The Sleeping Partner (28 page)

‘Because you're not a civil servant on a guaranteed salary – you're a scientific business man at a delicately balanced point in his business career. This strike scare only shows how much you need to be on hand. Of course it would be a great help to everyone concerned to have you out on the survey – no one's denying that for a moment – but you have other responsibilities, not only to other establishments but to yourself. No one has the right to demand that you give those up.'

I said: ‘ No one's demanding it, David – except myself.' He didn't reply. After a minute I went on: ‘I can't explain it to you more than by saying that this is the thing I have to do.'

We talked for a minute or two and then I put the receiver down.

I put my cigarette down. I eased the plaster on my forehead and lay staring at the ceiling. I don't often remember feeling more alone. There was a fly on the ceiling walking upside down dogged by a tiny shadow cast by the light. It seemed just then that he probably knew quite as much as I did about the equilibrium of the world.

I picked up the receiver again to telephone my love.

First published in 1956 by Hodder & Stoughton

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Copyright © Winston Graham, 1956

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