Their moderate pace allowed them to walk alongside each other and to talk idly, without becoming involved, without thought. Disillusionment piled up, but the fragments of implausible hope were still burning. She’ll join us, she’s capable of anything. To cling to this figment was absurd, and both of them knew it well, but without a glimmer at the end of the tunnel, it would have been impossible for them to put one foot in front of the other. And yes, Erma was capable of anything, including pulling something funny over the police during the trip to Herne and taking off, or once she arrived there, go south quickly. It would be easier for her to travel alone. Alone, she could hitchhike more easily. Let a friendly lorry driver offer her a ride across the country with him and in a short time, sh
