Went
with Karl to pick up a bureau from a house clearance just outside
Quimper. The house was owned by an elderly lady who'd recently died
and her son met us and also showed us a mahogany sideboard which he
asked if we would like to take at no extra cost.
Karl
seemed happy to take it and sang tunelessly to John Lee Hooker all
the way back. He dug out a CD of SeasickSteve
which his daughter (who lives in Munich) sent him and asked me what I
thought. I said the album is similar to J J Kale; a thoughtful
choice, adding that the photo of artist also has a resemblance to
himself: Karl wasn't impressed. I told him about Jean-Luc and Hilda
(the magic cow), suggesting we call in on the way back.
When
we arrived, the farm had a desolate air about it. I thought it
unlikely that Marie had returned from her mother's. The front door
was locked and bolted which was odd as, on my last visit, I
remembered it being open. Jean-Luc peered at us through the crack in
the door and told us to hurry as he ushered us in.
The
kitchen stank: a stale musty smell fused with an aroma of cowpat and
body odour. The floor was scattered with hay and half-chewed corn
cobs, swarms of flies darted around the dishes piled up in the stone
sink, and cups of untouched coffee had been abandoned around the
room, some starting to gather a layer of green mould.
Hilda
didn't budge when we entered, but stood gazing placidly at Jean-Luc
whilst Bruno sulked behind the threadbare armchair. Worst of all was
Jean-Luc; dark shadows under his bloodshot eyes, his skin a deathly
pale. He beard was a straggly mess and his hair stood up in tufts. He
told us that two nights ago he had been woken at about three in the
morning by loud whispers coming from the kitchen. He crept downstairs
and discovered two of Marie's brothers, "Imbéciles stupides!"
were attempting to lead Hilda out through the front door. He chased
them away claiming they were trying to kidnap her. We said nothing to
this. Karl filled up the sink and started to wash up the dishes and I
collected up the coffee cups whilst Jean-Luc ranted on, calling Marie
a traitor because she must have given her key to her brothers. He
said he'd phoned her earlier that day, trying to convince her of
Hilda's powers.
Karl
suggested that perhaps the brothers had made their kidnap attempt so
that Marie could return home. Jean-Luc considered this, but dismissed
the idea. He shook his head vigorously. "They have always been
jealous. They are ignorant peasants!"
We
tried to reason with him, telling him he must put Hilda back in the
field, but he was paranoid about another kidnap attempt. He told us
he has to keep the door bolted otherwise Marie will use her key and
try to snatch Hilda away.
Karl
searched the cupboards and fridge: no food in the house. Jean-Luc
asked him to take some money from a jar near the sink to buy milk and
bread. He then pulled out a tattered piece of paper from his pocket
and showed us a list of numbers he'd written down, insisting Hilda
had told him the numbers. He folded the paper carefully, handed it to
Karl, and asked him to buy a ticket for next week's lottery. Karl was
reluctant but Jean-Luc pleaded with him, saying he could no longer
leave the farm. The man was close to tears so we agreed, but only on
condition that Jean-Luc attempts to clean the kitchen and speak to
Marie.
Karl
stopped for a coffee when we got to my place and we both agreed that
Marie has to return and Hilda has to go. The problem is, how to
convince Jean-Luc.
No comments:
Post a Comment