The scent of Jasmine was the first clue-a woman. I was sitting alone when she came in and sat down at the next table. i knew she was alone, because the chair on the other side hadn't scraped across the floor, and no one had spoken to her.
I sipped onto my coffee. On a good day like this. I can pick up the cup, take a sip and return it back to its saucer and you'd never know I was blind. The challenge is to see how long i can carry out the deception before the person sitting next to me realises the truth. And believe me, the moment they do, they just give themselves away. Some begin to whisper,some feel embarrassed that they don't speak again. yes, i can even sense that. I hope someone would be joining her as I could tell a great deal from a voice. When you can't see someone, the accent and the tone are enhanced, and these can give so much away. Pause for a moment, imagine listening to the end of the line and you'll get the idea.
Charlie was heading towards us. "Are you ready to order,madam?" asked the waiter, his slight cornish burr leaving no doubt that he was a local. Charlie is tall, strong and gentle. How do i know? Because when he guides me back to the pavement after my morning coffee, his voice comes from several inches high and i'm five foot ten. And if i should accidentally bump against him, there's no surplus weight just firm muscle.
The next challenge is to see how much i can work out about the person sitting at the next table before they realise i cannot see them. Once they have gone on their way,Charlie tells me how much i've got right. "i'd like a lemon tea', she replied softly. Thirty to thirty-five would be my guess. Polite, and not from these parts. Now i'm desperate to know more, but i'll need to hear her speak again if i'm to pick up any further clues.I turned to face her as if I could see her clearly. "Can you tell me the time?'I asked, just as the clock on the church tower chimed. She laughed and replied,' If that clock is to be believed, its exactly ten o'clock.The same gentle laugh followed. It's usually a couple of minutes fast',I said staring blankly at the clock face.
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"Goodbye,' she said her voice directed towards me. As she walked away I heard her say to charlie,'What a charming man'. But then she had no idea how acute my hearing is. 'Will there be anything else,Mr trevathan?' charlie teased as he walked towards me.
'For a start, i want to know all about the woman who was sitting next to me.Was she tall or short? Fair or dark?Was she slim? Good looking? Was she---?'
Charlie burst out laughing. 'What's so funny?'I demanded. 'She asked me exactly the same questions about you,' Charlie replied
Author's note
Just to clear it up there are some who ask why the book isn't finished and I am assuming that you haven't understood the ending. Charlie said 'she asked the same questions about you' which means that she too is blind.
