ATONEMENT (THE BOOK)PAGE 9

Gianna was devastated she sat at her desk muling about the incident preceding the activities of the past few days.The judge had died before arriving at the hospital,she had gone with them in the ambulance saying she was a relative.she held his hand as he continued to repeat thesame words incoherently 'Confutatis Maledictis' she had thought it was some password for one of his hidden case files,but had decided to google it anyway;'while the wicked are confounded' strange interpretation she muttered under her breath.Her colleagues occassionally cast sideways glances at her direction,knowing full well that she had wanted to be left alone.Gosh! She thought,she had actually liked the man,had wanted to advance to the next stage. She gazed over at Flora's desk, still vacant,hadn't showed up for days.Flora would definitely get a visit this time she concluded.... Gianna pulled up at the make shift parking lot,in front of Flora's flat,all the shutters were drawn,it was already dark,she took out her note pad and a pen from her purse,using her phone as torch,she quickly scribbled a few lines showing her anger and dissappointment,she got out of her car locking it.she got to the front door and bent to pass the note underneath it.To her amazement it budged opening slowly.'Couldn't even put a lock on her door,before rushing off with who knows who' she stomped in holding the note in her left hand. She stopped to think for a moment 'Flora must be with Seyi that sworn barchelor' Gianna laughed no wonder Flora had been solemn and distant assuming she would condemn the relationship,as if she cared. She heard a chuckling sound then silence.The house was pitch black she continued towards the living room and found the light switch,she had been here several times that shouldn't be a problem she thought.'Flora' she gasped sitting in an arm chair face pale ,eyes shut Flora wasn't alone,the two headed creature glared at Gianna with huge eyeballs,ready to pounce........

ATONEMENT (THE BOOK) PAGE 8

They where both caught up in a close embrace the tall man with the greying hair ,held the slim woman with the long braids in a tight embrace as they swayed to the soft lyrics of the 60's ballad.other people where on the dance floor oblivious to each other.Gianna turned her left eye and saw the tall woman standing alone in under the tree shades,her very short grey dress shimmered,only Flora could pull this one off,she thought quietly walking in at the last minute,standing there as if she had paid every one else to wait for her.very soon all the men would start asking questions about the un-chaperoned female 'the old geezers'she scoffed judge Benoni lowered his head 'what did you say my queen' I only asked if you wanted more wine my Lord' 'oh sorry I will get us some' he started towards Flora's direction 'of course not,you have waited on me hand and foot all day' 'all right then my little woman,next time you won't win' he laughed his deep throaty laugh as he set her off parting her bottom 'hey don't' she giggled he watched her as she sauntered away staring at her endless legs under the emerald dress. He was afterall a widower who is willing to take the best shot at a second chance.Gianna had braced herself to give Flora "The I told you the party was going to be a bomb speech" but Flora had left maybe she had been dragged to the dance floor she thought,she went off to the drink stand got two glasses of champaigne and trudged back he wasn't there so she sat down in a corner of the pool placed the glasses down her feet felt stiff.suddenly she heard a thud from the men's room a few feet away a male attendant quickly went towards it,she followed the judge laid on the bare floor clutching his throat 'mr chief'the elderly attendant tugged at his arm the judge tried to speak his voice was a little above a whisper 'Confutatis Maledictus' the attendant tried to perk him up.Gianna stood transfixed then she started to run out in to the yard towards the main house screaming 'is there a doctor in attendance,a doctor please ,someone.....

ATONEMENT (THE BOOK) PAGE 7

She walked unsteadily out of the door tugging at her white colar she felt as if it was choking her,the dizzy spells were becoming more consistent.  'Flora' she heard her name but continued towardS the car,Gianna walked as fast as her high heels could carry her.They had been best friends for years Flora was acting weird not picking her calls,they had both been excited to attend the chief judge's house warming ceremony but when their dresses had arrived Flora had been distant.she caught up with her friend as she was about to enter the car 'where do you think you are going' she asked her apparently irritated.'All you have done is stare in to space all day'Gianna stood facing her, hands on waist 'you are disgusted right? seeing me in the arms that craddle snatcher weeks back' she giggled 'well dear saint Flora I have decided to advance my career'Flora hsitated for a second then slowly got in to her car,while Gianna walked confidently back towards the entrance of the office....