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somersault and landed beside the car with a thump. I sat in the car without moving for several seconds and when I didn’t hear any more I slowly drove around the corner and stopped, and then I waited. I must have been a bit shocked, it didn’t occur to me to get out of the car and see what had happened. I could see in the rear-view mirror the cyclist had got to his feet and was walking towards me. So I leaned over and rolled down the passenger window. I asked him how he was and he said he thought he was alright. Then he said I had driven over his arm.
    You drove over his arm?
    Evidently. I could see that his forearm was a little bit flat, but he was moving his fingers as normal, and he was smiling too, even though it might have been a slightly strained smile.
    What happened?
    I asked whether he wanted me to take him anywhere, but he didn’t. So then I wished him a speedy recovery and drove off.
    You drove off?
    Yeah.
    And you didn’t give it another thought?
    No. But it’s been on my mind recently.
    So that’s why you’ve been a bit distracted, is it?
    I don’t think so. But I don’t consider that the crash was my fault. He was totally to blame. Where I went wrong was to drive around the corner, not to stop at once, because that’s when I must have driven over his arm… What was that he said?
    Herr Bader says you shouldn’t have driven around the corner.
    I just said that. What’s he saying now?
    He says you should have stopped at once, as soon as the cyclist drove into the car and you should have got out to see what had happened.
    Tell Herr Bader that in my opinion he should mind his own business.
    I’m not saying that.
    Tell him!
    No.
    What did you say just now?
    I said that you said we’re grateful that they accepted our invitation and that you and your wife, me that is, thank them for allowing us to rent this wonderful house.
    Bloody hell, I can see I’ll have to learn German.
    Yes, do.
    What are they saying now?
    They’re thanking us for the nice food and the pleasant company and the interesting story you’ve just told them.
    The pleasure was all fucking ours.

It’s not very nice to think that you keep things hidden from me.
    I don’t keep things hidden.
    You drive over people’s arms without telling me. That’s… not very nice. It worries me.
    I thought it was horrible, so I repressed it. I haven’t thought about it since it happened.
    And then it suddenly, like, came back to you?
    Yes.
    Why?
    Because you asked me to tell you a story you hadn’t heard before. That’s quite an ask, but I took your request seriously and that was what I came up with.
    Is there anything else?
    What do you mean anything else?
    Other things you haven’t told me?
    I don’t think so.
    You don’t think so?
    No, I don’t think so.
    No other accidents, large or small?
    No.
    You haven’t killed anyone?
    No.
    But you’re not absolutely sure?
    What do you mean?
    If you think it was so horrible to drive over a cyclist’s arm it’s so much more horrible to take someone’s life and then I assume you would have it repressed it all the more.
    You’re quite right.
    But no bells are ringing?
    Now I think you’re going too far, Nina.
    I also think it’s strange of you to tell us about driving over a cyclist’s arm when we have guests from abroad to dinner. You’re not just representing yourself, Telemann, you’re an ambassador me as well, and in a way, your country. Now the Baders no doubt think that Norwegians are out of their minds.
    Fine. Next time I’ll tell a different story.
    If there is a next time.
    What do you mean?
    I don’t know.
    What are you on about now?
    I’m just saying that you make me insecure, Telemann. I’m not sure that you can distinguish between fiction and reality in ways other adults can follow.
    Now I have no idea what you mean.
    You live in a world where recollection and fantasy sometimes merge, but this is not theatre, Telemann, this is us, it’s you and me and our children on holiday