What to read: a novel "Eleanor Oliphant in perfect order" is about loneliness and the difficulties of social adaptation

Raymond was late and did not come in five and eight minutes later, but this time I did not resent. He offered to go to his favorite coffee shop around the corner.

It does not relate to the type of those places that I would prefer to visit: shabby and bohemian, with scattered furniture and lots of pillows and rugs. What is the probability that they at least with some frequency erase? Minimum, and this is the best. I shuddered at the thought of all kinds of microbes; warm room cafe and dense fiber pillows - the ideal environment for dust mites, and perhaps even lice. I sat on a very ordinary wooden chair without whatsoever textile additions.

Raymond, apparently, was familiar with the waiter came to us, he called him by name, greeted us, and then handed the menu. Apparently, the staff consisted of people like Raymond: both men and women seemed grubby, shabby and poorly dressed.

- There is usually a good falafel or is this soup - he said, pointing to the column "Specialties".

- Cream of cauliflower with cumin, - I read aloud. - Well no. I did not think so.

After talking with Bob, my stomach still felt a shock, so I just ordered a coffee with foam and bun with cheese. I do not know what a dish took a Raymond, but it smelled terrible - like a slightly warmed vomit. He ate noisily, without closing the mouth to the end, so I had no choice but to look to the side. On the other hand, so to me it was easier to raise the subject of the sentence and Bob on the commission that he gave me.

- Raymond, can I ask you a question? - I asked.

He took a sip of Coke and nodded. I looked away again. Serves us man lounged at the bar, shaking his head in time to the music. It was a continuous cacophony of too much and too little guitar melody. I thought that it must sound crazy, hear such sounds in the head crazy when cut off the fox's head and throw them into the neighbor's garden.

- I was offered a promotion to office manager, - I said - how do you think I agree or not?

Raymond stopped slurp, drank some more Coke and smiled.

- It's great, Eleanor. What is stopping you?

I took a bite of muffin - it was surprisingly delicious, much better than those that are sold in the "Tesco". I would never have believed that there exists a product that I thought so.

- Well, - I said - of the benefits - I will pay more. The difference, of course, can not be called a huge, but still... it will be enough to improve some aspects of life. On the other hand, I will be more work and, as a consequence, the responsibility. And our office, Raymond, top to bottom is equipped with all sorts of hacks and lazy. I assure you, organize their workflow is not an easy task.

He snorted, laughed and coughed - cola, seem to hit it the wrong way.

- I realized - he said - it all comes down to whether or not an additional charge extra hassle, right?

- That's right - I said - you are very accurately summed up the dilemma of standing in front of me.

He paused and chewed some more.

- Eleanor, and what's your general life plan? - he asked.

I had no idea what he wanted to say, and it is, in all probability, is clearly reflected in my face.

- I mean, are you going to work for a long time office administrator? If so, a new position and salary increase will be good for you - so you'll be in a better position before the next step.

- Before any more "next step"? - I asked.

This man was obviously unable to speak in plain English.

- When thou shalt deliver resume to another job in another company - he said, vaguely waving his fork.

I recoiled, fearing that to me did not get his microscopic droplets of saliva.

- You're not going to the end of work here, right? - he continued. - How old are you? Twenty six? Twenty seven?

- A few days ago, Raymond, I turned thirty, - I said, to my surprise, flattered.

- True? - he asked. - Well, you're not going for the rest of the life of Bob's bookkeeping, or am I wrong?

I shrugged; I really had not thought about it.

- I think, going, - I replied. - What should I do more?

- Eleanor! - he said, somehow stunned. - You're smart, you're conscientious and... very, very organized. You're a lot where she could work.

- True? - I asked doubtfully.

- Yes! - he said, nodding vigorously. - Do you understand the figures, this time. You rich voice, that's two. Do you know any foreign languages?

I nodded:

- In fact, I'm very good at Latin.

Raymond pursed his thin lips, surrounded by barbed bristles.

- Uh-uh... - he began, but then stopped and waved to the waiter, and he came and cleared the table.

Then he left, but soon returned with two cups of coffee and a small saucer of chocolate truffles, which he was not asked.

- Have fun, guys! - he said with a sweeping gesture and put candy in front of us.

I shook my head in disbelief that someone could have something similar to say. Raymond returned to our conversation.

- There are lots of places where you would like to hire an experienced office manager, Eleanor, - he said, - and not only in the field of graphic design, but also in medicine, IT, yes anywhere!

He shoved in his mouth a piece of candy.

- You want to live in Glasgow? You could move to Edinburgh, London or... In the end, the whole world in front of you.

- Yes? - I asked.

Again, I've never even had not occurred, it is possible to move to another city and settle somewhere else. Bath, with its fabulous ruins of the Roman period, New York, London... for me it was all a bit too much.

- You know, Raymond, in life, it seems, there are a great many things that I did not even think. I guess I do not even know that they are in my power. I know it sounds ridiculous.

He had a very serious expression on his face. He leaned forward.

- You, Eleanor, had clearly not easy. You do not have any brothers or sisters, you've never seen her father, and the relationship with his mother, as far as I can remember, you've got... too difficult, right?

- So, - I nodded.

- You're with someone you meet? - he asked.

- Yes, - I replied.

He looked expectantly at me as if demanding a more detailed response. I sighed, shook her head, and then said, as slowly as possible and clearly:

- Now, Raymond, I met you. Met, and now you're sitting in front of me.

He snorted and laughed.

- Eleanor, you do know perfectly well what I meant.

But it became obvious that no.

- You have a boyfriend? - he asked patiently.

I hesitated.

- Not. To be more precise... yes, there are some... No, actually true will answer that at the moment there is, at least at this stage.

- You have to deal with many things alone, - he said, not so much asking the question, how much Acknowledging the fact - you should not blame yourself for what you do not have a plan of career growth for the next ten years old.

- Do you have a plan for the next ten years? - I asked.

It seemed unlikely.

- Uh-uh, - he said with a smile.

- Does anyone have? I mean, among normal people.

I shrugged and said:

- Honestly, I'm not sure I know of at least one normal person.

- Nothing, I do not mind, Eleanor, - he laughed.

I mentally weighed his words and realized what he meant.

- I'm sorry, Raymond, I did not mean to offend you, - I said.

- Do not be silly - he said, and waved to the waiter that brought the score - so when you need to decide on the new position? I think you have to accept, no matter what it takes. Who does not risk, right? In addition, it seems to me that because you get a great office manager.

I looked at him, waiting for additional comments or sarcastic comments, but, to my surprise, none of this was not followed. He took a purse and paid the bill. I vehemently protested, but he resolutely prevented me to make my share.

- You took only coffee and a muffin, - he said with a smile - when you get the first salary in the position of office manager, you can buy me lunch.

I thanked him. Nobody had never paid for my dinner. It was very nice that the other person voluntarily bore the costs on my behalf, without expecting anything in return.

Lunch break is over, when we entered the office, so we quickly said goodbye and went each to his own department. For the first time in nine years, I have not dined alone, has not solved the crossword, but it's me, the most amazing way, do not bother. Maybe I'll decide in the evening. Maybe I do not even want to use a it and immediately throw a newspaper. How Raymond said, the world is full of endless possibilities. I entered the e-mail program, and wrote him a message:

Dear P, thank you for lunch. With best regards, E.

I thought that the reduction names have a certain meaning. In the end, and so it is clear who is and who is drawn. He immediately replied:

You're welcome, good luck in the decision. See you Saturday! R.

Recently, my life quickly rushed forward, forming eddies opportunities. In the afternoon, I never even thought about the musician. Going into my computer, I began searching for places for the Christmas dinner. This will be a remarkable event, I decided. It will be unlike any previous corporate parties. It seemed very important to avoid any repetitions and clichés. I'll do something special, something that will surprise colleagues will bring them great pleasure and will surpass all expectations. It will not be easy.

With confidence, I know only one thing: the foundation of the event will be highlighted by Bob budget in the amount of ten pounds per person, and chip in addition to nobody necessary. I still resented cash payments, which I was forced to make in the past few years, to the last Friday before the twenty-fifth December awful time in a terrible institution with terrible people.

After all, is it so difficult? Raymond really encouraged me during lunch. If I was able to recite the "Aeneid", if learned to write macros in "Eksele" if she could in the past nine years alone to celebrate his birthday, Christmas and New Year, and the sumptuous gala dinner for thirty people with a budget of ten pounds on each organize easily.

Eleanor Oliphant called one of the most original and unusual authors in recent years. She talks about her life with humor, which often hide behind the heavy experience. Gradually revealing the pages of the books, it is the lack of understanding, the sympathy and respect.

Transformation of character struck a chord, and love of readers around the world. Novel Gail Honeyman entered in the list of New York Times bestseller and won the prestigious literary prize Costa. The film rights already bought by Hello Sunshine, owned by Reese Witherspoon. In the meantime, the film yet, read the book.

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