In Times Which Seem Like Self-Psychotherapy He Says To Himself:Oh, Vienna

Novel: Times 1–4, Chapter 58 Hildemar is in the last throws of her dissertation

I walk Farica to Shakespeare’s Bookshop, she has taken a Saturday job there to help them out. We have coffee with pancakes as we are walking; this really is the fun of love stuff.

Farica asks if it is ok to come back to my place after work; I am so so very happy to say yes, indeed I say I will meet her outside the bookshop at five-thirty.

Back in my apartment I telephone Hildemar. I get her answerphone which says she is out of town for a few days, but should be back by Sunday; I leave a message, asking her to ring me. I tidy the place up a bit, but leave the bed unmade, I want to savour last night’s experience for as long as I can; I just hope I can explain that to Farica, in the cold light of day.

We walk back from the bookshop after it closes; I am anxious not to stop anywhere. As soon as we enter my apartment I take hold of Farica’s arm, walk her straight on into the bedroom and say: look what we did last night, look hard at that unkempt bed, now try to hold onto our night of stupendous, magnificent lovemaking. I just don’t want to forget it , nor do I want to disturb the scene.