She pushed down on my stomach and a strange pain radiated from the pressure point. If you palpate here you will pick up her splenomegaly. Due to the haemolytic component.

The acolytes took turns to push.

The doctor prodded my groin and felt my legs with both hands.

Observe the malnourished state of the patient. She is practically cachexic. It might well have compromised her resistance to the infection.

She pinched my thigh to show off my lack of subcutaneous fat. Knocked with her knuckle on my hip bone. It always sticks out when I am lying on my back.

It always sticks out when I am lying on my back I said. 269

You ought to eat more. Put on weight. Your bodyweight is. She checked her notes. Fortytwo kilograms. Another ten kilos at the very least.

How long do I have to stay in hospital I asked. Then I had an attack of coughing made worse by having to lie on my back.

You still have a fever she told me.

The patient’s condition may deteriorate she told the others. Despite our efforts to make her well. She’ll be kept under a high level of observation.

The whitecoated squad swept out of the room as fast as it had entered. A nurse came in carrying a breakfast tray.

Your first proper meal for more than a week she said. Won’t that be a treat.

Only the tapeworm was keen.

I rang john’s number again. His phone was still off. Then diana. Same message.

That fairytale of hers about thumbelina and the boy with the lion’s mouth went round and round in my mind without my being able to get a grip. How had she actually told it.

I studied her note. See you soon mum it said. Now I’m going to meet the boy on the strand.

If that boy was john. If he chose not to tell her. If he became as mad as that time.

Another knock on the door.

Göranbäckström stepped inside. He brought a bulging carrier bag from the coop. Took the cap off as men in our village usually do and nodded a greeting. Pulled up a chair next to the bed rather than sitting down on the armchair.

I had an errand in town. So I thought. Are you feeling better now he asked. 270

Yes I said. I can’t remember much of what happened. You rang me. After that nothing.

I couldn’t get in. The door was locked and I couldn’t find any spare key. In the end I broke your toilet window. I found you on the floor in the yellowroom he said.

You mean in the hall I said.

No he said. If you hadn’t been so ill I would’ve liked to stay and have a look at those clay figures you make. It looked like the entire hunt crew.