The Unconsoled by Kazuo Ishiguro

Author:Kazuo Ishiguro [Ishiguro, Kazuo]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fiction, Literary
ISBN: 9780679735878
Google: D9RqfTRyIaEC
Amazon: 0679735879
Publisher: Vintage
Published: 1995-01-02T05:00:00+00:00

'Oh, the coat,' I said, noticing the package she was holding over her arm.

'It's getting chillier, so I brought it along, but he's over at the concert hall and hasn't come back. We've been waiting almost half an hour now. If he isn't back in the next few minutes, we'll have to leave it for today.'

I noticed Boris sitting on a sofa on the other side of the lobby. My view of him was largely obscured by a group of tourists standing in the middle of the floor, but I could see that he was engrossed in the tattered handyman's manual I had bought at the cinema. Sophie followed my gaze and laughed again.

'He's been so absorbed in that book,' she said. 'After you left last night, he was looking at it right up until bed. And then this morning, from the time he got up.' She gave another laugh and looked over towards him again. 'It was such a good idea, to buy it for him.'

'I'm glad he's enjoying it,' I said, turning back to the reception desk. I raised my hand to enquire of the desk clerk what had become of Hoffman, but just then Sophie came a step closer and said in a different voice:

'How much longer are you planning to keep it up? It's really upsetting him, you know.'

I gave her a puzzled look, but she continued to fix me with a severe stare.

'I know things are difficult for you just now,' she went on. 'And I haven't helped much, I realise. But the fact is he's upset and worried by it. How much longer is it going to go on?'

'I'm not sure what you're referring to.'

'Look, I said I realise it's my fault too. What's the point in pretending it's not happening?'

'Pretending what's not happening? I suppose this is that Kim's suggestion, is it? To come to me with all these accusations?'

'As a matter of fact, Kim always says it's best I be much more frank with you. But this time, it's nothing to do with her. I'm bringing this up because… because I can't bear to see Boris worrying like this.'

A little bewildered, I began to turn back to the desk clerk. But before I could attract his attention, Sophie said:

'Look, I'm not accusing you of anything. You've been very understanding about everything. I couldn't ask you to have been more reasonable. You haven't even shouted at me. But I always knew there'd have to be some anger and it's coming out like this.'

I gave a laugh. 'I suppose this is the sort of pop psychology you talk with that Kim, is it?'

'I always knew it,' Sophie continued, ignoring my remark. 'You've been very understanding about everything, more than anyone could ever expect, even Kim admits that. But it was never realistic. We couldn't just go on like this, as though nothing had happened. You're angry. Who can blame you? I always knew it would have to come out somehow. I just never thought it would be like this.

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