Chapter Three

The whole room looks the same, except for the empty bed. It is very tidy. No cover, but perfectly made with the sheets, the blanket and the pillow. The light from the doorway shines right on the bed, so that its neat and flat surface stands out even more.

Caroline stays in the doorway, taking the last bites of the sandwich and looking at Thomas' bed.

"Don't touch anything, Caroline!"

It is her mother, who comes up behind her.

"I wasn't going to."

Ruth passes her and walks to the window.

"So, why did you close the curtains? I don't want this gloom in here."

"I didn't."

Ruth yanks the curtains apart with a sudden movement. As the daylight bursts in, a sudden gasp is heard. Ruth glances at her daughter, who looks right back at her. They pause for a second.

"Well, I sure didn't," Ruth states firmly. "And you know that your father wouldn't even come near this room."

"Still?"

"What do you mean, still? It's not even a week. This will be with us for life."

Ruth pulls at the curtains again, although they are already completely open.

"For life," she repeats.

Caroline looks at the neat bed again. It shimmers in the light from the corridor and the fading afternoon light from the window. Ruth heads for the door, reaching it in a few big steps.

"No more sandwiches. There'll be dinner soon, when all the guests have left."

As she leaves the room, she makes Caroline back away from the doorway and closes the door behind them. Then she disappears down the stairs.