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I don’t like rides. After the third one, my stomach feels terrible. I stand in misery as I watch Mireille and Anton get on the ride again. I can’t stand to twirl like that one more time.
By the time they get off the ride, some of my nausea has passed. Mireille’s hair is quite messy, but for once she doesn’t appear to care. Anton has a huge grin on his face. I feel my chest tighten as I watch him lift her up out of the car and swing her around to the ground. Why did she just let him do that?
“You still look miserable, little bit.” Anton smiles as they get closer. “Let’s find a vendor to get you a spot of tea, eh?”
“Do you want to go lay down in the car?” Mireille asks me. I shake my head. I don’t want to leave her alone with him.
“Righty-o then. Up you go, little bit.” Anton squats and motions for me to get on his back. I look at Mireille and she nods, so I climb on. For the second time today, I am touched by someone who wants to help me. Anton is very warm, it’s like getting a huge hug. My legs go over his arms and I lean my head on his shoulder. Even though he annoys me, it’s hard to not like him.
“Lead the way, lovely lady.” Anton says to Mireille.
“I think there’s a place down here, on the left.” she starts off, brow wrinkled in thought. We follow her, and I feel myself relax as Anton lumbers along. He feels very different from holding Mireille. Very large, and not soft. The strange urges I get with Mireille, I don’t feel right now. It just feels comfortable.
“Ah, what a lovely view.” he whispers conspiratorially to me. I lift my head, and follow his gaze to Mireille, walking ahead of us. I plop my chin on his shoulder.
“Are you looking at her…her ass again?” I whisper back.
“Of course, little one. One of these days, I’ll do more than just look at it.” He winks his eye at me. I resist the urge to strangle my hands around his neck. I think I’m jealous, or maybe I’m just crazy. I try to think of something else besides Mireille, but curiosity gets the best of me.
“Um, have you kissed Mireille?” I ask him. If he says yes, it will be easy to kill him now.
“Well I’ve tried, but as you’ve seen, I just get a cracker for it. Kind of like the one you’ve got on your face. Did you try it too?”
“Sort of.”
“Same result?”
“Spatula.” I sigh. He makes a small choking sound and I know he’s trying not to laugh.
“Jumped her in the galley then? Never thought of trying that one. Maybe next time you should catch her in the loo.”
The thought of catching her in the loo makes us both chuckle, and he spins in a circle.
“To the loo!” he shouts, grinning.
“Anton! What are you doing to her! She’s sick!” Mireille angrily puts her hands on hips, looking at us.
“I feel better.” I do, really, although I could have done without the spin we just had.
“Well the drinks are here.” she points to the stand. “I’m going to the…” she makes a face at Anton "…to the loo myself, so get one for me. I’ll be back.”
We watch her go, then Anton helps me down.
“Little one, I’ve got a plan that might get us a kiss from her. Do you want in on it with me?”
I nod my head. He gives me a smile, and we shake hands.

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