"SOLITARY FRAGMENTS" "CHAPTER I:" "Adela and Antonia" "Here we are." "Here we are and it's lunch time." "Up we go and time for lunch." "Yummy!" "Yummy!" "Time for lunch." "Sweetie!" "Don't go to sleep now, sweetie, it's time for lunch." "Don't go to sleep, it's time for lunch." "Just here." "I'll get your food right away, sweetie." "Shit!" "Dad?" "Dad?" "Honestly..." "Sweetie!" "Sweetie!" "Okay?" "I'll get your food ready right away, my love." "Miguelito." "Hello?" "Yes, I just got in." "Okay." "I'll start making lunch." "Lentils and rice." "I hope it'll be okay." "Call in at Miriam's." "Her eldest has a pullover..." "I think it'll fit Miguelito and she said she'd..." "No." "No." "No, if you don't go now, she won't..." "That's right, she's going over to her mother's..." "Right." "Right, Dad, see you here then." "Don't be long." "See you then." " Adela..." " What?" "Remember the Sabero budgets?" "Which budgets?" "They were supposed to be in by now, September." " The September ones?" " Yes." "They haven't come in yet." " When they do, give them to me?" " Okay." "Shall I tell Susana to make copies for the two of us?" " Perfect." " Okay." " Thanks." " I'll need one too." " Thanks." " Okay." "Where are you going?" "Here." "Look at the ball." "Look at the bunny rabbit." "Where's the zebra?" "Oops, your pacifier." "You'll get it dirty." "Here." "What's that?" "Who's at the door?" "Who's at the door?" "Here." "It's Mummy." "Shall we go and meet Mummy?" "I'll be right back, okay?" " Hi." " Hi." "Sorry." "I came as soon as I could but as usual something came up." "That's okay." "Want some coffee or anything?" "No, it's late." "I still have to bath him and make his supper." "Supper?" "But he just had tea." "He's had his fruit?" "Yes, he was hungry." "Shit, Pedro!" "If we don't keep to his schedule, he won't want his supper." " Where is he?" " In there." "And it's no big deal." "Maybe, but he won't want his supper now." "You won't want your fish, will you?" "What are you doing, my little mousie?" "Miguelito." "Kiss kiss..." "Oh, that's nice!" "Kiss kiss." "Kiss kiss, my little mousie." "Anyway..." "Let me see..." "His shoes?" "Under that jacket." "What's the matter?" "Your pacifier." "Here." "I won't bother to put them on him now." "No, darling..." "Your pacifier." "Coming?" "Coming with us?" "I'll put this there." " What is it, my love?" " Come here." "There there, sweetie." "Want to stay for supper?" "I bought some great mushrooms." "No." "I told my dad I'd go over to his place." "What's the matter?" "Have your pacifier." " Here it is." " Damn, I dropped it." " Don't you want it?" " He can sleep here if you like." "No, I'd better take him home." "He's tired." " There there." " Whatever you say." "There there, my love." "Pedro, you haven't given me any money for 2 months." "I'm a bit short of cash this month." "Maybe production will increase and I can give you something." "Not "something"." "What you owe me." "Miguelito can't live on fresh air." "As I said, I'm broke." "Okay?" "So am I." "I'm not exactly rolling in money." "There there, my love." "That's it." "Right..." "Pepe." "What about Pascual's order?" "Are they coming to pick it up or what?" "I spoke to the delivery guy on Friday." "He's coming today." "I see." "How much milk have we got left?" "Five boxes, more or less." "Five..." "Bring them all up." " Okay." " And tell..." "Tell Martín to call." "We don't want the same thing happening again." "So shall I go on with this or?" "No, go downstairs." "I'll do this." " Okay." " Right." " Mummy." " Yes, dear?" " Mummy." " Come and help me." "He won't give me the toy." "Won't give it to you?" "Look, this is a toy." " He doesn't know how to." " What do you think of them?" "I bought a lot." "They were cheap." " No, buy..." " Good, aren't they?" "Yes." "There's room for plenty of them." "The geraniums brighten things up." "I know." "I don't want to put too many..." " You can get more in there." " I know." "Let's see the baby." "David wants to get a new car." " What's wrong with the one you have?" " Nothing." "He's become obsessed with the idea." "And you don't want to get one?" "I think the one we have is okay." "He won't say how much it is." "He just says it's cheap." "Get him to tell you how much, then talk." "As I said, all he'll say is that it's cheap." "I'm thinking of leaving the village." "No, actually, I will be leaving the village." " Where to?" " Madrid." "To live there?" "Come on!" "The idea's a bit scary but it shouldn't be that difficult to start there from scratch." "I mean, what have I got here?" "Yeah..." "Sounds a bit crazy, right?" "What about Miguelito?" "He'll come with his mummy." "Sweetie!" "And what about Pedro?" "I haven't told him yet so..." "My goodness." "What do you think he'll say?" "I don't think he'll be too happy." "But he shouldn't be surprised." "I told him I wanted to leave a long time ago." "You could always come back anyway." "I don't think Dad would lock me out." "That's nice!" "I'm sick of mags." "The models aren't real, they're artificial." "It's the fashion to say beauty's only skin deep but people take more care of their appearance than ever." "It's not that, Manolo." "We were talking about how important it is to look beautiful in this society." "Beautiful people get paid more." "What?" "I think how you look is important." "That's where it all begins." "I wouldn't want a fat, ugly, scraggy, shabby boyfriend." "Looking at me?" "I wouldn't want one like Manolo." "If I had to choose, I'd rather have one like..." " Casillas." " Oh, sure." "Listen to her." " So that's us out, Manolo." " And she's only just started." "I don't like handsome men." " Come on!" " No, really." "The other girls can have them." "Your father wasn't handsome." "He was... attractive but not handsome." "And Manolo..." "Manolo..." "Is Manolo." "Thank you very much." "And you're happy together." "Yes, I've been very lucky with him." "I'm not saying looks are everything." "All I'm saying is" "I'd prefer a handsome man." "If I had to choose" "I'd say "handsome"." " I wouldn't care." " I agree." "I don't know..." "I think a man can be... loving, intelligent, a decent person... and handsome too." " Like me." " Like you?" "With that pot belly?" "You should take up a sport." "Don't listen to her, Alberto." "You're fine the way you are." "Let her take up a sport." "Anyway, all sportsmen end up the same..." "Fat and with a load of problems." "When I was a girl, a handsome boy lived near us." "In Guadalajara." "He was tall, dark and handsome." "He probably had some gypsy blood in his veins... or maybe Arabic, because he was dark-skinned." "He was special." "All the girls were mad about him." "His folks and mine were good friends and whenever they came round, my sisters would ask about him." "I never asked." "I was too shy." "And?" " What happened?" " Who to?" "The handsome boy." "I don't know." "I got married and came to Madrid." "And that was the last you heard?" "I've never been interested in handsome men." "You see?" "Like me." "Take my advice, dear." "Find a man who's good and honest and who loves you." "Handsome, ugly..." "We all end up old and wrinkled like raisins." "No, no way." "I refuse to end up wrinkled like a raisin." "You're an acorn, Manolo." "Hard on the outside, soft on the inside." "Alberto." "Quite a philosopher." "No, Mum, let us." " Yes." " We'll clear the table." "You and your acorns, Alberto." "He's a one." "It's all so dry." "It's hardly rained this year." "Yes, it's prettier here in spring." "It's nicer when it's all green." "I can't see why they're building a golf course here." "I thought they'd cancel the project." "No, it's going ahead." " Are you sure?" " Positive." "They want to put it between the mountain and the Bergaz place." "The whole area." "It's quite big." "People will go mad on the idea." "They'll all want to sell their land." "Some will make a lot of money." "No way." "The developers maybe... and the Bergaz family, if they get a good price." "But no-one else will." "Are they going to build that hotel too?" "That's not definite." "But you know how people think up ideas to make money." "Will it do the village any good?" "I don't know." "We'll have to see." "Ah, he's awake." "Look who's there." "Look who's coming." " Who is it?" " Hello, my love." " Who is it?" " Have you woken up, my little darling?" "Look at all these blackberries." " Look at them all." " Look." "Yummy." "My goodness." " Shall we move on?" " Sure." " Shall we find some more?" " Yes." "More blackberries?" " Let's find some more." " Yummy!" " Shall I take him?" " No." "How does Pedro carry him?" "With a sling like this one?" "No, he can't carry weight." "He's got a back problem." " So what does he do?" " He pushes him." "But he couldn't come up here with a pushchair." "I suppose he goes somewhere else." "It's very comfortable." "Very quiet too." "Fine." "It's okay, isn't it?" "I'll show you the bathroom." "It's fine." "And large." "It's very good." "Yes." "And there's a window..." " Here are the towels." "Okay?" " Fine." "And some clean sheets." "So this is the room." " Fine." " And there's a TV there." "And most important... there's a button here..." "Press it and a nurse will come." "Yes, I know how everything works." "I was in here four months ago." "So you know how things work then." "There's a dressing gown and some slippers here." "But there's no hurry, so take yourtime." "They'll help you put it on then someone will come for you." "My name's Carla." "Call me if you need me." " Thank you." " Thank you." " See you later." " Thank you." "It's okay, isn't it?" "It's big." "I'll just get that." "I think I'll get changed." "The nurse said they'd be some time, didn't she?" "I'd just rather do it now." "All right." "Okay." "Shall I put your bag in the closet too?" "Shall I put your bag in the closet?" "Yes." "Need a hand?" "No?" "Your shoes?" "I'll leave the slippers." "Is that the street I came in by?" "Yes." "This overlooks the street in front of the house." "And the room overlooks the same street." "Sometimes I iron in here." "Not very often because I don't like ironing." "But I like it in here." " There's lots of light." " Yes, lots." "In the whole house." "Carlos's room is through there." "Let's close the door." "Come on, I'll show you your room." " Let's see." " Come in." "It's got a big closet." " Yes." " Great." "If you take it, you can change things around if you like." " The kitchen." " It's big." " Yes." " That's great." "Yes, ideal." "Lots of worktop space." "Perfect for three people." "We could all cook at the same time." "Very good." " So that's it." " That's it then." "Great." "And..." " And your flatmate's name?" " Carlos." "How do you think he'll feel about having a baby around?" "I haven't told him yet." "CHAPTER II:" "The City" "I don't understand this fad for tattoos." "They're ugly, painful and people catch things having them done." "They're sexy." " Sexy?" " Yes." " Tattoos are sexy?" " Yes." "Well, I don't think they are." "You're married with a daughter." "What would you want to look sexy for?" "So?" "What's the connection?" "Well, it's obvious." "If you start trying to look sexy to get men to look at you, you'll end up getting yourself into trouble." "I wouldn't have a tattoo to make men look at me, Mum." "Then why would you have one?" "For myself, not for other people." " For yourself?" " Yes." "I don't care about other people." "Anyway, as long as..." "Alberto still fancies me..." "Well... if it doesn't hurt, maybe I'll have one too." "For myself." "To feel sexy too." " Don't be so silly, Mum." " Why?" "What's the matter?" "Can't I want to be sexy too?" "I'll be sexy too." "You are really silly sometimes." "You don't really believe I'm going to do it." " Just you wait and see." " Then I will too." "Great." "We could go together." "When you decide to go, tell me and I'll come with you." " Okay." " Good." "If the hinge comes away, you can't stick it back and you can't nail it." "Three." "It was my turn, wasn't it?" "Yes." "So... three." " Hi." " Hi." " What are you doing?" " You okay?" " Fine." "You two?" " He's thrashing me." "She always beats me in the end." " Where have you been?" " The park." "Miguelito's just about to fall asleep." "I'm making salad." "Anybody want some?" "No, thanks, I'm a bit sick of salads." "No, thanks." "I've got some meat left over from yesterday." " So you don't want anything?" " No." " I'll have it all then." " Right." "See you later." " My turn, right?" " Yes." "Two." "Six." "A four and I take you." "Here we go." "Not quite." "Not quite." "Adela's nice, isn't she?" " I like her." "She's nice." " Yes." "I like her too." "I'm glad she took the room." "Yes." " Six." " That was lucky." "Four, one." "Two." "Six and I get you." "Two." "All on her own in Madrid, poor thing." "And with a kid." "It can't be easy for her, can it?" "No." "But since nobody here is actually from Madrid," " people get used to it." " Yes." "People are very open here." "Two." "But like you said, living in Madrid with a kid can't be easy." "No." "Four." "Got you." " One, two, three, four." "Back home..." " Yeah." " Sure." " I move forward twenty." "Right then..." " I'll explain things first." " Fine." "I've looked at the results of the opaque enema and the colonoscopy, and the best thing is to operate." " All right." " I'll explain." "We need to remove the tumour, then join one end of the colon to the other." "It's a complicated operation and long too, but it'll be fine." "My poor girl." "Obviously every operation entails a certain amount of risk, the main risk in this case being that of the suture breaking, but that rarely happens and we give you constant check-ups." "Is the operation the only alternative?" "Since it hasn't extended to other areas, it's the only alternative." "For a few days after, you'll be fed with saline solution until your colon resumes its normal function." "I just don't want her to suffer." "Of course..." "Don't worry." "What's your name?" " Antonia." " Well, Antonia." "An operation's always a serious thing." "But Nieves has two things in her favour." "Her age and there's no metastasis." "So she shouldn't need chemotherapy." "But in the case of a relapse, we'd have to consider other alternatives." "So does the cancer just disappear then... or can it come back?" "I can't guarantee 100% that it'll disappear but it's the same for everybody." "You or I could develop cancer tomorrow but after an operation, you can be sure that for a time at least... even the rest of your life..." "it's been eradicated." "For how long?" "I wish I could say but that depends on the patient." "A year, two, three, ten..." "maybe for good." "I can't say." "Fine." "Are there any more questions you'd like to ask?" " No." " No, it's pretty clear, isn't it, Mum?" "Everything will be fine." " Thank you very much." " Thank you." "What?" "What is it, sweetie?" "This is nice and cool." "So nice and cool." " Anything else?" " No, thanks." " How old is he?" " 13 months." "Hey..." " You scamp." " Incredible how fast they grow." " Yes." " Before you know it they suddenly start walking and talking and everything." " Mine's 3 years old." " Really?" "Three years and one month." "What?" "What is it, sweetie?" "He doesn't talk yet but he will soon." "He's gorgeous." "Once he starts talking, he won't stop." "Will you?" "You won't stop, will you?" "Yes, I know." "Gorgeous." " Call me over if you need anything." " Okay." " He's so cute." " Bye." "Bye." "Bye bye." " What time is it?" " It must be 5 at least." "How long have I been asleep?" "Over an hour." "It feels more like three." "I feel so tired." "I could hardly get up." "I even dreamed." "That means you really needed it." "I dreamed I was doing my military service." " Military service?" " Yes." "And what happened?" "I don't really know..." "I can't remember." "I'm trying to but I can't." "Military service and that's it." "That's strange." "Yes..." "I don't know..." "I don't know what to do now." "I was supposed to pick up some tables in Alcobendas, but if I go now, I'll only get caught in the traffic." "Go some othertime." "I know, but I wanted to go today and get it overwith." "Go today then." "It shouldn't take you too long." "And you'll have got it overwith." "I'll try and get moving then." "I'm so tired." "See you later." "Torrevieja?" "Why?" "The prices are good and Alberto knows a lot of people there." "And when Leonor gets bigger, she'd have lots of friends her age." "Three-bedroomed places." "Not too big but... not too small either." "You and Manolo could come and stay with us." "Yes, Manolo likes the seaside." "I don't very much." "We wouldn't just go in summer." "We could go at weekends to get away from everything." "Can I help?" " To cut the chicken up?" " No, I'll do it." "You know I like making the paella on my own." "I'll set the table." "Mum, where are the olives?" "They're..." "There they are." " Aren't they?" " Yes." " And the ones without anchovies?" " There." "So what do you think?" "What about, dear?" "About the flat, of course!" "Fine, if that's what you want." "The price is good." "And we could get a mortgage." "The trouble is... the deposit." "We haven't got enough for it." "Well, keep on saving." "And with luck, by the time you've got enough money, the price will have come down." "Come down..." "It'd be so nice to buy it now." "But you haven't got enough money." "No." "Could you... help us out?" "Me?" "I wish I could, but how?" "What about Manolo?" "What about him?" "He might lend us the money if you asked him." "Me ask Manolo for money?" "God forbid." "No, Helena." "I wouldn't ask him for anything." " Why not?" " He's got enough on his plate putting up with me." "I can't ask him to pay for my daughters' fancies." "It's not a fancy." "It's an investment." "An important one." "Then keep saving and when you've got enough, buy it yourself." "No need to be like that." "I'm not being like anything." "But don't expect me to ask Manolo for money." "All right." "What?" "Want your pacifier?" "There there." "Shall I hold her?" "Come here, darling." "Look." "What are you doing?" "Just looking at those doors." "Are these plants yours?" "No, they're Inés's." " They're nice." " Yes." "I love them." "Are any of them made of plastic?" "No, don't you see they're all real?" "This place must have belonged to someone important." "Why do you say that?" "The ceilings." " What about them?" " The coving." "He had trouble getting to sleep." "He got so excited seeing you." "Yes." "He's grown an awful lot." "He has, hasn't he?" "Did you find it hard to adapt?" "No." "Actually I didn't." "I was lucky to find this place and my flatmates are really nice people." "That's important." "What about you, back there?" "Well... nothing's changed." "I'm not doing too well." "Work's bad." " Same as always then?" " Worse." "My dad's sick of it." "He says all he does is reinvest and doesn't make a penny." "He may have to close down." "I didn't know it was that bad." "People have applied for grants for firms in the country..." "If he gets one, then fine but..." "We'll know in a couple of months, maybe this month." "What will you do till then?" "Wait." "If we get the grant, fine." "Otherwise, I don't know." "I'll have to find something else." "Adela, could you lend me some cash?" "I don't believe it, Pedro." "You asking me for money?" "If you can't, it's okay." " You've got a nerve." " No." "I just need some money." "Is that a way of saying you won't be giving me the money you owe me?" "Don't be angry." "If you can lend me some, fine." "If not, it's okay." "Always the same old story with you." "How much do you need?" "3,000 euros." "3,000 euros?" "Shit!" "That's a lot of money." "Don't worry." "I'll manage somehow." "Hello?" "What?" "That's okay." "No, don't worry." "Mum's here." "No, it's okay." "Yes, I'm sure." "Don't worry." "Okay." "Bye." " Who was it?" " Helena." "She's a pain." "She gets on my nerves." "I'd rather she didn't come to see me." " What happened?" " Shit..." "It's always about her." "Always talking about herself, her problems." "As if nobody else had problems." "What do you expect her to talk about?" "People usually talk about the things that happen to them." "Forget it." "Sometimes I think I'm talking to myself." "Don't be angry." "You know what she's like." "But she's a good girl." "I'm sick of her." "And I'm what I'm like too." "I don't want her to come." "If only she'd change a bit." "I'd rather she didn't come." "She loves you a lot." "She talks about herself all the time, but don't we all?" "Some people more than others." "Stop making excuses for her." "Anyway..." "Don't worry." "You're tired and so am I." "She always has to be at the centre of everything." "We exist too." "I'm not saying we should talk about me all the time, but... with Helena it's always the same." "It's not that bad." "I'm going to sleep now, I'm really tired." "Shall I turn the light off?" "No." "I will." "I'm going to read for a bit." "All right, dear." "Good night." "Good night." " He really loves that swing." " Look how he holds on." "With both hands." "See that?" " He's really strong." " Yes, he's strong." " Incredible." " My strong boy." "You'd wear anybody out, Miguelito." "I want to buy Inés some ear rings I've seen." "You know that shop around the corner?" " You know?" "Anyway..." " I haven't noticed." "I saw some ear rings there." "Some small ones." "You know her, maybe you could help me pick them out." "Okay." " Think she'd like that?" " Sure." " Really?" " It's always nice to get presents." " Yes." " Yes." "What's up!" "What's up, Miguelito?" "Look at him." " Shall I take him off now?" " You'll be there all day if you don't." "I wouldn't mind getting on either." "Shall we go and play with Mummy?" "Let's play in the sand with Mummy." "Let's go and play in the sand with Mummy." " Those swings are good." " That's right, Miguelito." " They're really safe." " The kids can't fall off." " Come and play." " Let's play." "Let's play." " Look, the spade!" " Shall we make a road?" " The spade!" " Let's make a road." "Let's make a road." "That's right." "Want to fill it up?" "Let's see." "People are such pigs!" "Disgusting." "Look at this." "Cigarette ends everywhere." "That's dirty, dirty." "My goodness." "I'm a bit worried about my dad." "I rang him yesterday and he seemed a bit... sad, a bit strange..." " Anything wrong with him?" " No, but..." "I just got the impression he was feeling sad." "I see." "He's pretty old now and I feel sorry for him." "Sorry for him." " How old is he?" " Sixty-seven." "He's not that old then, is he?" "No, but I think me leaving has affected him." "I see." "Look at him." " Hello." " Hello." "Must be a lot of people." "This is empty." "They needed some more downstairs so Paula took them all." " Any left?" " These." " I was just going through them." " Let's put them there." "Some of these too?" "No, no need." "That's it." " That's better." " Okay." "Good morning." " What time do you get off?" " 8:30." "What about you?" "8:30 too." " Coming tomorrow?" " And the next day." " Right." " You too?" "Yes." "Will you be here forthe party?" " Working, you mean?" " No." "We'll be guests." " Really?" " Yes." " I didn't know." " Yes, always at the big fairs." " Do all the girls go?" " Almost all of them." "It can be fun." "That's nice." "I think I'd like that." "I'd have to find someone to take care of my son but maybe..." "There's no-one you know?" "Yes." "My flatmates help me out when they can." "I'm going, so if you can too..." "Yes, I'd like to." "Good morning." "I'll call them later to see if they can help out." "Don't do that." "What is it?" "What is it?" "Hello." " Hello." " How are you?" " Fine." "And you?" " Fine." "Where are you off to?" "A shop in Garcia Noblejas." "You?" "To see my mother." "What?" "Don't drop them." "Don't drop them." " How old is he?" " 13 months." " What's his name?" " Miguel." ""Miguelito"." "Say hello." "Hello." "Do you know where Hermanos Machado Street is?" "Yes, I think it's near where you're going." "CHAPTER III:" "Solid Ground" " Hello, Mum." " Hello, dear." "Adela's still asleep." " Really?" " The poor thing." "How is she?" "Okay, more or less." "Hello?" "She's still asleep." "Yes." "Shall I wake her up?" "Are you sure?" "All right." "Don't worry." "Yes," "I'll tell her you called." "Yes." "Goodbye." "Is her father still in Madrid?" "No, he went back." "That was him." "That's a shame." "He gave her a lot of support." "Not really, Mum." "He's pretty old and more of a burden than anything else." "Would you like a glass of water?" "No, no thanks." "The best thing for Adela is sleep." "That's the best thing." "Yes, she does need to rest." "That's just what she needs." "Look." "Look what I bought." " Like it?" " Let's have a look." " Like it?" " It's very nice." "Very pretty." "Do you think the colour's a bit loud for me?" "No, it's fine." "You're not an old lady." "And you always wear grey or black." " I'll help you with that later." " I've nothing else to do." " We'll clear up later." " I've nothing else to do." " Then bring me a glass of water." " All right." "Okay, "mus"." " Me too." " With these cards..." " What have you got?" " Well..." "No high cards." " Three." " I see you." "That's what I like." "Right." "No low cards." "Me neither." "I'm in." "Ten." " You're too much!" " Well..." "One for you." " I'll take one." " Right." " Right." " Inés." " What?" " Did Helena tell you about the flat?" " Which flat?" " This one." "No." "What?" "I've decided to sell it." " What?" " Yes." "You're joking, Mum." "No, I'm selling it and I'm going to live with Manolo." "It's a great idea." "I'll have less expenses that way and we'll be together." "It's a good idea." "We'll be together all the time." "We've been thinking about it for some time." "Yes." "And with the flat in Torrevieja, we finally made up our minds." "Right." "Is that flat definite?" "Yes, it's definite." "I see." "Did you know Mum had decided to sell?" "She told me last week." "She said she was thinking of it." " So what do you think?" " Fine." "I'm glad they're going to live together." "I'm sure they'll be happy." "Sure..." "I think you two living together is a great idea but Mum selling the flat is anotherthing." "It was their decision." "Mum, I think you should keep it, rent it out." "Selling it isn't a good idea." "It's all right." "Apart from the money we'll give her for the deposit, we can put the rest in the bank." "In a fixed term account." "I think it's a good idea." "Helena..." "I mean Nieves." " Did you know Mum was going to sell?" " She told me yesterday." "What do you think?" "I don't mind." "If that's what Mum wants." "When she told me, she'd already made up her mind." "I see." "Inés, if you don't like the idea, we can think of something else." "We don't have to buy that flat now." "It's all right." "It's just the way decisions are taken in this family." "Why?" "Because I'm always the last to hear about them, Helena." " It was a snap decision." " You're telling me!" "Yes, Manolo and I talked about it the other day and I told Helena, then Nieves and now you." "That's all." "Fucking great." "Shall we go on playing?" "We can always look for anotherway." "What otherway?" "It's obvious you've already decided." "Anyway, Alberto, I think it's your turn." " Card." " Card." "Pass." " Card." " Pass." " Bet." " Get one." "2 euros 88, please." "Thank you." "Sign here, please." "There we are." "Thank you." "Goodbye." " Hello." " Good morning." "I want to take out 100 euros." "You could do this transaction on the machine outside." "It's not working." " Pardon?" " It's not working." "Someone else had trouble with it too." "Really?" "Are you sure?" "Yes, I don't..." "I'm surprised, that's all." "Can I see your ID card, please?" " In 20-euro notes?" " Tens, if possible." "Adela, I'm in here." "I'm just finishing." "You don't need to iron for me." "It's no trouble." "I saw you had a lot of clothes to iron." "I was going to make some food." "If you're hungry," "I can make some forthe two of us." "I went to see my sister today." "She's a lot better." "She's very well." "Recovering well." "The results of the last tests were good and the cancer levels were low." "I'm glad for her." "Pedro rang." "When?" "Just after you left." "Inés..." "If Pedro calls back, tell him never to ring again." "Okay?" "I don't know, Adela..." "Aren't you being a bit hard on him perhaps?" "I don't want to talk to him." " Why not?" " Because I don't!" "This is just my opinion..." "for what it's worth... but I think that... it might even do you some good." "Speaking to him... you can see he's in a bad way." "He never stops ringing." " Inés." " Yes?" "I'll give you the biggest one." " Okay." " Right." "And potatoes, you'll want some potatoes." " Not many." " Not many." "It's an easy recipe, very simple." "There we are." "You put the fish in the dish, then the dish in the oven and that's it." "And some water to keep it moist." "Then some slices of lemon where you've scored it" " and that's it." " It looks good." "Taste it first, then tell me." "I haven't made it this way for a long time." "Let's make some room." "This may need a bit more salt." "We can season our own." "Shall I serve?" "Just a little." "Not too much." "And there's no grease." "It isn't fattening." "Good healthy food." "The hard part is cooking it right." "Getting fish right takes a lot of practice." "Yes, it's a question of practice, but it's not that hard." "I'll get some water." "Yes, we didn't bring any." "When it comes to cooking," " I'm much more traditional." " Are you?" "Yes." "Things like croquettes, meatballs..." " Right." " Things like that." "I do a great chick pea soup." "I like that a lot." " We could do it one day." " Yes." "I'll ask my mother to get me some bones and a good piece of ham and we'll make some." "Hello?" "Hello, Dad." "Yes, I'm having supper." "No, with Carlos and Inés." "No, I'm having supper." "Yes." "Fine, fine." "Probably." "Okay." "We'll talk about that tomorrow, okay?" "Yes... yes." "Dad, we'll talk about that tomorrow." "Okay." "Bye." "It was my father." "How is he?" "He calls me every day." "This is very good." "Yes." "It's good." "It's very good." "Thank you." "Okay, so what's the problem?" "What's the problem?" "Shit, Helena." "You're the problem." "You're forcing things to make Mum sell the flat, that's obvious." "I'm not forcing anything." "You know what I'm talking about." " You haven't a clue, as always." " Sure." "It was Mum's idea to sell." "Ask her if you don't believe me." "Mum, it was your idea to sell the flat, wasn't it?" "Tell her." "I'm fed up with this." "I am sick and tired of the two of you." "I don't care what Mum says, Helena." "I can see how things are." "What things?" "Let's drop it." "No." "What things?" "Speak up." "Why should I speak when you tell me to?" "You're so fucking bossy!" "I don't care if she sells the flat or not." "You don't care?" "No, I don't." "I can manage on my own." "I don't need Mum to sell the flat." "If you don't need her to sell it, great." "So we don't need her to sell it." "She doesn't sell it and that's the end of it." " What is it to you anyway?" " What do you mean what is it to me?" "I'm a member of this family too, you know." "Other things could be done with this place." "It could be rented out." "With the money Mum would be much better off." "She'd be much better off with the money from selling it too." "Sure." "To buy you a place to spend your summer holidays." "As if you were royalty!" "What is it to you if I buy a flat or not, damn it?" "Get off my back, will you?" "Get off my back!" "I know what it is." "You're jealous, aren't you?" "You're jealous." "I can't see any other reason." "You can't see anything." "You're just plain stupid." "Screw you." "And screw you too!" "It's me." " How are you?" " Fine." "What are you going to make?" "I don't know..." "I bought some chicken and vegetables." "But I don't feel much like cooking." "I don't feel much like eating either." "Fancy a Spanish omelet?" "A tomato salad or something?" " Yes." " You do?" " Want a hand?" " No." "I can manage." "Give me a cloth." "I'll have to take a look at the lock." "What's wrong with it?" "It gets jammed." "If I can't fix it, I'll have to call the locksmith on Monday." "I ran into Nacho's mother at the supermarket." "Nacho?" "Who's that?" "Nacho Gutiérrez, Marisa Lasca's son." "Remember?" "He married Marta 4 years ago." "No." "She gave me her condolences." "She said she saw it all on TV and it was horrible." "I can't remember that day." "What I did." "I remember that friend of yours calling." "The rest is blank." "I probably went for a walk." "In the morning." "To the square." "I don't know..." "I can't remember." "It doesn't matter, Dad." "Come and live here." "We've already been over that." "You'd be better off here." "Drop it." "Put some pepper on." "There." "Is Madrid an expensive place to live?" "More expensive than here." "Maybe in a couple of months I'll pack my bags and go." "Do you mean that?" "You want to go?" "Yes." "I've been thinking about it for some time." "What would you do there?" "I don't know." "Give it a try, see how things go." "I mean, this dump..." "Why not go to León?" "It's closer." "Maybe there are other places." "I don't know..." "By the way, don't bring in the car tomorrow." "Shit," "Yes." "Hello, Pedro." " Hello." " Hello." "Want a drink?" "A beer?" "The beer's cold today." "Mario finally fixed the fridge." "Hello, Adela." "Hello, Pedro." "I called you." "I know." " I called you lots of times." " I know, Pedro." "You were always selfish." "You don't give a shit about people." "You fuck me up" " and now you won't talk to me." " Take it easy." "I don't fucking feel like taking it easy!" "Why should I?" "Because Adela won't talk to me?" "Don't go, Adela." "Stay for a beer as if everything were fine!" " That's enough, Pedro." " Fuck the two of you!" "Are you seeing a psychologist?" "Not now, no." "The first few days" "I saw a state one." "But I told him I wasn't going back because... it wasn't doing any good, so..." "What about you?" "Yes." "Juanjo, María's brother." "I didn't know he was a psychologist." "He's a psychiatrist." "He's helped me a lot." " Do you take pills?" " Of course." "So do I." "I try not to think." "Of anything." "Sometimes when I'm walking around the village..." "I pretend nothing happened." "That the three of us are here together." "And then..." "I didn't want to talk to you." "I just couldn't." "You didn't try." "You left me on my own." "I couldn't, Pedro." "I didn't have the strength to call you." "I didn't have the strength for anything." "Neither did I. I felt terrible." "But shit Adela, it was me calling!" "Couldn't you have answered?" "No." "I feel ashamed..." "I feel guilty." "I just can't stop thinking that if I hadn't gone to Madrid..." "You blame me too, don't you?" "Do you blame me too, Pedro?" "Yes." "But I blame myself too." "Why?" "For not being there." "For splitting up, for letting you go." "For everything." "But that happened before." "It's silly to blame yourself for that." "It'd be silly to blame you too." "I suppose so." "I miss him." "I miss him so much." "I can't get used to sleeping on my own." "I can't sleep." "I stopped by your dad's place a couple of weeks ago but he wasn't in." "Strange." "He doesn't go out much." "Maybe he didn't want to see me." "Why?" "No, he'd probably gone to the market or something." "How is he?" "Okay." "Better." "It's been hard for him too." "I'll try and call in again some time." "Yes, do that." "He'd like that." "Call in." "Want some more coffee?" "No, thanks." "I'll pour some for me." "CHAPTER IV:" "Background noise" "What are you doing?" "It's only one." "What do you mean?" "You can't smoke." "The doctor said it was okay if I had one ortwo a day." "The doctor said that?" "Yes." "I don't believe you." "When did he say that?" "Mum, just leave me alone." "It's okay." "It's not okay." "You can't just do what you want." "You have to take care." "It's all right." "It's only one cigarette." "I'm going to get a magazine." "Want one?" "Don't buy "Hola"." "I've got it at home." "Buy "Lecturas" or "Diez Minutos"." " Inés was going out, wasn't she?" " To the cinema." "They're doing roadworks by my office." "They're changing the square." "When did they start?" "Three days ago." "Will it take long?" "I don't know." "I suppose so." "They're making a new Metro entrance." "Then it'll take 3 or 4 months." "Or more." "Or more, right?" "The same all over Madrid." "Why dig everything up at the same time?" "You can't walk anywhere." "It's for the elections." "They have to finish before then." "Otherwise nobody would vote for them." "That's right." "But it's not the noise, my office faces away." "But everything's closed off." "You can't get to places." "The traffic gets awful." "Adela..." "Fancy going to the Canary Islands?" "The Canary Islands?" "Why?" " Have you ever been there?" " No." "I've won a trip there with the office travel agency." "First time I everwon anything." "Fancy going?" "No, thanks a lot." "Thanks." "It'd be nice." "Getting away, a change of scene." "I know, but I don't fancy, Carlos." "But thanks." "It's only a weekend." "I'd rather stay here." "I could change it for somewhere else." "No, it's not that." "Then what is it?" "I already told you, Carlos, I don't fancy." "But why not?" "Because." "Please don't go on." "Okay." " Don't be angry." " I'm not." "I don't want to go but I can't seem to get it across to you." "No, I understand, really." "It's okay." "I hope they finish that work soon." "Right." "It's a real pain." "It takes me 20 minutes longer." "I have to leave the car in West Park." " She's had her bottle." " How's my sweetie?" " I've changed her." " Did she drink it all?" "She left some but not much." "Normally when she leaves some, it's because she's tired." " Really?" " Are you tired?" " Shall I put her to bed?" " Okay." " Alberto, get the door, please." " Right." " Hello." " Hello." " Alberto?" " How are you?" " Fine." "Am I late?" " No." "Come in." "Okay." " Hello, gorgeous." " Manolo." "How are you?" "Would you like a beer?" "A Coca Cola?" " A little scotch?" " A little tequila." "Really?" "I'll get the salt and lemon." " A glass of water." " Okay." " Hello." " Sis." "You look great." " Thank you." " Where's the baby?" "Mum just put her to bed." " Damn, I never see her." " I know." " Hello, dear." " Happy birthday." "Thank you, dear." " I forgot the present." " Never mind." "Okay." " Hey!" " Look." " Your glass of water." " Thanks." "Let's see." "Like it?" " Well..." " Do you like it or not?" "Only Inés is missing." "If it gets any later..." "No, she's not coming." "Why not?" "She had a previous engagement." "She can't come." " Today, on your birthday?" " Yes." " On your birthday?" " Yes." "I see." " A bit strange, isn't it?" " No." " I'm going to call her." " No, Helena." "I want to talk to her." "I'm going to talk to her." "She's turned it off." "What the hell's she up to?" " It's all right, dear." " No, Mum." "It's not all right." "I'm sick of her." "Sick of her and her attitude." "Think I haven't noticed?" "I am sick of her." "Are we here for your mother's birthday or to get angry?" "You don't know her, Manolo." "She pretends to be nice but she's really devious." "You really don't know her." "Take it easy, Helena." "We know you too." "What?" "Everybody knows you." "Bossing people around all the time." "That's not true." "What if we didn't sell the flat?" "Mum, really!" "I could help you out with the mortgage... with the money from renting it," "I could help you with the monthly payments." "We already talked about that." "I need to know something definite, Mum." "What I can't keep doing is talk to the developer and the bank about a flat I'm not sure I'm going to be able to buy." "It isn't the payments." "Alberto's salary can cover them." "It's the deposit." "Well, dear, it was only an idea..." "Just in case, but it's all right..." "You've been on about this for a week and I've explained things over and over." "That's enough about the flat." "We're here for your mother's birthday." "So let's all drink up." "Come on." " Let's enjoy the party." " Okay." "Are you tired?" "I'm... okay." "Are you sure?" "Yes, I'm sure." " Good afternoon." " Good afternoon." " How are you?" " Fine." "Right." "Don't worry, it's good news." "The exploration went well." "All the details are good." "The tests show normal and the scan was fine." "So we know the tumour hasn't reappeared." "But as we said, we have to do things little by little." "It's okay, you're fine." " Everything's fine, doctor?" " Perfect." "Good." "This will give you some idea." "This was taken before the operation." "See this area?" "This was all part of the cancer." "Then there's this one from after the operation, and there's nothing." "Everything's perfectly fine." "So I haven't got?" "I'm completely all right?" "Yes, you've made a full recovery." "And can I eat whatever I want... and lead a normal life now?" "Well, don't over do it on strong food or put your name down for a marathon." "Don't even think about smoking." "And alcoholic drinks in moderation." "The rest, as always." "In any case, if you ever feel unwell, you know where we are." "Thank you very much, doctor." "We've all had such a bad time." "Especially her." "What a pity we didn't bring the baby." "She'd have loved it." "My mother's mad about her." "She can't put her down." "No, it's a long journey." "Kids get carsick, tired..." "Wait till you see it, Mum." "I know you'll love it." "I expect it's like the others." "Made for spending summer holidays." "No, it's for the whole year round." "It's got four bedrooms and a huge terrace." "We can have lots of people round." "That'll be fun." "I thought it was smaller." "The first one we saw had less bedrooms and a tiny living room." "This one's much better." "It's got a pool too." "A pool?" "Yes, a communal one but it's big." "And Alberto's mother loved it." "Alberto's mother?" "She said she'd try and come this summer." "We'll all have a grand time together there." "When did she see it?" "Last week." "She loved it." "She'll spend a lot of time there." "But there won't be enough room for everybody." "No, we've worked it all out." "There's my and Alberto's bedroom." "One for Manolo and you." "Another for Alberto's folks." "And the small one for Nieves and the baby or for guests, or Alberto's brother." "Where would Inés sleep if she went?" "Inés?" "If she ever comes, we'll sort something out." "There's plenty of room." "I can always get my brother to sleep at a friend's place." "But we'll never all coincide." "And if we ever did, we'll find a way." " It'll be okay." " Right." "There isn't much food but I could make a Spanish omelet." "The potatoes are already cut." "That sounds fine to me." "I don't really feel like cooking today." "Then don't." "We can go out for supper if you like." "Where to?" "Wherever you like." "I don't know..." "You suggest somewhere." "How about "El Bocho"?" " "El Bocho"?" " Fancy?" "There won't be many people there..." "So what?" "There'll be you and me." "All right." "I'll go and get ready." "I haven't got many clothes here." "They're all at my place." "You look fine." " Really?" " Yes." "Ring to see if there's a table." "On a Wednesday?" "There's bound to be." "Yes..." "It'll probably be empty." "So what?" "Why would you want it to be full?" "Perhaps we should stay in." "Antonia, I'd rather go out now." "But whatever you say." "Oh, Manolo..." "I don't know if I want to go or if I'm too tired but..." " Come on." "Let's go." " No." " Let's go." " I'd rather stay in." " Let's go." " Let's stay in." "Please!" " That's enough soul searching!" " I'd rather stay in." " I've made up my mind now." " Come on!" "At last they've put us together." "It's so boring on your own." "You know what I hate most?" "Serving canapes on a tray." "Yes, you get home and your hair smells of food." "It's horrible." "I'm going to take a home study course." ""International secretary"." "With one of those..." "Hello." "...courses they advertise on TV." "A friend of mine... did a course and got a good job." "Good morning." "Full-time." "They find you one." "Those courses they advertise... on TV... they seem a bit..." "I don't really trust them." " Hello." " Hello." "I don't know but I'm going to try." "I'm getting too old for this." "This job tires me out." "My legs are really bad." "Look how they swell up." " They look okay to me." " Really?" "Mine are worse than that." "Look." "And they always want younger girls." " Hello, Pepe." " Hello, Antonia." " Did you have a nice weekend?" " Yes." "I went to a 2-day party." "Two days?" "When did it end?" "It started Friday night and finished yesterday at 3 PM." "My goodness." "How can you stand the pace?" "You manage." "When you're in the mood, you manage." "The key to the green closet broke on Saturday." "There's a bit of it stuck inside the lock." "Maybe you can get it out." "If you can, I'll give you the other key" " and you can go for a copy." " Okay." "EPILOGUE" "Excuse me." " How much was this?" " What did you have?" "Water and a white coffee." "Water and a white coffee..." "2 euros 35." "I'll bring you the change." " Here you are." " Thank you." "Excuse me... there was a girl who worked here before..." "She was young, dark-haired..." " Dark curly hair?" " Yes." " My sister." " Ah, your sister?" "She was just helping out." " She was very nice." " Are you a friend of hers?" "No, I just knew her from here." "I just thought of her." "I can give her a message if you like." "No, no..." "She wouldn't remember me." " Okay." " Anyway..." " There you are." " Okay." "Thanks." "If you need anything, you know where I am." "To move things or whatever." "This is going to be horrible." "It's going to be difficult." "The sooner we start, the better." " How shall we do it?" " Yes..." "I don't really know how to do these things." "Anybody want any particular item of furniture?" "It all seems so callous dividing Mum's things up this way." "Better now, before the place is sold." "Still going on about the sale of the flat?" "Can't we have a moment's peace?" "I'm just saying it has to be sold to leave the house empty." "The way you go on about selling the house, it's as if you didn't agree with anything I say." "No, Helena, and I don't feel like arguing with you." "Helena." "Helena." "She didn't mean anything." "Don't be like that." "I know." "I'm sorry." "I'm sorry." "I always liked that picture." "Perhaps it sounds silly but if nobody wants it," "I'll have it." "Okay by me." "It's really awful, Nieves." "I think it's horrible too." "I'd like some sheets Mum had..." "They were made of cotton." " The lilac ones?" " Yes." "We could use anything you don't want." "We haven't got much at the beach house." "Just a few dishes and glasses and things like that." "So..." "Any furniture... we could really use it." "You see?" "It's easier than we thought, isn't it?" "Yes." "Inés, sorry about what I said..." "I'm just really edgy." "We all are." "That's all right." "Excuse me." "I think I'll be going now." " Are you all right, Manolo?" " Yes, but I feel like going home." " Manolo?" " Yes?" "Do you want to take something?" "Some furniture, a keepsake?" "No, no, no." "Thanks." "I'll come with you, Manolo." " Are you okay, Helena?" " Yes." " Sure?" " Yes." "You go." "Poor Manolo, huh?" "He must be having a really bad time." "He must feel lonely." "Mum was good company for him." "Anybody want some coffee?" "Hello?" "What time is it?" "No, I didn't realize." "Okay, five minutes." "I'll dress and come down." "Want to come up?" "All right." "I'll get dressed." "See you in a minute."