I found it hard to behave normally. Wanted to stay wrapped in her arms. Sniff the scent of her skin and perfume and ignore all the noises and people and unimportant impressions.

Hello I said how is it going. Incredibly well she said. John is a success.

She didn’t say dad.

Where is he anyway I wondered. Maybe he hasn’t turned up yet. We looked around.

He was here earlier anyway but you know what he’s like. Not so keen on crowds.

Maybe he isn’t I thought. But what do I know. Clearly not as much as diana.

Wouldn’t you like a glass of wine she asked and led me with her hand on my arm towards the queue in front of the bar. On weekdays we run events for local companies. Like wine tastings and cooking with famous chefs. Ellanilsson was here last week. You’ll have seen her on tv. She’s the chef at cafeumeå.

I shook my head. Never heard of her.

Lost on me. I don’t watch tv.

Not often anyway? She smiled.

Never. We don’t even have a set.

Diana made her way to the top of the queue and leaned over 296the counter to speak to the guy serving drinks. He looked up and waved at me. He was like an american bartender in a film with swelling muscles under his tshirt and a perfect grin. How old might he be. About thirtyfive.

Roughly my age. But I felt at least twice that. Not in ageing terms but as if I belonged to another and much older generation. He took a bottle from the fridge pulled the cork out and filled a couple of glasses.

It’s a chablis from domaine brocard she said and raised the glass to me in a toast. We import a few wines ourselves. I go down there two three times a year. Kevin says hello and that I have a goodlooking mother.

Kevin who I asked. The barman she said. He’s from australia.

The wine was fridge cold and tasted like smalångerbutter.

I know next to nothing about you I said. But you seem already very much a woman of the world.

Isn’t that how it should be she said. As if one’s children belonged in another unknown world.

It sounds true enough I said thinking about mother.

We drank and diana got us another glass each.

She should have been mingling with the visitors. Instead she was stuck standing at a tall bar table drinking wine with her newly found mother.

Why did you christen me diana she asked.

I never had a chance to christen you I said. But I gave you your name. Have you been christened now.

She nodded. Christened and confirmed.