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.....