Novel in picture line up

For a moment Tonia stood still by the waterside to admire the statue of Eldh. She wore her pink, low-cut dress, which she had only put on after Carl had persuaded her to. Carl saw her approach.'What cities would you like to visit in the next few weeks?' asked Carl, with his hand in the pocket of his jacket.'Paris, Amsterdam' Why do you ask?''How would it feel for you to go there as a married woman?'Carl got up and took a small parcel out of his pocket.

Carl put his hand in hers.'Remember we once sat like this in the Söderberg bar?''When was that?' Carl asked.'That first summer. We had just bought that secondhand couch from that posh lady in Östermalm.''That posh lady in Östermalm,' Carl laughed, 'that sounds like a pleonasm.'

On the way back they always used to sit on one of the benches by the waterside watching the sunset. The age-old buildings on Riddarholmen were at their most beautiful in the fading glow of the setting sun. Fishing boats sailed by and seagulls were borne by the wind.'This is one of the most magnificent places on earth,' Tonia said.

The station reminded Per of a scene from 'Schindler's List', in which a trainful of Jews were summoned to get off at an improvised station. The old building was made of wood. The wide concrete platforms looked weather-beaten. Only few passengers got off at Avamaa, the majority probably stayed on the train as far as Paldiski, the train's final destination.

His tears are falling on the marble plaque. They fill the grooves like rain on a showery night when there is nobody there. All seasons leave their traces here. Year after year. Just like other surviving next of kin he pays his respect at this monument. After that he continues with his life. If he had not switched off his cell-phone, Astrid might call him at this very minute to remind him of that.

Twenty-seven years ago his mother must have strolled on the deck of a similar ferry. Here, on the same route. With a full life behind her and filled with a burning desire to build up a new one. Without any certainty of success going for that one opportunity. Daring to trust that inborn instinct that we may all have, but that so few dare to count on completely.