Mary sat at the window, looking down at the street. It was Friday evening. People were already leaving their offices and the shops were closing. Soon she would be alone again – as usual. She imagined how these people would spend their evening –
in restaurants, bars, dance halls – enjoying themselves. She had never experienced these pleasures in all her twenty-five years on earth. Her mind drifted… (A) ________, even if it was only once. But she knew it was impossible. She was not pretty; she knew that.
She was shy. And she had no money for nice clothes or shoes. All she could afford was the rent on this miserable flat and her daily necessities.
Suddenly the doorbell rang. Nervously she went downstairs to answer it. The young man on the doorstep told her he had some important news for her. She felt uneasy (B) ________, that she asked him in. She made him coffee while he explained that he
was a lawyer. Her uncle, (C) ________, had died. He had left her all his money in his will. The young man’s name was Harry. He left her flat early the next morning. Harry helped her to deal with all the legal papers. He arranged for her to buy the luxury flat in Bayswater. He entertained her. They went to restaurants, West End theatres, concerts, even to wild parties. Three months later they were married
and moved to the big house he had made her buy in Hamstead. For a while (D) ________. Then Harry changed. He came back late. They went out together less often. Sometimes the phone would ring and unknown female voice would ask for Harry. When she asked him what was wrong, he would fly into a rage and leave the house.
One afternoon, the police came round. It seemed (E) ________. The weeks which followed were a nightmare. She sold the flat in Bayswater to pay for a lawyer. When he was found guilty, she sold the house in Hampstead. She moved back into the small flat
in Hove. Her adventure was over.
For twenty years she had waited. Before Harry’s release from prison she bought two air tickets to take them away for a holiday. On a damp, grey morning she stood opposite the prison gate. Harry emerged into freedom (F) ________. A blonde lady, in a fur coat, was seated at the wheel. Harry jumped in beside the lady and gave her a resounding kiss. The car disappeared round the corner.
Mary took out the air tickets and slowly tore them into small pieces
лишняя.