‘Hey, Caroline. Come on, don’t take it so seriously. You don’t have to explain anything to me. It’s absolutely all right. It was just one of those moments: you looked great, and I was a little tipsy. I couldn’t help myself.’

Caroline nods. ‘Yes, it was a lovely moment. But now…’

‘Now, in the light of day, the whole thing somehow seems different, I know,’ Daniel finishes her sentence. ‘And you’re wondering whether it was such a good idea, with me, your buddy and partner.’

Caroline nods.

‘No, it probably isn’t,’ Daniel goes on to say. ‘Although it was a very nice idea, you and me as a couple. For a moment, at least.’

‘And you’re not angry with me?’

‘Nah; I’ve been thinking the same thing. So now stop walking around looking so down in the mouth. That’s an order!’

Daniel laughs, and eventually Caroline joins in, though a bit hesitantly.

I, on the other hand, feel more like sobbing. My beautiful plan! Well, all right, my half-baked scheme! It would have been so great to have Daniel and Caroline as my master and mistress. A real little family. And the worst part is that all that looking around has to start again from scratch, and there’s still the danger that we reel in another idiot like Thomas. And I was so sure that Daniel is the perfect man for Caroline. Oh, what am I saying: not ‘was’ – I’m still sure that he is. But Mr Beck is right in saying that if Caroline’s heart doesn’t see that for itself at some point, it makes no sense to pursue it. With my head hung low, I creep back to the terrace door to let Beck know about my defeat. If he’s truly my friend, and he meant that apology, maybe he’ll cheer me up.

But before I get outside, the workshop doorbell rings. Normally, I love running up to greet visitors, but I’m so down in the dumps that I can’t bring myself to do so. It’s probably that stupid Aurora again, wanting to flirt with Daniel. It rings again, and needless to say, I’m now pretty curious after all. On the other hand, the sun is shining so brightly outside and the idea of lying under my tree and pouring my heart out to Mr Beck with the grass tickling my belly is also tempting. But in the end, curiosity prevails, and I run to the door.

Caroline’s already opened it. There’s a man in a brown uniform standing in our hallway, and handing her a small package.

‘Are you Ms Neumann? If so, I’ll need your signature here.’

Caroline puts the package on the floor so she can sign. My curiosity piqued, I sniff at it. Hmm, it smells kind of yummy. I wonder what’s in it. When Caroline takes the package to her table in the workroom, I run behind her.

‘Was it for you?’ Daniel asks.

‘Yes.’

‘What is it?’

‘No idea. I didn’t order anything.’