Read Isobel and Emile for Free Online Page A

say anything. She said: ‘Breakfast?’
    Emile shook his head. Agatha’s dressing gown was made of something like silk. It had Japanese flowers printed on it.
    They drank coffee. They did not say anything. Agatha’s legs were bare. Emile did not know if Agatha was wearing anything under her dressing gown. Agatha stood up.
    She said: ‘I’m going to have a shower. I’ll be quick.’
    She went into the bathroom. She closed the door. Emile sat at the table. He heard her turn the shower on. He stood up from the table.
    He put the camera into its case. He went to the bathroom door. He said: ‘I am going.’
    Agatha said: ‘What?’
    Emile said: ‘I am going.’
    Agatha said: ‘Emile, I can’t hear you.’
    She said: ‘Come in.’
    Emile had the case in his hands. He walked to the door that went down to the street. He put on his shoes.
    He left.
    Emile and Agatha are sitting in a café. There is a carafe of wine on the table between them. There is no wine left in the carafe.
    There are two glasses on the table. They are empty.
    Agatha leans back in her chair. She says: ‘Oh, Emile. I don’t want to say it, but I should be going. I have so much to do for the festival.’
    Emile nods his head. They stand up.
    Agatha is taller than Emile. She is wearing high-heeled shoes. They make her even taller. They walk out of the café.
    They stand in the street.
    Emile says: ‘I liked making the film.’ He does not look at Agatha. He looks at the sidewalk.
    Agatha says: ‘Then keep the camera.’ It is cold out. Emile and Agatha are wearing their jackets. Agatha’s jacket has fur around the collar.
    Agatha smiles. She says: ‘Make another one. Do us all proud.’
    Agatha has a wolfish smile. It makes her teeth look sharp.
    It is getting late.
    It is not late yet. It is only getting late.
    Emile turns up his collar. He is standing on the street outside the café. Inside, the old men are still playing backgammon. Agatha has left. When she left she put her hand on his arm and she leaned over towards him. He kissed her on one cheek and then he kissed her on the other cheek.
    She said: ‘Goodbye, Emile.’ She winked at him. She said: ‘I’ll see you soon.’
    She left. She walked away down the street.
    Emile is still standing on the street in front of the café.
    He does not know where to go. There are not as many people on the street. They have gone home. A couple walks past him. They are young. They are holding hands. One of them says something. The other one laughs.
    Emile could go home.
    He walks down the street. There is a stop for the streetcar at the end of the street. The couple that walked past Emile is standing at the stop. They are standing close to each other. There is a woman watching them. She has a purse. She is holding her purse with both of her hands.
    Emile stops. He waits for the streetcar.
    A streetcar comes. It stops. The people standing at the stop get on. Emile gets on with them. He puts some money into the fare machine. The driver gives him a ticket. He finds a seat. He sits down.
    The streetcar moves and then the streetcar stops. The doors open. People get on the streetcar. The doors close. The streetcar moves again. The streetcar stops. Emile stands up. The doors open.He goes to the doors.He gets off the streetcar.He is standing on a platform in the middle of the street.
    He crosses the street. It is starting to get dark. He walks down the street and then he stops. There are shops on either side of him. They are closed for the night. He is standing in front of a door between them.
    He opens the door.He goes inside.There are stairs inside.He goes up the stairs. There are two flights of stairs inside. He goes all the way up the stairs.He comes to a door.He opens the door. He goes inside.
    He is home.
    Nicolas is not at home. He is working at the bar. Emile turns the lights on. He takes his jacket