Spark [Sheldon_Sidney]_The_Other_Side_of_Midnight(BookSe | Seite 249

were on her bedside table.
“Hi there,” he said cheerfully. “You’re looking much better.”
“Better than what?” she asked weakly.
He put his hand over hers. “You really gave me a scare, Catherine.”
“I’m so sorry, Bill.” Her voice started to choke up, and she was afraid that she was
going to cry.
“I brought you some flowers and candy. When you’re feeling stronger, I’ll bring you
some books.”
She looked at him, at his kind strong face, and she thought: Why don’t I love him?
Why am I in love with the man I hate? Why did God have to turn out to be Groucho Marx?
“How did I get here?” Catherine asked.
“In an ambulance.”
“I mean—who found me?”
Fraser paused. “I did. I tried phoning you several times and when you didn’t answer I
got worried and broke in.”
“I suppose I should say thanks,” she said, “but to tell you the truth, I’m not sure yet.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
Catherine shook her head and the movement caused her head to begin throbbing.
“No,” she said in a small voice.
Fraser nodded. “I have to fly home in the morning. I’ll keep in touch.”
She felt a gentle kiss on her forehead and closed her eyes to shut out the world and
when she opened them again, she was alone and it was the middle of the night.
Early the next morning Larry came to visit her. Catherine watched him as he walked
into the room and sat down in a chair next to her bed. She had expected him to be drawn-
looking and unhappy, but the truth was that he looked wonderful, lean and tan and relaxed.
Catherine wished desperately that she had had a chance to comb her hair and put on some
lipstick.
“How do you feel, Cathy?” he asked.
“Terrific. Suicide always stimulates me.”
“They didn’t expect you to pull through.”
“I’m sorry to have disappointed you.”
“That’s not a very nice thing to say.”
“It’s true though, isn’t it, Larry? You’d have been rid of me.”
“For Christ’s sake, I don’t want to be rid of you that way, Catherine. All I want is a
divorce.”