As far as Erica knew, he had never raised a hand to any living creature.
‘I don’t want to say too much yet, I don’t really know what the situation will be. Tomorrow I’ll ring Marianne, a lawyer friend, and find out what possibilities I have to prevent a sale, but tonight I’d rather not think about it. Besides, I’ve been through a lot in the past few days, and thoughts of my material possessions seem a bit petty.’
‘Yes, I heard about what happened.’ Dan paused. ‘What was it like to find someone dead like that?’
Erica contemplated what she should say.
‘Sad and terrible at the same time. I hope I never have to experience anything like that again.’
She told him about the article she was writing and about her conversations with Alexandra’s husband and colleague. Dan listened in silence.
‘What I don’t understand is why she closed out the most important people in her life. You should have seen her husband, he absolutely adored her. But that’s how it is with most people, I suppose. They smile and look happy but actually they feel burdened with all the worries and problems in the world.’
Dan interrupted her abruptly.
‘Erica, the game is starting in about three seconds and I would prefer an ice hockey match to your quasi-philosophical exegesis.’
‘No risk of that. Besides, I brought a book along in case the game is boring.’
Dan had mayhem in his eyes before he noticed the teasing glint in Erica’s eyes.
They made it back to the living room just in time for the face-off.
Marianne picked up at the first ring.
‘Marianne Svan.’
‘Hi, it’s Erica.’
‘Hi, it’s been ages. How nice of you to call. How are you doing? I’ve been thinking a lot about you.’
Once again Erica was reminded that she hadn’t been paying enough attention to her friends lately. She knew that they were worried about her, but the past month she hadn’t even managed to stay in touch with Anna. Yet she knew that they understood.
Marianne had been a good friend since their university days. They had studied literature together, but after almost four years of study Marianne realized that becoming a librarian was not her vocation in life, so she switched to law. Successfully, as it turned out, and she was now the youngest partner ever in one of the largest and most respected law firms in Göteborg.
‘Well, under the circumstances I’m doing okay, I suppose. I’m starting to get a little order back in my life, but there are still plenty of things to deal with.’
Marianne had never been much for small talk, and with her unerring intuition she could hear that Erica hadn’t simply called to chat.
‘So what can I do for you, Erica? I can hear there’s something on your mind, so let’s hear it.’
‘I’m really ashamed I haven’t been in touch for so long, and now that I am calling it’s because I need your help.’
‘Don’t be silly. How can I help you? Is there some sort of problem with the estate?’
‘Yes, you could certainly say that.’
Erica was sitting at the kitchen table fidgeting with the letter that had come in the morning post.
‘Anna, or rather Lucas, wants to sell the house in Fjällbacka.’
‘What do you mean?’ Marianne’s usual composure exploded. ‘Who the hell does he think he is? You love that house!’
Erica felt something suddenly snap inside her, and she burst into tears. Marianne instantly calmed down and started showering Erica with sympathy over the phone.
‘So how are you really doing? Do you want me to come over? I could be there by tonight.’
Erica’s tears flowed even harder, but after a few moments of sobbing she calmed down enough to wipe her eyes.
‘That’s incredibly nice of you, but I’m okay. Really. It’s just all been a bit too much lately. It was very traumatic to sort through Mamma and Pappa’s things, and now I’m late with my book and the publisher is after me and then all this with the house…and to top it all off, last
‘I don’t want to say too much yet, I don’t really know what the situation will be. Tomorrow I’ll ring Marianne, a lawyer friend, and find out what possibilities I have to prevent a sale, but tonight I’d rather not think about it. Besides, I’ve been through a lot in the past few days, and thoughts of my material possessions seem a bit petty.’
‘Yes, I heard about what happened.’ Dan paused. ‘What was it like to find someone dead like that?’
Erica contemplated what she should say.
‘Sad and terrible at the same time. I hope I never have to experience anything like that again.’
She told him about the article she was writing and about her conversations with Alexandra’s husband and colleague. Dan listened in silence.
‘What I don’t understand is why she closed out the most important people in her life. You should have seen her husband, he absolutely adored her. But that’s how it is with most people, I suppose. They smile and look happy but actually they feel burdened with all the worries and problems in the world.’
Dan interrupted her abruptly.
‘Erica, the game is starting in about three seconds and I would prefer an ice hockey match to your quasi-philosophical exegesis.’
‘No risk of that. Besides, I brought a book along in case the game is boring.’
Dan had mayhem in his eyes before he noticed the teasing glint in Erica’s eyes.
They made it back to the living room just in time for the face-off.
Marianne picked up at the first ring.
‘Marianne Svan.’
‘Hi, it’s Erica.’
‘Hi, it’s been ages. How nice of you to call. How are you doing? I’ve been thinking a lot about you.’
Once again Erica was reminded that she hadn’t been paying enough attention to her friends lately. She knew that they were worried about her, but the past month she hadn’t even managed to stay in touch with Anna. Yet she knew that they understood.
Marianne had been a good friend since their university days. They had studied literature together, but after almost four years of study Marianne realized that becoming a librarian was not her vocation in life, so she switched to law. Successfully, as it turned out, and she was now the youngest partner ever in one of the largest and most respected law firms in Göteborg.
‘Well, under the circumstances I’m doing okay, I suppose. I’m starting to get a little order back in my life, but there are still plenty of things to deal with.’
Marianne had never been much for small talk, and with her unerring intuition she could hear that Erica hadn’t simply called to chat.
‘So what can I do for you, Erica? I can hear there’s something on your mind, so let’s hear it.’
‘I’m really ashamed I haven’t been in touch for so long, and now that I am calling it’s because I need your help.’
‘Don’t be silly. How can I help you? Is there some sort of problem with the estate?’
‘Yes, you could certainly say that.’
Erica was sitting at the kitchen table fidgeting with the letter that had come in the morning post.
‘Anna, or rather Lucas, wants to sell the house in Fjällbacka.’
‘What do you mean?’ Marianne’s usual composure exploded. ‘Who the hell does he think he is? You love that house!’
Erica felt something suddenly snap inside her, and she burst into tears. Marianne instantly calmed down and started showering Erica with sympathy over the phone.
‘So how are you really doing? Do you want me to come over? I could be there by tonight.’
Erica’s tears flowed even harder, but after a few moments of sobbing she calmed down enough to wipe her eyes.
‘That’s incredibly nice of you, but I’m okay. Really. It’s just all been a bit too much lately. It was very traumatic to sort through Mamma and Pappa’s things, and now I’m late with my book and the publisher is after me and then all this with the house…and to top it all off, last
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