Page 29 - The Midnight Library

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Antimatter

Five hours before she decided to die, as she began walking home, her phone

vibrated in her hand.
Maybe it was Izzy. Maybe Ravi had told her brother to get in touch.
No.
‘Oh hi, Doreen.’
An agitated voice. ‘Where were you?’

She’d totally forgotten. What time is it?
‘I’ve had a really crap day. I’m so sorr y.’
‘We waited outside your flat for an hour.’

‘I can still do Leo’s lesson when I get back. I’ll be five minutes.’
‘ Too late. He’s with his dad now for three days.’
‘Oh, I’m sorr y. I’m so sorr y.’
She was a waterfall of apologies. She was drowning in herself.
‘ To be honest, Nora, he’s been thinking about giving up altogether.’

‘But he’s so good.’
‘He’s really enjoyed it. But he’s too busy. Exams, mates, football.
Something has to give . . .’

‘He has a real talent. I’ve got him into bloody Chopin. Please—’
A deep, deep sigh. ‘Bye, Nora.’
Nora imagined the ground opening up, sending her down through the
lithosphere, and the mantle, not stopping until she reached the inner core,
compressed into a hard unfeeling met al.

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