Engleskinja , ” murmured Sarah, who had understood no more than a word or two, but by pantomimic signs and smiles she soon grasped what was required. She folded blankets and coats, sorted shoes and tied them in pairs, and for a brief time forgot her immediate fears for both Adam and Radmilla.
The woman next to her broke off to write a penciled note and insert it among a bundle of blankets.
“ Sestra !” she explained to Sarah, who gathered that the woman had a sister living in Krasnograd and hoped the note might reach her.
An idea worth copying, thought Sarah, who immediately rummaged in her handbag to find a scrap of paper. She did not know Radmilla ’ s address, but the surname “ Kubovic ” might find the family. She wrote briefly, hoping that Radmilla and her relatives were safe and well.
It was more difficult to write a note to Adam without appearing too formal or too effusive, but she managed a few lines that she thought could be interpreted only in a friendly way, and added Edmund ’ s name to her own to make the message sound a more collective concern. What did it matter anyway? The chances of the note ’ s ever reaching Adam were very remote indeed. The only address she knew was the steel plant and the nearest she could get to this was “ celik fabrica ,” which was probably all wrong, so for good measure she added, “ Steelworks, near Krasnograd ” in English.
Even that was vague, but she tucked the paper inside a folded blanket and mentally added, with love from Sarah. That, of course, was a thought to be ruthlessly suppressed. She concentrated on the tasks in hand and did not notice the time until she glanced at her watch. Eleven o ’ clock! It couldn ’ t be so late, but she realized how tired and hungry she was and decided to return.
Outside, the cooler air revived her as she walked up the steps and through the Pile gateway. A few people still sat at the cafe tables under the trees, and Sarah went across and ordered coffee and whatever food was available. The waiter brought her a plate of ricet, a dish of smoked pork with barley and beans, and she was pleasantly surprised, having expected only a plate of assorted cold meats.
After eating she felt less tired and walked back to her hotel, for she guessed that the last tram had already gone.
From the small garden by the hotel entrance a man ’ s figure emerged, almost startling her.
“ Sarah! ”
“ Daniel! What are you doing here? ”
“ Waiting for you to come home, I suppose, ” he answered. “ We were worried about you when you didn ’ t come to the villa for dinner and Edmund telephoned to find out if you ’ d come back here. ”
“ But I left him a note that I was going down into the town, ” Sarah explained. “ I felt I couldn ’ t hang about doing nothing when there ’ s so much need of voluntary helpers. ”
“ And what have you been doing? ”
“ Only parceling up clothing and blankets. Little enough, really, when you hear of the enormous damage and how many people are homeless in Krasnograd. Is there any more news? ”
“ I haven ’ t heard anything definite. Only the wildest rumors. We shall be able to see for ourselves. Edmund has received the go-ahead for taking a small unit to Krasnograd and making a documentary. So that should keep you busy. ”
“ Oh, that ’ s marvelous news! We might be able to get in touch with Radmilla and find out if she and her family are safe. ” Sarah would not mention Adam. Daniel was always too eager to pounce at the sound of Adam ’ s name. “ When do we start? ”
“ Tomorrow, if possible. Edmund will tell you. ” Edmund ’ s instructions were to give up the rooms she and Radmilla had occupied and take everything to the villa.
“ We don ’ t know exactly when we ’ ll be back, ” he said.
Next morning Sarah packed all her belongings and collected a number of Radmilla ’ s clothes and small possessions that the Slav girl had not had time to bother about.
At
The woman next to her broke off to write a penciled note and insert it among a bundle of blankets.
“ Sestra !” she explained to Sarah, who gathered that the woman had a sister living in Krasnograd and hoped the note might reach her.
An idea worth copying, thought Sarah, who immediately rummaged in her handbag to find a scrap of paper. She did not know Radmilla ’ s address, but the surname “ Kubovic ” might find the family. She wrote briefly, hoping that Radmilla and her relatives were safe and well.
It was more difficult to write a note to Adam without appearing too formal or too effusive, but she managed a few lines that she thought could be interpreted only in a friendly way, and added Edmund ’ s name to her own to make the message sound a more collective concern. What did it matter anyway? The chances of the note ’ s ever reaching Adam were very remote indeed. The only address she knew was the steel plant and the nearest she could get to this was “ celik fabrica ,” which was probably all wrong, so for good measure she added, “ Steelworks, near Krasnograd ” in English.
Even that was vague, but she tucked the paper inside a folded blanket and mentally added, with love from Sarah. That, of course, was a thought to be ruthlessly suppressed. She concentrated on the tasks in hand and did not notice the time until she glanced at her watch. Eleven o ’ clock! It couldn ’ t be so late, but she realized how tired and hungry she was and decided to return.
Outside, the cooler air revived her as she walked up the steps and through the Pile gateway. A few people still sat at the cafe tables under the trees, and Sarah went across and ordered coffee and whatever food was available. The waiter brought her a plate of ricet, a dish of smoked pork with barley and beans, and she was pleasantly surprised, having expected only a plate of assorted cold meats.
After eating she felt less tired and walked back to her hotel, for she guessed that the last tram had already gone.
From the small garden by the hotel entrance a man ’ s figure emerged, almost startling her.
“ Sarah! ”
“ Daniel! What are you doing here? ”
“ Waiting for you to come home, I suppose, ” he answered. “ We were worried about you when you didn ’ t come to the villa for dinner and Edmund telephoned to find out if you ’ d come back here. ”
“ But I left him a note that I was going down into the town, ” Sarah explained. “ I felt I couldn ’ t hang about doing nothing when there ’ s so much need of voluntary helpers. ”
“ And what have you been doing? ”
“ Only parceling up clothing and blankets. Little enough, really, when you hear of the enormous damage and how many people are homeless in Krasnograd. Is there any more news? ”
“ I haven ’ t heard anything definite. Only the wildest rumors. We shall be able to see for ourselves. Edmund has received the go-ahead for taking a small unit to Krasnograd and making a documentary. So that should keep you busy. ”
“ Oh, that ’ s marvelous news! We might be able to get in touch with Radmilla and find out if she and her family are safe. ” Sarah would not mention Adam. Daniel was always too eager to pounce at the sound of Adam ’ s name. “ When do we start? ”
“ Tomorrow, if possible. Edmund will tell you. ” Edmund ’ s instructions were to give up the rooms she and Radmilla had occupied and take everything to the villa.
“ We don ’ t know exactly when we ’ ll be back, ” he said.
Next morning Sarah packed all her belongings and collected a number of Radmilla ’ s clothes and small possessions that the Slav girl had not had time to bother about.
At
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