The Panda Theory by Pascal Garnier Read Free Book Online Page B

that had been heading straight for them. He hadn’t been scared. He was ready. He had been ready for a long time.
    ‘I’m sorry, Gabriel. I almost ran us off the road back there.’
    ‘It’s okay. It’s okay.’
    We’ve already spun off the road, floundering and sinking, endlessly bailing out water.
    ‘Would you like me to drive?’
    ‘Yes, please. I’m a wreck.’
    The town unfolded before them through the rain like a Japanese paper flower. It shone, unfurling into the most unlikely shapes, spreading out like an ink stain on a sheet of blotting paper.
    For the panda everything was for the best in the best of all possible worlds. It was as happy to see the two men return as it had been to see them leave. It’s only trick was to keep its arms open. It held nothing and retained nothing. Take it or leave it, it was all the same to him.
    ‘I don’t think I’m going to open.’
    ‘Best not. Anyway, it’s already late. Do you want me to make you something to eat?’
    ‘No.’
    ‘How about a little soup? Something small. You could have it in front of the TV.’
    ‘Okay then.’
    Leek and potato soup was the best thing for any man who was close to the edge.
    ‘All you have to do is heat it up. I’ve put some butter in it.’
    ‘Thank you.’
    On the television, two football teams, the reds and the blues, battled it out. José had sunk so low on the couch he had become part of it.
    ‘Who are you supporting?’
    ‘I don’t care. Whoever’s winning.’
    ‘Do you want me to stay?’
    ‘No. I’d rather be by myself. Don’t be offended.’
    ‘Of course not. I understand. I’ll see you tomorrow.’
    ‘Yes, tomorrow.’
    Gabriel shook José’s hand. It weighed the same as a large steak.
     

     
     
    ‘I was afraid you’d left.’
    ‘I was about to.’
    Madeleine looked exactly as she had done that morning, as though she had spent all day under glass, waiting for evening to come.
    ‘What are you doing tonight? Would you like to go for a bite to eat?’
    ‘Where? At mine?’
    ‘No, I haven’t had the time to … What about the Chinese? Or the Italian?’
    ‘Let’s try the Chinese.’
    They unconsciously fell into step together, arm in arm, left, right, left, right. They looked like an old couple. The rain fell like musical notes onto Madeleine’s umbrella.
    ‘How was your day?’ she asked.
    ‘Very strange. Do you like children?’
    ‘Of course, well, you know, like everyone does. Why do you ask?’
    ‘I was playing with some children today, a little boy and girl. They reminded me of stowaways on a ship. They make the most of their size and stay out of sight, but I think they want to take us over. They’re clever, so very clever! When you play with them, you unwittingly collude in your own downfall. They want to take our place. I saw them the other day at the fair with their elephants, trampling everything in their way.’
    ‘Gabriel! You can’t say that! You were that age once as well.’
    ‘But not like them. I never picked up a saxophone and played it just like that when I was five.’
    ‘I don’t understand.’
    ‘It doesn’t matter. Sorry. Ah, is this it?’
    Chinese restaurants in provincial towns are always empty. The Golden Lotus was no different. There were funny rumours about what they put in their food. There were so many spelling mistakes on the menu that they used numbers to help identify what was what. Gabriel put his money on numbers 4, 22 and 16 while Madeleine went for 5, 27 and 12. The Chinese are gamblers by nature, and smile for a living.
    ‘Tea or rosé?’
    ‘Let’s have both.’
    Behind Madeleine, an illuminated waterfall flowed freely between two fluorescent pagodas to striking effect. A voice, thick with a sweet and sour accent, belonging to someone in the back of the restaurant, made Gabriel want to wave a fly swatter about. It made him think of that well-worn line from adventure films: ‘It’s too quiet –something’s up.’ Madeleine leant over the