Agnes Ravatn - The Seven Doors

B erg slinks along the walls, just as the two surveyors did the week before. Nina pours coffee into the pot and finds a bowl for the dark chocolate.

Yes, Berg says eventually, her voice silky-smooth, then click-clacks her way over to join Nina. Itll set them back a pretty penny, this place.

She is wearing a tight-fitting black suit and a cream blouse. Even in high heels, Nina towers over her.

Id have preferred to keep the house, all the same, Nina replies, sounding more sombre than she expected to.

I can understand that, Berg replies. How long have you lived here?

Its my childhood home, Nina says, placing another log on the fire. We moved back in when my daughter was born. That was thirty-five years ago now.

So many memories Berg says, head cocked to one side reassuringly, and Ninas genuine sorrow at losing the house, the acute mournfulness with which it fills her, gives way to irritation at Bergs apparent inability to complete a sentence.

She glances at the clock.

Hell be here soon, she says, but Berg waves a dismissive hand, as if suggesting Nina should relax. Nina plucks a few withered leaves from the pot plants along the windowsill as she gazes outside.

This is certainly an unusual case, the lawyer says, and Nina turns around.

A member of the city council being called upon to demolish his own house, I mean. 2

Mads was obviously prohibited from having any say in the case, Nina replies, but yes.

They hear the front door open, and moments later he comes galloping up the stairs with Milja riding on his back. He comes to an abrupt halt when he catches sight of the lawyer.

Oh, hello, he says, clearing his throat. He slides Milja down onto the floor and offers the lawyer an outstretched hand.

Mads Glaser, he says. Its very good of you to come out here on a Sunday.

Ive been to Gingerbread Land, Milja declares proudly. Her plump cheeks are bright red. Berg offers her an ingratiating smile.

Yes, our granddaughter is spending the day with us, Nina says. But Im sure a bit of television will keep her busy for a little while. She nods at Mads, who ushers Milja into the next room.

Nina and Berg each pull out a chair at the dining table. Mads pulls off his woolly jumper and smooths his shirt before joining them. His grey-black hair curls by his ears.

Berg extracts a thick wad of documents from her bag and perches a pair of spectacles at the end of her nose, spectacles that Nina suspects are just for show.

Bergs well-manicured mother-of-pearl nails leaf through various sheets of paper before she pauses to look up at them.

A brief introduction to the legal aspects of compulsory acquisition, perhaps?

Yes, pleaseNina begins, but Mads interrupts her.

No, he says, that wont be necessary. As I explained on the phone, were prepared to accept a reasonable settlement.

OK? Berg says, looking at Nina, who nods reluctantly.

Berg begins outlining matters, moving rather rapidly as she walks Nina and Mads through their rights now that a final decision has been made about the proposed light-rail route, which is set to split their living room in two.

Nina listens, her brow furrowed, trying to look like she is following whats being said in spite of the onslaught of legal jargon 3 that involves. She exchanges discreet glances with Mads, who rolls his eyes before getting up.

Coffee? he says, cutting Berg off mid-flow. He picks up the coffee pot and pours her a cup, standing to her left, as if he were a waiter.