I think so she said. If I remember right. But she died early on maybe from an illness or some accident. I really can’t recall the details. I’m from the southvillage and didn’t know them personally. But didn’t you she said. Your family surely lived nearby.

That we did I said.

In the afternoon I looked in to see göstagrönlund. The night staff log said he was in a manic phase but that could mean anything. I had never seen him other than in a normal state. 250

When I came in he was up on a ladder in the kitchen with a paintbrush in his hand. He was painting the wall bright red.

The wooden ladder waggled every time he bent down to dip the brush in the pot of paint.

It’s our jana he said. That’s nice. Look what do you think.

He gestured with the hand holding the brush and splattered paint on the kitchen cupboards.

It looks great I said. Terrific colour. But it’s faster with a roller if you have one. I’ll help if you like.

No no no he said. You take a break. Put your feet up for a while.

I’ll fix us some coffee I said and eyed the ladder discreetly. The man was over ninety. He slowly climbed down and stuck the brush into the paint pot.

That was quite hard work he said. But I always wanted a red kitchen. Red is the colour of love. You know that don’t you.

Yes I do I said. Of course. Everyone should have a red kitchen.

Now tell me jana have you ever been in love he asked once we were both seated at the kitchen table with our mugs of coffee.

Not exactly in love I said thinking about john. Love didn’t seem to fit the situation. Maybe it was more like dependence.

Never he said sounding surprised.

No never I replied. It simply hasn’t happened to me. Not like it was for you gösta.

This embarrassed him and he looked down into his coffee.

It’s true I told you that once there was someone but I haven’t said who it was.

No why should you I said. It’s for you to say or not.

You actually know the person he said.

Do I. Who is it. 251

Edvardkippo he said looking almost defiant. Your grandfather edvardkippo.

Of course I looked surprised. Not because göstagrönlund had had a romance with a man but because that man was my grandfather. I couldn’t imagine him in love. I couldn’t actually imagine any of us in love. We weren’t a loving family. We were simply genecarriers who produced offspring and went about it as we must. Often in the worst possible way and with poor outcome.

How did you meet him I asked. I thought he married early. Considering all their children.