How are things in Lillesand?"
"Fine, with vacation and everything. And Dad gets back from Lebanon in a week."
"Won't that be great, Hilde!"
"Yes, I'm looking forward to it. That's actually why I'm calling..."
"It is?"
"I think he's landing at Kastrup around 5 p.m. on Saturday the 23rd. Will you be in Copenhagen then?"
"I think so."
"I was wondering if you could do something for me."
"Why, of course."
"It's kind of a special favor. I'm not even sure if it's possible."
"Now you're making me curious ..."
Hilde began to describe her plan. She told Anne about the ring binder, about Sophie and Alberto and all the rest. She had to backtrack several times because either she or Anne were laughing too hard. But when Hilde hung up, her plan was in operation.
She would now have to begin some preparations of her own. But there was still plenty of time.
Hilde spent the remainder of the afternoon and the evening with her mother. They ended up driving to Kris-tiansand and going to the movies. They felt they had some catching up to do since they had not done anything special the day before. As they drove past the exit to Kjevik airport, a few more pieces of the big jigsaw puzzle Hilde was constructing fell into place.
It was late before she went to bed that night, but she took the ring binder and read on.
When Sophie slipped out of the den through the hedge it was almost eight o'clock. Her mother was weeding the flowerbeds by the front door when Sophie appeared.
"Where did you spring from?"
"I came through the hedge."
"Through the hedge?"
"Didn't you know there was a path on the other side?"
"But where have you been, Sophie? This is the second time you've just disappeared without leaving any message."
"I'm sorry, Mom. It was such a lovely day, I went for a long walk."
Her mother rose from the pile of weeds and gave her a severe look.
"You haven't been with that philosopher again?"
"As a matter of fact, I have. I told you he likes going for long walks."
"But he is coming to the garden party, isn't he?"
"Oh yes, he's looking forward to it."
"Me too. I'm counting the days."
Was there a touch of sharpness in her voice? To be on the safe side, Sophie said:
"I'm glad I invited Joanna's parents too. Otherwise it might be a bit embarrassing."
"I don't know ... but whatever happens, I am going to have a talk with this Alberto as one adult to another."
"You can borrow my room if you like. I'm sure you'll like him."
"And another thing. There's a letter for you."
"There is?"
"It's stamped UN Battalion."
"It must be from Alberto's brother."
"It's got to stop, Sophie!"
Sophie's brain worked overtime. But in a flash she hit on a plausible answer It was as though she was getting inspiration from some guiding spirit.
"I told Alberto I collect rare postmarks. And brothers also have their uses."
Her mother seemed to be reassured.
"Dinner's in the fridge," she said in a slightly more amicable tone.
"Where's the letter?"
"On top of the fridge."
Sophie rushed inside. The envelope was stamped June 15, 1990. She opened it and took out a little note:
What matters our creative endless toil, When at a snatch, oblivion ends the coil?
Indeed, Sophie had no answer to that question. Before she ate, she put the note in the closet together with all the other stuff she had collected in the past weeks. She would learn soon enough why the question had been asked.
The following morning Joanna came by. After a game of badminton, they got down to planning the philosophical garden party. They needed to have some surprises on hand in case the party flopped at any point.
When Sophie's mother got home from work they were still talking about it. Her mother kept saying: "Don't worry about what it costs." And she was not being sarcastic!