In the Falling Snow by Caryl Phillips

Author:Caryl Phillips
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781409088073
Publisher: Random House

IV

HE SLEEPS LATE, but it is the sound of somebody practically leaning against his doorbell that finally wakes him up. He rubs his eyes and then throws back the covers. Who the hell could it be at this hour? People don’t just drop by unannounced. Well certainly not to his place. When he lived with Annabelle the postman would occasionally call with boxes of manuscripts for her to read, but even he seemed to understand that it was best just to leave things on the doorstep. Stretching out a hand, he picks up the alarm clock, and he is surprised to see that it is now nearly twelve noon. He pulls on his T-shirt and his boxers, before opening the bedroom door and passing into the living room. He crosses the room and looks out, but unless he actually opens the window and leans forward it is impossible to see who is at the door. The sound of the doorbell is still ringing in his ears, and so he drowsily grabs a pair of tracksuit bottoms and then steps into his training shoes without bothering to undo the laces. He lumbers down the stairs and opens the front door, and he immediately recognises the man standing before him as Danuta’s friend, Rolf, but it is difficult to know if the agitated individual is frightened, or slightly crazed. His hair is ruffled and matted, as though he has not slept in days, and his thin khaki anorak is clearly inadequate on such a bitterly cold day.

‘Danuta is gone. Do you know where she is?’

So, the young man has no time for introductions. For a moment he thinks about chastising him, but given the distracted look in Rolf’s eyes he deems it politic to just answer.

‘I saw Danuta maybe three or four days ago. Is she all right?’

‘This is a serious matter.’ Rolf takes a small step forward. He raises a finger. ‘Do you know where she is?’

He now understands that there is no possibility that he will be inviting this hot-tempered man inside, so he makes sure that he can slam the door shut if necessary.

‘I’ve just explained, I haven’t seen Danuta in a while. She told me that she was going to check into a hostel, apparently the same one that she stayed in when she first came to London. Have you tried there?’

‘She spent one night there, but nobody has seen her since then. Did you go somewhere with her?’

‘Go where with her?’ He laughs now. ‘I’m here. I’ve been away, but it had nothing to do with Danuta.’

The man takes another half-step towards him. ‘I come here every day to look for both of you. Because you are a rich man, you think this is funny?’

‘Look, Rolf. It is Rolf, isn’t it? Maybe she’s gone back to Poland. Have you checked with her friends or family back there?’

‘Do you think I am stupid?’

Rolf speaks with an accent that becomes heavier and more difficult to understand the angrier he becomes.

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