“That both of us are only human. That you didn’t take on your role in that saga on purpose, that you were a victim of circumstance—even if you should have taken greater responsibility in the situation. And that you have regretted it every moment since it happened. That’s good enough for me.”

Jeanette looked at her mistrustfully. Her eyes were brimming with tears.

“Sorry,” she said reaching out with her hand and placing it in Kerstin’s. “I’m so sorry.”

“I know,” said Kerstin. “But I want you to be happy now. I thought you were going to be once we had found Erik. That you were on the way to reconciling yourself with it. And that made me very happy. I don’t want all of that to crumble just because there happened to be a name tag with my photo attached to one of the bags.”

“But what I’ve done to you,” said Jeanette. “It’s dreadful. How am I supposed to live with that?”

“Look at it the other way around,” Kerstin suggested. “Accept that fate brought us together and that it was the best thing that could have happened. Now you’ve had the chance to explain yourself and apologise, and I’ve realised how what happened could have come to pass, I’ve processed my trauma and forgiven you.”

Jeanette looked at her, eyes filled with tears.

“Have you really?” she said. “Forgiven me?”

Kerstin nodded and squeezed Jeanette’s hand.

“How is that even possible?”

Kerstin shrugged her shoulders.

“You have to make the best of the situation,” she said. “What’s done is done and can’t be changed. You feeling like shit doesn’t make me feel better—quite the opposite, in fact. You’re my friend, a person I care about. And you’ve punished yourself harder than I ever could have. Or would have wanted to. It’s for the best—I’d like us to put it behind us.”

Jeanette scrutinised her through her tears. She didn’t seem entirely able to take in Kerstin’s words.

“We’re the heroes of the hour, you and me,” Kerstin said with a smile. “I could tell you were proud of yourself—for the first time ever, I think. Satisfied with what you had achieved. It was great to see. Can’t you hold on to that feeling? Accept that all the terrible things that happened four years ago are over, turn the page, and look forward to a new future?”

Kerstin thought she glimpsed a tiny smile in Jeanette’s eyes—at least she wanted to believe that was what she could see. Jeanette took a deep breath and shut her eyes. They sat in silence for the remainder of the journey.