Love in Lowercase by Francesc Miralles Read Free Book Online Page A

myself away until the following day.
    â€”
    When I walked through the door, I saw that my answering machine was flashing. There were two messages. I pressed the PLAY button.
    â€œGood morning,” said a man’s voice. “My name is Paco Liñán, and I’m calling about the cat. I’d like to see it before I make up my mind. My phone number is . . .”
    I deleted the message. I’d decided that the cat wasn’t going anywhere. Mishima, strutting around the living room, his tail held high, seemed to know that already.
    â€œHello,” said the second message. “This is the vet speaking. Since you haven’t brought the cat in yet, I thought I’d phone you to remind you about the vaccinations. If you come, I won’t charge you for the visit.
Ciao
.”
    Good girl
.
We might yet have that hot chocolate and those ladyfingers together
.
    I took the vegetables out of the fridge and set them out on the kitchen counter.
Oops, we have a problem
.
One onion isn’t enough
. Unfortunately, onion soup can’t be short of onions.
    I went upstairs to ask Titus if I could borrow one or two from him. I rang the bell, but this time the door didn’t unlock with a buzz. I rang again. Silence.
    I noticed a piece of paper sticking out from under the door. I immediately knew that the note was for me and that it wasn’t good news.
    Samuel, they’ve taken me to the Hospital Clinic. I need help urgently, and you’re the only one who can provide it.

The Assignment
    I had forgotten the hospital was such a labyrinthine and Kafkaesque place, full of dismal corridors and flickering neon lights. It took me half an hour to find the room that Titus shared with an old man with one foot in the grave.
    When he saw me, he raised his hand with a smile. Unshaven, wearing green pajamas, Titus seemed to have aged ten years in one day. Seeing him in such a sorry state, with a drip in his arm, filled me with sadness. I tried to counter that feeling using Titus’s own magic formula.
    â€œSo you’ve decided to take it easy at last. But this hotel doesn’t have many stars.”
    â€œStop it. I’ve had a bout of angina, but I’m not going to die just yet. I’m glad you’ve come.”
    A buxom nurse came in to attend to his roommate.
    â€œYou’ve got everything here,” I joked. “Why did you say that I was the only one who could help you?”
    â€œWhat I have to ask you has nothing to do with the hospital. It’s a much more serious matter.”
    I sat down beside him.
    â€œYou know I make my living as an editor,” he went on. “Ican’t slack off, even if I’m locked up here. They’re saying I’ll have to stay at least three weeks because there’s a risk I may have another attack.”
    â€œThen you’ll have to rest, no? If you need money, I can—”
    â€œThank you, but it’s not about money,” he interrupted. “It’s about how I can get out of this mess. At my age, I can’t fail to deliver. If I do, the publishers will give me the boot.”
    â€œI don’t understand.”
    â€œYou soon will. Two days ago I was sent a job by a pigheaded publisher. He’s one of those people who won’t tolerate delays. If he discovers that I’m ill, he’ll find another editor, and I won’t be asked again. I want him to keep sending me work when I get out of here.”
    â€œWhat have I got to do with all this? Do you want me to talk to him and tell him about your situation?”
    â€œNo! That’s exactly what must be avoided. He must think that I’m working and that I’m going to meet the deadline. This is the first job in a batch of three, you see. If I don’t deliver on time, I won’t be asked again.”
    â€œI can’t see how—”
    â€œI’m asking you to take on the job for me, Samuel.”
    â€œWhat? You mean