Then December 30, 1973
Then
Monica has locked herself in the toilet for a few minutes’ peace. A shiver runs through her whole body when she thinks about the note she received at breakfast time today.
Sean discreetly slipped it into her hand. Her heart pounds as she reads it again.
She has been walking on air ever since their encounter the other day; she can’t think about anything but him.
He loves her and she loves him.
It is snowing outside the window, featherlight flakes dancing in the air. It is almost two o’clock, the temperature is still below freezing, but almost all the guests have gone skiing today.
Monica presses the note to her lips. She thinks she can just pick up a faint, lingering trace of Sean’s aftershave.
She lay awake all night, imagining their future together.
She thinks she knows why he wants to meet her alone—he is going to tell her that she is the one he wants to be with, that he has spoken to his wife and is going to divorce her for Monica’s sake.
She ought to be ashamed of wrecking their marriage, but her blood is fizzing with excitement.
At last she is going to start her new life, get away from this place, and discover the world.
Sean will give her a different existence, he will buy her jewelry and fine clothes. She will live in Stockholm, and never again will her parents be able to tell her what to do or say.
Time is flying by. Monica unlocks the door and leaves the staff toilet. She washes her hands meticulously and hurries out with her head full of dreams.
All of her deepest wishes are going to come true.
She is the happiest woman on earth.