‘We don’t know for sure that Joe tested himself against me, do we?’ she says.

‘No, but it’s highly likely. Who else would it have been?’

‘What I mean is, how can we be absolutely certain that Simon is my father?’

‘We’ll have to do a new test, comparing your DNA to a close relative of Simon’s – so we’ll have to talk to Elisabet Vidje and explain that she’s probably your grandmother.’

Lisa puts down her glass with a bang.

‘I know it sounds weird, but is there any chance we could do that this evening? I have to go home first thing tomorrow, and I’d really like to be there when you tell her.’ She sounds agitated, but resolute.

Anna raises her eyebrows and looks out of the window. It’s dark now, the rain is hammering against the glass, and the wind is making the rafters creak.

‘It might be better to wait,’ she says.

‘Why?’ Lisa gets to her feet. ‘If we’ve decided to talk to Elisabet, then we might as well do it now. It’s not that late.’

Anna considers blaming the weather. The sensible thing would be to wait, think about what all this means, but a part of her is just as eager as Lisa to share what they’ve discovered. After all that’s happened, to be able to give the tragedy of Simon Vidje if not a happy ending, then at least a happier ending. Plus, she has to admit that it’s only right for Lisa to be there when Elisabet is told.

‘OK. I’ll get the car keys.’

*

The wind is roaring through the treetops as they run to the car. The windscreen is covered in dead leaves. Anna sets off, driving slowly along the dark forest track. Neither of them speaks; the atmosphere inside the car is tense and expectant at the same time.

They’ve almost reached the avenue leading to Änglaberga when they see blue flashing lights. They meet an ambulance just by Klein’s lodge, and Anna moves to the side to let it pass. The driver is alone in the cab, and seems to be in a hurry. Anna and Lisa look at each other.

‘Should we turn back?’ Lisa wonders anxiously.

‘Let’s go and find out what’s happened,’ Anna says.

All the lights in the house are on, and the front door is ajar. Anna knocks and goes in. The place feels deserted. They hear a sound from the room where she and Elisabet sat the other day.

‘Hello – is anyone there?’

One of the heavy armchairs is lying on its side. On the floor there is discarded packaging she recognises – the kind paramedics leave behind when they’re in a rush.

Marie Sordi gets up from another armchair when they walk in. She is pale, her lips pressed together in a thin line.