As expected, the food is conventional and delicious in equal measure. The cheese soufflé is light as a summer cloud, the lobster thermidor a symphony of cream, tarragon and cognac, and the sun-yellow saffron panna cotta delightfully wobbly. The champagne is dry, cold and flowing freely and every time another cork is popped things get livelier. Even Aylin looks like she’s enjoying herself, though her smile invariably winks out whenever her husband Bo leans over to whisper something in her ear.

Karen recalls Marike’s words a few months earlier.

‘I think he’s beating her. She’s always cooped up in that house. When was the last time she came out for a glass of wine with us?’

Karen had protested. Aylin and Bo had young children, of course she couldn’t go out as often as she’d used to. And yet, she had felt the need to bring it up with Aylin. She had stopped by her house one day when she knew Bo wouldn’t be home, posed the question point-blank and been laughed at in response. Sure, Aylin had said, Bo has his failings, but he doesn’t hit me. Of course not.

Of course not.

And yet, on this festive occasion, Aylin is the only woman wearing a long-sleeved gown with a high neck. Karen turns her attention from her friend to her husband. When Bo notices her contemplating him, he raises his glass in a toast.

‘Cheers, Karen,’ he says, fixing her with a level stare. ‘I hope you’re not thinking about unpleasant things on a night like this? That just wouldn’t do.’

‘Go to hell,’ she mouths with a smile and raises her glass back to him without taking a drink.

Chapter 31

31

The rest of the night belongs to Kore.

Almost before they’ve had time to finish their coffee, the house is taken over by a second wave of guests. The moment the clock strikes ten, the elegant piano sonatas that accompanied dinner fade out and deafening rock music starts to blare out of the speakers instead. The living room turns into a dance floor. Karen looks on as Aylin laughingly tries to turn down a man who’s insisting on a dance. In the end, she gives in and follows him out onto the dance floor, gesturing apologetically to Bo. He does not look pleased.

Apparently, there’s going to be live music, too, Karen notes, studying the small stage installed at the end of the giant room. There’s a drum kit set up there, and amplifiers, a double bass and two racks of semi-acoustic guitars.