Read Online Too Close to the Edge by Pascal Garnier - Free Book Online Page A

Thursday were for them … only them. When she opened her eyes again, Éliette realised she had just torn her EDF bill into a thousand pieces of confetti.
     
    Throughout the journey, Agnès had not stopped complaining about how fucking slow the piece of shit toy car was.
    ‘I feel like I’m in a wheelchair. Put your foot down, damn it!’
    ‘My foot’s touching the floor!’
    For the second time in Étienne’s life, he found himself at Montélimar station. It was no worse than any other station, but he had no wish to hang around there. Agnès got out,slammed the door rather violently and went round to give her father a kiss through the open window.
    ‘Don’t do anything stupid, Étienne.’
    ‘It’s me who should be worried!’
    ‘No. I’m going to do a deal: it’s clear, straightforward; it’s a certain amount per gram. As for you … you’re putty in Éliette’s hands.’
    ‘What are you on about?’
    ‘Watch out, Daddykins. The most dangerous thing about danger is that it comes where you least expect it.’
    ‘Well, aren’t you the philosopher.’
    ‘I’m a wise old woman – older, even, than Éliette. I’ll call you tonight.’
    As she ran off into the station, bag slung over her shoulder, Étienne realised he had never seen her on the beach with a bucket and spade. One day they would go on holiday together. One day …
     
    Éliette had given up poring over paperwork and gone back to the Colette biography. She read the first line of the fourth chapter for the tenth time, and still took nothing in. Nothing can fill the gap of waiting, other than a swift blow to the head. She had reached the point of wondering whether to cut her toenails or fingernails when the sound of an engine swept away all such noble thoughts. It wasn’t the Aixam, but Paul’s diesel engine. She let out a curse that was absorbed into the hush of the house.
    ‘Hello, Paul!’
    ‘Hi … Éliette. Gonna be a hot one.’
    His speech was slurred, his step unsteady. His car was parked at an angle across the drive, its nose pointing into the ditch.
    ‘Not disturbing you, am I?’
    ‘Of course not. Fancy a coffee?’
    ‘Not really the drink for this time of day, but if you like …’
    ‘A pastis then?’
    ‘I wouldn’t say no.’
    In the kitchen he instinctively sat at the table and took up the same position as he had the day before, elbows on the oilcloth, shoulders hunched.
    ‘How’s Rose?’
    ‘All right. She’s wilting.’
    This unusual attempt at humour caught Éliette off guard.
    ‘What about you?’
    ‘Oh, just wonderful! One of my lads has just got himself killed and the other’s about to marry a Kraut. May as well get the wedding and funeral done in one go!’
    ‘You shouldn’t be so hard on Serge. He’s different, so what? He’s hurting too. He loved his brother and he loves you.’
    ‘Too much love, that’s his problem! You can’t go around loving everybody.’
    ‘Why not?’
    ‘Because … Oh, I don’t know. Because it all becomes a mess, one big orgy! There are men and there are women, and it’s complicated enough as it is!’
    He downed his pastis in one, ran a hand across his face and looked at his palm as though trying to find his reflection in a mirror.
    ‘You can’t have it all, is all I’m saying!’ he continued.
    ‘Why? It’s not a crime! Serge is gay and you’ve known that for years. He and his boyfriend love each other. Where’s the harm in that?’
    ‘Well, let me tell you, if I feel like doing … with anyone I like, I … It’s a bloody joke! It’s not right!’
    Paul had stood up. He had gripped the edge of the sink with both hands and was tugging on it as if he wanted to rip it out. He was sweating heavily and his ears were as red as a tobacconist’s shop sign. He looked to Éliette like a wild boar being chased.
    ‘So you understand everything, do you? Everything’s normal to you, is it? And what if I told you I’ve wanted you for years? What would you say to that,