Read The Tiger in the Tiger Pit for Free Online

complained sleepily via transatlantic satellite. “I think I have conflicting concert arrangements, I only just got the letter today. There isn’t time to make changes.”
    â€œYou do not have conflicting concert arrangements. I called your booking agent.”
    â€œHow horrid of you. But anyway, Adam has a school field trip that we both have to go on.”
    â€œWhen is it?”
    â€œIs this an inquisition?”
    â€œI’m trying to help. What day is the field trip?”
    â€œWednesday”
    â€œFine. You could get a Thursday flight. Or even Friday. We could still be in Ashville by Saturday.”
    â€œThat’s crazy. To go so far for three or four days. Anyway, it’s probably not possible at such short notice. Summer season, remember. Booked out months ahead.”
    â€œOn a cancellation or a standby it’s always possible. Call me as soon as you have a flight number and time. And Emily: be there. You know, whatever else, certain milestones require tribute.”
    â€œI cannot imagine how you preserve these shibboleths. I mean, especially someone who scrabbles around in other people’s libidos for a profession.”
    â€œThat’s exactly why. I know the importance of landmarks. And a golden wedding anniversary isn’t something you can ignore. It’s not just hugely significant for them. It’s our lives too.”
    â€œJason, I’m terrified of going back. I know that’s irrational, but I am. Quite terrified.”
    â€œListen,” he said in a low and conspiratorial whisper of excitement. “The honeysuckle will be in bloom. Remember our midnight picnics in the gazebo? Remember sliding down that rope from my window? Don’t you want to show Adam that?”
    A wave of nostalgia crested over her.
    â€œNot Adam,” she said, resisting it. “Even if I come, I shouldn’t bring Adam. Aren’t you forgetting what Father said in New York?”
    â€œI would discount that entirely. You announced it badly. His only grandchild. And Adam can wrap anyone around his little finger in five minutes. We just have to get Father to see him…”
    â€œNo. School’s still in session here and it would be bad for Adam to miss any. Besides, he doesn’t want to come.”
    â€œI don’t believe it. You’ve presented it badly. As usual You’ve carted him around the world like a chattel and he’s scared of moving. But he’ll love the old house. He has a desperate need for roots.”
    â€œWhat rubbish. He’s as footloose as I am. He just doesn’t want to miss out on the final weeks of school right now.”
    â€œWhen I talked to him last year he asked incessant questions about his grandparents. And he was also pining quite acutely for a house with a blue door in Sydney and for someone named Dave whom you declined to talk about. Other than to tell me that Dave was not his father.”
    â€œWhat a sneak you are.”
    â€œLet me talk to Adam.”
    â€œFor heaven’s sake, Jason, it’s the middle of the night. Adam’s asleep.”
    â€œNo I’m not, Mummy. Can I talk to Uncle Jason?”
    Emily raised her eyebrows in mock anger and handed him the receiver, bending over to kiss the top of his tousled head.
    Yes, she heard him say. Oh yes, that would be super, Uncle Jason. Just for a little visit, yes. Okay, here’s Mummy.
    â€œBoston or New York?” Jason asked.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œWhere do you want to be met?”
    â€œWhat did you say to Adam?”
    â€œI knew he’d want to come. Where will I meet you?”
    â€œOh, Boston, I suppose. If I can get a direct flight.”
    â€œIf you can get a Thursday flight, come to New York. That way we can all spend Friday at my place and then drive up to Ashville on Saturday afternoon. Tory will be with us from the middle of this week. I figure she needs a debriefing period — as it were — before