The memory of her evening with Lex sprang to Helen’s mind. A snug little table in a warm, noisy, dimly lit eatery, with recognizable food that tasted the way it looked. And a dinner partner who had looked at her as if she were the most beautiful woman he had seen in years. Werner was mainly preoccupied with his food. After they’d had sex—which had admittedly been very good—he had withdrawn into himself once more. That was nothing new, she realized. He had been like that from the very beginning, though it had bothered her less back then. After all, she had changed over the years just as much as Werner had. Maybe even more. Originally, she had fallen for his pragmatism—his cool, rational way of looking at the world. She had mistaken it for strength. But since meeting Lex, she had realized that strength could also go with warmth and friendliness—and that those things might even be a better combination.

26

26

“Shit. Look at this.”

The Eurotunnel was closed. Electronic signposts above the road displayed alternate routes.

“How is this possible?” asked Sara. “They can’t do that, can they? Just close the entire tunnel like that?”

“They can if there’s a bomb threat.”

She looked at him in alarm.

“Or a fire, or whatever.” Ralf looked at his dashboard. It was just after nine, but it felt like midnight. He yawned and rubbed his eyes.

“There are ferries too,” she said. “Let’s try those instead.” She pointed to a line of cars following the signs toward a ferry terminal.

He pulled out of the line, moved into the outside lane, and joined the traffic.

27

27

“Did you understand what he said?”

“Not a word. But this”—he lifted his glass and examined the liquid inside—“is definitely white wine.”

Helen took a sip. The wine tasted good, but she still didn’t feel at ease. Her feet were resting on a metal bar positioned halfway between her seat and the floor. She felt like a toddler. Or a dwarf. She had hoped she would adopt a more positive view of the evening after a few drinks, but she was struggling to enjoy herself.

“What’s on the program for tomorrow?”

She noticed his jaw clench. “Something very different.”

“Like what?”

He picked up a piece of bread and tore it down the middle. “Do you want any?”

“No, thanks. Will it be something fun?”

“We’re going to walk off all the calories we consumed today.”

“Oh really? On the hotel grounds?”

He shook his head. “An hour’s drive away. It’s a tough hike, I’ve been told. But well worth the effort.”

“What is there to see?”

He pinched the bread, plucked a piece off. “You’ll find out tomorrow.”