nouvelle

Part 1 Holding under her arm a stack of files she had taken from the agency so as to work at home, Helen was waiting at the bus stop. She was about to be late, and if the bus didn't come soon, she would maybe get into some trouble. Helen noticed that...

Part 2 There was nobody at the agency. Helen was alone in front of the computer, and her thoughts were wandering. She couldn't help thinking of the encounter she had had the week before, at the bus stop. For the first time in four years, she wasn't sure...

Part 3 Helen was crying in bed. She hadn't had any pleasure. And she knew she wouldn't have any with Mike anymore, unless she managed to free her spirit from her new obsession. Her tears silently slid down her cheeks while Mike was peacefully sleeping...

Part 4 Ann and Helen were sitting at a table outside a café. Helen was mechanically stirring a spoon in her cup of tea, while Ann was sipping a Guinness. ''So, you feel like leaving him?'' Ann asked gently. ''I... I don't know, actually. You see, I'm...

Part 5 Mike jumped out of the bus. He had had a nice day, and was looking forward to telling Helen about the lecture on the influence of Scots Gaelic and Irish on modern English, which was planned the following Wednesday. He knew Helen would enjoy it,...

Part 6 ''Here is the kitchen, and this is my room. The bathroom, with the shower and the toilets, and finally your room, which we used before as a guest room. I'm sure you'll be fine here.'' ''That's really kind of you to shelter me, Ann. I couldn't have...

Part 7 Helen had left the agency earlier than usual, because her boss had suddenly decided to allow his employees to take advantage of the wonderful weather of the afternoon. Helen liked her boss and his fancies. Moreover, he was always very considerate...

Part 8 As always after making love, Helen couldn't help thinking of Mike. She reckoned she had made the right choice, after all, although she felt guilty to have forsaken him this way. But Mike was a wonderful guy, and Helen knew he would not remain alone...

Part 9 Helen was observing Ann preparing her injection. Her motions were accurate and fluid. Helen thought there was a kind of poetry in her friend's movements. Ann looked at her friend, and smiled. ''Would you like to try ?'' Helen was hesitating. It...

Part 10 For the second time in the night, and like every other night for the past two weeks, Helen was making hatred with someone she didn't even know two months before.