Light. Is that a light?
Dots far away. They are black, and they dance up and down. Something beeps. A pounding sound comes closer. His eyelids slide open. Yes, there is light. Something white appears. Gradually everything comes into focus, but he doesn’t recognise his surroundings. Where is he?
A fan whirrs in the ceiling. He senses movement by his side. He tries to turn his head. Movement is impossible, but he sees a bright, smiling face.
‘Hi, Iver. I’m glad you’ve finally woken up.’
The grip on his neck. The exploding pulse. Something hard hitting him in the face. He didn’t manage to dodge the punch. Damn.
‘My name is Maria.’
‘Hello, Maria.’ His voice is alien. As if it belongs to someone else.
‘I’ll let the doctor know that you’re awake and he’ll come to have a look at you.’
She appears to float across the floor, away from him.
‘Wait,’ he says in a rusty voice.
Maria turns around and comes back. Nice face. Pretty smile. He still can’t move.
‘Have I been paralysed?’
A warm smile.
‘Oh, no. No danger of that. You’re in plaster, and you have some bandages that will make it hard for you to move for a while. But you’re going to be fine.’
Iver feels himself sinking back into the mattress. ‘How long have I been here?’
‘Since Friday.’
‘And today is-’
‘Today is Sunday.’
Iver nods, gingerly. He remembers straight hair combed back, a man with stubble. A man who spoke Swedish. Jacob Aalls Restaurant. Dinner. The text message. To Henning.
Maria is about to leave the room when Iver calls out again.
‘Yes?’
‘Please would you do me a favour?’
*
Henning has only just stepped back out into the Indian summer when his mobile rings.
‘Hi?’ he says in a hopeful voice.
‘Iver is awake,’ Nora says.
‘He is?’ Henning exclaims. ‘That’s brilliant. Is he… is there any permanent damage?’
‘I don’t think so.’
‘Has he said anything yet?’
‘No, not very much.’
‘Have the doctors said anything about his injuries?’
‘No, I’m on my way to the hospital now. But… he wants you to come as well.’
Henning stops. ‘He said that?’
‘Yes, you were… the first person he asked after.’
Henning hears an element of disappointment in her voice, but he doesn’t want to address it at this moment in time. So instead he says, ‘Okay, I’m on my way.’