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scrutiny our lines of credit and the terms of our business transactions.’
    The account manager’s gaze had wandered upwards in slight disbelief and settled on her eyes. It took him a moment to switch from ‘petty nuisance’ to ‘business meeting’. Clearing his throat, he leafed briefly through what was a very thin folder and said, ‘Well, I’m afraid we can’t really talk of cash
flow
in relation to your… business.’ He scratched his neck. ‘For some time now it’s been more like a standstill.’
    â€˜Obviously, the amount of cashflow we generate is directly linked to how the business is running – and to which bank account we’re using.’
    â€˜Yes, of course,’ the banker hurried to agree, but then paused. ‘Hold on, are you saying there are other banks?’
    â€˜Of course,’ Valerie bluffed. ‘No healthy companywould shackle itself to just one credit institution, would it?’
    â€˜Well, you shouldn’t look at it that way,’ the man contradicted her. She bet his hair had already started thinning at school and now, on the cusp of middle age, he was probably wondering what he was doing still sitting in this cubbyhole, haggling with the most minor businesses over the most minor conditions, while colleagues of his were playing at being financial jugglers in the skyscrapers of the bank’s headquarters and were allowed to gamble with billions. ‘I mean, a bank isn’t just responsible for transactions; it can be a long-term partner for your business. We see ourselves, at least, as a universal adviser for all financial questions. Look, with our financial products and services—’
    Valerie cut him off with a wave of her hand. ‘First I’d like to see what liabilities we have and what the interest rate is.’
    The adviser flicked through the file again. Then he rocked his head from side to side and said, ‘Your bookshop did have a business overdraft facility on its current account…’
    â€˜Did have?’
    â€˜Hmm, yes, well at some point it was converted into a private overdraft facility.’ He cleared his throat again.
    â€˜At some point?’
    â€˜Two years ago, to be precise.’
    â€˜For what reason?’
    â€˜Errm… I’m afraid I can’t see that from the documents in front of me,’ the man said. His uncertainty made it blatantly clear that the bank had taken her aunt for a ride.
    â€˜Are there other documents, then?’
    â€˜Well, I don’t know of any…’
    â€˜Then I presume that the bank did it purely out of its own interests and without any prior consultation with my aunt.’
    â€˜But we did write to her. Look…’ He pointed to a standard letter with the bank’s letterhead.
    â€˜And did you get a reply?’
    â€˜Hmm… no, clearly not.’
    â€˜Well then, as you I’m sure know, your unilateral action is not legally binding. I’d like to object to the change, and demand a recession and recalculation based on the value from that date.’
    â€˜I don’t know if I can do that without consulting my manager…’
    â€˜Both of us know that not only can you do that, you
must
do it,’ Valerie asserted, bending over the table. ‘Let’s move onto the debts.’
    â€˜Debts?’
    â€˜How high are the liabilities that Ringelnatz & Co. currently have with your bank?’
    â€˜Oh.’ The adviser essayed a smile but it looked forced. ‘Well, you’ll be pleased to hear that there aren’t any liabilities, apart from the negative balance on the last statement.’
    He adjusted his glasses, looked at the statement as if it were an imperial proclamation and said, ‘Five euros eighteen.’ He cleared his throat again. ‘I should point out, however, that your aunt’s private wealth is almost all gone. She won’t be able to inject capital