It didn’t take a genius to play along. ‘Sure, we’ll go to his office now.’ Nico essayed a sharky smile. ‘A trader in such a sensitive area as stocks, bonds and securities is excruciatingly vulnerable to legal action. My friend loves the opportunity to bring down arseholes who think themselves above the law and he owes me a favour.’ He didn’t look Albin’s way, pleased by the make-believe scenario he was spinning as fast as he could talk. It was more fun than creating bedtime tales of unicorns and princesses for Josie.

Julia gave a horrified gasp at the same time as Hannah said, ‘You’re brilliant.’

‘Not as brilliant as him.’ Nico was enjoying the frozen, incredulous silence from Albin. ‘He’s savage. Made his name trashing the reputation of others.’ He held out his hand and Hannah took it as they turned for the door.

Albin unfroze. ‘Who is this? Who are you?’ he demanded furiously. ‘What are you talking about?’

Nico turned back and gazed at him. ‘I think you heard.’

He opened the shop door unhurriedly, stepping back to allow Hannah through first. ‘Hungry yet?’ he asked, as if they’d already forgotten about Albin and his manipulative, unpleasant games.

Hannah answered, ‘Maybe,’ just as Albin yelled, ‘Wait!’

They paused and looked back.

Ugly anger rang in his voice. ‘You fucking piece of shit,’ he seethed at Hannah. ‘Have your fucking money and get out of my life.’ He worked at his phone screen with bad-tempered swipes. ‘Done!’ he snapped.

Hannah turned away, smiling into the wintry air as she fibbed happily. ‘We’re around a while so visiting Nico’s friend in a few days will be no hardship if the international transfer doesn’t come through. Merry Christmas.’

Albin called a word after her that made Nico drop Hannah’s hand and spin around but she snatched at his arm. ‘Don’t. That’s what he wants. It’s his last roll of the dice to see if he can get you on an assault charge. Leaving him to stew impotently on loser status is much the sweetest revenge.’

Nico could do no more than seethe silently as he let Hannah draw him up the street.

It wasn’t until they got around the corner that she let herself pause, white in comparison with the colourful buildings of Stortorget. ‘Phew. That was horrible. He’s an ugly customer when he doesn’t get his own way.’

Nico enveloped her in his arms, aware of her curves through the down-filled layers of their coats. ‘He’s a shit.’

‘I don’t care so much about that.’ She laid her head on his shoulder. ‘But my beautiful shop! It’s been taken from me and forever tainted.’ Then she added fiercely, ‘Whatever life holds for me next, it will be something that’s completely under my control.’