The Man from Beijing by Henning Mankell

Author:Henning Mankell [Mankell, Henning]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: Fiction, Mystery
Publisher: Knopf Canada
Published: 2010-02-22T05:00:00+00:00

21

That same day she went to the district court and spoke to Hans Mattsson, She could see that he was worried and dejected when she told him that she was still on sick leave.

He peered pensively at her over his glasses.

“That doesn’t sound good. I’m starting to worry about you.”

“You don’t need to, according to my doctor. The blood counts aren’t what they should be, and my blood pressure needs to be reduced. I’m being referred to a specialist. But I don’t feel ill, just a bit tired.”

“Aren’t we all?” said Hans Mattsson. “I’ve been feeling tired for the last thirty years. The biggest pleasure I have to look forward to nowadays is when I can sleep in.”

“I’ll be off for another two weeks. Then we’ll just have to hope that it’s sorted itself out.”

“Take as long as you need. I’ll speak to the National Courts Administration and see what they can do to help us out. As you know, you’re not the only one who’s away. Klas Hansson has a leave of absence to chair an inquiry for the EU in Brussels. I doubt if he’ll ever come back. I’ve always suspected that he’s been tempted by grander things than presiding over a court of law.”

“I’m sorry to cause you problems.”

“You’re not causing me problems. It’s your blood pressure that’s doing that. Have a rest. Look after your roses and come back when you are healthy again.”

She looked at him in surprise. “I don’t grow roses. I certainly don’t have a green thumb.”

“That’s what my grandmother used to say. When you were told not to work so much, she thought you should concentrate on growing your imaginary roses. I think it’s a nice image. My grandmother was born in 1879. The same year as Strindberg published The Red Room. An odd thought. The only thing she ever did in her life, apart from giving birth to children, was darn socks.”

“Okay, I’ll do that,” said Birgitta Roslin. “I’ll go home and look after my roses.”

The next day she mailed the diaries and her notes to Hudiksvall. When she handed over the parcel and was given the receipt, she had the feeling she was closing a door on the happenings in Hesjövallen. She felt relieved, and committed herself to the preparations for Staffan’s birthday party.

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