Escape Into Space by E. C. Tubb

Author:E. C. Tubb [Tubb, E. C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780575107588
Publisher: Orion
Published: 2011-09-29T07:00:00+00:00

Adrienne was busy in the computer room. She looked up as Doris entered, a crease between her eyes, her red hair showing need of attention. The chemist looked at her then shook her head. For a girl who is chasing a man,’ she said. ‘You certainly aren’t trying.’

‘Don’t be a fool!’

‘Why say that? Have you opted out of the human race?’

‘I’m busy,’ snapped Adrienne. ‘What do you want?’

‘The chance to talk to another woman.’ Doris deliberately took a seat. ‘Knock off for ten minutes,’ she suggested. ‘The world will last that long.’

‘Look,’ said Adrienne tensely. ‘You may have nothing to do but I have. Now why don’t you go away and let me get on with it?’

‘Get on with what? Talking to your boyfriend?’ Doris nodded towards the computer. ‘That’s what that thing has become, you know. You’re never around. You never go anywhere, talk to anyone. You spend all your time cooped up in here talking to our ex-pilot. Do you think that’s the smart way to catch yourself a man?’

‘I don’t want a man.’

‘You’re a liar,’ said Doris calmly. ‘Every woman who is a woman wants a man. And I know the man you want. Why don’t you do something about it?’

‘Why don’t you mind your own business?’

‘This is my business. I’m not worried so much about you,’ confessed Doris. ‘It’s the captain I’m thinking about. Have you seen him lately? Call him a bundle of nerves and you’d be flattering. The man’s eaten up with worry. Damn it, Adrienne! Even you know that all work and no play is the short route to a nervous breakdown. Why don’t you give him a break?’

‘Listen,’ said Adrienne tightly. ‘In the first place you don’t know what you’re talking about. In the second place you’re about as wrong as you can be. And in the third place—’ She broke off, unable to mention that time during the trip when she’d had his door closed in her face. Never again, she told herself. Once is enough to be made to feel like dirt. To be rejected. To have what you offer thrown back in your face. I wouldn’t do it again if his life depended on it. Or my life. ‘Forget it,’ she said. ‘Forget the whole thing. Be satisfied with the happiness you have without trying to give it to everyone else.’

‘I am happy,’ admitted Doris. ‘Happier than I’ve ever been before. Fred’s a good man.’

Adrienne didn’t comment.

‘All right,’ said Doris. ‘I’ve said what I came here to say. Now let’s talk about something else.’ She looked at the panel of the computer. ‘What’s old tin-head got to say that’s interesting?’

‘Quite a lot.’ Adrienne accepted the change of subject at its face value. ‘I’ve been running some checks,’ she explained. ‘Analogues of probable situations so as to determine their logical outcome. Some of the results aren’t very encouraging.’

‘Such as?’

‘The supply of oral contraceptives can’t last forever. Can you make more?’

‘Sure. Given the equipment and the time.’

‘And if you should die?’

‘Why should I die?’

‘You could be killed by accident, a hopper, anything.

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