Hotel World (23 page)

She finishes her breakfast, glances down at the watch. She’ll go in five minutes. She gazes out of the window into the garden.

Look, it’s keeping good time, she is planning to say. And listen, no charge. It’s on me.

Morning. One bird lands, then another. The tree shakes slightly. Rainwater jolts off the branches and falls, a miniature parody of rain.

remember
you
must
live

remember
you
most
love

remainder
you
mist
leaf

WOoo
oo-
                    
hooo
oooo
               
oo
                    
o