Solitaire by Niels Krause-Kjær

Author:Niels Krause-Kjær [Krause-Kjær, Niels]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-01-02T16:00:00+00:00

SEVEN

October was showing its worst side.

The weather forecast had promised an autumn storm and lots of rain. Storm surge warnings had been issued along the southern part of the west coast. Copenhagen would be less severely hit, but the TV weatherman advised against using an umbrella despite the torrential rain, even on Strøget, the main pedestrianised shopping street. “It will just blow away or be destroyed,” he had said, in his machine-knit sweater with white waves across the stomach.

Copenhageners were largely complying with that. There were so few national rallying figures left in the country that you had to cherish those who were left. The TV weatherman was one of them. As a reward for leaving the umbrella at home, he promised that the storm would peak in the afternoon at around three o’clock and gradually subside during the evening and night.

Christiansborg’s old windows were whistling in the storm. The wind was causing draughts and intermittently flinging heavy gusts of water against the panes. It was weather for thick blankets and hot tea, as Erik Pingel’s secretary, Bente, put it when her boss returned from the group meeting.

“So make sure you get out the blanket and tea this evening. You can just slip off home when I stop around six o’clock,” said the group chairman with a smile.

Bente was significantly younger than her secretary colleague Inger. And she also understood significantly more about politics. She was fully aware of what kind of battle was on its way and how much was at stake, for herself, too. Being secretary for the party’s parliamentary group chairman was difficult and exciting. But being that for the party leader would provide even more challenges and experiences. And as it was, the days couldn’t get busier than they were. Pingel was a real workhorse every single day. And he demanded that there was always a secretary sitting in his front office when he was there. Always. Bente often had fourteen- to sixteen-hour workdays, six days a week. Holidays were limited to a few days at Christmas and a week or two in the summer. That was all—and she loved it! She had no boyfriend or other commitments. Just some girlfriends whom she usually neglected, but who were faithful, nonetheless.

“Home at six? Even at a time like this?”

Pingel could see the question mark and amazement on her face. “Those free tickets you put on my desk the other day. The premiere at the Theatre Royal.”

“Theatre! The Theatre Royal! You’ve never done that before.” Bente smiled with feigned astonishment.

“No, but I’m going tonight. Can you write down on a piece of paper for me what the play is called, who has written and directed it, and who play the lead roles and that sort of thing? As well as some relevant background, just so I can say something intelligent while I’m fumbling with the finger food. If necessary, get the secretariat to do it.”

Pingel was on his way into his office.

“Oh—and call my wife and tell her she’s going to the Theatre Royal tonight.

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