Free Lazy Days by Erlend Loe Page B

work it out. I need some time alone to examine my feelings.
    For Christ’s sake, Nina, you’re not seventeen any more, are you.
    Maybe I am. In a way, I think we’re all seventeen, and what’s wrong with that?
    I don’t want to listen to this. I’m moving out.
    You’re moving out?
    I’ll find a room in the centre of the town.
    Now, in the middle of the holiday?
    Yes.
    What about the children?
    We’ll have to have them a few days each, just like every­one else.
    Who’s going to have the car?
    You.

Hi, me here.
    Hi.
    How are you?
    OK. What about you?
    Not so bad. What are you and the kids doing?
    We’re watching Heidi training. How about you?
    I’m writing.
    Good.
    Yes.
    Are you getting on OK in Bahnhofstrasse?
    Fine. There’s lots going on here. Bahnhofstrasse is never quiet. Or almost never.
    Good.
    Are you still seeing Bader?
    Hey, this call is getting expensive.
    Yes.
    See you then.
    Yes. Bye.

Hi, it’s me again.
    Hi.
    I was thinking we could have something to eat together.
    We’ve already eaten.
    OK… so all of you… have eaten?
    Yes.
    In that case, I’ll go down Bahnhofstrasse and find a takeaway.
    Yes.
    There’s a big choice.
    I’m sure there is.
    And then I’ll carry on writing.
    Do that.
    I’m making a lot of headway.
    Good.
    Bye then.
    Bye.

Hi, it’s me again.
    I’m on my way out to get the kids.
    That’s exactly what I wanted to talk about.
    Oh yes?
    They don’t want to.
    They don’t want to?
    No.
    Have you been…?
    It’s Heidi. She’s very upset you’ve moved out.
    Course she is. I take it you’ve explained the reason to them?
    No. I don’t think she needs to know anything.
    Whoa there, Nina. Come onnn!
    Don’t say ‘come on’.
    So you want to make it seem as if I’m the problem, since it’s me who’s moved out?
    All I’m saying is that the children don’t want to stay with you.
    This is heading for the law courts.
    Pull yourself together, Telemann.
    And you know me. I’m not the type to give up easily. You can just dream about joint custody. I’m going to have the lot. Full custody. Just me. And you can see them every second weekend and every third Wednesday.
    Calm down.
    Calm down yourself.
    Give them a bit of time. They have to get used to the situation. This is a long-term process.
    I’m very sceptical about processes.
    Yes, but it’s a process nonetheless.
    I hate processes.

Telemann, what about meeting, all five of us?
    I didn’t think the kids wanted to see me.
    I’ve been speaking to them.
    OK.
    They need to see that you and I can talk.
    I see.
    And that we’re still friends.
    Right.
    I suggest dinner.
    Dinner’s fine.
    On neutral ground.
    We’re in Mixing Part Churches, remember. How neutral can it be?
    You know what I mean.
    I know what you mean.

Mum needs a bit of time to herself. And that’s why I moved out.
    Why time to yourself, Mum? And why did Dad move out and not you?
    Tell her why, Nina.
    I need time to think, Heidi.
    Can’t you think when Dad’s around?
    No.
    Why not? I can think when Dad’s around.
    Good for you, Heidi.
    This is not something you can understand at your age. It isn’t meant for your ears anyway.
    So I should accept the fact that you spend your time apart?
    Actually, yes.
    Weird.
    Good, I think I’ll have the pheasant.
    You would.
    What do you mean?
    The pheasant costs three times as much as the other dishes, Nina. It even says so on the menu. Look here. Surcharge for pheasant.
    You do understand some German then?
    Yes, I understand some German, and if I know you, and I do, then you’re going to take it for granted the pheasant surcharge will be split between the two of us, even though I’m only having a sausage or two with sauerkraut, costing six euros.
    We are a family after all.
    I’m not going to pay any pheasant surcharge. Forget it.
    Telemann, pull yourself together.
    Me pull myself together? I’m not bloody paying the pheasant surcharge!
    I think you should move back with us, Dad.
    I AM NOT PAYING ANY BLOODY