The Oyster Diver's Secret: A Novel by Caroline Säfstrand

Author:Caroline Säfstrand [Säfstrand, Caroline]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Amazon Crossing
Published: 2024-07-30T00:00:00+00:00

INEZ

Inez and Meja stacked all the books to be given away in the hall. It took a long time. When they were finished, they stood on the threshold and looked into the living room.

“Goodness,” said Inez. “The room looks so much bigger.”

“A quick dust and mop and it will be like new,” said Meja.

Inez nodded in amazement. Amelia would cry with happiness.

“Shall we heat up some chicken?” Meja said. Then she paused. “You know, I’m not a great cook, but if you want I can try some simple dishes next week. For some variety.”

Inez shrugged. “As you please. Personally, I hate cooking and would never ask anyone to do it either. But if you want to, I won’t object.”

They prepared lunch and ate in silence, but Inez could tell that Meja had something on her mind. Something other than cooking.

Finally, she put the cutlery down and said, “I had an idea. I mentioned to Andreas that we’re sorting through your books and have several piles destined for the secondhand store. I asked him if he liked reading and wanted a book or two, as a joke.” Inez raised her eyebrows, and Meja looked down at the table. “He said he mainly reads nonfiction, but he offered to rent a trailer and drive all the books to the store.”

She uttered this last sentence so quietly that Inez could barely hear it.

“Is that so?”

“Well, only if you want.” Meja’s cheeks turned red.

Inez leaned back and observed her. Meja knew it had been a mistake telling the neighbor that they were clearing out her books. Inez never told her neighbors anything. Meja may not have known much about Inez, but she knew that.

Well, at least it had just been Andreas and not Sverker. And they did have to get rid of all the books, so a little help wouldn’t hurt, even if Inez hadn’t asked for it. Right?

“Why not?” Inez said. “Maybe later today?”

The thought of Andreas hauling her books off to some thrift store made Inez feel fidgety. She truly loathed any kind of invasion of her privacy. But she may as well get it over with.

“I’m going to rest for a while,” she said to Meja. She took a painkiller and went to lie down.

After recharging her batteries for a couple of hours, she opened the bedroom door and almost collided with Meja, who was carrying a pile of books. Her cheeks were flushed with exertion. Through the open front door, Inez could see Andreas backing into her driveway with a trailer. She came out onto the front step. At the same time, the door to the house on the other side opened. Sverker emerged, with Filip close behind. Inez bit her bottom lip. Did the whole neighborhood have to watch?

“What’s going on here?” said Sverker, eagerly.

“I’m giving away some books,” said Inez. “I’ve amassed rather a few over the years, as you can see.”

Sverker’s gaze swept over all the piles of books. “Giving away? May I?”

Inez nodded. Soon he was enthusiastically perusing the piles, picking up book after book.

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