"Do you really celebrate midsummer's day as well in Sweden?"

Ulf looked at Kyoko who had climbed down to the cliffs by the water . "Officially not," he said . "But if you travel out of the cities, like we've done, it only makes sense to spend the weekend though . "

Kyoko spread her blanket on the rock and waved for Yukio to join her .

"You know, I can't get used to this kind of coast," she said after she had failed to find a comfortable way to lie down .

Ulf shrugged . "I grew up with this . It's how we sunbathe in the archipelago, unless you prefer the crowds on our c.r.a.ppy sandy beaches . "

"That's an alternative, but no thanks . I'll take the discomfort together with you guys . "

'Thanks Kyoko . You were always a good friend . ' Ulf smiled but refrained from answering . There really wasn't much to say .

Behind them Yukio got caught in a conversation with James, so Ulf tapped Kyoko's blanket and pointed up the hill . She looked in the direction of his hand and grinned .

"Let him . It's been a long time since they last met," she said . Then she turned serious all of a sudden . "Do you regret it?" she asked .

"Regret what?"

Kyoko could be really cryptic sometimes, and more so after a long marriage with Yukio, where they must have learned to communicate telepathically with each other .

She squinted against the sun and drew a deep breath . "Destroying Red Rose h.e.l.l," she finally said .

'Ah, of course . ' "No, not at all . That h.e.l.l-hole had to go . " Ulf smirked when he realised he hadn't been entirely honest . "I regret what came after," he admitted silently .

There was something pained in Kyoko's eyes, but Ulf saw how she shook it off before she lay down on the blanket . "Just wondering," she said . "If you don't mind I'll do like you Swedes and tan in the sun like a moron . "

"Be my guest," Ulf said . 'I'm so sorry, Kyoko . I'm so sorry . ' @@