The Cemetery of Forgotten Books, #2
The Angel's Game
by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
Contents
Chapter 30
Overview
After meeting Ricardo Salvador, David Martín seeks comfort at Sempere & Sons. He playfully orchestrates a possible romance between Isabella and Sempere’s son, boosting the young man’s confidence. When Sempere senior returns unwell, David helps him upstairs, reflecting on past kindness and strengthening his bond with the family.
Summary
At sunset, after parting from Ricardo Salvador, David Martín goes to Plaza Real and then to Sempere & Sons, seeking solace. Sempere’s son welcomes him and makes coffee, confiding worries about his father’s health and workload.
David steers the conversation to Isabella, revealing she has been helping at the shop. He teasingly claims Isabella admires and loves Sempere’s son, describing her virtues to encourage him. Despite the young man’s embarrassment and moral reservations, David urges “courtship,” proposing a gentle outing to kindle mutual feelings.
Sempere senior interrupts, scolding them for neglecting the shop. After the son returns to work, David banters with the father about health and rest. Sempere senior, clearly unwell, minimizes his condition; David insists he should be in bed.
David helps Sempere senior upstairs, briefly aided by neighbor Don Anacleto. In the apartment, David recalls how Sempere once rescued and comforted him as a boy. He settles the older man under blankets, their roles reversed, and leaves before Sempere can probe what troubles David, carrying a renewed sense of gratitude and connection.
Who Appears
- David MartínNarrator; visits the bookshop, promotes Isabella’s match with Sempere’s son, and helps ailing Sempere senior to bed.
- Sempere’s sonShy bookseller; confides about his father, is nudged by David toward courting Isabella.
- Sempere (senior)Patriarch; stubborn about working despite illness; David escorts him upstairs to rest.
- IsabellaDavid’s apprentice; helps at the shop and is the subject of David’s matchmaking.
- Don AnacletoNeighboring teacher; briefly assists on the stairs and laments his unruly pupils.