My Lies, Your Lies - Susan Lewis Page 0,34
was so much, and as far as she could tell everything was categorized and alphabetized, there was even a rolling librarian’s ladder parked in one corner and an exquisite though worn leather reading chair complete with lamp and footrest.
‘My husband had this part of the house added on for me,’ Freda told her. ‘He designed it himself. He found it amusing to gift me an ivory tower and I admit I found it amusing too – until I saw it and then, of course I fell in love with it. How could I not? It provides me with all the privacy and quiet I need to work, or to relax, and naturally one never tires of the view. It changes every day, and it nourishes me in ways nothing else can. It’s my great love now, this library, and my writing room.’ She moved to the opposite door, but before thumbing down the latch, she pointed to a sign and read out the words, ‘Schauen Sie tief in die Natur, und Sie werden alles besser verstehen. Do you know what that means?’
Joely shook her head. ‘Is it German?’ she ventured.
Freda gave a laugh of approval. ‘It’s a quote from Einstein,’ she replied. ‘“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”’ Another gift from my husband, and when you go up to the writing room you’ll understand why he considered it to be appropriate.’
At the top of the next staircase, the upper level of the square tower, there was another door, this one already half open and as Joely followed Freda through she saw right away why Mr Donahoe’s wife loved it so much. It was surely every writer’s dream to have a place like this. Though it was smaller than the library, and with only a few select books on the shelves, the sense of calm, the light, the sheer essence of the room must surely be as invigorating and inspirational as any writer could ever wish for.
‘Special, isn’t it?’ Freda commented.
Joely nodded, still taking it in. There was a day bed draped in white muslin against one wall, an armchair that matched the one downstairs, a marquetry cabinet and an Edwardian leather-topped writing desk with bow legs, five drawers and small brass ring handles. On top of the desk was an old-fashioned Remington typewriter with a blank sheet wound into the roller and a box full of black spooled ribbons beside it.
‘I order them from America,’ Freda replied to Joely’s unasked question. ‘The machine itself was my father’s. I know there are easier ways to work these days, but I’m attached to it.’
Tearing herself from the fascination of a bygone era Joely crossed to one of the windows wanting to get a closer look at the balcony that hugged it. It was large enough to stand on, she discovered, though perhaps not when it was so cold outside, and even then she felt sure that being out there would give her vertigo considering how high they were. She looked ahead at a whirling formation of seabirds and on to the restless waves glittering in a sudden burst of sunlight. Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. From here there was only a look into nature.
She turned to find Freda watching her.
‘Is this somewhere you’d like to work?’ Freda asked hopefully, generously. ‘You can bring your laptop, but I shall ask you to use a font that is similar to my Remington’s. After all these years I find it easier to read – and I’d like you to print out the pages when you’ve finished so I don’t have to critique on a screen. Is that acceptable to you?’
‘Of course,’ Joely replied, ‘but do you have a printer?’
‘I don’t, but Edward has organized for one to be delivered sometime today.’ Her eyes performed a slow progress into twinkle. ‘And once you’re underway in here I shall wait with bated breath elsewhere in the house for you to bring me your literary interpretations of our discussions. Is that acceptable to you? Will you take notes, or did you bring a voice recorder?’
Not a little daunted by this on several levels, Joely tackled the unstated one first. ‘Are you meaning that you want me to continue the first draft?’ she asked.
No hesitation. ‘Correct. With the first two chapters I’ve established a style for you to emulate, and I have every confidence that you’ll do so with great skill and sensitivity. Taking a step back like