NEVER TRUST A STRANGER
1. Copy these active words and word combinations into your note-books, give their transcription and translation. Copy the sentences in which these words are used and learn the sentences and the words by heart.
to give smb a lift
to be short of smth
to be short of money (time)
to make one's mind
to be capable
to be capable of improvement (explanation)
stale
to change the subject
to do smth for a living
sly
to put one's finger on smth
to feel like doing smth
to do harm
out of the harm's way
I meant no harm.
to feel up to smth
appreciative
appreciative of help
subdued
to cheer up
to waste (no) time
the way out
revulsion
to express (feel) revulsion
deep revulsion
a feeling of revulsion
revulsion against (at, towards)]
to seize
to seize one’s chance
incredulous
2. Make sure you read these words correctly. Give the transcription.
auburn-haired, a black belt in karate, Beckton Butcher, innuendo, a slight detour, werewolf, overwhelming,
bruising.
3. Commentary:
1.The Old Bill - British slang for the police
2. déjà vu - Psychol. an illusory feeling of having already experienced a present situation.
3. nightcap - a hot or alcoholic drink taken at bedtime.
4. creep – sl. an unpleasant person.
5. to kill — out to death, cause the death.
6. to murder - the unlawful premeditated killing of a human being by another.
4. Give a summary of this story. Do it in writing. These phrases may be of help:
from the very start, the story reveals ...; the events that follow show ...; the end is quite unexpected.
5. Answer these comprehension questions.
1. When and where did she meet Mark?
2. What did she look like?
3. Why did she take his offer?
4. What did her mother warn her about? What was her mum's advice?
5. What can you say about the Beckton Butcher?
6. Did she like Mark? Give your reasons.
7. What did he offer?
8. Why did she refuse?
9. Did he take her straight home after the bar? Where did he take her?
10. Why was she nervous?
11. What did she do in the end?
6. Describe the episodes:
1. Mark's offer.
2. Her impressions of Mark.
3. Her thoughts after the nightcap.
4. Their conversation in the car before going to the bar.
5. At the lake.
6. Lisa controls herself.
7. His last moments.
7. Express your opinion on the following statements:
1. Lisa liked him and decided to make friends with him.
2. Mark was the Bekton Butcher. It was clear from the very beginning.
3. He was very polite and did everything to please her.
4. Lisa tried to remain pleasant. She did her best.
5. She did try to control herself.
6. Their coming to the Beckton Lake turned out to be the last drop for her.
7. To kill was the only thing to do in this situation.
8. Translate the passages from English into Russian. Do it in writing.
"Lisa was furious ............. get to like him".
"Lisa crossed her Iegs .......... .of déjà vu."
9. Find the English equivalents of the following phrases and reproduce the situation in which they are used. Copy them into your note-books:
случится припадок, пристегнуть ремни, отчасти предупреждая, отчасти в шутку, поднял руки вверх, пародируя капитуляцию, мирские (земные) темы, дело не обсуждаяется, контролировать свой растущий гнев.
2. GIVE HIM A SECOND CHANCE (by Cynthia Chapman)
Rex had been the school heart-throb - he hardly knew that I existed. Why then, so many years later, did he want to meet again?
The voice on the phone was unfamiliar. “Julie? Julie Anderson? I'm sure you won't remember me, it's such a long time ago, but we were at school together. This is Rex Earl,” the husky voice continued. “I was in the same year as you. Tall, rather gawky, dark hair, big feet, played a bit of football.”
Hе sounded slightly breathless as if he'd really forced himself to make this call.
“Yes, maybe I do, remember you vaguely,” I said playing for time. I was stunned. Even 15 years later how could I forget Rex Earl? As well as being tall and dark, he'd been amazingly good-looking, incredibly popular and the outright star of the football team.
Half the girls in the school had been in love with him, dreaming of his kisses and longing for one of the smouldering looks that he reserved for Judy Anderson, with her baby-blonde hair and sensational figure.
I'd been heart-broken when his family left the district and I had to accept that I was never going to learn what it was like to be kissed by Rex Earl.
[5] “I hope you didn't mind me looking up your number,” he was saying. "I’ve only just moved back here and I thought it might be nice to get in touch with a few old friends.”
Through all the usual polite questions I managed to find out that he'd qualified as a doctor and was joining the staff of our local hospital. No, he hadn't married, he'd worked abroad for a while and was now moving back here for good.
It was only small-talk and, as such, quite easy, but as we chatted I suddenly realised I had to face up to an unwelcome truth. I should have guessed straight away — he'd found my name in the telephone directory and had simply got me muddled up with his old flame, Judy.
It wasn't the first time this sort of mistake had happened to me. I swallowed hard, telling myself it was absurd to feel so let down, I wasn't a silly, star-struck teenager any more.
“Are you sure you’ve got the right girl?” I made myself say.
‘Of course I am”, he replied with supreme self-confidence. “I'd know your voice anywhere.”
His own voice went down a tone, becoming warm and eager. “I was wondering whether we could have a drink or dinner together one evening? Talk over old times?”
What old times could he be thinking of? All I could remember were those Saturday afternoon football matches when I'd cheered myself hoarse on the sidelines in the hope of a smile from him, the way I'd lent him my biology notes to copy and helped him with his French translation homework.
How thrilled I'd been when he'd said casually: “Cheers, Jules. Might see you at the dance tonight,” and his arrival half-way through the dance with his arm around Judy Anderson and a look on his face as if he'd just won the Pools...
Suddenly I felt furious at the way he'd treated me all those years ago. I felt he owed me something. So what if he had got us confused? He could hardly say anything when he realised his mistake.
I could already tell that this Rex Earl was a great deal more sophisticated than the old one. He wouldn't want to admit to doing something as silly as getting a name wrong.
“Yes, it might be fun to meet up again,” I said.
“Tonight?”
“No, I'm afraid I’m already booked up this week. Just hang on while I get my diary.” I put the receiver down on the table and silently counted to 30. I too, was much more sophisticated these days.
“How about next Thursday?” I said at last. Rex sounded ridiculously pleased as I told him how to get to my flat.
Although I knew he was in for a surprise, through the days that followed I began to hope that it might be a pleasant one.
I'd been what my mother called a late developer, but I'd certainly developed lately. My figure was now every bit as good as Judy’s had been. I’d even stopped wanting to be a platinum blonde like her and, with a little help from my hairdresser had slightly darkened my mousey-brown hair and had it streaked with subtle auburn highlights.
I could afford to dress well, too, and knew the sort of clothes that suited me. And although I'd been wary of close relationships since my divorce, I could still make men laugh.
Even so, I felt a little flutter of excitement and nervousness when the doorbell rang on Thursday night.
I took a long, deep breath, checked my reflection in the mirror, gave myself a quick spray of perfume and went over to front door to let him in.
[6]For a moment he looked startled, but he recovered quickly. His eyes widened as he took in my glistening mop of hair and the cream silk dress that showed off my tan. It was obvious he liked what he saw.
As he handed me a bunch of cellophane-wrapped crimson roses he said: “You look fabulous. You've had your hair cut — it really suits you.”
I felt very shaky but elated as I asked him to wait while I found a vase for the flowers and offered him a glass of perfectly chilled white wine.
He was even more attractive than I'd remembered. Perhaps I should have realised that he'd be taller now, broader in the shoulders, with leaner, more defined features.
I was flattered by the way he opened the car door for me and made sure my seat-belt was securely fastened, the light yet firm touch of his hand on my arm as we entered the restaurant and the undisguised look of admiration in his eyes.
Perhaps I was mistaken, but I thought I saw him smile as the other people in the restaurant looked up and stared at me.
He'd certainly chosen a romantic setting for our date. The tables looked charming — pink napkins contrasting with the plain white tablecloths, elegant matching candles, little posies of sweet-smelling carnations.
I must admit I felt rather fragile and cherished as the waiter pulled out my chair for me. Rex glanced at the wine list then ordered champagne. I smiled and raised my eyebrows. “Are we celebrating?”
“Why not? It isn't every week that you land a new job and realise a boyhood ambition.”
“What do you mean, boyhood ambition?” I asked.
“Taking you out like this. I tried dozens of times to pluck up enough courage to ask you, but I never dared. I remember being absolutely determined to do it at one of the end-of-term discos, then I just chickened out. I was terrified of everyone knowing what I'd done and you saying no,” he added.
Suddenly all my pleasure in being with him evaporated. He looked utterly sincere but what on earth was he talking about? Surely he couldn't have forgotten that he brought Judy to that awful disco?
What did he mean, too shy to approach me! He hadn't even noticed I was there. I knew I should have refused this dinner invitation. He’d taken this joke far enough. It was turning to be both humiliating and painful.
“I was really upset when I heard about you getting married,” he continued. “While I was away my mother always filled me in on what was happening to people I knew at school.”
“So I suppose you also heard that it didn't work out,” I said father coolly.
He looked a bit embarrassed. “Yes. I'm sorry.”
“There's no need to be. Peter and I were just too young. I was dazzled by the prospect of a white wedding and having a home of my own. But I've learned a lot since then. I'm not nearly so likely to be swept off my feet nowadays.”
I was warning him off, letting him know that as far as I was concerned this date wasn't going to lead anywhere.
“Actually, I ran into Peter in London a while back,” said Rex. “Didn't he have a younger sister in our year?”
“Of course he did,” I snapped, tired of this silly pretence. “You were expecting her to open the door to you tonight, weren't you? Why not admit it? I'm sorry if you were disappointed. As far as I know she's living in London too. Peter could probably give you her address — and the right phone number.”
Even though we hadn't finished eating, I crumpled up my napkin and pushed my chair back noisily.
[7] “Sit down, Julie,” he said sharply. “I don't know where you got such a crazy idea from. Why should І have expected to meet Peter Anderson’s sister? I can't even remember her name. Trudy, wasn't it? One of those silly, empty-headed girls who thought she only had to wiggle her hips to get what she wanted.”
There was a wistfulness in his eyes as he added: “You were always different — funny, sweet and so intelligent. I haven't forgotten getting that call from my mum: "Oh, by the way, Julie Harman's just got engaged to the Anderson boy. Weren't you friendly with her at school?" I felt like saying: "No. Mum, I could have been, only I always blew all my chances."
“But I don't understand,” I faltered, realising that his outburst was genuine. “You never took any notice of me. And all the boys were mad about Judy.”
“All except Rick Searle,” he said with what I could recognise as a smouldering look. Its effects were such that it took a few minutes for the words to sink in. Suddenly I burst out laughing.
“What's so funny?” he asked.
"It's nothing.” I said. “Nothing. I'll explain it to you later.”
He picked up the bottle and refilled my glass. I gazed at the sweep of his dark eyelashes, his sensitive mouth and the firm line of his jaw, marvelling at my own blindness.
I was remembering Richard Searle. He'd been gauche and tongue-tied on the few occasions I spoke to him. He was always tripping over things, banging his elbows and dropping books. Whenever he passed me in the corridor his face would go scarlet and he'd mutter: “Hi. Julie...” I just giggled at his awkwardness and walked away."
I leaned across the table and touched his hand. “This is a lovely meal, a lovely evening,” I said. “Thank you, Rick.”
His fingers tightened around mine. I found myself wondering what it would be kissed by Rick Searle and hoping that this had been another of his boyhood ambitions…