Читать книгу Craving - Esther Gerritsen - Страница 10

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ELISABETH HAS TO drop in at the framer’s on her way to the hairdresser’s. It’s still early, only Martin is there. One day the shaking just got too bad. She was standing at the big worktable in the middle—her table—she put her brush down, waited and then picked it up again. It was all right for a while after that. Then one day she ended up standing there waiting for the shaking to stop. The first time she took a sick day it felt like a longer wait, that’s all.

‘Elisabeth!’ Martin says. He smiles and comes towards her, but she holds out both hands, holds them aloft in front of him.

‘As soon as I’ve got something for the shaking,’ she says, ‘I’ll come back.’ They both watch her fingers trembling.

‘They’re just like little fishes,’ Elisabeth says.

Martin takes hold of her hands and says, ‘Good to see you.’

‘I’m not crazy, Martin, I know I’m not getting any better, but there’s stuff that can suppress it.’

‘That would be good,’ Martin says, ‘that would be fantastic.’

‘You don’t believe me.’

‘We could really use your help,’ Martin says, ‘it’s the fair next week.’

‘You don’t think they can suppress it?’

‘Elisabeth, that would be fantastic—we need you.’

‘Well, don’t count on it.’

Martin smiles.

‘Why are you smiling?’

‘Do you want a coffee?’

‘I can’t stop, I’m on my way to the hairdresser’s.’

‘Do you want much off?’ the hairdresser asks.

‘Add a few layers,’ Elisabeth says, ‘I’m letting it grow.’

‘You’re letting it grow again?’

‘Yes,’ she says.

‘That’ll take a while.’

‘In two years it will have grown out.’

‘Yes,’ the hairdresser says, ‘in two years.’ They look in the mirror. He tilts his head to the side.

‘What did the doctor say?’

‘That I should tell people.’

‘And are you?’

‘I find it difficult.’

‘Yes?’

‘Yes.’

‘I’ll start with a wash.’

‘I’ve just washed it.’

‘Why did you go and do that?’

‘Yeah, silly.’

‘I’ll have to wet it.’ He rolls the sink under her head. ‘How’s the shop?’

‘Busy, you know. Art fair next weekend.’

‘And are you managing?’

‘Not at the moment, you know.’

‘No, not at the moment.’

‘I shake.’

‘I noticed.’

‘Otherwise I’d be able to.’

He turns on the showerhead, ‘Is that too hot?’

‘No.’ She always says no.

‘Are they still treating you?’

‘Not at the moment.’ The shower goes off. Water runs down her neck.

‘Finished the treatment?’

‘Just having a break.’

‘Just having a break, right.’ The shampoo bottle is almost empty.

‘Just enough,’ the hairdresser says. He stands behind her and massages her head. ‘Do they give a time frame?’

‘You mustn’t say anything, all right?’

‘No. OK.’

‘Is it getting thinner?’

‘Can’t really say, no.’

‘Could be weeks, could be months. That’s it, really.’

‘But not years?’

‘No, not years.’

‘Does Coco know now?’

‘Yes.’

‘What did she say?’

‘She was upset all right.’

‘Course.’ He turns the shower on again and rinses the shampoo off.

‘She’s getting big, isn’t she?’

‘Twenty-three now.’

‘I meant “heavy”, “large”, “fat.”’

‘Yes, well, she just keeps on growing.’

‘Right.’

‘Fat people shouldn’t wear their hair so short.’

‘I said that too, but she wants it short.’

‘That short?’

‘Maybe not that short.’ The hairdresser gets a towel and dries her hair.

‘Why do hairdressers always cut shorter than you want?’

‘Otherwise I get the feeling I haven’t really done anything.’

‘Oh, right.’

‘You can sit up now. Does Wilbert know already?’

‘I don’t know. Coco will tell him. He doesn’t come here anymore, does he?’

‘Not for a long time. Used to see him in the bar here sometimes, but that was years ago too.’

‘Doesn’t drink anymore, does he,’ Elisabeth says.

‘Cause of that woman of his, isn’t it.’

‘Yes.’

‘Maybe better that way.’

‘Hmm.’ She shrugs.