Miriam Munch was in the car on her way back from Gardermoen Airport with Marion in the rear. She had felt guilty and dishonest, but it had gone better than expected, mainly because they had been late. Johannes had practically had to run through Security, so there had been no time for long goodbyes.
‘Don’t get eaten by a shark,’ Marion had said, giving her dad a big hug.
‘I promise.’ Johannes smiled, and just had time to give Miriam a quick kiss.
They had waved him through and, a moment later, Marion had seemed a little sad at him leaving, but, sitting in the car now, she seemed to have bounced back. Mostly because Miriam had broken one of her rules and allowed the little girl to watch a movie on her iPad in the car.
She could still change her mind, she could; she did not have to see Ziggy again, she could drop out of the raid tomorrow night; but though she had a choice, she knew that it was already too late. She had not spoken to Johannes; it would have wrecked his trip and she did not want to spoil it for him, but when he came back, she would tell him.
It would be a relief in so many ways. Honesty. Not having to sneak around any more. She glanced up at the rear-view mirror and saw her pretty daughter laugh at something on the screen, and she felt another pang of guilt, but ignored it.
Marion was going to be fine.
Miriam was absolutely sure of it.
‘Am I going to Grannie’s?’ the little girl said, as she saw that they had pulled up outside the white house in Røa.
‘Yes.’ Miriam nodded, getting out of the car and waving to her mother, who was already on the doorstep waiting for them.
‘Yeeees!’ Marion exclaimed, and could barely sit still long enough to get out of her seatbelt.
‘Did it go OK?’ Marianne Munch asked, taking the overnight bag from Miriam.
‘Yes, we were a bit late setting off, but we got there in time.’
‘Grannie, please can I watch TV?’ Marion said, running straight inside the house without waiting for a reply.
‘So, until Wednesday?’ her mother said, looking at Miriam.
‘Yes, do you mind?’
‘Of course not.’
‘I’m only glad you can help Julie,’ her mother said, and again Miriam felt a little guilty, but lying was her only option; she could not tell her mother what she was really doing.
An illegal raid.
Don’t tell anyone.
A little white lie.
‘But apart from that, is she OK? I haven’t seen her for ages.’
‘Yes, but you know what she’s like. Terribly sensitive. Boy trouble, that’s all. It’ll pass.’
‘Yes, I know, it’s not easy, but I’m glad that she has you,’ her mother said, stroking her cheek lightly. ‘Do you want to say bye to Mummy?’ she called out down the hallway, and Marion came running and gave her a quick hug.
‘I’ll see you on Wednesday.’ Miriam smiled and headed back to the car.
‘Give my love to Julie.’ Her mother waved and went back inside the white house.