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‘As I was saying, that’s the dark secret of our time, no one mentions it, but every time one opens a door one is greeted by a shrill, desperate and inaudible scream.’
‘Well thanks anyhow for pulling me out - of what I was in.’
‘Any time.’
‘They kissed. He jumped lightly down the stairs, his suitcase in his hand, turning at the bottom to say: ‘You should have said - I’ll write.’
‘But we won’t.’
‘No, but let’s preserve the forms, the forms at least of …’ He was gone, with a wave of his hand.
When Janet came home she found Anna in the process of finding another, smaller flat, and getting a job.
Molly had telephoned Anna, to say she was getting married. The two women met in Molly’s kitchen, where Molly was preparing them salad and omelettes.
‘Who is he?’
‘You don’t know him. He’s what we used to refer to as a progressive businessman. You know, the poor Jewish boy from the East End who got rich and salved his conscience by giving money to the Communist Party. Now they just give money to progressive causes.’
‘Oh he’s got money?’
‘Quantities. And a house in Hampstead.’ Molly turned her back to her friend, while Anna digested this.
‘What are you going to do with this house?’
‘Can’t you guess?’ Molly turned, the briskness of her former irony back in her voice. Her smile was wry and gallant.
‘You don’t mean that Marion and Tommy are going to take it?’
‘What else? Haven’t you seen them?’
‘No, nor Richard.’
‘Well. Tommy’s all set to follow in Richard’s footsteps. He’s already installed, and taking things over, and Richard’s slowly going to ease out and settle down with Jean.’
‘You mean, he’s all happy and content?’
‘Well I saw him with a pretty bit last week in the street, but don’t let’s jump to conclusions.’
‘No, don’t let’s.’
Tommy is very definite about not being all reactionary and unprogressive like Richard. He says the world is going to be changed by the efforts of progressive big business and putting pressure on Government departments.’
‘Well he, at least, is in tune with our times.’
‘Please don’t, Anna.’
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About
The Golden Notebook is a collaboration between if:book London and Apt.
Principal funding by Arts Council England.
HarperCollins, the publisher of The Golden Notebook, digitized the book for us and generously gave permission to reproduce it here in its entirety at no cost.
Additional support from The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and New York University
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