Free The Unconsoled by Kazuo Ishiguro Page A

green not much bigger than a traffic island. Geoffrey Saunders pointed to a solitary street lamp in front of the shops.
    'You and your boy should wait over there. I know there's no sign, but don't worry, it's a recognised bus stop. Now, I'm afraid I'll have to leave you.'
    Boris and I stared across to where he had pointed. The rain had stopped, but a mist was hovering around the base of the lamppost. There was nothing stirring around us.
    'Are you sure a bus will come?' I asked.
    'Oh yes. Naturally, at this time of night it might take a little while. But certainly it'll come in the end. You have to be patient, that's all. You might get a little chilly standing here, but believe me the bus is well worth the wait. It will come out of the darkness, all brightly lit up. And once you step on board, you'll find it's very warm and comfortable. And it always has the most cheerful crowd of passengers. They'll be laughing and joking, handing out hot drinks and snacks. They'll make you and your boy very welcome. Just ask the driver to let you off at the medieval chapel. It's just a short journey by bus.'
    Geoffrey Saunders bade us good night, then turned and walked off. Boris and I watched him disappear down an alleyway between two houses, then began to make our way over to the bus stop.
    5
    We stood beneath the street lamp for several minutes, surrounded by silence. Eventually I put my arm around Boris saying: 'You must be getting cold.'
    He pressed himself against my body, but said nothing, and when I glanced down at him I saw he was gazing thoughtfully along the darkened street. Somewhere far away a dog began to bark, then stopped. When we had been standing like that for a time, I said:
    'Boris, I'm sorry. I should have arranged things better. I'm sorry.'
    The little boy remained silent for a moment. Then he said: 'Don't worry. The bus will come soon.'
    I could see across the little square the mist drifting in front of the short row of shops.
    'I'm not sure a bus is coming, Boris,' I said eventually.
    'It's all right. You've got to be patient.'
    We went on waiting for several more moments. Then I said again:
    'Boris, I'm not at all sure a bus is going to come.'
    The little boy turned to me and sighed wearily. 'Stop worrying,' he said. 'Didn't you hear what the man said? We just have to wait.'
    'Boris. Sometimes things don't happen as you expect. Even when someone tells you it will.'
    Boris gave another sigh. 'Look, the man said, didn't he? Anyway, Mother will be waiting for us.'
    I was trying to think of what to say next when the sound of a cough made us both start. Turning, I saw, just beyond the light cast by the street lamp, someone leaning out of a stationary car.
    'Good evening, Mr Ryder. Excuse me, but I was just going by and happened to see you. Is everything all right?'
    I took a few steps towards the car and recognised Stephan, the hotel manager's son.
    'Oh yes,' I said. 'Everything's fine, thank you. We were… well, we were waiting for a bus.'
    'Perhaps I could give you a lift. I was just on my way somewhere, a rather delicate mission Father's entrusted me with. I say, it's rather chilly out there. Why don't you jump in?'
    The young man got out and opened the passenger doors front and back. Thanking him, I helped Boris into the rear seat and got into the front. The next moment, the car had begun to move.
    'So this is your little boy,' Stephan said as we sped through deserted streets. 'How very nice to meet him, though he looks a bit exhausted just now. Oh well, let him rest. I'll shake his hand another time.'
    Glancing behind me, I saw that Boris was in the process of falling asleep, his head against the cushioned arm-rest.
    'So, Mr Ryder,' Stephan went on. 'I assume you're wanting to return to the hotel.'
    'Actually, Boris and I were on our way to someone's apartment. In the centre, near the medieval chapel.'
    'The medieval chapel? Hmm.'
    'Is that going to be a problem?'
    'Oh, not really. No problem at all.' Stephan