Part 29

The escape

There’s a note hanging at the door: "Hello Bette! It is Sunday 7:30 pm. Because your car’s not standing in the entrance I suppose that you have left. An employee of you told me that you have vacation. I was quite worried about you. Please, call me when you’re back, I have to talk to you urgently! Marina"

The answering machine flashes. I put down my pocket, get a glass from the shelve, the bottle from the refrigerator and pour it half-filled. How coward I am, how small and weak. Then I press the button: "Message 1, Friday 8:36 pm." "Hello Marina is calling. It is a pity that you are not at home. I would like to talk to you. Whenever you come home, can you call me back please? Bye." "Message 2, Saturday 10:10 am." "Hello, Marina once more. Where are you or have I forgotten something? Get in touch nevertheless, please." "Message 3, Saturday 9:48 pm." "Bette? Bette? Slowly I can’t believe that you are not there. Is everything okay with you? Can I do something for you? Should I come by? Call me!" "Message 4, Sunday 3:15 pm" "It’s me, your employee was in my bar last night. He said that you have vacation. I hope you haven’t crept away in your flat. I must talk to you urgently. Tonight I’ll come by, okay? See you later." "No more new messages" Just now I come to think that that I could have informed Marina at least. I should have known that she is worried.

"Hello here is Bette." "Thank God. Is everything okay with you?" "Yes, I am doing well." "Where were you the last couple of days?" "That’s a long story. Can we talk tomorrow Marina?" "Yes of course. I have to talk to you, a most important thing!" "Has it time till tomorrow? How would it be if you came by tomorrow evening, we talk then." "Yes, I come round about 9 pm. Rest yourself first and sleep well. See you tomorrow bye." "Bye."

If I didn’t do it now, I will probably never do it. So I sit down at my desk, take the paper and the fountain pen from the drawer and start writing: