Page 136 - The Midnight Library

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Nora felt like she was inside some kind of trap. ‘We were?’

‘I studied you at breakfast before I came over and I could see you were
different today.’
‘ at’s creepy, Hugo. Studying women at breakfast.’
‘And I noticed things.’

Nora lied her scarf over her face. ‘It’s too cold. Can we talk about this
tomorrow?’
‘I noticed you improvising. All day you have been non-committal in
ever ything you say.’

‘Not true. I’m just shook up. You know, the bear.’
‘Non. Ce n’est pas ça. I’m talking about before the bear. And aer the bear.
And all day.’
‘I have no idea what you’re—’

‘ ere is a look. I have seen it before in other people. I’d recognise it
anywhere.’
‘I have no idea what you are talking about.’
‘Why do glaciers pulsate?’

‘What?’
‘ is is your area of study. It’s why you’re here, isn’t it?’
‘ e science isn’t entirely settled on the matter.’
‘Okay. Bien. Name me one of the glaciers around here. Glaciers have

names. Name one . . . Kongsbreen? Nathorstbreen? Ring any bells?’
‘I don’t want this conversation.’
‘Because you aren’t the same person you were yesterday, are you?’
‘None of us are,’ said Nora, briskly. ‘Our brains change. It’s called

neuroplasticity. Please. Stop mansplaining glaciers to a glaciologist, Hugo.’
Hugo seemed to retreat a little and she felt a bit guilty. ere was a minute
of silence. Just the crunch of their feet in the snow. ey were nearly back at
the accommodation, the others not too far behind them.

But then, he said it.
‘I am like you, Nora. I visit lives that aren’t mine. I have been in this one
for five days. But I have been in many others. I was given an opportunity – a
rare opportunity – for this to happen. I have been sliding bet ween lives for a

long while.’
Ingrid grabbed Nora’s arm.