Beware the Certainties

I was waiting in the lobby? foyer? of the British Library this morning - as it happens to meet a Goodreads friend - and quietly reading the NYR. I sensed a young man sit down near me, talking on his mobile phone. I didn't look up but as ever eavesdropped (if people talk on their phones in public they must expect to be overheard).

Now years of working in broadcasting, radio to be precise, editing voices of every sort, have taught me to recognise the origins of accents of all sorts. This was most definitely a Jewish voice, and believe me I know Jewish voices, arguing with his girl friend or wife for not having been at home when he rang, not picking up when she said she was on the bus. Then he paused while she sounded off in her turn...said something, and 'Oy oy oy oy oy!' he exclaimed, proving my point.

In his impatience he got up and began pacing about. I looked up. Young indeed, black, dreadlocks...