What struck my attention at the end of the season was the silence that permeated the

atmosphere of the office. Usually this had been a time of heated debates on who should
be promoted or of complaints about our salary. However, a fake calm was now
replacing the excitement that we had experienced in the past. Bens’ absence was highly
noticeable and although I didn’t dislike occasional changes in my surroundings, this
time would be different. No disturbing phone calls, no whispering gossip over the
desks, no hissing or rustle made me worry.
Tommy gave a sigh and put his head on my shoulder. Someone watching might have
thought he was being unenthusiastic, but I knew what he was feeling. We’d been
thinking about deferrals, the theory about the Gallery, all of it, for so long – and now,
suddenly, here we were. It was absolutely a bit scary. ‘If we get this, we can organize
something’ he said. ‘I don’t know why you’re so optimistic, Tommy. She may tell us to
go back to the Cottages. We’ll have to see what she says.’
(Adapted from Ishiguro, K. 2005:240. Never Let Me Go. London: Faber & Faber.)

Sweden is looking to be the first country to move towards a paperless economy. Bills
and coins only make up 3 percent of Sweden’s economy and will continue to decline.
Less cash in circulation has helped decrease the country’s crime rate as well. Sweden
was the first European country to introduce bank notes in 1661. It is now one of the first
countries walking on the path towards getting rid of all paper notes. This notion is
frustrating those who do not handle digital money.
What he did when Jessica told him the news was close his eyes and think. For a moment
Jack considered what their lives would be like once the baby Jessica had desired for so
long was born. It would be really difficult for him to find a second job if the depression
persisted in the foreseeable future. He would find it difficult to make ends meet. But
then his wife’s smile made him think that he would find a way to make progress.
Looking back, he recalled having money problems in the past but there has always been
a way out.
The first visit that after her marriage, Joana paid to her mother revealed her
dissatisfaction with her new household. It was not possible for her to hide the feelings
that she repressed. Joana’s mother found it so painful to discover this reality. Although
she had liked receiving visits from her family, this time was different. Her own
experience made her realise what was going on where her daughter lived. She should
listen to her heart and pluck up the courage to face up to reality.
Due to my lack of attention, I didn’t understand her feelings. The signs that she had
given me had passed unnoticed and her suggestion that I should call Jeremy was
useless. What he did was organise a meeting in my office. For Sarah to enter this place
would become very easy. Meeting in my place would make me think that nothing
strange would happen.
My son Tom found me when he was 18. It was shocking that he found my address when
he graduated but what he’d find out later would be more shocking. His mother had
hidden the past that we had shared and revelations can be frustrating sometimes. If I had
been a criminal, it would have been easier, but the fact that his mother had been guilty
was unexpected. I wondered whether he would forgive her as I had done it. For him to
forgive her would be difficult.

Prof. Mg. José DURÁN