‘I hope so.’ He put down the bag and sat across from her. His whole posture spoke of a lack of ease and a surfeit of apprehension. ‘I need to speak to you. I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch; I had a few arrangements to make.’
‘Of course,’ she said steadily, hoping the conversation wouldn’t take long. She didn’t trust her composure to last. ‘What would you like to talk about?’
‘Well… I was — that is — my apartment was still there. I mean, it was still mine. I realised that…’ he stopped. ‘That is, it’s completely unsuitable for — for anyone but me. I have only four rooms, you see, and I never bothered to make much of a home out of it. So I gave it up.’
She nodded. ‘And where are you travelling to?’
He blinked. ‘Well. Here, or… so I hope.’
‘Here,’ she repeated. Then comprehension dawned.
