The Uninvited

Svensson is probably in her mid-fifties,and quite wrinkled. She is wearing ajacket in a green I particularly like:Bamboo Classic. When she sees me sherises, all long limbs and hinge-like joints.My height is often a useful barrier to eyecontact. Not on this occasion: she isexceptionally tall, so I focus on herearring and greet her in Swedish. Peopleare always glad when you address them intheir own language, I have found, eventhough your knowledge may not extendfurther than what you have memorisedfrom a dictionary or phrase book. AnnikaSvensson has very clearly been crying,and her left cheek is bright red. She mustsee me noticing, because she puts her handto it. Her fingers are very long.‘How is your husband doing?’ I ask. ‘I