- b2315560411has quoted2 years ago
Kapitel 15
Mandag morgen havde luften det magisk stille præg, der er almindeligt om efteråret. Hele verden føltes frisk og klar, og det var, som om tiden var stillet i bero. Jeg røg ud af sengen ved daggry og trak i mit træningstøj, ivrig efter at komme udendørs.Chapter 15
On Monday morning, the air had that magically quiet touch that is common in autumn. The whole world felt fresh and clear, and it was as if time had stood still. I got out of bed at dawn and pulled on my workout clothes, eager to get outdoors. - b2315560411has quoted2 years agoFloden var mennesketom den første time. Da solen brød op over horisonten, blev tågen brændt væk ved vandlinjen, så jeg skiftevis kom igennem bræmmer af dis og rosenrødt solskin.
Da jeg gled ind til broen, sad Matthew og ventede på mig på den buede trappe, der førte til bådehusets veranda, og han havde et ældgammelt New College-halstørklæde med brune og elfenbensfarvede striber om halsen. Jeg steg op af båden, satte hænderne i siderne og stirrede vantro på ham.The river was man-made in the first hour. When the sun broke over the horizon, the fog was burned away at the waterline, so I alternately came through thickets of haze and rosy sunshine.
As I slid into the bridge, Matthew was waiting for me on the curved staircase leading to the boathouse porch, and he was wearing an age-old New College scarf with brown and ivory stripes around his neck. I got out of the boat, put my hands to the sides and stared at him in disbelief. - b2315560411has quoted2 years ago»Hvor har du det der fra?« Jeg pegede på tørklædet.
»Du burde vise mere respekt for de gamle medlemmer,« sagde han med sit gavtyvesmil og kastede den ene ende over skulderen. »Jeg tror, jeg købte det i 1920, men jeg kan helt ærligt ikke huske det. Det var i hvert fald, efter at første verdenskrig var slut.«"Where did you get that?"I pointed to the scarf.
"You should show more respect for the old members," he said with his gift-stealing smile, throwing one end over his shoulder. "I think I bought it in 1920, but I honestly don't remember. That was after the first World War ended.« - b2315560411has quoted2 years agoJeg bar hovedrystende årerne ind i bådehuset. To hold gled forbi broen i perfekt harmoni, netop som jeg løftede båden op af vandet. Jeg gik lidt ned i knæ og svingede båden op, så dens vægt hvilede på mit hoved.
»Skal jeg ikke hjælpe dig med den?« spurgte Matthew og rejste sig.
»Bestemt ikke.« Mine skridt var faste, da jeg bar båden ind. Han brummede dæmpet et eller andet.I carried the oars into the boathouse, shaking my head. Two teams glided past the bridge in perfect harmony, just as I lifted the boat out of the water. I got down on my knees a little and swung the boat up so that its weight rested on my head.
"Don't you want me to help you with that?"Matthew asked and stood up.
"Certainly not."My steps were firm as I carried the boat in. He hummed something. - b2315560411has quoted2 years agoDa båden var anbragt på stativet, overtalte Matthew mig uden besvær til morgenmad i Mary og Dans café. Han blev nødt til at sidde ved siden af mig det meste af dagen, og jeg var sulten efter morgenens anstrengelser. Med et greb om min albue styrede han mig uden om de andre gæster, og hans hånd var fastere mod min ryg end tidligere. Mary modtog mig som en gammel ven, og Steph gjorde sig ikke ulejlighed med et menukort, sagde bare ‘det sædvanlige’, da hun kom hen til bordet. Da tallerkenen kom – og bugnede af æg, bacon, champignoner og tomater – var jeg glad for, at jeg ikke havde bedt om noget mere damet.
When the boat was placed on the stand, Matthew effortlessly persuaded me to breakfast in Mary and Dan's cafe. He had to sit next to me for most of the day, and I was hungry after the morning efforts. With a grip on my elbow, he steered me around the other guests, and his hand was firmer against my back than before. Mary received me like an old friend, and Steph didn't bother with a menu card, just said ‘the usual’ when she came over to the table. When the plate arrived – and abounded with eggs, bacon, mushrooms and tomatoes-I was glad I hadn't asked for anything more damet.
- b2315560411has quoted2 years ago»Det er højlys dag, og Fred får et føl på tværs, hvis du spærrer for hans port, hvor der bliver leveret varer,« protesterede jeg, da Matthew skulle til at stige ud af bilen. Han havde skulet, men var gået med til, at det var nok bare at holde lige ud for indgangen for at forhindre angreb fra en bil.
"It's daylight, and Fred will get a colt if you block his gate where goods are being delivered," I protested as Matthew was about to get out of the car. He had been scolding, but had agreed that it was enough just to hold out just outside the entrance to prevent an attack by a car.
- b2315560411has quoted2 years ago»Hørte du ikke efter?« sagde Matthew iltert. »Han truede dig!
Jeg har ikke brug for det manuskript, men jeg har brug for –« Han tav brat."Did you not listen?"said Matthew iltert. "He threatened you!
I don't need that script, but I need –" he was silent abruptly. - b2315560411has quoted2 years agoJeg skubbede Matthew ned på stolen. Sean stirrede stadig hen på os med hånden på telefonen. Jeg rystede smilende på hovedet til ham, inden jeg så på vampyren igen.
I pushed Matthew down on the chair. Sean was still staring at us with his hand on the phone. I shook my head before looking at the vampire again.
- b2315560411has quoted2 years agoDa Knox nærmede sig igen, strammedes Matthews greb om min hage, mens hans sanser var tunet ind på heksen. Knox standsede et par borde væk, og vampyren så på mig igen. »Ét ord mere fra ham, og vi går – manuskript eller ej. Jeg mener det, Diana.«
As Knox approached again, Matthew's grip on my chin tightened as his senses tuned in to the witch. Knox stopped a few tables away, and the Vampire looked at me again. "One more word from him, and we go – script or not. I mean it, Diana.«
- b2315560411has quoted2 years agoEfter morgenmaden småløb jeg forbi vagtstuen og op i min lejlighed for at tage et brusebad og skifte tøj. Fred strakte hals for at se, om det virkelig var Matthews Jaguar, der holdt uden for porten. Portnerne havde uden tvivl et væddemål i gang om at forudsige vores ejendommeligt formelle forhold. Her til morgen var det første gang, jeg havde overtalt min ledsager til at nøjes med at sætte mig af.
After breakfast I ran past the guard room and up to my apartment to take a shower and change clothes. Fred stretched his neck to see if it was really Matthew's Jaguar holding outside the gate. The porters no doubt had a bet going on to predict our peculiarly formal relationship. This morning was the first time I had persuaded my companion to just drop me off.