Peter Stjernström - The Best Book in the World

‘You can take it easy, Titus. You have done a good job, a great job. I am pleased to have been a part of that journey. And extremely curious as to what is going to happen with you and me. We have shared so very much more that just work during this period. Plus that in between the lines of the manuscript I read a hidden declaration of love.’

A glow comes to Titus’ eyes.

‘Hidden, uhmm hidden…’

‘But I can’t fathom how you could know that my middle name is Evita. It isn’t exactly something one likes to make a show of. Yes, there is something new between us. A bit ticklish, I like it. But now let’s eat! And then we can have a dip. If you dare – there is a full moon.’

No more wine bottles left, the coffee cups have been emptied and the schnapps glasses are empty. The last summer night has now settled like a comfy rug over Stora Nassa and Astra’s boat.

They have moved into the cabin. The oil lamps are struggling to dry the dampness from the wet towels lying across the floor. Not with much success. The windows have misted over.

Steam rises up from the bodies of Astra and Titus entwined under the covers in the wide berth in the forepeak. They kiss each other gently, stroking each other’s wet hair, caressing each other’s damp bodies. Feeling their way forward.

It is the calm before the last panting minute of the final battle, when the summer’s death rattle meets the first breaths of autumn. Molten lead will be poured over those who can’t keep their cool. The cowardly ones will drown in their own blood. Now they are blowing on the trumpets, now the battle calls are starting to ring out. Now shining swords are being unsheathed, now rifles are being filled with powder, now the guns are being rolled towards the fortress and millions of brave soldiers are running towards the raised drawbridge to make the leap of their life – to life or death.

Soon the battle will be underway.

There is shaking and rocking in the cabin, everything is wet and stiff.

It is shining all shiny.

Astra’s telephone rings. For a couple of seconds, the sound waves from the phone are the only thing moving in the whole world.

In a reflex action she reaches for the phone. But before she answers, she looks at the display to see who it is.

‘What? It can’t be true!’

Astra looks at the phone with uncertain eyes. It doesn’t care about her unwillingness, but just goes on ringing. The seconds march with ant-steps through the cabin. Hundreds of uniformed drummer boys hitting their hickory sticks against the taut skin of the drums.

Derre-dumm.

Titus stares at Astra without blinking.

Derre-dumm. Derre-dumm. Derre-dumm.

It is a fateful moment. Everything will be decided here and now.

Derre-dumm. Derre-dumm-dumm-dumm.

The will to live conquers the will to try to please people. Astra clicks on the ‘Don’t answer’ button. She turns her phone off and without looking around throws it over her shoulder. It lands softly on the pile of wet towels on the floor.

Dark angels blow fanfares on their trumpets. The warriors on the battlefield bang their steel against the flint. The gunpowder in the fuses starts to hiss again. Attack. Forward!

‘Who was that?’ Titus asks while simultaneously greedily licking Astra’s earlobe.

‘You wouldn’t believe it anyway.’

‘Yes, please, I want to know.’

Astra rolls Titus over onto his back. She holds his arms against the mattress and boards him slowly while simultaneously painting his chest with her wet hair.

‘You… you don’t need to know everything. Mmmm… you should live in your fantasies instead. Life is much more fun then.’

Published by Hesperus Nova

Hesperus Press Limited

28 Mortimer Street, London W1W 7RD

www.hesperuspress.com

First published by Kalla Kulor Förlag

This edition first published by Hesperus Press Limited, 2013

This ebook edition first published in 2013

All rights reserved

© Peter Stjernström 2011 by agreement with the Grand Agency

English translation © Rod Bradbury, 2013

Peter Stjernström asserts his moral right to be identified as the author of this work under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988.

Designed and typeset by Madeline Meckiffe

Cover design by Stuart Bache

This ebook is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any way except as specifically permitted in writing by the publishers, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorised distribution or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author’s and publisher’s rights, and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly

ISBN 978–1–78094–224–7