Empire of Ice cream (2)

Danker considered hiring a car but in the end he had taken the train from Malmo so he could go over his paper.

He was in Stockholm by the evening. After a quiet meal in the hotel restaurant, he had gone up to his room and phoned his wife who was still with their hosts.

His wife had made a cake, and Danker was peaked.

A chocolate cake, he said. Well, I hope you keep back a piece for me.

His wife laughed. She wanted to tease him in her own tongue, but she had trouble remembering the word.

I must be losing my memory, she said.

Behind her sigh he thought he detected real exasperation. But he did not push it and they talked about other things.

When are you leaving? He asked.

Tomorrow, she said. We’re taking the ferry to Rostock. Hennig is going to drive me to the station.

They said goodnight; Danker promised to phone when she got home.