«Well, then.» He takes an envelope from a drawer and hands it to me.
«Stefania told me to give it to you. I wish you the best of luck.» He shakes my hand, stares at me in silence for a moment, and then hugs me tightly.
I leave the study, sit in the corridor, open the envelope and read what is written on a blue piece of paper.
Dear Rich, I am so glad you are out of harm's way. It went really great for you. Unfortunately, I cannot stay. But I'll meet you next year at Barcelona Sants station, on the evening of the day and month that will come out from the following indications :-): DAY = my birthday; MONTH = my birthday + 4. There is a night train to Ponferrada. Book two berths. See you on the platform a little before the train leaves. We will continue to Finisterre and complete this adven
