Where are we meant to go I asked. Beyond the sawmill he said.

We can’t I said. They’ll come after us you must realise that. You could leave first and then I’d come after you.

No way he said and his hands clenched into fists.

Don’t you trust me I said following his example.

No he said just as I had.

If you tell me where I will go there. 223

It’s impossible to explain you have to come with me now. Where is your mobile I asked.

He patted his pocket.

Go to googlemaps and enter the coordinates. I know how to read a map.

Ten minutes later I was out in the yard talking to petra göranbäckström gunnargran and other neighbours who were shivering in the chilly september night.

There’s nothing to worry about with john now I said. Thank you for staying. I’m fine. He’s asleep. Let’s all go home and go to bed.

It was tempting. I could dump the whole thing. Was an idiot not to dump the whole thing. But instead I climbed into the jeep and keyed in the coordinates that john had texted to me.

He had sent another message as well.

We’ll meet soon he wrote. Drive to the sawmill and walk from there.

224

THIRTYNINE

I parked the jeep once I had driven for a short stretch along the newplantationcartrack. Keyed the coordinates into my mobile.

I was on my way into nowhere land. As far as I knew there was no road or house or even forest hut. I tried to recall any hunt I might have been on in these forests. Perhaps somewhere in the general area but never this far north. Here the burn formed the boundary of the next crew’s territory. Now I had to cross it.

Grass leaves all the plants were on their way towards frosty deaths. I searched in the boot for more things to wear. All I found was a thick flannel shirt but it was better than nothing. I pulled it on. And set out at a quick pace.

The moon was like a headtorch and followed me through the rough terrain. I stopped now and then to make sure I wasn’t getting lost. At this point I still knew where I was. I had to walk through a mature contorta pine planting. Once through it the burn should be there. I tried to remember where one could cross it. Sense of place has a usebydate. I realised that my internal map laid down in childhood was different from the google images. The trees had grown taller. Now and then exposed rock surfaces turned up unexpectedly. Inside the contorta stand the moonlight was obscured by the ample branches.