A Private View

by Anita Brookner

  ‘George? Thank goodness I’ve got you at last. I knew you’d be worried not hearing from me, dear. But I’ve been out rather a lot, two nights running, in fact. We’re all rather busy down here. On Sunday I went to the carol service, and the Fawcetts invited me for supper afterwards. I couldn’t refuse, though I knew you’d be worried. And last night there was a little party for the older children at the hospital. You know I sometimes help out there. But that’s enough about me. Now what about you, dear? Are you all right?’

  ‘I’m fine,’ he said.

  ‘That’s good.’

  There was a pause. ‘Have you decided to go away?’ There was perhaps a tentative note in her voice.

  ‘Louise,’ he said. ‘I’ve left it too late to make plans for this year. But I’ve got an idea for your present. What would you say to a cruise? In the spring?’