"Okay." Holman was halfway to her when the knock sounded on the
spaceship door.
"Maybe it's Shandy," Nancy said, partly surprised, partly relieved.
"Maybe. I'll get it."
When Holman opened the door a tall, slender young man, wearing a
conservative suit, stepped out of the darkness and into the light of
the corridor. He had a neat black mustache and was carrying a big bunch
of red and gold forest flowers. "Is Miss Nancy at home?"
"Who are you?" The young man was standing close to him but Holman
didn't move back.
The young man bowed slightly and smiled. "Tell Miss Nancy it's Shandy.
Or better, Mr. Shandy."
"Christ," said Holman, backing now.
Shandy bowed again politely and walked to the door of the kitchen,
knocking on the wall before he entered.
Holman jerked himself together when he heard Nancy gasp, and ran back
to her.
Shandy was sitting in a kitchen chair, his legs crossed. "It's a rather
interesting story, Miss Nancy," he said, smiling evenly.