New Beginning 705

Showdown: I clip along the street, head up, full of thoughts. There's still at least an hour before I meet Clytie and Lady Gwen, show them a bit of Manhattan before they return to the aquarium. Then, I hear that voice, the one I still try to exorcise…. "Twinkieeeee…." I stride on, pretending I don't hear.

Too late. "Twinkieeee…" as she grabs my forearm, clutching with those pretty silk-painted nails, so now I must slow my gait.

"Hello, Louisa," I say, barely turning my head. She looks stressed ...