There were many who’d dreamed of a life like this when they were studying in Uppsala. Partner in a law firm. A beautiful apartment in central Stockholm. But Gabi and Klara used to consider it a prison. They wanted to be free. Be creative. The law was just a starting point for them, a foundation while they figured out what they were going to do to change the world. Gabriella as a defence attorney and Klara in international relations. But then they ended up with those ten-hour days just like everyone else. Gabriella at a prestigious law firm, Klara as a political adviser in Brussels. Or not Klara any more. Not after everything that’s happened.

On the second floor she stops to listen. It occurs to her that since the police have arrested Gabriella, they might search her apartment, or at least have it under surveillance. Why didn’t she think of that until now? She feels so stupid.

She cocks her ear, but can’t hear anything beside her own breath echoing between the stone walls of the staircase.

As quietly as she can, she starts up the final flight of stairs to the third floor. She can see it’s empty when she peers around the corner. She exhales and takes the last steps two at a time.

But when she gets to the landing, she freezes. Slowly she lowers the bag onto the stone floor and approaches Gabriella’s door. Police tape crisscrosses the doorframe. The lock seems broken, like someone drilled into the mechanism itself, leaving it completely unusable.

She’s not surprised, but it still feels like an assault, almost worse than the arrest itself. That somebody would go into her friend’s home, rifle through it, paw at her most private possessions.

She presses down on the handle to test it and feels the door start to open. The only thing keeping it closed is the tape. Couldn’t they at least have replaced the lock? Do they really intend to leave Gabriella’s door unlocked, protected only by just a few strips of tape?

Not caring about the implications, she carefully pulls away just enough police tape to be able to open the door and go inside.

She’s barely set one foot inside when she hears someone behind her on the staircase.

‘Stop!’ a muffled voice says behind her. ‘Not another step.’

20 October–13 November

Beirut

Yassim is unusually quiet during their lunch at Byblos and also during their walk down by the small marina. When they’re finally back in the car again, he seems to hesitate before turning the key. He turns to Jacob.

‘I like being with you so much,’ he says. ‘It’s like everything else disappears, like we’re in a bubble.’ He falls silent, turns away, staring out through the windshield.

‘But?’ Jacob says.