I called nordin from the car and asked for a favour. He thought it was right. Surely a mother should be allowed to see her dead daughter. If we got a move on it could be fitted in before the body turned to ashes.

When I came in ingelahansson was sitting on the edge of her bed. She was wearing her nappy and the bed was dry. I helped her to the toilet.

When she was dressed and ready for breakfast I laid the table with coffee and a spongecake. She tempted me with a forbidden cup of coffee. Märitljungqvist used to remind us that drinking coffee with clients was out of the question because it could wreck her tight teamschedules. She fancied words like that. Wreck. Disarray. Teamwork. Lack of solidarity. Forbidden.

When katarina’s mum had drunk her first cup of coffee I pulled my chair closer to hers. Took her wrinkled hand in mine. Her hand was warm and soft against my hard cold one.

Dear child your hands are so cold. Are you eating properly you must have another sandwich.

Ingela I said. Do you remember that katarina had been very ill. That she had cancer and was being cared for at home. 86

My little kattis she said wonderingly. Yes I told her. She had cancer and yesterday night she passed away. I sat with her all evening until she died.

Ingelahansson was shaking her head. Mercyme that’s terrible she said. My little kattis. And I thought she was getting better again.

For a while she did get better I said. But the illness came back. Will she get through allright now she asked and I realised this might be hard. I shook my head. No I said katarina died yesterday night.

Has my daughter died without me being with her she said. Yes I’m so sorry I said. It was very quick towards the end.

She sat quite still with her hands clasped in her lap her eyes lost in the distance. Now and then she stroked her face or straightened the tablecloth.

Kattis was her daddy’s little girl. My own little sunbeam he used to say.

I thought there were times when she was anything but a little sunbeam.

Ingela I said to make sure she really understood what had happened. If you would like to see your dead daughter once more it’s not a problem.

Has someone died she asked looking baffled. Yes katarina. Your daughter.

Oh you mean katarina but she passed many years ago surely. And she was getting on. We must all go when our time comes mustn’t we.