“We have to escape, Marie, and hold out until the audition! Three days and two nights, it’s not impossible. Otherwise they’re going to park you in a specialist camp and I’ll never get over it, on account of compassion and being exiled from you. I’ve learnt something from Dad’s TV documentaries: the best weapon is escape! I don’t want us to give up! Not only for you! For me too. Because I used to be completely worthless and now I’m worth a bit more, thanks to you. I’m not talking about all the school stuff, because in the end that’s not so important, and anyway I know I’ll never be as intelligent as you and Haisam. It’s more to do with my spirit. I’ve reached a slightly higher level in that respect since getting to know you – I’ve been enlightened, as though a soul had been grafted onto me. If we don’t take this through to the finish, I’m going to fall back even further down than I was before. I’ll be stuck there until the end of my life, grey with dust, and there’ll be nothing more to hope for.”
In reply she sneezed, so I handed her a tissue. Her nose was all red and she didn’t look all that well.
“But where could we escape to? Have you got any ideas?”
“Yes, I know where we can go. Are your parents at home?”
“No, they’re away and they won’t be home until late.”
“OK, so go home and pack up some warm clothes. I’ll come and get you in two hours. First, I just need to take care of someone who needs my help.”
“Have you started to specialize in humanitarian actions?”
“Yes, it seems a good secure job.”
“What about the cello?”
“What do you mean?”
“Should I bring it?”
“Of course you should bring it.”
She was still hesitating.
“And … um…”
She really looked very worried.
“What?”
“Will I need pyjamas?”
“Pyjamas. Of course we’re going to take pyjamas.”
Honestly. Artistic types and common sense are worlds apart.
12
My little blackbird looked at me in astonishment and hesitated for a moment, as though he suspected a trap, but couldn’t resist the birdseed I’d put down on the paving stones. His little yellow beak, tapping against the stone, shone in the fresh morning sunlight. He hopped a bit further into the yard. He seemed to turn around for a last look, and I realized that a separation was coming. He ruffled his crumpled feathers and I was glad to be setting him free, even if it did mean goodbye.