Коллекционер

           Ididn’tsayanything,Icouldn’tlookather.

           "You’vegonetoalotoftrouble.Allthoseclothesinthere,alltheseartbooks.Iaddeduptheircostthisafternoon.Forty-threepounds."Itwaslikeshewastalkingtoherself."I’myourprisoner,butyouwantmetobeahappyprisoner.Sotherearetwopossibilities:you’reholdingmetoransom,you’reinagangorsomething."

           I’mnot.Itoldyou.

           "YouknowwhoIam.Youmustknowmyfather’snotrichoranything.Soitcan’tberansom."

           Itwasuncanny,hearingherthinkitout.

           "Theonlyotherthingissex.Youwanttodosomethingtome."Shewaswatchingme.

           Itwasaquestion.Itshockedme.

           It’snotthatatall.Ishallhaveallproperrespect.I’mnotthatsort.Isoundedquitecurt.

           "Thenyoumustbemad,"shesaid."Inanicekindway,ofcourse."

           "YouadmitthattheMr.Singletonstoryisnottrue?"

           Iwantedtobreakitgently,Isaid.

           "Breakwhat?"sheasked."Rape?Murder?"

           Ineversaidthat,Ianswered.Shealwaysseemedtogetmeonthedefensive.Inmydreamsitwasalwaystheotherwayround.