Коллекционер

           He’llbecoming.Iexpect.

           Shesaidnothingforaminute.Thenshesuddenlylookedasifshe’dthoughtofsomethingnasty,whatIsaidmightbetruesortofthing.

           "Ofcourse.ThismustbehishouseinSuffolk."

           Yes,Isaid,thinkingIwasclever.

           "Hehasn’tgotahouseinSuffolk,"shesaid,allcold.

           Youdon’tknow,Isaid.Butitsoundedfeeble.

           ShewasgoingtospeakbutIfeltIhadtostopherquestions,Ididn’tknowshewassosharp.Notlikenormalpeople.

           Icametoaskyouwhatyou’dlikeforbreakfast,there’scereal,eggs,etcetera.

           "Idon’twantanybreakfast,"shesaid."Thishorridlittleroom.Andthatanaesthetic.Whatwasit?"

           Ididn’tknowitwouldmakeyousick.Really.

           "Mr.Singletonshouldhavetoldyou."Youcouldseeshedidn’tbelieveitabouthim.Shewasbeingsarcastic.

           Isaidinahurry,wouldyouliketeaorcoffeeandshesaidcoffee,ifyoudrinksomefirst,sowiththatIleftherandwentouttotheoutercellar.JustbeforeIshutthedoorshesaid,"You’veforgottenyourlighter."

           I’vegotanother.(Ihadn’t.)

           "Thankyou,"shesaid.Itwasfunny,shealmostsmiled.