III
An Unusual AwakeningNovember 1989
“No no, wait...!”
There’s a knock on the door.
“Breakfast!”
The bone vanishes.
“Bone, don’t go!”
More knocking.
“Breakfast!”
“Eh?…”
“Breakfast!”
Louder knocking, quite distinct now.
“Yes, I’m coming...”
I finally realised where I was. The room was already flooded with daylight. I called louder:
“Yes, just a second. I’ll be right there.”
I got out of bed, now fully awake, and hurried to open the door. Then I realised I was in my underpants, so I leaned into the bathroom and grabbed a towel to tie around my waist. I turned the doorknob and pulled it hard and there was a scrunching sound: I’d forgotten about the chain.
“Sorry, I’m coming.”
“Don’t worry, take your time.”
At last I opened the door and a slight, attractive girl came in carr
