The Unconsoled by Kazuo Ishiguro Read Free Book Online

outside and was looking about for a waiter from whom to order some coffee, when I became aware of a voice calling my name.
    Turning, I saw a woman sitting with a young boy waving to me from a nearby table. The pair clearly matched the porter's description and I could not understand how I had failed to notice them earlier. I was a little taken aback, moreover, that they should be expecting me, and it was a moment or two before I waved back and began making my way towards them.
    Although the porter had referred to her as a 'young woman', Sophie was in early middle age, perhaps around forty or so. For all that, she was somewhat more attractive than I had expected. She was quite tall, slimly built and her long dark hair gave her a gypsy-like quality. The boy beside her was a little on the tubby side, and at this moment was regarding his mother with a cross expression.
    'Well?' Sophie was looking up at me with a smile. 'Aren't you going to sit down?'
    'Yes, yes,' I said, realising I had been standing there hesitantly. 'That is, if you don't mind.' I gave the boy a grin, but he just looked back at me with disapproval.
    'Of course we don't mind. Do we, Boris? Boris, say hello to Mr Ryder.'
    'Hello, Boris,' I said seating myself.
    The boy continued to look at me with disapproval. Then he said to his mother: 'Why did you tell him he could sit down? I was just explaining something to you.'
    'This is Mr Ryder, Boris,' Sophie said. 'He's a special friend. Of course he can sit with us if he wants.'
    'But I was explaining to you how the Voyager flew. I knew you weren't listening. You should learn to pay attention.'
    'I'm sorry, Boris,' Sophie said, exchanging a quick smile with me. 'I was trying awfully hard, but all this science is way above my head. Now why don't you say hello to Mr Ryder?'
    Boris looked at me for a moment, then said grumpily: 'Hello.' With that he turned his gaze away from me.
    'Please don't let me be the source of any friction,' I said. 'Please, Boris, continue with what you were just explaining. In fact, I'd be very interested to hear about this aircraft myself.'
    'It's not an aircraft,' Boris said wearily. 'It's a vehicle for going through star systems. But you wouldn't understand any better than Mother.'
    'Oh? How do you know I wouldn't understand? I might have a very scientific mind. You shouldn't judge people so quickly, Boris.'
    He sighed heavily and kept his gaze averted from me. 'You'll be just like Mother,' he said. 'You'd lack concentration.'
    'Now come on, Boris,' Sophie said. 'You should be a little more accommodating. Mr Ryder's a very special friend.'
    'Not only that,' I said, 'I'm a friend of your grandfather.'
    For the first time, Boris regarded me with interest.
    'Oh yes,' I said. 'We've become good friends, your grandfather and I. I'm staying at his hotel.'
    Boris went on studying me carefully.
    'Boris,' Sophie said, 'why don't you say hello nicely to Mr Ryder? You still haven't shown him any manners at all. You don't want him going away thinking you're an ill-mannered young man, do you?'
    Boris went on looking at me a while longer. Then quite suddenly he flopped forward onto the table, burying his head in his arms. At the same time he began to swing his feet about underneath, for I could hear the clanging of his shoes against the metal table leg.
    'I'm sorry,' Sophie said. 'He's been rather moody today.'
    'As a matter of fact,' I said to her quietly, 'there was something I wished to talk to you about. But, er…' I signalled with my eyes towards Boris. Sophie looked at me, then turned to the little boy, saying:
    'Boris, I've got to talk with Mr Ryder a moment. Why don't you go and look at the swans? Just for a minute.'
    Boris kept his head in his arms as though asleep, though his feet continued to clang rhythmically. Sophie shook his shoulder gently.
    'Come on now,' she said. "There's a black swan out there too. Go and stand over by those railings, where those nuns are. You'll be able to see it for