«Why?» His trousers swelled with the effort, and he lowered himself to her thighs, covering her again with kisses that she clearly liked, his fingers brushing her ankles.

«Do you know what my father will do to me?»she asked in a trembling voice, looking down at Shulman.

He knew what her father would do to him, but for some reason he was drawn to her even more. Forbidden fruit is sweet.

«He won't find out, will he? If you don't tell him, he won't know anything, right?»

Lily nodded uncertainly, meeting his gaze with a mixture of shame and interest. Let's just say it was a routine lice check. And they tested not only Thomas, but also Lily, a Tough nut to crack, if I may say so, who knows her own worth and is afraid of her father. Tom wasn't going to take her just like that, in some hotel, in some room, on some couch. First she must become a Jew, which is why they are going to Jerusalem. And then they will see.

«No offense, but I can't,» she said, her voice trembling with emotion, and Lily swallowed a few words and got up to leave.

«I won't be offended.»

His hands opened and he released her, forcing her to jump over the edge of the sofa, head for the bedroom, and dive into bed with a relieved smile.

Territory of Jerusalem

Thomas and Lily arrived at the hotel almost in the evening. Entering a large and spacious bedroom, Tom washed and straightened his hair, noticing a girl lying on her stomach, leafing through a Jewish magazine. Her smooth back and natural curves beckoned to him. He leaned over her, kissing the sticky, salty skin of her shoulders, pressing her against the bed.

«What does it say?»

Oh, those girlish things to distract him. Tom reluctantly looks up from the soft skin, trying to make out the text, but his eyes see nothing.

«Well… it says here that every girl, even if not a Jew, who arrives in the Holy city, must enter the waters of the Mikvah to be purified spiritually and gain strength, « Shulman lied, preparing the Lily for tomorrow's event, continuing to stand in a semicircle, returning his lips to her body.»

«And why?» Lily exclaimed in a strangled voice, cringing at his caresses and smiling sheepishly.

«What is this stupid habit of asking me ten times»

«I just told you, honey, to be clean and strong. I'm going swimming tomorrow, too.»

His lips explored every unbridled inch of her smooth skin, and his ears caressed her sighs.

«You're as heavy as an elephant!» she hissed, trying to throw Thomas off her.

«Great pose, if I decide to take it by force, I will not turn away!» the Jew thought.

«But you can't run away…» Shulman said, getting to his feet and giving Lily his hand. She looked at him and smiled sweetly.

They had dinner at a restaurant where Thomas was finally able to enjoy traditional Jewish cuisine again. Small and cosy tables by the window, pastel colours, soft music and no clinking of freaking forks, like in a cheap Jewish eatery in London. Food is prepared strictly in accordance with kashrut. No stinking blood in the meat, no fucking dogs, cats, pigs or rabbits. No more fucking cancer. Only kosher food fills the soul.

«Don't boil a kid in its mother's milk, don't mix one with the other. Everything is fine, and everything is as it likes.»

Lily picked at the fish without much appetite, glancing at Thomas from time to time, her face propped on her fist. It was interesting to watch her as she straightened a short lock of hair and gazed thoughtfully out of the window. It's hard not to admire her simple beauty. But Shulman could tell from her pretty face that something was bothering her. Thomas pushed his plate away.

«Are you feeling ill after the flight?»

Lily shook her head violently, twirling her fork in her hand and trying to find the right words. Thomas already had a rough idea of the subject. She must have touched her sweet spot, which made Lily shiver, afraid that he would snap and do something stupid.

«Tom, I know this isn't going to be a thank-you trip for me.»

«You got it right....»

Shulman frowned, waiting for more.

«And I don't want to pay you with my body.»

«Ha, funny! Did I ask you to do this?»

She got lost, dropping her fork, and stooped to pick it up, knocking over a glass of juice that ran across the table, trickling into her lap. Everyone turned at the clatter of dishes. Tom stood up, suppressing a smile, and held out a napkin to help her dry her dress. Lily's face was flushed and her eyes twitched like a toy watch. That's how she got caught in the Jewish immodest network.

«The mothballs stereotype is to save yourself for one person, but I support it and, moreover, respect it.» Shulman said, returning to his food.

They didn't mention it again, leaving a stain on her dress. Thomas had woken her up early in the morning with a kiss on her cheek, so warm and soft from sleep, with little stripes on the rumpled sheet.

«Why so early?» Lily asked, looking first at Tom and then at the clock with her eyes half closed.

«Because time is short, and there are a lot of places to visit. We'll sleep in London, dear.»

The girl muttered something unintelligible as she got out of bed and adjusted her short nightgown.

«Go take a shower and put on a light dress. Take dry clothes with you.»

«Take another shower? I only washed my face six hours ago.»

Tom smiled at Lily.

«Just do what I say, Okay?»

Lily stuck out her tongue at him, and Tom turned away when she saw the grimace in the mirror. He got up two hours ago, washed his face, combed his hair, had a Cup of coffee, called the pub and gave everyone a good thrashing.

An hour later they arrived at the mikveh, where Tom had already met some rabbis of his acquaintance, one of whom was the Jew's great-uncle, and had once circumcised him when He was a child, coming to London for the purpose. They had a great relationship. Thomas's uncle, Mr. David Hagit, always helped his mother by sending money and food, of which there was so little. Tom described Lily's situation to him, assuring the chief Rabbi that she was sincerely willing to accept the faith for good purposes.

«Thomas, my boy, are you sure this girl is really ready to go through the Gur? If it's not from the heart, then she and you may be in trouble. Very big trouble!»

«I don't doubt it. She's ready.»

Tom lied again and didn't even blink. Of course, she wasn't ready, and moreover, she didn't even know what would happen to her when she descended into the sacred waters. Less knows, better sleepmos.Thomas wanted it with all his heart.

After passing the Giyur, his non-Jew will one day become a full member of the Jewish people. Her conversion to Judaism will mean merging with the Jews, and most importantly-with Shulman, as well as accepting the commandments that he will teach her to fulfil. Yes, of course, for Lily this should be an independent process and an independent decision that will have to wait for years. As you know, Thomas didn't like to wait, and he didn't want to. He also hoped that after this procedure, he and Lily would become one, or «one person with one heart. Tom took the girl by the hand and led her to his uncle and the other rabbis, showing them her feminine beauty. They definitely saw her as pure, pure, and full of potential. Thomas and Lily entered a small brick building that was light and warm enough. Behind the wall was a reservoir of natural, clean water that collected after rain only by gravity, without any pumps or other conventional systems. Tom placed a towel and a dry dress on a small carved wooden bench, helping Lily remove the chain and cross.

«Listen to me,» Shulman said, moving closer to her face, «listen to me very carefully. You're going to go into that room, undress, and take three dips in the water, right? Then you can get dressed and come here.»