IT WAS GETTING dark when the rowing boat left Fermín at the foot of the steps to the Atarazanas dock. He merged into the mist shrouding the port, one more figure among the stevedores and sailors making their way up to the streets of the Raval, known in those days as the Chinese quarter. As he mixed with them, he was able to make out bits of their half-whispered conversations: the Fascist air force had paid them a visit the day before, one of many that year, and they were expecting more air raids that night. One could sense the fear in those men’s voices and in their eyes, but having survived the day, Fermín told himself that whatever the night had in store for him couldn’t be any worse. As luck would have it, a confectionary pedlar, who was already beating a retreat with a cartful of sweets, crossed his path. Fermín stopped him and inspected his wares meticulously.
“I have caramel-coated almonds like the ones from before the war,” offered the merchant. “Would the gentleman like some?”
“My kingdom for a Sugus sweet.”
“Got one little bag left. Strawberry flavour.”
Fermín’s eyes opened wide. The very mention of the succulent treat made his mouth water. With some of the funds provided by Captain Arráez he was able to acquire the entire bag, which he proceeded to open with the eagerness of a condemned man.
The misty light of the Ramblas streetlamps – like the first taste of a Sugus sweet – had always seemed to Fermín one of those things for which it was worth living another day. That evening, however, as he walked up the boulevard, Fermín noticed a squad of nightwatchmen moving from lamp to lamp, ladder in hand, turning off the lights that still shone on the paving. He approached one of them and stood by, observing his hurried movements. When the watchman stepped off the ladder and noticed Fermín’s presence, he paused and looked at him out of the corner of his eye.
“Good evening, boss,” Fermín said cordially. “You won’t be offended if I ask you why you’re leaving the city in the dark?”
The watchman simply pointed his finger to the sky and, picking up his ladder, moved on to the next lamp. For a moment Fermín remained where he was, staring at the strange sight of the Ramblas as they sank into shadow. All around him, cafés and shops were beginning to close their doors, and the facades were lit up by the faint glow of moonlight. He set off again, rather apprehensively, and soon caught sight of what looked like a nocturnal procession: a large group of people carrying bundles and blankets were heading for the entrance to the metro station. Some carried lit candles and oil lamps, others walked in the dark. When he passed the steps leading down to the metro, Fermín glanced at a boy who couldn’t have been more than five years old. He was clutching his mother’s hand, or maybe it was his grandmother’s, because in that feeble light all those poor souls looked as if they’d aged prematurely. Fermín was about to give him a friendly wink, but the boy had his eyes riveted on the sky. He was staring at the web of dark clouds coming together on the horizon as if he could see something hidden inside it. Fermín followed the boy’s eyes and felt the brush of a cold wind that was beginning to sweep through the city, smelling of phosphorus and charred wood. Just before his mother dragged him down the stairs towards the tunnels of the metro, the boy gave Fermín a look that froze his blood. Those five-year-old eyes reflected the blind terror and despair of an old man. Fermín looked away and set off again, passing a local policeman who was guarding the entrance to the station.
The policeman pointed at him. “If you leave now, you won’t find any room later. And the shelters are full.”
Fermín nodded but hurried on, moving further into a Barcelona that seemed ghostly to him, a never-ending gloom where outlines could barely be made out in the dim, flickering light of candles and oil lamps placed on balconies and inside entrance halls. When at last he reached Rambla de Santa Mónica, he spied a narrow, sombre front door in the distance. Sighing despondently, he set off towards his meeting with Lucía.