\\QVO I UMI[]ZM WN PW_ J][a Q\ Q[ PMZM IVL PW_ U]KP PM¼[ VMMLML _WV¼\ PM º ZMXTQML .ZIVS ¹+IV aW] M`XTIQV IVL I[S PQU \W JMIZ _Q\P UM' ,W aW] \PQVS PM¼L UQVL PWTLQVO WV NWZ I JQ\' <MTT PQU \W PI^M I TWWS I\ \PM UQV]\M[ WN \PM TI[\ NM_ XIZQ[P KW]VKQT UMM\QVO[ /Q^M 8M\MZ I ZQVO IVL [MM QN PM¼TT XWX ZW]VL \W \ITS \W PQU IJW]\ PW_ QV^WT^ML \PM KP]ZKP_IZLMV[ IZM I\ ;\ ;\MXPMV¼[°º ¹*]\ PM¼[ VW\ PMZM 0M _MV\ W^MZ \W \PM KP]ZKP I[ aW] QV[\Z]K\ML IZW]VL \_MT^M W¼KTWKS IVL IT\PW]OP 1 SVW_ 1 _I[ W]\ NWZ I _PQTM 1 ZMITTa LWV¼\ \PQVS PM KIUM JIKS 2][\ \W JM []ZM 1 LQL XWX LW_V \W \PM KP]ZKP IJW]\ \_W \W KPMKS QN PM _I[ \PMZM 1 [\]KS Ua PMIL ZW]VL \PM LWWZ IVL KITTML W]\ I NM_ \QUM[ J]\ \PMZM _I[ VW [QOV WN PQU [W 1 []XXW[M PM U][\ PI^M \ISMV PQU[MTN WNN PWUM IOIQV º ¹0W_ [\ZIVOM .ZWU PQ[ TM\\MZ Q\ [W]VLML I[ QN PM _I[ UWZM QV\MZM[\ML \PIV \PI\ 7P _MTT PM U][\ PI^M \ISMV WVM TWWS I\ \PM KP]ZKP · IVL ][ · IVL LMKQLML Q\ _I[V¼\ NWZ PQU \PMV º “His loss.”

“Absolutely.” ¹7LL \PW]OP º “Certainly is.” ¹:QOP\ 1 U][\ OM\ WV /WWL T]KS _Q\P \PM J]LOQM LMIZ º ¹7P 1 KIV PIVLTM \PM J]LOQM 1\¼[ \PM KW]VKQT WNÅKQIT[ _PW VMML \W JM PIVLTML _Q\P KIZM º ¹<PMa¼^M VW\ UM\ aW] aM\ PI^M \PMa' AW]¼TT SVWKS \PMU into shape.” .ZIVS KW]TL ITUW[\ PMIZ PMZ [UQTQVO I\ \PM W\PMZ MVL WN the line. ¹1¼TT JM JIKS I[ [WWV I[ 1 KIV *aM LMIZ º )VL \PM TQVM _MV\ LMIL 16

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* * * <PM UIQV ZMTQMN _I[ \PI\ PM¼L NW]VL \PM TWW 1\ _I[ VW_ \PZMM PW]Z[ [QVKM \PM LWWZ PIL [TIUUML [P]\ WV PQU IVL QV [XQ\M WN [PW]\QVO \P]UXQVO SQKSQVO · IVL I TW\ WN XZIaQVO · \PM LWWZ ZMN][ML \W J]LOM IVL PM _I[ _MTT IVL \Z]Ta [\]KS ?WZ[\ WN ITT _I[ \PM UWUMV\ IJW]\ Å^M UQV]\M[ IN\MZ \PM LWWZ [TIUUML _PMV PM ÅZ[\ ZMITQbML \PI\ PQ[ JZQMNKI[M _I[ [\QTT [\I[PML JMPQVL \PM [\WWT _PMZM PM¼L JMMV KWZVMZML Ja )ZKPQM QV 5IZOIZM\¼[ SQ\KPMV MIZTQMZ \PI\ LIa 1V \PI\ JZQMNKI[M _I[ PQ[ UWJQTM ?Q\PW]\ PQ[ UWJQTM PM _I[ TW[\ .WZ WVM PWXMN]T UWUMV\ IJW]\ IV PW]Z JMNWZM PM \PW]OP\ PM¼L PMIZL [WUMWVM \ZaQVO \PM LWWZ 0M¼L JMMV KTW[M\ML QV \PM ^M[\Za I\ \PM \QUM QLTa TWWSQVO \PZW]OP XIXMZ[ WV \PM LM[S IVL JWWS[ WV \PM [PMT^M[ NWZ TIKS WN IVa\PQVO MT[M \W LW 0M _I[ R][\ WXMVQVO I PaUV JWWS \PQVSQVO \PI\ XMZPIX[ I ^MZ[M WN ¹0W_ /ZMI\ <PW] )Z\º UQOP\ UISM PQU NMMT JM\\MZ _PMV PM PMIZL [WUM\PQVO <PM [W]VL WN NWW\[\MX[ XMZPIX[ · IVL _I[ Q\ I ^WQKM KITTQVO PQ[ VIUM' 0M Z][PML W]\ QV\W \PM UIQV JWLa WN \PM KP]ZKP IVL ZIV JIKS LW_V \PM IQ[TM aMTTQVO I\ \PM \WX WN PQ[ ^WQKM \PMV JIVOML PQ[ Å[\[ NWZ ITT PM _I[ _WZ\P WV \PM ]VUW^QVO WTL LWWZ _PQKP PIL QUXZQ[WVML PQU · J]\ \PMZM _I[ VW\PQVO 6W ^WQKM NZWU W]\[QLM ÅTTML _Q\P ZMTQMN \W PI^M NW]VL PQU 6W [W]VL WN I SMa \]ZVQVO QV \PM TWKS WZ I shoulder thumping against the door. No sound at all. Zilch.

-`PI][\ML _Q\P NZ][\ZI\QWV 6MQT [\IOOMZML JIKS \W TMIV IOIQV[\ \PM WTL [\WVM NWV\ 0W_ KWUM \PMa PILV¼\ UQ[[ML PQU' ?Pa _MZMV¼\ \PMa [MIZKPQVO NWZ PQU' ?PMZM _I[ 5IZOIZM\' 0ILV¼\ .ZIVS _WVLMZML IJW]\ PQU VW\ KITTQVO JIKS \W \PM PW][M' ?PI\ _I[ Q\ 5IZOIZM\ PIL [IQL IJW]\ \PI\ LWWZ' ) \QOP\ Å\' ;WUM\PQVO IJW]\ Q\ JMQVO \PM LM^QT \W WXMV' 6MQT [T]UXML 17

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LW_V QV\W \PM JIKS XM_ M`I[XMZI\ML IVL M`PI][\ML Ja IVW\PMZ JW]\ WN \ZaQVO \W X]TT XZQ[M KIRWTM X]VKP WZ M^MV SQKS \PM LWWZ WXMV 1\ [QUXTa _W]TLV¼\ J]LOM 0M ZIV PQ[ ÅVOMZ[ \PZW]OP PQ[ PIQZ IVL [I\ NWZ I _PQTM _Q\P PQ[ PMIL K]XXML QV PQ[ PIVL[ 0M R][\ KW]TLV¼\ ]VLMZ[\IVL _Pa VW WVM PIL KWUM TWWSQVO NWZ PQU +W]TL \PI\ PI^M JMMV 5IZOIZM\ WZ .ZIVS PM \PW]OP\ PM¼L PMIZL MIZTQMZ' ,QL \PMa R][\ \PQVS PM¼L \ISMV PQU[MTN WNN IOIQV _Q\PW]\ M^MV [IaQVO OWWLJaM' ;]ZMTa \PMa¼L [MM PQ[ JZQMNKI[M' )V QUIOM [TQXXML QV\W PQ[ UQVL WN \PM >QKIZIOM SQ\KPMV XQTML PQOP _Q\P JQ\[ IVL XQMKM[ WV M^MZa I^IQTIJTM []ZNIKM 0M¼L \]KSML PQ[ JZQMNKI[M JMPQVL \PM [\WWT PM _I[ XMZKPQVO WV ?W]TL \PMa [MM Q\ \PMZM' ;]ZMTa \PMa¼L ÅVL Q\ 0M NZW_VML I[ PM _WVLMZML QN \PMa M^MZ NW]VL IVa\PQVO QV \PI\ U]LLTM *]\ \PMV \PMZM _I[ PQ[ KIZ 0M OZWIVML W]\ TW]L _PMV PM ZMITQbML PW_ PM¼L XIZSML Q\ ]X \PM ZWIL I JQ\ [W \PI\ Q\ LQLV¼\ JTWKS \PMQZ LZQ^M_Ia 5IZOIZM\ IVL .ZIVS LQLV¼\ M^MV SVW_ \PI\ KIZ _I[ PQ[ [W _Pa _W]TL \PMa \ISM IVa VW\QKM WN Q\' ?PMV UQOP\ \PM KP]ZKP JM WXMVML IOIQV' 8MZPIX[ NWZ M^MVQVO XZIaMZ[' ?PI\ \QUM _W]TL 5IZOIZM\ \PQVS IJW]\ LWQVO \PI\' 5QVL aW] QV I [UITT XIZQ[P TQSM \PQ[ WVM _Q\P WVTa WVM QVK]UJMV\ M^MVQVO XZIaMZ[ _MZM WN\MV UQ[[ML JMKI][M \PM ^QKIZ _I[ R][\ VW\ I^IQTIJTM \W [Ia \PM WNÅKM I\ \PM ZQOP\ \QUM 5IZOIZM\ _I[ \QML ]X \PQ[ IN\MZVWWV I\ \PM J]LOQM¼[ N]VMZIT [MZ^QKM 0W_ TWVO _W]TL \PI\ \ISM' ?W]TL [PM ÅVL \QUM \W Å\ QV M^MVQVO XZIaMZ[ \WVQOP\' 6MQT JMKIUM I_IZM WN I LMMX Z]UJTQVO VWQ[M \PMV ZMITQbML Q\ KIUM NZWU PQ[ [\WUIKP 0M _I[ VW\ I UIV \W UQ[[ UMIT[ _Q\PW]\ VW\QKQVO 0M ZMUMUJMZML TWVOQVOTa PQ[ JWQTML MOO IVL \WI[\ [WTLQMZ[ MI\MV I\ MQOP\ \PI\ UWZVQVO IVL OTIVKML I\ PQ[ _I\KP 0M¼L JMMV QUXZQ[WVML QV \PM KP]ZKP NWZ VMIZTa NW]Z PW]Z[ 6W _WVLMZ PQ[ \]UUa _I[ KWUXTIQVQVO 0M 18

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VMMLML NWWL · VW_ 4QSM I NW` W]\ WV I VQOP\ ZIQL PM LMKQLML \W [MIZKP M^MZa XW[[QJTM VWWS IVL KZIVVa NWZ [WUM\PQVO \W U]VKP <PMZM U][\ JM [WUM JQ[K]Q\[ PMZM []ZMTa )TT KP]ZKPM[ ZIV WV \MI IVL JQ[K]Q\[ 0M [M\ WNN \W_IZL[ \PM ^M[\Za I UIV WV I UQ[[QWV * * * 1\ _I[ OWVM [Q` W¼KTWKS JMNWZM .ZIVS PMIZL 5IZOIZM\¼[ SMa QV the door. ¹5Q[[QWV IKKWUXTQ[PML º [PM OZQVVML ¹8WXXM\ PIL I ^MZa OWWL [MVL WNN Y]QM\Ta IN\MZ Å^M W¼KTWKS _PMV \PM KW]VKQT WNÅKQIT PIL SVWKSML WNN NWZ \PM LIa ?M [IVO \PM PaUV IVL [IQL I NM_ _WZL[ QV >QWTM\¼[ ÆI\ \PMV VQXXML LW_V IVL LQL \PM LMML _PMV PM _I[V¼\ \PMZM \W [MM ][ º ¹7P _MTT LWVM LMIZ 1 SVM_ aW]¼L \PQVS WN [WUM\PQVO º ¹6W [QOV WN 6MQT \PMV'º “None at all.”

“Odd.” “Very.” ¹+IV 1 [UMTT \PW[M KPWX[ QV \PM W^MV'º ¹?Q\P JISML IXXTM R][\ \PM _Ia aW] TQSM \PMU º ¹)VL ZWI[\ XW\I\WM['º ¹?PI\ MT[M'º ¹1¼U [\IZ^QVO /Q^M UM Å^M UQV]\M[ \W [WZ\ Ua[MTN W]\ IVL 1¼TT KWUM IVL [M\ \PM \IJTM º ¹0W_ IJW]\ I[ I [XMKQIT \ZMI\ PI^QVO Q\ WV W]Z SVMM[ QV \PM TQ^QVO ZWWU'º []OOM[\ML .ZIVS ¹?M KIV _I\KP \PM VM_[ I[ _M MI\ º ¹8MZNMK\ º IOZMML 5IZOIZM\ PMILQVO ]X[\IQZ[ 5QV]\M[ TI\MZ _PMV [PM RWQVML .ZIVS QV \PM SQ\KPMV PMZ VW[M \_Q\KPML I\ \PM IZWUI WN IXXTM[ I[ PM LQ[PML ]X \PM KPWX[ 19

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IVL OI^M \PM OZI^a I ÅVIT [\QZ 5IZOIZM\ ZMIKPML LW_V JM[QLM \PM LZM[[MZ \W OZIJ \PM XILLML SVMM \ZIa[ _PQKP \PMa KW]TL JITIVKM WV \PMQZ TIX[ I[ \PMa I\M ;]LLMVTa [PM [\WXXML ¹.ZIVS TWWS º .WTTW_QVO PMZ OIbM PQ[ MaM[ WXMVML _Q\P PWZZWZ ¹0Q[ JZQMNKI[M 6MQT TMN\ Q\ PMZM º ¹*]\ _Pa LQLV¼\ PM KWUM JIKS \W KWTTMK\ Q\'º I[SML 5IZOIZM\ ¹8MZPIX[ PM R][\ NWZOW\ º <PM \_W WN \PMU [\IZML I\ MIKP W\PMZ NWZ [M^MZIT [MKWVL[ obviously registering the same thought. ¹7Z XMZPIX[ º [IQL 5IZOIZM\ [TW_Ta ¹XMZPIX[ PM LQLV¼\ leave.” ¹0M KW]TLV¼\ [\QTT JM QV \PM KP]ZKP° 1 _MV\ \PMZM 1 [PW]\ML <PMZM _I[ VW ZMXTa º ¹,QL aW] TWWS QV \PM ^M[\Za'º ¹?Pa _W]TL PM JM QV \PMZM'º ¹?Pa VW\' 0M UQOP\ PI^M OW\ KWTL 7Z JWZML 7Z VMMLML \PM TWW 7P .ZIVS PM KIV¼\ [\QTT JM QV \PMZM KIV PM'º ¹<PI\ JTI[\ML LWWZ º <PM \_W WN \PMU UW^ML I[ WVM W]\ WN \PM SQ\KPMV IVL LW_V \PM OIZLMV XI\P 1\ _I[ I[ \PMa _MZM Z]VVQVO \PZW]OP \PM OZI^MaIZL \W_IZL[ \PM KP]ZKP \PI\ .ZIVS [XW\\ML \PM TQOP\ ¹1 LQLV¼\ TMI^M \PI\ WV º _IQTML 5IZOIZM\ ¹1\ U][\ JM PQU º ?Q\PQV [MKWVL[ \PMa ZIV QV\W \PM XWZKP IVL .ZIVS OZIJJML PWTL WN \PM QZWV ZQVO _PQKP \]ZVML \PM TI\KP WV \PM IVKQMV\ LWWZ .]VVQTa MVW]OP Q\ _WZSML ^MZa MI[QTa NZWU \PM W]\[QLM 5ISQVO Q\ _WZS NZWU \PM QV[QLM PW_M^MZ _I[ I Y]Q\M LQNNMZMV\ [\WZa 1\ \WWS XZIK\QKM I TW\ WN XZIK\QKM \W OM\ \PM SVIKS R][\ ZQOP\ ?Pa WV MIZ\P PILV¼\ \PMa UILM \PI\ KTMIZMZ \W 6MQT' 8ZIK\QKITTa NITTQVO \PZW]OP \PM LWWZ \PMQZ KITT[ _MZM OZMM\ML 20

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