1炸彈
‘Look!’Jane Cole said.‘ Here she comes now ! ’
“看!”簡·科爾說,“她來了!”
The two Americans looked along the street.There were crowds of people everywhere.In the middle of, the road,soldiers were riding towards them on horseback.Behind them came a golden coach,pulled by six black horses.
那兩個美國人順著街道看去。到處都是人群。馬路中間,士兵正騎在馬背上朝他們這邊走來。在士兵們的后面,是一輛由六匹黑馬拉著的金色馬車。
‘That’s my father,’Janesaid.‘He's the coachman一the man driving the horses,’
“那是我父親,”簡說,“他是馬車夫—就是趕馬的人。”
The American woman said,‘Fantastic!Your father's driv-ing the Queen!Quick,Harry,use the video camera!’
那個美國婦女說:“真奇妙!你父親正駕車拉著女王!快點,哈利,用攝像機拍下來!”
‘I am using it!’her husband said.‘But she's too far away.Can't we get a little nearer,Jane?’
“我正在拍!”她丈夫說,“可她離得太遠了。我們能再離近些嗎,簡?’’
‘We can try,’Jane said.‘Follow me!’She‘took them nearer to the entrance to Parliament."This is where the coach will stop and the Queen will get out.Then she'll go upstairs to open Parliament for this year.’
“試試吧,”簡說,“跟我來!”她帶他們走得離國會大廈門口更近些。“馬車就停在這兒,女王從這兒下車。然后她上樓去召開今年的國會會議。”
‘Didn't~~put a bomb under your Parliament once?,the American man asked.‘I read about that at school.Guy…something?’
“不是有人在你們的國會大廈下埋過炸彈嗎?”那個美國男人問。“我在學校里讀到過那事。是一個叫蓋什么的人?"
‘Guy Fawkes,’Jane said.‘In 1605.He tried to blow up Parliament,that's right .But don't worry .There's no Guy Fawkes here today.’
“蓋·佛克斯,”簡說,“是在1605年。他想炸飛國會大廈,沒錯。但別擔心。今天這兒沒有蓋·佛克斯。”
She smiled at the Americans,She was a student,and this was her part-time job-to show tourists round London. She felt proud to show them her father,driving the Queen on a wonderful day like this.
她朝美國夫婦笑了笑。她是個學生,而 這是她的兼職工作-帶游客們在倫敦觀光。能指給別人看她父親在像今天這么令人羨慕的時候給女王駕車使她很自豪。
Then the Queen's coach~past in front of them,the golden roof bright in the sunlight.
接著女王的馬車從他們面前經(jīng)過,金色的車頂在陽光下閃閃發(fā)光。
There were people everywhere,trying to take photos.Jane saw a woman with red-brown hair behind the American man,pressing the button of her camera.That's stupid,Jane thought,she can only see the backs of people's heads there.The woman shook her一angrily;there seemed to be something wrong with it .The American~pulled Jane forward,laughing happily.‘Come on,’she said,‘let's get to the front!Use that video,Harry!’
到處都是想照相的人。筒看見在美國男人身后有一個長著棕紅色頭發(fā)的女人,她正按下照相機的快門。那樣做可真傻,簡想,她在那兒只能看到人們的后腦勺埃那女人生氣地搖晃著照相機,照相機好像出了什么毛玻那個美國女人往前推著簡,高興地笑著。“走啊,”她說,“咱們上前邊去!哈利,用攝像機拍一下!”
Alan Cole stopped the coach outside Parliament,and sat there,quietly holding the horses.A man opened the. coach door,and Prince Charles and the Duke of Edinburgh got out.Then the Queen got out.She was wearing a long white dress,and carrying a gold handbag.She walked slowly towards the entrance to the building.
阿蘭·科爾把馬車停在國會大廈門前,坐在那兒,靜靜地把住韁繩。一個男人打開馬車門,查爾斯王子和艾丁堡公爵走出馬車。接著女王也走了出來。她穿著一件長長的白色連衣裙,手中拿著一個金提包。她慢慢走向大樓門口。
‘Excuse me,please,’the woman with red-brown hair said.‘ I must get closer.’She pushed、past Jane and held out her small black camera.
“勞駕,”留著棕紅色頭發(fā)的女人說.“我得靠近些、”她推開簡往前走著,舉著她那個黑色小相機。
‘Oh,all right,’Jane said.‘But,... my God ! ’
“噢,可以,”簡說,“可是……天啊!”
There was a loud BANG!Jane saw a bright white light in front of her eyes,and felt a terrible hot wind on her face.The wind threw her backwards,and she fell to the ground with a lot of other people.For a moment she lay there,not thinking,not seeing.
“砰”的一聲巨響!簡看到眼前閃過一道白光,感到一股難忍的熱浪撲面而來。熱浪把她拋向后面,她和許多其他人一起摔倒在地。一時間她倒在那兒腦中一片空白,眼前一片漆黑。
Per eyes were open but she saw nothing.Only…blue sky.She heard nothing.Only…silence.Her body felt no pAin. But she could smell something. Smoke.
她睜開眼睛,可眼前除了藍色的天空什么也看不見;耳邊除了一片寂靜什么也聽不到。她感覺不到身體的疼痛,可她能聞到一股味兒。是煙味。
Smoke? she thought .I don't understand.Why smoke? And this blue sky.Where am I?
煙?她想,我不明白,為什么會有煙?天這么藍。我在哪兒?
Then the screaming began.
緊接著喊叫聲開始響起來了。
The screaming was high and loud and terrible: It didn't sound human .It went on and on and on.
這喊叫聲又尖又響,很痛苦似的。真不像是人所能發(fā)出的聲音。還又響個不停。
Jane~a hand in front of her,on the ground.A man's hand with blood on it.And broken glass.She moved her head and~broken glass everywhere,and blood,and bodies lying on the ground,She stood up slowly.
簡看到眼前的地上有一只手。是男人的一只血淋淋的手。還有碎玻璃。她挪了挪腦袋,著到地上到處是碎玻璃、鮮血和尸體。她慢慢地站起身來。
For a moment she thought everyone was dead.There~bodies everywhere,but no~was moving. Then&man ran across the road,and one of the bodies moved,The body wasn、human;it~a horse.As it moved,it screamed. The horse tried to stand up,but it couldn't,be-cause it only had three legs. There~blood all round the horse,and a big bit of wood in its stomach.
片刻間,她以為所有的人都死了。因為周圍到處是軀體,但又都一動不動。接著一個男人跑過街道,而后又有個東西動了起來。
The Queen's coach was broken into a thousand pieces,and there were bits of wood and clothes and bodies everywhere.
動起來的不是人而是馬。它一邊動著,一邊嘶鳴著。它想站,可站不起來,因為它只剩三條腿了。它渾身都是血,肚子上還插著一大塊木頭。
The bodies looked like broken dolls.
女王的馬車被炸得粉碎,到處都是碎木頭、破布條和碎尸塊。那些尸體就像是破了的布娃娃。
" Dad!" she screamed.‘Oh God一my father!’
“爸爸!”簡尖叫著,“噢,上帝啊—爸爸!”
She ran quickly towards the coach.A policeman with a bloody hand tried to stop her,but she pushed him away.
她趕快向馬車跑去。一只手滿是血的警察想攔住她,可她推開了他。
My father's over there!' she screamed.
“我父親在那邊呢!”她尖叫著。
"At first she couldn't finch him.There were so many bodies一and so much blood!She,w the horse in the middle of a great lake of blood,trying to get up on its front leg.There was blood coming from the horse's nose and stomach一 and under the back legs,something that looked like…
開始她找不到他。這么多的尸體—而且這么多的鮮血!她看到正躺在一大片血泊中的那匹馬,它正掙扎著想用前腿站起來。血從它的鼻子和肚子里流淌下來—而在它那黑色的腿下,好像有什么東西,是……
A body .A man.‘Father!’
是一個人,一個男人。“爸爸!”
Alan Cole was covered with blood and his face was as white as paper.When he saw Jane,he opened his eyes and screamed.‘It's my leg!My leg一get this horse off me!’
阿蘭·科爾渾身是血,臉蒼白得像一張白紙。他看到簡時睜大眼睛,叫道:“我的腿!我的腿—把這馬從我身上推開!”
His leg was under the back of the horse,‘which was moving wildly,trying to get up. Each time the horse moved,it fell on Alan Cole's leg,and he screamed.
阿蘭的一只腿壓在馬背下,那匹馬正瘋狂地挪動著想站起來。馬每動一下,都要壓一下阿蘭的腿,于是他直叫喚。
Jane ran and pushed the horse but it was too big,too heavy.She pulled its tail but that was no good.It tried to get up and fell on her father's leg again,twice.She could hear his bones breaking. Then a policeman came and held the horse's leg,Jane held its tail,and another policeman held Alan's arms.Jane and the first policeman pulled the horse to one side,while the second policeman pulled Alan free·The horse screamed, eked Jane on the shoulder,and died.
簡跑過去推那匹馬,可是它太大,太重。她去拽馬尾巴,可一點用都沒有。它兩次想要站起來,可又都摔在了她爸爸身上。她聽見他的骨頭都斷了。那時,一個警察過來并抓住馬的一條腿。簡拽住馬尾,另一個警察抓緊阿蘭的胳膊。簡和第一個警察把馬拽到一邊,第二個警察把阿蘭拖了出來。那匹馬嘶叫著,踢了簡的一個肩膀一下,然后就死了。
Jane went in the ambulance with her father to the hospital.There were lots of people there.She heard a reporter talking on the telephone to his office.
簡隨爸爸上了救護車到達醫(yī)院。那里有很多人。她聽到一個記者正在給辦公室打電話。
‘Five,’he said.‘Five dead,and about thirty are very bad1y hurt.It was a bomb一it must be terrorists. But the Queen is safe·She was inside Parliament with her hush and Prince Charles and ...,
“五個.”他說,“五人死亡,大約三十人受重傷。是一枚炸彈—一定是恐怖分子干的‘。但女王安然無事。她當時在國會大廈里,與她在一起的有她的丈夫、查爾斯王子及……”
‘Never mind the bloody Queen!' Jane thought.‘ What about my father?’
“女王怎么樣無所謂!”簡想,“我父親怎么辦?”
The doctors took Alan away from Jane,and she had to sit and wait .Her shoulder was hurt,but not badly.For nearly four hours she walked up and down,drank coffee,and thought:why?
醫(yī)生們從簡身邊帶走阿蘭,她只好坐在那兒等。她的肩膀有些疼,但不很嚴重。大約有四個小時,她就這樣走來走去,喝咖啡,思考著:這是為什么?
Why try to kill the Queen一how will that help anyone? Why kill tourists and soldiers outside Parliament? Why try to kill my father?
為什么要殺女王—那樣對誰有什么好處嗎?為什么要殺國會大廈門前的游客和士兵?為什么要殺我父親?
Jane's father was the most important person in the world to her .When he was a soldier, she had travelled around the world With him.He had taught her to climb mountains,win judo fights,ride horses,sail boats一he was a great father.Now,she thought,he may be dead.
對于簡來講,父親是世界上最重要的人。在他當兵的時候簡就跟著他周游世界。他教她爬山、柔道、騎馬、揚帆開船—他是個了不起的父親?,F(xiàn)在,她想,他可能就要死了。
At midnight,a young Indian doctor came to see her.He ~tired and serious .He looked at her sadly.
午夜,一位年輕的印度醫(yī)生來看她。他看上去很疲勞也很嚴肅。他悲傷地看著簡。
‘It's bad news,isn't it?’Jane said.‘Is he dead?’
“是壞消息,對嗎?"簡間,“他死了?”
‘No,Miss Cole,’the doctor said.‘We have saved your father's life .But I am afraid…’He hesitated.
“不,科爾小姐。”醫(yī)生說,“我們已經(jīng)救活了你父親。但恐怕……”他猶像道。
‘Yes? What then? Please-tell me!’
“嗯?怎么樣呢?勞駕—請告訴我吧!,
‘I am afraid he has lost his leg.It was too badly broken - we had to cut it off.’
“恐怕他的腿保不住了.傷得太厲害—我們不得不鋸掉它。”
‘Oh my God!’Jane sat down suddenly.‘You cut his leg off!’She stared at the doctor and thought:Dad will never be able to climb or ride or sail again.Oh,poor man! It's than being dead!She began to cry.
“噢,天啊!”簡一下坐在椅子上。“你們鋸了他的腿!她盯著醫(yī)生想:爸爸再也不能爬山,再也不能騎馬,再也不能揚帆開船了。噢,可憐的人!這比死了還難受!她哭了起來。
“I'm very sorry,miss,’the doctor said.‘We had to do it,to save his life.He'll get an artificial leg.He'll learn to use it.At least he's alive…’
“實在對不起,小姐。”醫(yī)生說,“為了救他的命,我們不得不這樣做。他會安條假腿。他會學會用它的。至少他還活著……”“是19,我想是這樣的。”簡抬起頭。“對不起,大夫。我確信你們已經(jīng)盡力了。我現(xiàn)在能看看他嗎?”
‘Yes,I suppose so.’Jane looked up.‘I'm sorry,doctor.I'm sure you did your beat.Can I see him now?’‘Yes,of course.The nurse will show you…’
“當然可以。護士會帶你去……”
In the hospital bed,Alan Cole lay quietly.His face was as white as the sheets on the bed,but when Jane came in,he opened his eyes slowly.Jane took one of his hands in hers.The hand was cold,like ice.
病床上,阿蘭’科爾靜靜地確著·他的臉就像床單一樣慘白。但當簡進來時,他慢慢睜開雙眼。簡拉起爸爸的一只手。那手冰涼冰涼的。
‘Janie? Are you all right?’
“簡妮?你沒事兒吧?”‘
‘Me? I'm fine, Dad.And you're going to be OIL too,aren't you? The doctor told me.’
“我?我很好,爸爸。您也會好起來的,不是嗎?醫(yī)生告訴過我的。”
He closed his eyes,and for a long time he didn't answer.Perhaps he's asleep again,Jane thought.Then,very quietly,Alan Cole said,‘Stay with me,Janie.’
他閉上眼睛,好長時間沒有回話。也許他又睡著了,簡想。接著,阿蘭·科爾靜靜地說:“陪著我,筒妮。”
‘Of course,Dad .I'm not going anywhere.’Jane sat down on a chair beside the bed.‘You sleep now .’
“當然,爸爸。我哪兒也不去。”簡坐在床邊的一把椅子上。“您睡會兒吧。”
Her father closed his eyes,and the nurse smiled at Jane.‘Would you like a cup of tea,miss?’
父親合上了雙眼;護士朝簡笑了笑。“你想要喝杯茶嗎,小姐?”
‘Yes,please,’Jane said.‘It's going to be a long night.’She held her father's hand,and watched him sleeping.He looks. happy now,she thought.Like a baby.
“好的,來一杯吧。”簡說,“這一夜長著呢。”她握住爸爸的手,看著他睡著的樣子。他現(xiàn)在看上去很快活,她想,就像孩子一樣。
But,what will he say when,‘fell him about the leg?
但是我跟他提起他的腿時他會說什么呢?
Next day,the doctor told Alan about his leg.Jane sat by the bed and held his hand while he listened.He didn'‘say anything,but tears came into his:eyes.,.
第二天,醫(yī)生告訴阿蘭他的腿的事情。他聽到時簡就坐在旁邊握著他的手。他什么也沒說,但眼中涌出了淚水。
‘I’m very sorry,Mr Cole,’the doctor said. ‘But we had to do it.Your leg was broken in forty places and you .lest a lot of blood.You're lucky to 1)e alive·’
,實在抱歉,科爾先生,”醫(yī)生說,“可我們只能這么做。你的腿斷了40處,又失血過多。您能活下來已經(jīng)是萬幸了。”
‘Lucky!’Alan Cole said angrily,‘With this? Damn it,man,I'll never walk again!’
“萬幸?!”阿蘭·科爾生氣地說,“就這樣?去他的吧,我再也走不了路了!”
`Oh yes,you will,Mr Cole.We'll get you an artificial leg.They're very good — they move like an ordinary leg·No.one will see it under your trousers.’
“噢,不,科爾先生,你還能走路。我們會給你安一條假腿。非常好使—活動起來就像真的一樣。在褲子底卞誰也看不出。”
‘And will I be able to ride horses with it,or swim,or climb mountains?’
“那樣我還能騎馬、游泳或爬山嗎?”
‘Well,perhaps not…’ The doctor hesitated.‘We'll do our best for you,Mr Cole,believe me.Now,here's some-thing to help you sleep.‘You'll feel better later‘’
“這個嘛,也許不行……”醫(yī)生猶猶豫豫地說,不過我們會盡力為你做的,科爾先生,相信我。瞧,這是助你睡眠的物事。你會感覺好些的。”
All day,Jane waited in the hospital.She drank tea,read newspapers; had a meal,and held her father's hand as he slept·No one came to visit.Her mother was dead;and her brother lived in Australia .At four o'clock her father woke up,and looked at her with big frightened eyes.
簡一整天都在醫(yī)院里等著。她喝茶水,讀報紙,吃了頓飯,父親睡覺時她就拉著他的手。沒有人前來探視。母親已經(jīng)去世了,哥哥住在澳大利亞。4點鐘時,父親醒了,用驚恐的大眼睛著著她。
‘Janie?’he said.
“簡妮?他說。
‘Yes,Dad.,
“我在這兒,爸爸。”
‘What happened? The doctor said there was a bomb,didn't he?And - I lost my leg .But…I can't remember. ’
“出了什么事?醫(yī)生說有炸彈,不是嗎?還說我的腿沒了??墒?middot;·一我想不起來了。”
Very quietly,Jane told him what she had seen.Then she read the newspaper aloud.
簡靜靜地告訴他她看到的一切,然后大聲念起報紙:
Five people have died,and forty are in hospital.One man from the Queen's coach, lost a leg,and toe other three are dead.But the Queen,Prince Charles,and the Duke of Edinburgh were not hurt.Yesterday some Irish terrorists rang the BBC to say they -exploded the bomb.‘We are sorry that ordinary people died,,they said._‘We meant to kill the Queen,not them.But accidents happen sometimes. 11he Queen was lucky this time,because the bomb exploded too late.But she has to be lucky every time.We only have to be lucky once.’
有五人死亡.40人住進醫(yī)院。女王的馬車上有一人失去了一條腿,另外三人死亡。但是女王、查爾斯王子和艾丁堡公爵沒有受傷。昨天一些愛爾蘭恐怖主義分子給BBC打電話說是他們引爆炸彈的。“我們對老百姓的死感到歉意。” 他們說.“我們本想殺死女王,而不是他們。但有時事情會出意外。女王這次走運了.因為炸彈炸得太晚了。可她得次次都走運才行.我們只消走運不失手一次就行。
‘My God!’Alan said..' The bastards!Who…who died?’
“上帝啊!”阿蘭說,“一群混蛋!誰…… 誰死了 ”
‘One policeman,a tourist,and three coachmen,’Jane said.‘You were the only coachman who didn't die.’
七個警察,一位游客和三個馬車夫。”簡說,“您是唯一活著的車夫。”
‘Oh no.’Alan's eyes were filled with tears.‘George,Bernard,John-dead!What harm had they ever done to the Irish,or to anyone? Why did the Irish have to kill them with their bloody bomb? There's no justice in this life,is there?’
“噢,不。”阿蘭眼中滿是淚水。“喬治、 伯納德、約翰—死了!他們對愛爾蘭人或對任何人有什么傷害?愛爾蘭人為什么要用他們那該死的炸彈殺死他們?生活中沒有公平,不對嗎?"
‘Well,perhaps the poe will…’Jane began.
“是啊,也許警察會……”簡開腔道。
‘Yes,I hope they catch those murdering Irish bastards,I really do.I hope they lock them in prison until they die.That’s what I hope. By God,I do!’
“是的,我希望他們能抓住那些殺人的愛爾蘭混蛋,我真這么希望。我希望把他們關在監(jiān)獄里直到他們老死。那便是我所希望的。上帝啊,我多么希望能這樣!”
‘Of course they will,Dad. ’‘Jane stroked her father's hand softly. ‘ The police are out there now,looking for the bombers.They'them before to long.’
“當然會的,爸爸。簡輕輕撫摸著爸爸的手說,警察已經(jīng)出動去搜查那些投炸彈者了。他們會抓住那些壞蛋的,用不了多久。”
1 Bomb
‘Look!’Jane Cole said.‘ Here she comes now ! ’
The two Americans looked along the street.There were crowds of people everywhere.In the middle of, the road,soldiers were riding towards them on horseback.Behind them came a golden coach,pulled by six black horses.
‘That’s my father,’Janesaid.‘He's the coachman一the man driving the horses,’
The American woman said,‘Fantastic!Your father's driv-ing the Queen!Quick,Harry,use the video camera!’
‘I am using it!’her husband said.‘But she's too far away.Can't we get a little nearer,Jane?’
‘We can try,’Jane said.‘Follow me!’She‘took them nearer to the entrance to Parliament."This is where the coach will stop and the Queen will get out.Then she'll go upstairs to open Parliament for this year.’
‘Didn't~~put a bomb under your Parliament once?,the American man asked.‘I read about that at school.Guy…something?’
‘Guy Fawkes,’Jane said.‘In 1605.He tried to blow up Parliament,that's right .But don't worry .There's no Guy Fawkes here today.’
She smiled at the Americans,She was a student,and this was her part-time job-to show tourists round London. She felt proud to show them her father,driving the Queen on a wonderful day like this.
Then the Queen's coach~past in front of them,the golden roof bright in the sunlight.
There were people everywhere,trying to take photos.Jane saw a woman with red-brown hair behind the American man,pressing the button of her camera.That's stupid,Jane thought,she can only see the backs of people's heads there.The woman shook her一angrily;there seemed to be something wrong with it .The American~pulled Jane forward,laughing happily.‘Come on,’she said,‘let's get to the front!Use that video,Harry!’
Alan Cole stopped the coach outside Parliament,and sat there,quietly holding the horses.A man opened the. coach door,and Prince Charles and the Duke of Edinburgh got out.Then the Queen got out.She was wearing a long white dress,and carrying a gold handbag.She walked slowly towards the entrance to the building.
‘Excuse me,please,’the woman with red-brown hair said.‘ I must get closer.’She pushed、past Jane and held out her small black camera.
‘Oh,all right,’Jane said.‘But,... my God ! ’
There was a loud BANG!Jane saw a bright white light in front of her eyes,and felt a terrible hot wind on her face.The wind threw her backwards,and she fell to the ground with a lot of other people.For a moment she lay there,not thinking,not seeing.
Per eyes were open but she saw nothing.Only…blue sky.She heard nothing.Only…silence.Her body felt no pAin. But she could smell something. Smoke.
Smoke? she thought .I don't understand.Why smoke? And this blue sky.Where am I?
Then the screaming began.
The screaming was high and loud and terrible: It didn't sound human .It went on and on and on.
Jane~a hand in front of her,on the ground.A man's hand with blood on it.And broken glass.She moved her head and~broken glass everywhere,and blood,and bodies lying on the ground,She stood up slowly.
For a moment she thought everyone was dead.There~bodies everywhere,but no~was moving. Then&man ran across the road,and one of the bodies moved,The body wasn、human;it~a horse.As it moved,it screamed. The horse tried to stand up,but it couldn't,be-cause it only had three legs. There~blood all round the horse,and a big bit of wood in its stomach.
The Queen's coach was broken into a thousand pieces,and there were bits of wood and clothes and bodies everywhere.
The bodies looked like broken dolls.
" Dad!" she screamed.‘Oh God一my father!’
She ran quickly towards the coach.A policeman with a bloody hand tried to stop her,but she pushed him away.
My father's over there!' she screamed.
"At first she couldn't finch him.There were so many bodies一and so much blood!She,w the horse in the middle of a great lake of blood,trying to get up on its front leg.There was blood coming from the horse's nose and stomach一 and under the back legs,something that looked like…
A body .A man.‘Father!’
Alan Cole was covered with blood and his face was as white as paper.When he saw Jane,he opened his eyes and screamed.‘It's my leg!My leg一get this horse off me!’
His leg was under the back of the horse,‘which was moving wildly,trying to get up. Each time the horse moved,it fell on Alan Cole's leg,and he screamed.
Jane ran and pushed the horse but it was too big,too heavy.She pulled its tail but that was no good.It tried to get up and fell on her father's leg again,twice.She could hear his bones breaking. Then a policeman came and held the horse's leg,Jane held its tail,and another policeman held Alan's arms.Jane and the first policeman pulled the horse to one side,while the second policeman pulled Alan free·The horse screamed, eked Jane on the shoulder,and died.
Jane went in the ambulance with her father to the hospital.There were lots of people there.She heard a reporter talking on the telephone to his office.
‘Five,’he said.‘Five dead,and about thirty are very bad1y hurt.It was a bomb一it must be terrorists. But the Queen is safe·She was inside Parliament with her hush and Prince Charles and ...,
‘Never mind the bloody Queen!' Jane thought.‘ What about my father?’
The doctors took Alan away from Jane,and she had to sit and wait .Her shoulder was hurt,but not badly.For nearly four hours she walked up and down,drank coffee,and thought:why?
Why try to kill the Queen一how will that help anyone? Why kill tourists and soldiers outside Parliament? Why try to kill my father?
Jane's father was the most important person in the world to her .When he was a soldier, she had travelled around the world With him.He had taught her to climb mountains,win judo fights,ride horses,sail boats一he was a great father.Now,she thought,he may be dead.
At midnight,a young Indian doctor came to see her.He ~tired and serious .He looked at her sadly.
‘It's bad news,isn't it?’Jane said.‘Is he dead?’
‘No,Miss Cole,’the doctor said.‘We have saved your father's life .But I am afraid…’He hesitated.
‘Yes? What then? Please-tell me!’
‘I am afraid he has lost his leg.It was too badly broken - we had to cut it off.’
‘Oh my God!’Jane sat down suddenly.‘You cut his leg off!’She stared at the doctor and thought:Dad will never be able to climb or ride or sail again.Oh,poor man! It's than being dead!She began to cry.
“I'm very sorry,miss,’the doctor said.‘We had to do it,to save his life.He'll get an artificial leg.He'll learn to use it.At least he's alive…’
‘Yes,I suppose so.’Jane looked up.‘I'm sorry,doctor.I'm sure you did your beat.Can I see him now?’‘Yes,of course.The nurse will show you…’
In the hospital bed,Alan Cole lay quietly.His face was as white as the sheets on the bed,but when Jane came in,he opened his eyes slowly.Jane took one of his hands in hers.The hand was cold,like ice.
‘Janie? Are you all right?’
‘Me? I'm fine, Dad.And you're going to be OIL too,aren't you? The doctor told me.’
He closed his eyes,and for a long time he didn't answer.Perhaps he's asleep again,Jane thought.Then,very quietly,Alan Cole said,‘Stay with me,Janie.’
‘Of course,Dad .I'm not going anywhere.’Jane sat down on a chair beside the bed.‘You sleep now .’
Her father closed his eyes,and the nurse smiled at Jane.‘Would you like a cup of tea,miss?’
‘Yes,please,’Jane said.‘It's going to be a long night.’She held her father's hand,and watched him sleeping.He looks. happy now,she thought.Like a baby.
But,what will he say when,‘fell him about the leg?
Next day,the doctor told Alan about his leg.Jane sat by the bed and held his hand while he listened.He didn'‘say anything,but tears came into his:eyes.,.
‘I’m very sorry,Mr Cole,’the doctor said. ‘But we had to do it.Your leg was broken in forty places and you .lest a lot of blood.You're lucky to 1)e alive·’
‘Lucky!’Alan Cole said angrily,‘With this? Damn it,man,I'll never walk again!’
`Oh yes,you will,Mr Cole.We'll get you an artificial leg.They're very good — they move like an ordinary leg·No.one will see it under your trousers.’
‘And will I be able to ride horses with it,or swim,or climb mountains?’
‘Well,perhaps not…’ The doctor hesitated.‘We'll do our best for you,Mr Cole,believe me.Now,here's some-thing to help you sleep.‘You'll feel better later‘’
All day,Jane waited in the hospital.She drank tea,read newspapers; had a meal,and held her father's hand as he slept·No one came to visit.Her mother was dead;and her brother lived in Australia .At four o'clock her father woke up,and looked at her with big frightened eyes.
‘Janie?’he said.
‘Yes,Dad.,
‘What happened? The doctor said there was a bomb,didn't he?And - I lost my leg .But…I can't remember. ’
Very quietly,Jane told him what she had seen.Then she read the newspaper aloud.
Five people have died,and forty are in hospital.One man from the Queen's coach, lost a leg,and toe other three are dead.But the Queen,Prince Charles,and the Duke of Edinburgh were not hurt.Yesterday some Irish terrorists rang the BBC to say they -exploded the bomb.‘We are sorry that ordinary people died,,they said._‘We meant to kill the Queen,not them.But accidents happen sometimes. 11he Queen was lucky this time,because the bomb exploded too late.But she has to be lucky every time.We only have to be lucky once.’
‘My God!’Alan said..' The bastards!Who…who died?’
‘One policeman,a tourist,and three coachmen,’Jane said.‘You were the only coachman who didn't die.’
‘Oh no.’Alan's eyes were filled with tears.‘George,Bernard,John-dead!What harm had they ever done to the Irish,or to anyone? Why did the Irish have to kill them with their bloody bomb? There's no justice in this life,is there?’
‘Well,perhaps the poe will…’Jane began.
‘Yes,I hope they catch those murdering Irish bastards,I really do.I hope they lock them in prison until they die.That’s what I hope. By God,I do!’
‘Of course they will,Dad. ’‘Jane stroked her father's hand softly. ‘ The police are out there now,looking for the bombers.They'them before to long.’
1炸彈
“看!”簡·科爾說,“她來了!”
那兩個美國人順著街道看去。到處都是人群。馬路中間,士兵正騎在馬背上朝他們這邊走來。在士兵們的后面,是一輛由六匹黑馬拉著的金色馬車。
“那是我父親,”簡說,“他是馬車夫—就是趕馬的人。”
那個美國婦女說:“真奇妙!你父親正駕車拉著女王!快點,哈利,用攝像機拍下來!”
“我正在拍!”她丈夫說,“可她離得太遠了。我們能再離近些嗎,簡?’’
“試試吧,”簡說,“跟我來!”她帶他們走得離國會大廈門口更近些。“馬車就停在這兒,女王從這兒下車。然后她上樓去召開今年的國會會議。”
“不是有人在你們的國會大廈下埋過炸彈嗎?”那個美國男人問。“我在學校里讀到過那事。是一個叫蓋什么的人?"
“蓋·佛克斯,”簡說,“是在1605年。他想炸飛國會大廈,沒錯。但別擔心。今天這兒沒有蓋·佛克斯。”
她朝美國夫婦笑了笑。她是個學生,而 這是她的兼職工作-帶游客們在倫敦觀光。能指給別人看她父親在像今天這么令人羨慕的時候給女王駕車使她很自豪。
接著女王的馬車從他們面前經(jīng)過,金色的車頂在陽光下閃閃發(fā)光。
到處都是想照相的人。筒看見在美國男人身后有一個長著棕紅色頭發(fā)的女人,她正按下照相機的快門。那樣做可真傻,簡想,她在那兒只能看到人們的后腦勺埃那女人生氣地搖晃著照相機,照相機好像出了什么毛玻那個美國女人往前推著簡,高興地笑著。“走啊,”她說,“咱們上前邊去!哈利,用攝像機拍一下!”
阿蘭·科爾把馬車停在國會大廈門前,坐在那兒,靜靜地把住韁繩。一個男人打開馬車門,查爾斯王子和艾丁堡公爵走出馬車。接著女王也走了出來。她穿著一件長長的白色連衣裙,手中拿著一個金提包。她慢慢走向大樓門口。
“勞駕,”留著棕紅色頭發(fā)的女人說.“我得靠近些、”她推開簡往前走著,舉著她那個黑色小相機。
“噢,可以,”簡說,“可是……天啊!”
“砰”的一聲巨響!簡看到眼前閃過一道白光,感到一股難忍的熱浪撲面而來。熱浪把她拋向后面,她和許多其他人一起摔倒在地。一時間她倒在那兒腦中一片空白,眼前一片漆黑。
她睜開眼睛,可眼前除了藍色的天空什么也看不見;耳邊除了一片寂靜什么也聽不到。她感覺不到身體的疼痛,可她能聞到一股味兒。是煙味。
煙?她想,我不明白,為什么會有煙?天這么藍。我在哪兒?
緊接著喊叫聲開始響起來了。
這喊叫聲又尖又響,很痛苦似的。真不像是人所能發(fā)出的聲音。還又響個不停。
簡看到眼前的地上有一只手。是男人的一只血淋淋的手。還有碎玻璃。她挪了挪腦袋,著到地上到處是碎玻璃、鮮血和尸體。她慢慢地站起身來。
片刻間,她以為所有的人都死了。因為周圍到處是軀體,但又都一動不動。接著一個男人跑過街道,而后又有個東西動了起來。
動起來的不是人而是馬。它一邊動著,一邊嘶鳴著。它想站,可站不起來,因為它只剩三條腿了。它渾身都是血,肚子上還插著一大塊木頭。
女王的馬車被炸得粉碎,到處都是碎木頭、破布條和碎尸塊。那些尸體就像是破了的布娃娃。
“爸爸!”簡尖叫著,“噢,上帝啊—爸爸!”
她趕快向馬車跑去。一只手滿是血的警察想攔住她,可她推開了他。
“我父親在那邊呢!”她尖叫著。
開始她找不到他。這么多的尸體—而且這么多的鮮血!她看到正躺在一大片血泊中的那匹馬,它正掙扎著想用前腿站起來。血從它的鼻子和肚子里流淌下來—而在它那黑色的腿下,好像有什么東西,是……
是一個人,一個男人。“爸爸!”
阿蘭·科爾渾身是血,臉蒼白得像一張白紙。他看到簡時睜大眼睛,叫道:“我的腿!我的腿—把這馬從我身上推開!”
阿蘭的一只腿壓在馬背下,那匹馬正瘋狂地挪動著想站起來。馬每動一下,都要壓一下阿蘭的腿,于是他直叫喚。
簡跑過去推那匹馬,可是它太大,太重。她去拽馬尾巴,可一點用都沒有。它兩次想要站起來,可又都摔在了她爸爸身上。她聽見他的骨頭都斷了。那時,一個警察過來并抓住馬的一條腿。簡拽住馬尾,另一個警察抓緊阿蘭的胳膊。簡和第一個警察把馬拽到一邊,第二個警察把阿蘭拖了出來。那匹馬嘶叫著,踢了簡的一個肩膀一下,然后就死了。
簡隨爸爸上了救護車到達醫(yī)院。那里有很多人。她聽到一個記者正在給辦公室打電話。
“五個.”他說,“五人死亡,大約三十人受重傷。是一枚炸彈—一定是恐怖分子干的‘。但女王安然無事。她當時在國會大廈里,與她在一起的有她的丈夫、查爾斯王子及……”
“女王怎么樣無所謂!”簡想,“我父親怎么辦?”
醫(yī)生們從簡身邊帶走阿蘭,她只好坐在那兒等。她的肩膀有些疼,但不很嚴重。大約有四個小時,她就這樣走來走去,喝咖啡,思考著:這是為什么?
為什么要殺女王—那樣對誰有什么好處嗎?為什么要殺國會大廈門前的游客和士兵?為什么要殺我父親?
對于簡來講,父親是世界上最重要的人。在他當兵的時候簡就跟著他周游世界。他教她爬山、柔道、騎馬、揚帆開船—他是個了不起的父親?,F(xiàn)在,她想,他可能就要死了。
午夜,一位年輕的印度醫(yī)生來看她。他看上去很疲勞也很嚴肅。他悲傷地看著簡。
“是壞消息,對嗎?"簡間,“他死了?”
“不,科爾小姐。”醫(yī)生說,“我們已經(jīng)救活了你父親。但恐怕……”他猶像道。
“嗯?怎么樣呢?勞駕—請告訴我吧!,
“恐怕他的腿保不住了.傷得太厲害—我們不得不鋸掉它。”
“噢,天啊!”簡一下坐在椅子上。“你們鋸了他的腿!她盯著醫(yī)生想:爸爸再也不能爬山,再也不能騎馬,再也不能揚帆開船了。噢,可憐的人!這比死了還難受!她哭了起來。
“實在對不起,小姐。”醫(yī)生說,“為了救他的命,我們不得不這樣做。他會安條假腿。他會學會用它的。至少他還活著……”“是19,我想是這樣的。”簡抬起頭。“對不起,大夫。我確信你們已經(jīng)盡力了。我現(xiàn)在能看看他嗎?”
“當然可以。護士會帶你去……”
病床上,阿蘭’科爾靜靜地確著·他的臉就像床單一樣慘白。但當簡進來時,他慢慢睜開雙眼。簡拉起爸爸的一只手。那手冰涼冰涼的。
“簡妮?你沒事兒吧?”‘
“我?我很好,爸爸。您也會好起來的,不是嗎?醫(yī)生告訴過我的。”
他閉上眼睛,好長時間沒有回話。也許他又睡著了,簡想。接著,阿蘭·科爾靜靜地說:“陪著我,筒妮。”
“當然,爸爸。我哪兒也不去。”簡坐在床邊的一把椅子上。“您睡會兒吧。”
父親合上了雙眼;護士朝簡笑了笑。“你想要喝杯茶嗎,小姐?”
“好的,來一杯吧。”簡說,“這一夜長著呢。”她握住爸爸的手,看著他睡著的樣子。他現(xiàn)在看上去很快活,她想,就像孩子一樣。
但是我跟他提起他的腿時他會說什么呢?
第二天,醫(yī)生告訴阿蘭他的腿的事情。他聽到時簡就坐在旁邊握著他的手。他什么也沒說,但眼中涌出了淚水。
,實在抱歉,科爾先生,”醫(yī)生說,“可我們只能這么做。你的腿斷了40處,又失血過多。您能活下來已經(jīng)是萬幸了。”
“萬幸?!”阿蘭·科爾生氣地說,“就這樣?去他的吧,我再也走不了路了!”
“噢,不,科爾先生,你還能走路。我們會給你安一條假腿。非常好使—活動起來就像真的一樣。在褲子底卞誰也看不出。”
“那樣我還能騎馬、游泳或爬山嗎?”
“這個嘛,也許不行……”醫(yī)生猶猶豫豫地說,不過我們會盡力為你做的,科爾先生,相信我。瞧,這是助你睡眠的物事。你會感覺好些的。”
簡一整天都在醫(yī)院里等著。她喝茶水,讀報紙,吃了頓飯,父親睡覺時她就拉著他的手。沒有人前來探視。母親已經(jīng)去世了,哥哥住在澳大利亞。4點鐘時,父親醒了,用驚恐的大眼睛著著她。
“簡妮?他說。
“我在這兒,爸爸。”
“出了什么事?醫(yī)生說有炸彈,不是嗎?還說我的腿沒了??墒?middot;·一我想不起來了。”
簡靜靜地告訴他她看到的一切,然后大聲念起報紙:
有五人死亡.40人住進醫(yī)院。女王的馬車上有一人失去了一條腿,另外三人死亡。但是女王、查爾斯王子和艾丁堡公爵沒有受傷。昨天一些愛爾蘭恐怖主義分子給BBC打電話說是他們引爆炸彈的。“我們對老百姓的死感到歉意。” 他們說.“我們本想殺死女王,而不是他們。但有時事情會出意外。女王這次走運了.因為炸彈炸得太晚了??伤么未味甲哌\才行.我們只消走運不失手一次就行。
“上帝啊!”阿蘭說,“一群混蛋!誰…… 誰死了 ”
七個警察,一位游客和三個馬車夫。”簡說,“您是唯一活著的車夫。”
“噢,不。”阿蘭眼中滿是淚水。“喬治、 伯納德、約翰—死了!他們對愛爾蘭人或對任何人有什么傷害?愛爾蘭人為什么要用他們那該死的炸彈殺死他們?生活中沒有公平,不對嗎?"
“是啊,也許警察會……”簡開腔道。
“是的,我希望他們能抓住那些殺人的愛爾蘭混蛋,我真這么希望。我希望把他們關在監(jiān)獄里直到他們老死。那便是我所希望的。上帝啊,我多么希望能這樣!”
“當然會的,爸爸。簡輕輕撫摸著爸爸的手說,警察已經(jīng)出動去搜查那些投炸彈者了。他們會抓住那些壞蛋的,用不了多久。”