Three

           OnSundaymorningRichardtooktheBatmobile-shapedtelephonehehadbeengivenforChristmasseveralyearsearlierbyhisAuntMaudeoutofthedraweratthebottomoftheclosetandpluggeditintothewall.HetriedtelephoningJessica,butwithoutsuccess.Heransweringmachinewasturnedoff,aswashercellularphone.Hesupposedshehadgonebacktoherparents’houseinthecountry,andhehadnodesiretophoneherthere.RichardfoundJessica’sparentsdeeplyintimidating,eachintheirseparateways.Neitherofthemhadentirelyapprovedofhimasafutureson-in-law:infact,hermotherhad,ononeoccasion,mentionedtohimquitecasuallyhowdisappointedtheywerebyRichardandJessica’sengagement,andherconvictionthatJessicacould,ifshewantedto,dosomuchbetter.

           Richard’sownparentswerebothdead.HisfatherhaddiedquitesuddenlywhenRichardwasstillasmallboy,ofaheartattack.Hismotherdiedveryslowlyafterthat,andonceRichardlefthomeshesimplyfadedaway:sixmonthsafterhemovedtoLondonhetookthetrainbackuptoScotland,tospendherlasttwodaysinasmallcountyhospitalsittingbesideherbed.Sometimesshehadknownhim;atothertimesshehadcalledhimbyhisfather’sname.

           Richardsatonhiscouch,andhebrooded.Theeventsoftheprevioustwodaysbecamelessandlessreal,increasinglylesslikely.WhatwasrealwasthemessagethatJessicahadleftonhismachine,tellinghimshedidnotwanttoseehimagain.Heplayedit,andreplayedit,thatSunday,hopingeachtimethatshewouldrelent,thathe’dhearwarmthinhervoice.Heneverdid.

           HethoughtaboutgoingoutandbuyingaSundaypaperbutdecidednotto.