Berg by Ann Quin

Author:Ann Quin
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3, pdf
Tags: fiction;literary fiction;classic;British;post-war;women’s literature;experimental;Ian Patterson;Jonathan Coe;Olivia Laing;Jennifer Hodgson;Chloe Aridjis;Tom McCarthy;Lee Rourke;Juliet Jacques;Ben Marcus;Kate Zambreno;Danielle Dutton;Jeremy Davies;Martin Riker;macabre;humour;comic;Oedipal;rage;murder;voyeurism
Publisher: And Other Stories Publishing
Published: 2019-01-08T19:57:34+00:00

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Aware of her mouth creasing into flushed cheeks; the squeaking of cupboard doors, drawers, as Judith trotted about, packing clothes, throwing things haphazardly into cases. Of course she hardly realises the implications, and the fact is she would never admit even to herself that there’s such a thing as a dead man in her room, on her bed, that she’s about to run off with a murderer. To her it’s all a myth. How adaptable women are—practical? No, just irrational to suit their needs, that paradoxical fascination for their anarchy of destruction, yet retaining an air of complete innocence. He almost relished in being with Judith in such a situation, swept along in the attitude she had adopted, more than by his own sense of justification in what he had done. Yet if he unrolled the rug—but crouching right on top—a dog guarding its mistress’s treasure: Judith’s hat.

I won’t be long now Aly, why on earth you didn’t tell me in the first place, I can’t understand, I mean how you really felt about us, about me. Though I should have guessed all along. Berg trailed two fingers through the dust along the window ledge, while Judith continued patting down some blouses, pulling out cardigans, banging cupboard doors. Of course I knew there was something between us right from the start, that wicked look you used to give me on the stairs, but I must say this, you were always so subtle, the way you used to brush by, touching me so gently just here, yes right here with your elbow, of course you did, no use denying that now. And you know something it always gave me that funny feeling, I mean when Nathy and I used to pass you then get back here well we’d go straight to bed and I’d think of you, wondering what you would be like. Have you had many women Aly? Oh I just wondered, it’s one of those things you know that’s interesting, not that I go in for statistics in the way of counting one’s lovers. Oh Lor’ I’m sorry, have I hurt you Aly? Aly there now, what is it? You are a funny chap. Oh dear I nearly trod on it, I mean him. Of course he’s very possessive, I mean was possessive, I couldn’t even look one-eyed at another man and he’d threaten to slit the poor chap’s throat.

Berg opened the window. The rain had stopped, an orange haze lifted the stark trees and roofs out of their usual greyness. He felt Judith’s arms encircle him, rubbing his chest, up and down. He rested his head against her, felt her intake of breath. Such acceptance, complete lack of conscience, the sudden transfer of affections, without apparently having their emotional side-effects! Here amongst such softness could there be a centre of real hardness, a steel badge of indifference? As if in her I find a beginning of my own sense of betrayal. That’s only because he’s not round the next corner, or outside the door, or mounting stairs, the knife ready to slit my throat.

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