Сумерки

           Alice’seyeswereconfused,but-Isawtomyrelief-notsuspicious.Shemustbeattributingthechangeinhervisiontosomemaneuverofthetracker’sratherthanabetrayalbyme.

           Jasperwalkedsilentlybesideme,hishandonthesmallofmyback,asifhewereguidingme.Ipretendedalackofinterestinthefirstfewairportcafes,myheadscanningforwhatIreallywanted.Andthereitwas,aroundthecorner,outofAlice’ssharpsight:thelevel-threeladies’room.

           "Doyoumind?"IaskedJasperaswepassed."I’lljustbeamoment."

           "I’llberighthere,"hesaid.

           Assoonasthedoorshutbehindme,Iwasrunning.IrememberedthetimeIhadgottenlostfromthisbathroom,becauseithadtwoexits.

           Outsidethefardooritwasonlyashortsprinttotheelevators,andifJasperstayedwherehesaidhewould,I’dneverbeinhislineofsight.Ididn’tlookbehindmeasIran.Thiswasmyonlychance,andevenifhesawme,Ihadtokeepgoing.Peoplestared,butIignoredthem.Aroundthecornertheelevatorswerewaiting,andIdashedforward,throwingmyhandbetweentheclosingdoorsofafullelevatorheadeddown.Isqueezedinbesidetheirritatedpassengers,andcheckedtomakesurethatthebuttonforlevelonehadbeenpushed.Itwasalreadylit,andthedoorsclosed.

           AssoonasthedooropenedIwasoffagain,tothesoundofannoyedmurmursbehindme.IslowedmyselfasIpassedthesecurityguardsbytheluggagecarousels,onlytobreakintoarunagainastheexitdoorscameintoview.