Summary

The short story “Number Three” tells the story about Miss Coral, who is an “International Hostess” at a middle school in China called Number Three where she is in charge of a so-called English Teacher Programme. She used to be a teacher. However, the school received complaints and is therefore hiring international teachers instead. It is Miss Coral’s job to manage and welcome these international teachers, and in this short story, she welcomes a British teacher coming from London:  Mr James.

Throughout the story, the cultural differences between Miss Coral and Mr James are evident, differences that end up having devastating consequences for Miss Coral’s life. Miss Coral picks up Mr James in the airport and takes him to his apartment. He is given his own apartment even though it is normally the senior teachers who get that; all other employees normally have roommates, including Miss Coral.  Already in the first few hours of their acquaintance, it is obvious that the two characters come from different cultures and different means. Mr Jame...