Out of the Shelter by David Lodge

Author:David Lodge
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781446496725
Publisher: Random House
Published: 2017-03-25T16:00:00+00:00

2

DON HAD SUGGESTED taking Timothy and Kate to one of the old inns where the Heidelberg students congregated, and they had made a date for Monday after the weekend at Baden. But when Kate came in from work she said:

– Would you mind very much going with Don on your own this evening? I feel absolutely done in after the weekend. And all that talking last night

– It won’t be much fun without you, he said doubtfully.

– And it won’t be much fun with me, I’ve got a splitting headache.

– Have a shower – you’ll feel better.

She grinned wearily at him.

– You’ve become a Shower enthusiast already. What did you do with yourself today?

Timothy showed her his drawing of the Old Bridge.

– Why, that’s beautiful, Timothy! Can I add it to my collection?

– I thought I’d send it to Mum and Dad. I’ll do you another one. Kate, Don is borrowing a car tonight, specially.

– Is he? Who from?

– Some friend in the Army. He’ll be disappointed if you don’t come.

She considered, sighed.

– Oh, all right.

The car that Don had borrowed was a battered Volkswagen. It seemed cramped and noisy after the cars Timothy had been riding in lately. When the engine was going, conversation was hardly possible. Fortunately they didn’t have to drive very far. Don took them first to a floating restaurant, on a boat moored near the New Bridge. Timothy had often seen it, lit up at night, looking down from the terrace of the Molkenkur, and had asked Kate about it. Looks pretty, doesn’t it? she had said. But I’m told the food’s not terribly good. Germans go there mostly.

– Well, doesn’t this look pretty, she said, as they drew up and Don hopped out of the car to open the door for her. All these lights and the water. I’ve always wanted to come here.

Timothy hoped Don could not detect the note of insincerity in her voice, or the speculative sniff she gave as they seated themselves on the deck. There was a bit of a pong coming off the murky water. When Don quipped Fresh from the river! as he filled their water glasses, the joke was a little too close for comfort, and he noticed that Kate didn’t drink any of hers.

Timothy didn’t enjoy the meal very much, partly because the food wasn’t particularly good, but more because he felt somehow responsible for the social success of the evening. Conversation was sticky at first. After they had tried one or two fruitless topics – gambling, in which Don wasn’t interested, and politics, in which Kate wasn’t – they got onto the pros and cons of life in Europe and America.

–What about California, Don? said Kate. Did you say your family had moved there?

– Yes, but I’ve never been. They seem to like it, especially the climate.

– It sounds like the Mediterranean with all mod. cons., said Kate. If I ever emigrate to America, I think I’ll go to California.

– Is that what you plan to do? said Don.

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