Number Three

“I… I wanted to ask about the job,” Ana said. Her voice sounded thin and unsure, even to herself. “The one you mentioned in the café. If it’s still available.”

“我……我想问问那份工作，”安娜说。连她自己都觉得，自己的声音显得单薄而迟疑。“就是你在咖啡馆里提到的那份。如果还在招人的话。”

“Of course it is.” Helen sounded pleased but not surprised, as if Ana had simply arrived at the time she had been expected. “Can you meet me this afternoon? Three o’clock, at number three Bridge Street. I think it would be easier to explain if you could see what we’re planning.” She paused. “I’ll make sure the heating is on. Those old houses are freezing.”

“当然还在招。”海伦听起来挺高兴，但并不意外，就好像安娜只是准时到了而已。“今天下午你能来见我吗？三点整，在Bridge Street三号。要是你能亲眼看看我们的规划，我觉得解释起来会更容易一些。”她停顿了一下。“我会让人开好暖气。那些老房子冷得很。”

Number three, Bridge Street. Directly across the road from the bakery, three doors up from Shah’s. Ana closed her eyes after the call. Of all the places in the world, Helen had chosen the one where everybody she was trying to avoid could watch her walk in.

Bridge Street三号。就在那家面包店的正对面，离Shah's只有三家门面。通完电话后，安娜闭上了眼睛。世界上有那么多地方，海伦偏偏挑了这一个——在这里，所有她想要避开的人，都能看着她走进去。