‘In that case I’m afraid I don’t have much more to add,’ Bruno says with a wry smile. ‘I’m just a simple cook, and my kitchen is waiting – so if you’ll excuse me . . .’

‘How’s Marie?’ Morell asks a little too quickly, as if he doesn’t want Bruno to go yet.

‘Fine, thanks. She and Bengt are in Stockholm for a series of meetings. You know what she’s like – a thousand irons in the fire. Nedanås wouldn’t survive without her.’ He makes a gesture which conveys both humour and resignation.

‘I heard from Alex that they’d sorted out the finances,’ Morell says. ‘When are you thinking of making a start up there?’

Bruno glances at his father. ‘We’ll see. Soon, I hope.’

Morell turns to Anna. ‘Bruno is married to Bengt Andersson’s daughter, Marie – as I told you earlier, she’s taken over the reins at the council. They also run a bed and breakfast in the house where Marie grew up, on the ridge not far from here. But they have bigger plans. A conference centre, spa and gourmet restaurant. Alex’s company is laying the foundations. The complex will really put Nedanås on the map.’

‘Let’s hope so.’ Bruno looks embarrassed. ‘I must get back to my kitchen. Good to meet you, Anna, and I’m glad you enjoyed the food. I’m sure we’ll see each other again.’ He nods to his father and Morell, then ambles away.

‘Nice guy,’ Anna says to Fabbe, mainly because she feels that something is expected of her. ‘You must be very proud of your children.’

He nods. ‘They’re good kids, all of them. Bruno, Marie, Alex.’

He and Morell exchange a glance she can’t interpret, and without knowing why, she has a feeling that something is going on right in front of her. A performance of some kind, but she can’t work out what its purpose might be.

Chapter 8

8

28 August 1990

The motorbike emerged from the forest and made a leisurely circuit of the turning area before stopping next to Simon’s bike. Marie could make out two people, probably a man and a woman. The engine fell silent, the headlamp went out and was replaced a few seconds later by the beam of a torch, which was directed up towards their campsite.

‘Hello there!’ a man’s voice called out.

‘Hello!’ Carina, who was standing at the edge of the outcrop, waved and shaded her eyes against the bright light.

Alex joined Carina and tried to put his arm around her, but she pushed him away. Marie stayed in the background. She didn’t recognise either the bike or the voice, and she didn’t like the idea of strangers.

‘Can we come up for a while?’ the man shouted.