She slowly backs away from the window, turns around, and heads out into the narrow hall. It’s so cold that the skin on her arms turns to gooseflesh, despite the fact that she’s wearing a thick wool sweater that Grandma brought her from Aspöja.

Klara hesitates a moment before knocking on Gabriella’s door. Maybe it’s unnecessary to disturb her? Maybe she’s just being oversensitive? Maybe she’s overanalyzing everything?

But Gabi is her friend, and just as she’s about to knock, she hears Gabriella’s muted voice inside her room.

‘I don’t think we should talk more about this on the phone, better to continue this conversation when we meet Tuesday. As I’ve said several times now, I can’t do it any sooner. I’m so sorry, but—’

It sounds like she’s being interrupted.

‘Because if what you’re saying is true, we can’t risk that you’re being listened to.’

She falls silent again.

‘I’m hanging up now,’ she says emphatically. ‘We’ll meet in Brussels like we planned. Don’t call again unless you have to change the time. This is serious.’

And with that, her conversation seems to be over. Is this the reason, is this the demanding client who made Gabi seem so distant all day?

Klara knocks on her door, and it takes no more than a second before she hears Gabi’s voice from inside. ‘Klara?’ she says, opening the door. ‘I thought you were going to sleep.’

Klara shakes her head, shrugs while looking at her friend. ‘I thought I heard something,’ she says.

‘Was I disturbing you?’ Gabi says, then falls silent, irritation springing into her eyes. ‘Were you eavesdropping?’

Klara shakes her head. Now she’s annoyed, too. What the hell’s the matter with Gabi?

‘No,’ she says, giving her a chilly look. ‘I wasn’t standing here eavesdropping on your fucking conversation. Believe it or not, I have bigger things than your job to worry about today.’

They stand there staring at each other for a moment, both unused to any discord. Finally, Gabi takes a step towards her and hugs her. ‘Damn it,’ she says. ‘Forgive me, I’m so sorry, Klara.’

Klara awkwardly returns her hug.

‘I’m just so fucking stressed,’ Gabi continues. ‘There’s something very sensitive going on, or so it seems. And I can’t risk dragging anyone else into it, least of all you.’

‘But you know you can tell me everything, Gabi,’ she says. ‘Whenever you want.’

‘Not now,’ Gabi sighs and pulls away from Klara’s arms. ‘Not today. I don’t even know if it is something…’ She falls silent again, hesitates. ‘But,’ she says after a short pause. ‘If something were to go wrong in the future I’ve…’

Klara waits, tensely, while Gabi searches for words.