1984

           Shespokeasthoughherheartwerefluttering.Shehadcertainlyturnedverypale. 

           ‘Youhaven’tbrokenanything?’ 

           ‘No,I’mallright. Ithurtforamoment,that’sall.’ 

           Sheheldoutherfreehandtohim,andhehelpedherup. Shehadregainedsomeofhercolour,andappearedverymuchbetter. 

           ‘It’snothing,’sherepeatedshortly. ‘Ionlygavemywristabitofabang.Thanks,comrade!’ 

           Andwiththatshewalkedoninthedirectioninwhichshehadbeengoing,asbrisklyasthoughithadreallybeennothing. Thewholeincidentcouldnothavetakenasmuchashalfaminute. Nottoletone’sfeelingsappearinone’sfacewasahabitthathadacquiredthestatusofaninstinct,andinanycasetheyhadbeenstandingstraightinfrontofatelescreenwhenthethinghappened. Neverthelessithadbeenverydifficultnottobetrayamomentarysurprise,forinthetwoorthreesecondswhilehewashelpingherupthegirlhadslippedsomethingintohishand. Therewasnoquestionthatshehaddoneitintentionally.Itwassomethingsmallandflat. Ashepassedthroughthelavatorydoorhetransferredittohispocketandfeltitwiththetipsofhisfingers. Itwasascrapofpaperfoldedintoasquare. 

           Whilehestoodattheurinalhemanaged,withalittlemorefingering,togetitunfolded. Obviouslytheremustbeamessageofsomekindwrittenonit. Foramomenthewastemptedtotakeitintooneofthewater-closetsandreaditatonce. Butthatwouldbeshockingfolly,ashewellknew. Therewasnoplacewhereyoucouldbemorecertainthatthetelescreenswerewatchedcontinuously.