1984

           Eventhelunaticprojectofrentingtheroomupstairsflashedmomentarilythroughhismindagain. Forperhapsfivesecondsexaltationmadehimcareless,andhesteppedoutontothepavementwithoutsomuchasapreliminaryglancethroughthewindow. Hehadevenstartedhummingtoanimprovisedtune 

           Orangesandlemons,saythebellsofStClement’s, 

           Youowemethreefarthings,saythe—— 

           Suddenlyhisheartseemedtoturntoiceandhisbowelstowater. Afigureinblueoverallswascomingdownthepavement,nottenmetresaway. ItwasthegirlfromtheFictionDepartment,thegirlwithdarkhair.Thelightwasfailing,buttherewasnodifficultyinrecognizingher. Shelookedhimstraightintheface,thenwalkedquicklyonasthoughshehadnotseenhim. 

           ForafewsecondsWinstonwastooparalysedtomove. Thenheturnedtotherightandwalkedheavilyaway,notnoticingforthemomentthathewasgoinginthewrongdirection. Atanyrate,onequestionwassettled. Therewasnodoubtinganylongerthatthegirlwasspyingonhim. Shemusthavefollowedhimhere,becauseitwasnotcrediblethatbypurechancesheshouldhavehappenedtobewalkingonthesameeveningupthesameobscurebackstreet,kilometresdistantfromanyquarterwherePartymemberslived. Itwastoogreatacoincidence. WhethershewasreallyanagentoftheThoughtPolice,orsimplyanamateurspyactuatedbyofficiousness,hardlymattered. Itwasenoughthatshewaswatchinghim. Probablyshehadseenhimgointothepubaswell. 

           Itwasanefforttowalk. Thelumpofglassinhispocketbangedagainsthisthighateachstep,andhewashalfmindedtotakeitoutandthrowitaway.