Epilogue

My name is Chloé. Chloé Krakowski.

Today is my first day as a partner at Olsens. Nobody had any problems with my surname. The spelling of my name on the office door is correct, as are the smart black business cards.

A vase with a large bouquet of lilac tulips is standing on my clean white desk. Next to it is a card showing the first Concorde operated by British Airways. I turn it around and read it again. The words are handwritten in blue ink.

A warm welcome, dear Chloé.

We are happy that you have joined us and we are looking forward to exciting times.

Giles and your Olsens team in Berlin

I put the card back, lean back in my chair and smile.

* * *

Nine hours later. My first day in the office had not been a long one. At 6 p.m. sharp Giles had urged me with a wink to go home.

Berlin, Kollwitzstrasse. I’m lucky, in finding a parking space right in front of the house. I get out of the car, take my nearly new LV Neverfull Damier Azur shopper and shut the door. I inhale deeply. It’s still warm. Summer, in July, had arrived. In the café next to our house the tables outside are all occupied. I recognise the couple sitting next to the entrance and briefly wave at them. They are our neighbours from the first floor, Paula and Louis. I look up to the third floor and see the windows of our dining room, where, I believe, the girls are preparing an early dinner with Isabella. I walk towards the front door and unlock it. In the hallway, Jonah’s little cuddly toy bunny lies forgotten in his buggy. I pick it up carefully and walk up the stairs to the third floor.

On the second floor I stop briefly, put the bunny on the foot mat and ring the doorbell. As I continue to walk up the stairs, I turn my head to hear the door open and Angela’s voice.

“Look, Jonah! There’s your bunny! I told you, he probably went for a quick walk!” She winks at me and blows me a kiss.

I finally arrived at our doorstep. I paused for a moment, lightly touching the oval brass plate next to the bell.

C. Krakowski

N. & M. Delorme

I fiddle with my keys at the lock. Suddenly the door is being pulled wide open, the girls burst out and envelope me into a hug. “Mummy, Mummy!”

I stand there in their embrace and look at Isabella, who is watching us with a smile. She nods and I nod back.

I’m finally home.

THE END.