"David Garnett - Off The Track" - читать интересную книгу автора (Garnett David)

"Five thousand dollars?" whispered Michael.
"You know the rate of exchange. You earn that in a day. Come on, quickly."

"What's the rush?"
"I don't want him to find those petrol vouchers until we've gone."
Michael halted. "The what! How many did you leave?"
She tugged at his arm. "We've still got plenty. We don't need them all."
"But he won't be able to use them. They're only for tourists."
"He'll find a way if he has to," said Angela. She paused to stroke the
dog, which was still lying in the same place. "Give me the keys, I'll
drive."
She unlocked her door and carefully put the things she had bought on the
back seat, then climbed into the car and opened the passenger door. It was
roasting inside. Michael swung his door backwards and forwards, trying to
force some cooler air into the vehicle. Angela slid the key into the
ignition and started the engine. Michael sat down, closed his door and
opened the window.
By then, the man was standing next to the driver's door.
"Where you heading for?" he asked.
Angela glanced at Michael.
"The Grand Canyon," he answered.
"You won't be disappointed." The man nodded.
"It's Tennessee for you?" said Angela.
"And Mississippi. I reckon it's time I visited my brother's grave again."
"He died when...er..?" Angela's voice tailed away.
"Died at birth."
Michael noticed his wife's right hand leave the steering wheel and touch
her stomach.
"He was my twin brother." The man wiped his forehead with the back of his
arm. He seemed to study the town, but his gaze encompassed far more.
"Sometimes I think he was the lucky one."
He and Angela looked at each other for a moment, and he said: "Have a good
vacation, you hear?"
"We will," she said, nodding. "Goodbye."
The man waved as the car drove off into the street.
"This is America," said Michael. "They drive on the right."
The Volkswagen swerved to the other side of the road.
Angela glanced at Michael, then she grinned.
"Are you angry?" she asked.
"At giving away five thousand dollars to a complete stranger? Why should I
be?"
But his anger was already ebbing away. For the first time Angela no longer
seemed to resent them being here, which was all that mattered.
They had only driven a few hundred yards when she suddenly braked and
pulled the car into the side. She pointed across the road to the war
memorial.
It stood in a small plot, surrounded by flowers. There was a fountain in
one corner, a flagpole in another. There were still fifty stars on the
American flag.
"It's like a tombstone," said Angela, softly.