A Pale View of Hills by Kazuo Ishiguro Read Free Book Online Page A

areas of England where, Niki insists, I will find the real countryside. Nevertheless, there is a calni and quietness about these lanes I have come to appreciate over the years.
    When we arrived at the village I took Niki to the tea shop where I sometimes go. The village is small, just a few hotels and shops; the tea shop is on a street corner, upstairs above a bakery. That afternoon, Niki and t sat at a table next to the windows, and it was from there we watched the little girl playing in the park below. As we watched, she climbed on to a swing and called out towards two women sithng together on a bench nearby. She was a cheerful little girl, dressed in a green mackintosh and small Wellington boots,
    “Perhaps you’ll get married and have children soon," I said. “I miss little children.”
    “I can’t think of anything I’d like less,” said Niki.
    “Well, I suppose you’re still rather young.”
    “It’s nothing to do with how young or old I am. I just don’t feel like having a Lot of kids screaming around me.”
    “Don’t worry, Niki,” I said, with a laugh. “I wasn’t insisting you became a mother just yet. I had this passing fancy just now to be a grandmother, that’s all. I thought perhaps you’d oblige, but it can wait.”
    The little girl, standing on the seat of the swing, was pulling hard on the chains, but somehow she could not make the swing go higher. She smiled anyway and called out again to the women.
    “A friend of mine’s just had a baby,” Niki said. “She’s really pleased. I can’t think why. Horrible screaming thing she’s produced.”
    “Well, at least she’s happy. How old is your friend?”
    “Nineteen.”
    “Nineteen? She’s even younger than you are. Is she married?”
    “No. What difference does that make?”
    “But surely she can’t be happy about it.”
    “Why not? Just because she isn’t married?"
    “There’s that. And the fact that she’s only nineteen. I can’t believe she was happy about it”
    “What difference does it make whether she’s married?.
    She wanted it, she planned it and everything."
    “Is that what she told you?”
    “But, Mother, I know her, she’s a friend of mine. I know she wanted it.”
    The women on the bench got to their feet. One of them called to the little girl. She came of the swing and went pinning towards the women,
    “And what about the father?” tasked.
    He was happy about it too. I remember when they first found out. We alt went out to celebrate.”
    “But people always pretend to be delighted. It’s like that film we saw on the television last night.”
    “What film?”
    “I expect you weren’t watching it. You were reading your magazine.”
    “Oh that, It looked awful.”
    It certainly was. But that’s what I mean. I’m sure nobody ever receives the news of a baby like these people do in these films.”
    “Honestly, Mother, I don’t know how you can sit and watch rubbish like that. You hardly used to watch television at all. I remember you used to keep telling me off because I watched it so much”
    I laughed. “You see how our roles are reversing, Niki. I’m sure you’re very good for me. You must stop me wasting my time away like that.”
    As we made our way back from the tea shop, the sky had clouded over ominously and the drizzle had become heavier. We had walked a little way past the small railway station when a voice called from behind us: “Mrs. Sheringham! Mrs. Sheringham!”
    I turned and saw a small woman in an overcoat hurrying up the road.
    “I thought it was you,” she said, catching up with us.
    “And how have you been keeping?" She gave me a cheerful smile.
    Hello, Mrs. Waters,” I said. “How nice to see you again.”
    “Seems to have turned all miserable again, hasn’t it? Why, hello, Keiko”—she touched Niki’s sleeve—“I didn’t realize it was you”
    “No," I said hurriedly, “this is Niki.”
    “Niki, of course. Good gracious, you’ve completely grown up, dear.