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书虫1级《雪莉·霍姆斯和立陶宛青年案》4. 男朋友

所属教程:书虫1级 雪莉·霍姆斯和立陶宛青年案

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2022年07月25日

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4. The boyfriend

The next day I'm in the street in my car, opposite the house. I have a cup of coffee, a newspaper, and a lot of time. I want to see Tomas, and talk to him. Then I can make my report to Mrs Williams, and the job is finished.

At 17.45 Carrie walks down the street, and goes into the house. I'm watching carefully now. People are coming home from work... in cars, on bicycles, on foot. Lots to watch. Two people go into the house, a young woman and a short, older man with white hair.

At 18.25 a young man walks down the street. Tall, with dark hair. He walks to the front door, and in two seconds I'm out of the car, across the street, and standing behind him at the door.

He opens the door, and turns to look at me.

Hi!' I say. 'OK to come in? I'm visiting Mike Westerbrook at number six.'

Yes, that's OK,' the young man says. He holds the door open for me, and we walk up the stairs together.

Nice and sunny today,' I say. 'But rain's coming in later, they say.'

Mmm,' says the young man.

At the top of the stairs he turns to the door with number 4 on it, gets out his key, and opens the door. Suddenly, I run back to him.

In two seconds I'm standing behind him at the door.

Hey, excuse me! Is this yours? It was on the floor.' In my hand I'm holding a weekly bus ticket. It's more than two months old, but he can't see that because I've got my hand over the date.

He looks at the ticket, and I look through the open door of number 4... and see Carrie in the room. Then I'm through the door and inside the apartment.

Hey!' the young man shouts at me. 'What are you doing? Who are you? Get out!'

I turn to Carrie. 'Hello, Carrie,' I say. 'Did you text your mum last night?'

The young man is next to me now. 'Who is this?' he says to Carrie. 'What's this about?' He stares at me angrily.

Carrie looks angry too. 'She's a private investigator,' she tells the young man. 'Mum sent her. I talked to her yesterday in the café. I told you, remember?'

Ah!' The young man suddenly smiles. He has a very nice smile. 'How exciting! I never met a private investigator before. How do you do? I am Tomas Varnas, and I'm very pleased to meet you.'

He holds out his hand, and we shake hands. Wrong name, I think. Not the name on the door. But this is the Lithuanian boyfriend.

Shirley Homes. Pleased to meet you too,' I say. 'I'm sorry about this. But I need to talk to you. Carrie's mother—'

Of course,' says Tomas. 'I understand. Please – sit down. Can I get you some coffee?'

Hello, Carrie,' I say. 'Did you text your mum last night?'

He and Carrie make coffee, and we all sit down round a table. Tomas looks at me, smiling.

So,' he says. 'You want to ask me questions, so you can tell Carrie's mother all about me. I am very happy about that. What do you want to know? Shall I begin?'

So I listen to the story of Tomas Varnas's life. He is nineteen years old, and comes from Vilnius in Lithuania. He came to London six months ago because he wants to start a business. His family make linen cloth in Vilnius, and Tomas wants to sell it in England. At the moment he's working Monday to Friday in a hospital because he needs the money. But he's selling linen in the street market on Saturdays. Business is good, and is getting better every week.

Carrie wants to tell me more about it. 'It's beautiful linen, you know. The best in the world. I'm learning all about it.' She's excited, I can see it in her green eyes.

Tomas is smiling. 'Carrie is very good with the colours of the linen,' he says. 'She wants to work with me. And she's good at business too – very good. Better than me.'

He puts the back of his hand against Carrie's face, just a touch, a very gentle touch, and smiles into her eyes. She looks up at him, and the love in her eyes is clear. For a second or two the world stops for them. These two young people are very much in love.

Carrie looks at me again. 'Everybody wants to wear clothes made of linen now, you see. So our business is going to get bigger.'

Tomas is selling linen in the street market on Saturdays.

Lots of hard work,' says Tomas. 'But we're young, we can work hard, no problem about that. But we do have one problem.' He looks at Carrie. 'Your family.'

Oh, that!' Carrie says. 'Not important. I don't need them. We're fine without them.'

Not so,' Tomas says gently. 'Your mother is unhappy, your little brother is unhappy, and your father too.'

No, he isn't! My father is a horrible man! We have arguments all the time. Every day he tells me, "do this, don't do that, do this." He's always right, and I'm always wrong! Always! He never listens to me. He doesn't understand me, he doesn't want to understand me. He's just horrible...'

Shhh, shhh,' Tomas says. 'When people are angry, sometimes they say bad things. Maybe they don't really think that. You and your father have a lot of arguments, and you both get angry and say things.'

Yes, but...' Carrie says.

I sit and listen. This is not their first argument, and it's not going to be their last one. It's interesting to listen to them. Tomas is very gentle with Carrie, but he's strong too. He's in love, but he still thinks clearly.

Er, excuse me,' I say. 'I'm still here, you know.'

They look at me. Tomas laughs. 'Sorry!' he says. 'We talk about this often. In the end, Carrie must go back home. She knows that.'

No, I don't!' says Carrie. 'I'm not going back home. No way!'

But Carrie – you can't cut your family out of your life. Family is important. My family is important to me. And I want you to have your family too... to be friends with your mother, and your father. And your little brother!'

They're off again. I'm trying not to smile. This argument is going to run and run. I think Tomas is good for Carrie.

Well, I'm done here,' I say. 'It was good to meet you, Tomas. I can tell Mrs Williams about you now. And, well... good luck to both of you.'

Carrie smiles. 'Thanks, Shirley. Can I call you Shirley? Ant and Janice said you were all right. I sent mum a text last night, you know.'

Tomas stands up too. 'I must get home now,' he says.

I stare at him, surprised. 'Home? You live here, in this apartment. Don't you?'

No, no, no,' Tomas says. 'Of course not! Carrie is fifteen. We cannot marry before she is sixteen years old. It is against the law. So of course I don't live here. It is not correct.'

But this is your apartment—?'

No, no,' Tomas says again. 'It's my sister's apartment. Carrie lives here with my sister, Ruta Varnaite. She's working late tonight. I have a room with a friend near Putney Bridge.'

I'm very surprised. I sit down again and look at Carrie. 'Why didn't you tell me? Everybody thinks you're living with Tomas.'

They're off again. I'm trying not to smile.

Carrie doesn't look pleased. 'Well, I didn't tell them that. But my dad always thinks the worst. And sometimes my mum too. But we can get married next year, when I'm sixteen.'

Tomas laughs. He pulls her hair, gently. 'Sixteen is still very young to get married. We can wait. I want to know your family first, and you want to know my family.'

Yes, I really want to meet your family,' Carrie says. 'But you don't want to meet mine, you really don't.'

Tomas pulls her hair again, not so gently this time. 'Of course I do. I want to talk to your father, I want him to like me. We have all the time in the world, Carrie. Let's just take our time, eh?'

Carrie tries to look angry, then she laughs, and puts her arms around him.

Tomas and I leave the house together. He walks with me to my car.

I'm sorry about Mr Williams,' he says. 'I think he loves Carrie a lot. Maybe I can meet him and talk to him one day. But Mrs Williams doesn't need to be afraid for Carrie. Please tell her that.'

Of course,' I say. I've got a lot to say to Mrs Williams. Tomas and I shake hands again, and say goodbye.

I drive back to my office, and check my messages. There's a message from Saheed. Call me about the Lithuanian boyfriend.

I send him a text.

Found the boyfriend, thanks.

And the girl. All well, no problems.

Easy case, nothing horrible.

But thanks for the help!

SH

A text comes back from Saheed at once.

Oh, thanks a lot! I made 12 phone calls for you, all for nothing! Next time, YOU can help ME!

SP

Oh dear! Saheed is not pleased. I often need his help so I must be nice to him. I send him another text.

Sorry! Really really sorry!

Can I buy you a beer tonight?

SH

A text comes back from him.

OK. The King's Arms, by the river.

9 o'clock this evening. See you.

SP

* * *

linen n. a kind of strong cloth made from flax 亚麻(布)

touch n. the action of putting your hand or finger on something or somebody 触摸;碰

gentle adj. quiet and kind 温和的;轻柔的

strong adj. not easily frightened or influenced; powerful 坚决的;坚定的;有力的

4. 男朋友

第二天,我到了那条街,把车停在那座楼房对面,坐在车里。我有一杯咖啡、一份报纸,还有大把的时间。我想见托马斯,跟他谈谈。然后,我就可以向威廉斯太太汇报,我的工作也就完成了。

下午5点45分,卡丽从街的一头走过来,进了那座楼房。我开始仔细观察。人们下班回家……开车的、骑车的、步行的,我目不暇接。有两个人走进那座大楼,是一个年轻的女人和一个比她年长的白发矮个子男人。

6点25分,一个年轻小伙子从街那头走过来。高个子、深色头发。他走到那座大楼的前门,两秒钟后,我下了车,穿过街道,站在他的身后。

他开了门,扭头看着我。

“嗨!”我说,“我能进去吗?我要去六号的迈克·韦斯特布鲁克家。”

“行,进来吧,”那年轻人说。他替我撑住门,我们一起上楼梯。

“今天天气真好,阳光普照,”我说,“不过,他们说等一会儿会下雨。”

“嗯。”年轻人应道。

到了顶楼,他朝四号公寓走过去,掏出钥匙,开了门。我猛地转身向他跑过去。

“嘿,请问,这是你的吗?掉在地上了。”我手里攥着一张公共汽车周票。车票是两个多月前的,但是他看不到,因为我用手遮住了日期。

他看了眼车票,这时我从开着的四号公寓门朝里看,看到卡丽在屋里。于是我从门口进入公寓。

“哎!”那个年轻人冲我喊,“你干什么?你是谁?出去!”

我转身面对着卡丽。“你好,卡丽,”我说道,“你昨晚给你妈妈发短信了吗?”

这时,那个年轻人走到我旁边。“她到底是谁?”他问卡丽,“这是怎么回事?”他生气地瞪着我。

卡丽看起来也很生气。“她是个私人侦探。”她告诉那个年轻人说,“我妈妈叫她来的。我昨天在咖啡馆跟她聊过。我告诉过你的,记得吗?”

“噢!”那个年轻人一下子笑了起来。他的笑容很讨人喜欢。“多么令人兴奋!我从没见过私人侦探呢。你好!我叫托马斯·瓦纳斯,很高兴见到你。”

他伸出手来,我们握了握手。名字不对,我心想。不是门上的名字。不过,这的确是那个立陶宛男朋友。

“雪莉·霍姆斯。我也很高兴见到你。”我说道,“我很抱歉,不过,我得跟你谈谈。卡丽的妈妈……”

“当然可以。”托马斯说,“我理解。请——坐下。要给你来杯咖啡吗?”

他和卡丽冲了咖啡,我们围着桌子坐下来。托马斯看着我,面带笑容。

“那么,”他说,“你想问我一些问题,以便把我的一切情况转告卡丽的妈妈。我很乐意帮忙。你想知道些什么?我可以开始说了吗?”

于是,我听托马斯·瓦纳斯讲了他的故事。他今年19岁,来自立陶宛的维尔纽斯。他六个月前来到伦敦,想自己做生意。他的家人在维尔纽斯生产亚麻布,托马斯想在英国销售布料。目前,他周一到周五在一家医院上班,因为他需要这笔收入。但是他周六会在街头市场上卖亚麻布。生意还不错,而且一周比一周好。

卡丽想告诉我更多情况:“你要知道,是很漂亮的亚麻布。世界上最好的亚麻布。我正在全面了解这方面的知识。”她很兴奋,我从她绿色的眼睛里能看出来。

托马斯露出笑容。“卡丽对亚麻布的颜色感觉很敏锐,”他说道,“她想跟我一起干。而且她对做生意也很在行——非常在行,比我强。”

他的手背碰了碰卡丽的脸颊,只是轻轻一触,非常轻柔,含笑看着她的双眼。她抬头凝望着他,眼里充满爱意。有那么一两秒钟,世界为之静止。这两个年轻人彼此深爱着。

卡丽再次看着我。“你知道,现在人们都想穿亚麻布料的衣服,所以我们的生意会做得更大。”

“要付出很多的努力,”托马斯说道,“不过我们还年轻,我们可以勤奋工作,这一点毫无问题。不过,我们确实面临一个问题,”他看着卡丽,“你的家人。”

“噢,这个啊!”卡丽说道,“这个不重要。我不需要他们。没有他们我们也挺好的。”

“不是这样的,”托马斯温柔地说,“你妈妈不快乐,你弟弟不快乐,你爸爸也不快乐。”

“不,我爸爸不会!我爸爸是个讨厌的家伙!我们总是争吵。他每天都唠叨,‘做这个,别做那个,做这个。’他永远对,而我永远错!永远!他从不听我的想法。他不理解我,他不想理解我。他讨厌极了……”

“嘘,嘘,”托马斯说,“有时候,当人们生气时,他们说话会很难听。也许他们心里并不那么想。你和你爸爸吵过很多次,你们都在气头上,说了些气话。”

“是的,可是……,”卡丽说道。

我坐在那里倾听。这不是他们第一次争执,也不会是最后一次。听他们争执很有意思。托马斯对卡丽很温柔,但他也很坚决。虽然他在恋爱中,但他的头脑仍然清醒。

“呃,对不起,”我说道,“要知道,我还在这儿呢。”

他们都转向我。托马斯笑着说:“对不起。我们经常讨论这件事。卡丽最终必须回家,她知道这一点。”

“不,我不知道!”卡丽说,“我不会回家的。没门儿!”

“可是,卡丽,你不可能把家人排除在你生活之外。家人非常重要。我的家人对我很重要。我希望你也有家人……希望你跟你爸爸、你妈妈,还有你弟弟和睦相处。”

他们又开始争执起来。我努力克制,不让自己笑出来。这场争论会无休止地进行下去。我认为托马斯很适合卡丽。

“嗯,我的任务完成了。”我说,“托马斯,见到你很高兴。我现在可以跟威廉斯太太说说你的情况了。还有,呃……祝你们俩好运!”

卡丽笑了。“谢谢你,雪莉。我能叫你雪莉吗?安特和贾尼丝说你人不错。你知道,我昨天晚上给我妈妈发了条短信。”

托马斯也站了起来。“我得回家了,”他说道。

我惊讶地盯着他。“回家?你住这儿,就在这套公寓里,不是吗?”

“不,不,不,”托马斯连声说,“当然不是!卡丽今年15岁。她满16岁之前我们不能结婚,否则是违法的。所以,我当然不住这里。那样是不对的。”

“但这不是你的公寓——?”

“不,不是,”托马斯又连声否认,“这是我姐姐的公寓。卡丽跟我姐姐住在这儿,我姐姐叫鲁塔·瓦内特。她今晚会工作到很晚。我跟一个朋友合住,在帕特尼桥附近。”

我非常惊讶,又坐了下来,看着卡丽。“你为什么不告诉我?每个人都以为你跟托马斯住在一起了。”

卡丽看起来不太高兴。“哼,我又没有告诉他们我跟托马斯住在一起。可是我爸爸总是把事情往最坏的地方想。有时候我妈妈也这样。不过明年等我年满16岁我们就可以结婚了。”

托马斯笑了。他拽了一下卡丽的头发,非常轻柔。“16岁结婚还是太早了。我们可以等。我想先认识你的家人,你也想认识我的家人。”

“是的,我的确想见你的家人,”卡丽说,“但是,你不想见我的家人,你肯定不愿意。”

托马斯又拽了一下她的头发,这次没那么温柔了。“我当然想了。我想跟你爸爸聊天,我想让他喜欢上我。卡丽,我们有的是时间。我们慢慢来,好吗?”

卡丽使劲想绷起脸,但还是笑了。她抱住了托马斯。

我和托马斯一起离开公寓楼。他陪着我走到我的车边。

“我为威廉斯先生感到难过,”他说,“我认为他很爱卡丽。也许有一天我可以跟他见面聊聊。但是,威廉斯太太大可不必为卡丽担心。请告诉她这一点。”

“我会转告她的。”我说。我有很多事要告诉威廉斯太太。托马斯和我再次握手,互相告别。

我开车回到办公室,查看电话留言。萨希德有留言:有关那个立陶宛男朋友的事,请给我回电话。

我给他发了条短信:

找到那个男朋友了,谢谢。

还找到了那个女孩。一切都好,没什么麻烦。

简单的案子,没什么麻烦。

但还是感谢你的帮助!

SH

萨希德很快回复了一条短信:

噢,非常感谢!我给你打了12个电话,都毫无音信!下次,你来帮我!

SP

惨了!萨希德不高兴了。我经常需要他帮忙,所以我得对他好点。我又给他发了条短信:

对不起!真的非常非常抱歉!

今晚能请你喝杯啤酒吗?

SH

他回复了一条:

好吧。“国王手臂”,河边那家。今晚9点。稍后见。

SP

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