The statement over — with matters of importance Emerence didn’t say things, she made an announcement — she turned on her heel and left. Viola collapsed and began to snore. He was so drunk he didn’t even notice that he’d been abandoned. The problems didn’t begin immediately, only the next morning, when Emerence failed to come for him. She had always served him his breakfast, given him his walk and then taken him away with her. He controlled himself and made no messes, but from six-fifteen he was whining so loudly I was forced to get up. It was a while before I realised there was no point in
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