The Hatter's Ghosts by Georges Simenon

Author:Georges Simenon [Simenon, Georges]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780141998886
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Published: 2022-09-02T00:00:00+00:00

6

He made all the right moves, forgetting nothing. But more and more often he would come to a halt, as if in a trance, and look around him, anxiously at first, then with a sad frown. On one occasion, Valentin had tried to help him.

‘Have you forgotten something?’

Monsieur Labbé had looked at him like someone looking at a human from outside the planet, not bothering to reply, just shrugging his shoulders slightly. A few seconds later, contact had been re-established. Once again knowing what he had to do, he had walked to the cupboard at the back, the one that was locked, and pulled the string.

On Tuesday morning, he was pale, his face blurred, his eyelids red. It had been a long time since he had last drunk the way he had drunk the previous night, and his head was empty, his fingers shook as he shaved himself.

The absurd thing was that, of the two, it was the little tailor who was really ill. Was it serious? Monsieur Labbé had no way of knowing yet. From the slightest comings and goings in the house, he guessed that something unusual was happening. Madame Kachoudas had been the first to appear. Then, much earlier than usual, Esther had come out of the kitchen fully dressed.

It is curious to see how easily a household takes on an air of disaster as soon as its rituals are disturbed. The girl had come downstairs, spent a while unbolting the shop door, then set off along the street.

There was a slippery film of hoarfrost on the cobbles that morning. How had Monsieur Labbé immediately realized that she was going to the pharmacy? Probably because only illness or death can stop men like Kachoudas from being at their post.

His wife hurried the little girls as they dressed for school. Esther had to try several pharmacies before she found one that was open. When she came back, she had a package in her hand, and as she climbed the stairs, Kachoudas appeared in the workshop despite his wife’s protests. He was in his slippers, with an old pair of trousers, an old jacket over his nightshirt and a black shawl of his wife’s around his neck. He clearly had a fever, and from the way his lips moved, it was obvious, even from across the street, that he had lost his voice.

The pharmacist’s packet was unwrapped, while Esther explained everything at great length. Madame Kachoudas put the newly bought thermometer in her husband’s mouth and deciphered the instructions on a bottle and on a little box. The patient was helped on with his overcoat, not because he wanted to go out, but because, even though the stove had been lit, he was starting to shiver.

The three of them looked solemn as they examined the thermometer. Then there was a bit of an argument. They were probably suggesting that the doctor be called and Kachoudas was firmly refusing. Esther left for work. Her mother led the two little girls down to the street and they set off for school, holding hands.

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