Коллекционер

           Itfinallytendayslaterhappenedasitsometimesdoeswithbutterflies.Imeanyougotoaplacewhereyouknowyoumayseesomethingrareandyoudon’t,butthenexttimenotlookingforityouseeitonaflowerrightinfrontofyou,handedtoyouonaplate,astheysay.

           ThisnightIwasoutsidethetubeasusualwiththevanupasidestreet.Ithadbeenafinedaybutclose;anditcameontothunderandrain.Iwasstandinginthedoorwayofashopoppositetheexit,andIsawhercomeupthestepsjustasitwasteeming.Isawshehadnoraincoat,onlyajumper.Soonsheranroundthecornerintothemainpartofthestation.Icrossed,therewereamassofpeoplemillingabout.Shewasinatelephonebox.Thenshecameoutandinsteadofgoingupthehilllikesheusuallydidshewentalonganotherstreet.Ifollowedher,Ithoughtitwasnogood,Icouldn’tunderstandwhatshewasdoing.Thenshesuddenlyshotupasideroadandtherewasacinemaandshewentin.Isawwhatitwas,shehadrungupwhereshelivedtosayitwasraininghardandshewasgoinginthecinematowaitforittoclearup.Iknewitwasmychance,unlesssomeonecametomeether.Whenshehadgonein,Iwentandsawhowlongtheprogrammelasted.Itwastwohours.Itookarisk,perhapsIwantedtogivefateachancetostopme.Iwentintoacafeandhadmysupper.ThenIwenttomyvanandparkedwhereIcouldseethecinema.Ididn’tknowwhattoexpect,perhapsshewasmeetingafriend.ImeanIfeltIwasswepton,likedownrapids,Imighthitsomething,Imightgetthrough.

           Shecameoutalone,exactlytwohourslater,ithadstoppedrainingmoreorlessanditwasalmostdark,theskyovercast.Iwatchedhergobacktheusualwayupthehill.ThenIdroveoffpasthertoaplaceIknewshemustpass.Itwaswheretheroadshelivedincurvedupawayfromanotherone.