The Sleep Room by Tallis F. R

Author:Tallis, F. R. [Tallis, F. R.]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
ISBN: 9780230771901
Publisher: Macmillan
Published: 2013-07-03T23:00:00+00:00

Later that same day, I encountered Maitland in the vestibule. He was carrying a briefcase and I guessed from his ink-stained fingers that he had been writing. We swapped a few remarks about Mr Burgess and then I accompanied Maitland outside. The heath was unusually still. Dusk had decanted pools of darkness into the hollows and even the sea was silent. Maitland opened the nearside door of his car and tossed the briefcase onto the passenger seat. Looking at me across the roof, he said, ‘James, I’d like to propose something. You don’t have to give me an answer now. Obviously, you’ll want to think about it first. The second edition of my textbook was published in the spring, but Churchill-Livingstone are already asking me when they can expect the third. Producing such a comprehensive review of the literature is very time-consuming – too much really for one man. I was wondering, would you be interested in helping out with the next edition? Naturally, you’d be credited. You would be joint-author.’

It was an extraordinary offer.

‘Why, yes, of course I’d be interested.’

‘It’s a considerable undertaking.’

‘Indeed, but I can tell you right now, even after I’ve thought about it, my answer will be yes.’

Maitland walked around the front of the car and said, ‘Excellent.’ Before I could express my gratitude he was behind the steering wheel and the engine had begun to purr. I watched him drive off, and as was his custom he hooted his horn just before the road descended and the Bentley disappeared from view.

I was due to drop in on the sleep room, but instead I ascended the stairs to my apartment and found my copy of Maitland’s textbook in the bureau. Sitting down, I balanced it on my knees and stroked the dust jacket. I formed a mental image of how the cover would appear in future, the simple black font on the pale-blue background: An Introduction to Physical Methods of Treatment in Psychiatry, Third Edition, by Hugh Maitland and James Richardson. Something like an electric charge of excitement seemed to travel up and down my spine. In another few years I could reasonably expect offers of employment from prestigious institutions, early promotion and a much better salary. Life would be very different.

It is a measure of how my feelings towards Jane were deepening that I immediately thought of her. I drifted into a kind of daydream and pictured us living together in London, somewhere genteel, like Hampstead. I saw us ensconced in a spacious mansion flat with tall windows through which the distant city could be seen over tree-tops. I saw us going into town to see films, frequenting jazz clubs and catching the last bus home. And all the while I was conscious of the fact that in this fantasy all of the usual social conventions, such as proposal, engagement and marriage, had already been observed.

I told Jane about Maitland’s proposition and she was very happy for me. ‘How wonderful,’ she said, squeezing my hand.

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