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J.G. Ballard the Complete Short Stories - Site de Thomas - Free

J.G. Ballard the Complete Short Stories - Site de Thomas - Free

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'What, sorry?'<br />

'Are you asleep, angel? Like to go for a walk? It'll<br />

wake you up.'<br />

'All right,' I said. 'Go and get your coat.'<br />

'Will you be warm enough like that?'<br />

She went off into <strong>the</strong> bedroom.<br />

I walked round <strong>the</strong> lounge and convinced myself<br />

that I was awake. The shadows, <strong>the</strong> solid feel of <strong>the</strong><br />

chairs, <strong>the</strong> <strong>de</strong>finition was much too fine for a dream.<br />

It was 9.08. Normally Helen would take ten<br />

minutes to put on her coat.<br />

The jump-back came almost immediately.<br />

It was 9.06.<br />

I was still on <strong>the</strong> sofa and Helen was bending down<br />

and picking up her work basket.<br />

This time, at last, <strong>the</strong> set was off.<br />

'Have you got any money on you?' Helen asked.<br />

I felt in my pocket automatically. 'Yes. How much<br />

do you want?'<br />

Helen looked at me. 'Well, what do you usually pay<br />

for <strong>the</strong> drinks? We'll only have a couple.'<br />

'We're going to <strong>the</strong> pub, are we?'<br />

'Darling, are you all right?' She came over to me.<br />

'You look all strangled. Is that shirt too tight?'<br />

'Helen,' I said, getting up. 'I've got to try to explain<br />

something to you. I don't know why it's happening,<br />

it's something to do with <strong>the</strong>se billows of gas <strong>the</strong> sun's<br />

releasing.'<br />

Helen was watching me with her mouth open.

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