existed. Not about faking them, or making people do things against their will. You needed to lead them down a path that they might already have been intending to take. It was about encouraging them to do what they wanted to do, but lacked the courage or the focus or the determination to do on their own.
It was, as Nigel frequently said, win-win.
I tried my hardest, but I couldn’t see how anything he said meant that I shouldn’t also consider using these techniques to seduce a woman. Surely that would be win-win?
I gave all of it a lot of thought. The idea grew and spread through me like treacle until it was all I could think about. I could find a woman who was reasonably attracted to me, and instead of saying the wrong thing and ruining my chances I could make her warm to me, make her like me. And maybe, yes, make her want to sleep with me. And after that, presumably, if we were compatible and I liked her enough to continue with it, maybe I could actually end up having that most dramatic and unexpected of things, A Relationship. I read voraciously around the topic, every book I could find and every internet page that discussed the Meta Model versus the Milton Model, mirroring, strategies, calibration, everyday trances. I practised at work, even though it felt uncomfortable; I struck up conversations with Martha and some of the others and watched their awkwardness change from wariness to a kind of reserved acceptance. It was undeniably fascinating. It worked, and the more I put into it, the more my confidence grew.
Annabel
When I opened my eyes again he wasn’t there. I expected to feel something but there was nothing. I wasn’t afraid.
Time was passing because when I opened my eyes the next time it was daylight, and then it was dark again. Six pm had happened twice. I had answered the black phone and listened and spoken, although I couldn’t remember what about.
My mouth was dry, sticky, uncomfortable. That was the only thing that bothered me. And then even that passed.
The phone was by the bed. I plugged it in to charge, as he told me to.
I felt as if I was waiting for something.
When it comes I will know it, I thought. I will greet it, like an old friend.
Colin
I take my responsibilities very seriously, although I must admit to being distracted since the newspaper article I read on Friday.
I stayed in most of Saturday, only venturing out after dark, and then only making one visit. After Friday’s trip to the house in Newmarket Street I resolved to leave her in peace until she transforms properly. It’s no fun being interrupted by the living. Instead I made my way to see Maggie. I often think she will be the very last to be found, which is ironic in a way because she was clearly the most wealthy person I’ve spent time with. You would think her friends and family would show her more respect, when she clearly has a lot to offer them. But as yet, months down the line, she is continuing her transformation uninterrupted. Her house is beautiful, and the rural setting means the scent is unlikely to disturb the neighbours as it often does in the urban areas.
I usually pay her a visit at weekends, and sometimes during the day, because I’ve never seen a soul down this road and I don’t worry quite so much about being seen. You’d think I wouldn’t worry about being seen, wouldn’t you? But really I’m quite a private person. If you met me in the street I dare say you would not be unduly worried by my presence, and that’s as it should be. Nevertheless, I do prefer not to be noticed.
You want to know what I do, on these visits? I thought you might.
I spend time observing the changes that have taken place since my last visit. I make notes, but more frequently this happens at home afterwards. I take pictures with my digital camera, which I then examine further, catalogue, and store when I get home. After a while, when I have noted everything I wish to note, I spend some time just sitting with them, watching them. I am always careful never to disturb anything in the environment, never to leave anything of myself behind.
I have to say with many of them the thrill is not as it once was. The excitement which was once