The Lighthouse People Page 4

buying it, so he adds on that little finishing touch just to make us doubt ourselves again. The man is a genius.'

  'Oh.'

  Marinka looked at her friend's uncertain face and shook her head in disbelief. 'Man, I can't believe you fell for it.'

  Teun shrugged in a slightly embarrassed way. 'Yeah, he had me convinced. Maybe I'm a bit more gullible than I thought.'

  'Definitely,' agreed Marinka. She then turned her attention back to the game and gestured towards the pile of cards. 'Can you play? I'm on my last card by the way.'

  Teun looked at the cards he was holding. Another miserable hand. He shook his head.

  Marinka tried not to look too pleased as she placed a king on top of the up-faced queen. 'That's another one to me,' she said in a satisfied tone. 'So… another round, or have you had enough pain?'

  Teun had to laugh at that. 'Your deal,' he said.