‘I was with Martin, my husband. He’s not really into cultural events, which is why I drag him along. Sooner or later something’s bound to stick – at least that’s what I tell myself. He was asleep in bed with the TV on when I got home Saturday night, if that is what you were going to ask me. I didn’t bother waking him. Netflix is no good for one’s sex life, is it?’

She winks at Jens again, but he’s got used to it by now, and doesn’t react at all.

‘I saw you at the homecoming party with Alex, Bruno and Marie. The four of you still seem close. Are you often in Nedanås?’ Anna asks.

‘No, hardly ever.’ Caia’s tone is harsh. ‘I mean . . .’ she goes on, as if she’s suddenly become aware of the change. ‘It’s not always easy, growing up in a place like that. You know how it works – everybody knows everybody else, you mustn’t get ideas above your station and so on . . .’

She looks up, as if she’s waiting for them to agree with her.

‘My father wasn’t the best. He drank, and he was violent towards both my mother and us kids. Everyone knew, but no one did anything about it. He ended up in jail a couple of times, but that was for other things. My mother was never prepared to report him, because she knew it would just make the situation worse. He had a bad reputation, and strangely enough that tainted the rest of the family. My older brothers often got into fights because of their surname. So maybe you can understand why I couldn’t get away fast enough.’ She picks up her phone, as if the discussion is beginning to bore her.

‘And yet you came to the party,’ Jens says dryly.

Caia looks taken aback; she wasn’t expecting that kind of comment from him.