‘Look, I know that sounds strange, especially coming from someone like me, but believe me, that’s how it happened. Then the two of them brought me here.’

At this moment, Caroline appears behind Daniel.

‘What’s going on here?’

‘The…uh…gentleman here claims that Hercules and the cat brought him to our place after Hercules had a dizzy spell in the park.’

Caroline comes up next to Daniel and opens the terrace door.

‘So, you two? What did you do? Hassle people sitting quietly in the park?’

She smiles encouragingly at Willi. Hmm, maybe she likes him after all. Daniel, on the other hand, rolls his eyes in annoyance. Of course, Caroline can’t see that, but Willi can. He runs his hand through his messy hair, looking uncertain.

‘So, as I was just telling your husband, the two of them actually brought me here. What I mean is, first they jumped onto my bench, then the cat pulled at my trouser leg, and then…’ Willi hesitates; suddenly the whole thing seems to embarrass him. ‘I don’t want to take up any more of your time. The dog seems to be all right again. I’ll be off now.’

Just as he’s about to turn round, Caroline takes a step towards him in the direction of the garden.

‘Thank you so much for bringing the two of them home. They must have wanted something from you, but unfortunately they can’t speak. Maybe I’ll take Hercules to the vet later. Better safe than sorry.’

‘Yes, better safe than sorry,’ Willi echoes. ‘That’s certainly a good idea. I wish you a good day.’ Then he goes.

Oh no! Well, that certainly backfired! To the vet. I should have known that this whole act would land me back at Dr Wagner’s. I hang my head forlornly, with Beck standing there next to me smirking.

‘Well, Hercules, come in,’ Daniel finally says, and waves me through the door. ‘And you go around the outside, Beck. It seems to me that the two of you have done quite enough together for one day.’

Daniel seems to be annoyed. I scurry back to my box.

‘Do you believe the story?’ Caroline asks Daniel. ‘I mean, did the two of them really drag him along, or did he just want to get a closer look at our back entrance so he could break in here?’

‘He didn’t look as though apartment buildings would interest him. More like someone who would break into an off-licence to get some booze.’

‘But then why would he think up a story like that? Or can you seriously think that Hercules and Beck dragged him here? And if they did, why?’

Daniel shrugs his shoulders. ‘Quite honestly? I have no idea! But Hercules certainly doesn’t look sick to me. Maybe the old man was hallucinating. That’s what happens when you’ve had a bottle of cognac. It’s not so good for the health, is it?’