The handshake is a little awkward. ‘No, Klein and I are just old friends. Or maybe I should say lifelong companions. Two people sharing one fate . . .’ She pats Klein’s arm again as Anna continues to observe them. Is this nothing more than a game?

‘You look familiar,’ Elisabet goes on in her usual direct way. ‘But your accent isn’t local.’

Lisa shakes her head. ‘No, I’m only visiting.’

‘Oh well, there you go – my memory isn’t what it used to be. How’s your arm?’

‘Broken collarbone, but it could have been much worse.’

Only now does Anna notice how tired Elisabet looks. Her face is even paler than the last time they met, and the skin is so transparent that the veins are visible in places. Technically she is still angry with Elisabet, but right now she’s finding it difficult to summon up those emotions.

‘I won’t disturb you any longer,’ Lisa adds. ‘If it’s OK with you, Agnes, I’ll come back later.’

Agnes nods. Lisa looks at Klein once more. ‘Thanks again,’ she says before leaving the room.

Oddly enough, the crowded room feels slightly empty when Lisa has gone, so Anna makes an effort to get some small talk going. She thanks Elisabet for her concern and for the beautiful flowers, which as expected provokes pursed lips and a dismissive wave. Agnes picks up on the atmosphere and talks to Mats about how soft Milo’s coat is, asks what dog shampoo he used. The conversation fills the vacuum for a little while. Klein remains silent as usual.

After a while Elisabet laboriously gets to her feet and signals to Anna to follow her into the corridor. Klein moves to join them, but is immediately waved away.

‘I really am sorry for how things ended between us last time,’ Elisabet says as soon as they are alone. ‘Klein and I have talked, and I now realise that I came across as . . .’ she searches for the right word, ‘cold. That wasn’t my intention, and I hope you can accept my apology. You’ve been a great help to us, Anna, and we’re very grateful.’

Anna doesn’t respond immediately, and Elisabet looks uneasy. ‘The fact is . . .’ she goes on after a few seconds of silence, ‘Klein and I are going to visit Karl-Johan in a while. His nursing home is less than fifteen minutes by car from here. I’d be very pleased if you’d like to come with us.’

*

Anna is sitting in the back seat of Klein’s well-maintained old pickup truck. Mats has offered to stay with Agnes, and with both him and Milo there, she couldn’t see any reason to turn down the trip. She has been curious about Karl-Jo ever since she was a little girl, and she also wants to take the opportunity to study Klein and Elisabet together.