Air and Fire by Rupert Thomson Read Free Book Online

shadow. They must have been following her, but now they were standing still, fanned out behind her like a bridal train. There was a moment of quiet when only the spit and crackle of the fire could be heard, then they were moving closer, holding out their hands. They were asking for something. They used the same word, over and over again. She did not know it.
    â€˜I’m sorry,’ she said, in her own language. ‘I have nothing.’
    â€˜Sorry,’ they cried, imitating her. ‘Sorry.’
    â€˜Really, I have nothing,’ she said. ‘Look.’ And she held her empty hands away from her sides.
    But she might have been inviting them to admire her, for they clustered round her, touching her dress.
    â€˜Next time,’ she said. ‘Next time I’ll bring you something.’
    â€˜Time,’ they chanted. ‘Time, time.’
    She walked in the direction that would return her to the Mesa del Norte. The children followed her until the road began to climb and then they faltered, let her draw away from them. She did not look back againuntil she reached the hospital. They were still standing at the bottom of the hill, their faces tilted, pale in the darkness.
    Entering the hotel lobby almost blinded her; she had to pause inside the door and let her eyes adjust. The wood floors stretched away, gilded under the electric lights. Minerals glittered in their oblong glass cases. Crimson drapes softened voices to a murmur, though, as she moved forwards, there came a sudden shout of laughter from the lounge. Through the curtained doorway she could see Théo sitting in a circle of their new acquaintances. She recognised the Director’s blue frock-coat.
    â€˜Ah, Madame Valence.’ His short arms convulsed and, with a flurry of elbows, he propelled himself out of his chair. ‘May I present my wife?’
    Madame de Romblay rose from the chair beside him. She was a handsome woman, in her middle-fifties.
    Suzanne took her hand. ‘I’m honoured, Madame.’
    â€˜What a charming creature.’ Madame de Romblay offered her profile as she spoke, the words spilling over her shoulder. They must have been intended for her husband. ‘I do hope that you’re settling in, my dear.’
    â€˜Yes indeed, Madame. Thank you.’
    Madame de Romblay had eyes the colour of tin and a nose that seemed profoundly attracted to her upper lip. When she smiled, her teeth slanted back into her mouth. Suzanne’s first thought was that she had assumed the airs of her husband, though without the underlying humour.
    â€˜And this is Monsieur Castagnet,’ Théo said, moving to her side. ‘He has very kindly offered to assist me in the event of any construction difficulties.’
    â€˜We’re not anticipating a great many of those, Madame.’ Monsieur Castagnet bowed low.
    Suzanne noted the large square face, the amused eyes, the forehead scored with lines. ‘If the two of you are to be working together,’ she said, ‘then I can be perfectly confident of the outcome.’
    Smiling, Monsieur Castagnet bowed again.
    â€˜And now, if you would excuse us,’ Théo said, ‘we really must retire. It has been a long day.’
    He took Suzanne’s arm and ushered her towards the stairs. Once they were alone, he turned to her.
    â€˜Where have you been?’ His voice was hushed, fretful.
    â€˜I went for a walk.’
    â€˜A walk? Where?’
    â€˜Nowhere in particular,’ she said.
    â€˜You didn’t go into the town, I hope.’
    â€˜I walked along the street,’ she said, ‘then down the hill a little way.’ She opened the door that led to their suite and moved beyond him, into the room.
    â€˜There were children,’ she said, removing her gloves. ‘They wanted something, but I didn’t know what. Sweets, I suppose. Or money.’
    â€˜You shouldn’t have gone down there, Suzanne. It’s