The car pulled up outside the Rose Building, and both Gill and Lynne stepped out. I intend to drop a word or two to Kent, persuading him to take care of these two girls further.

Yet, unexpectedly, he whisked the car off without uttering a single word, and very swiftly at that. Looking through the rearview mirror, I saw the two girls still standing at the entrance of the restaurant, their gaze persistently fixed in our direction.

Lynne wore a calm expression, while Gill appeared utterly annoyed, waving her hands and feet in hasty kicks and punches.

It seemed as if she planned to give us a good beating. The...