We set off. When we were halfway we stopped for a sandwich. There Katherine got out to continue the journey in Ralf's car. Ralf was a colleague of Pablo's, who had decided to join the trip at the last minute. Ralf had apparently met Katherine a few days before at a demining seminar. She arrived at the "Ragusa" somewhat later than us, having gone via Mostar. We were all staying in the Hotel Excelsior, right on the sea front. Katherine's room was right next to Ralfs. When they were both in their bath they could talk to each other through the walls, as she later told me.
While we were sunbathing, Katherine came and sat next to me for a while. "Renato! It's too much! Don't give private letters to my boss! I have my private life!" She went away and Ralf grabbed her and threw her into the cold sea water. Later she came and sat next to me again. "Can't you see? It's like that in our culture: someone has to take me in his arms, has to take the initiative to push me into the water. If Ralf hadn't been there I would never have gone swimming"
That evening we ate fish and potatoes in the old city of Dubrovnik. Katherine sat opposite me. I promised I would reform, I wouldn't interfere in her private life anymore After the meal we parted. I went to the hotel alone.
It was full moon, I couldn't go to sleep. I thought of Katherine, who was so near and yet so far away - and now there was also Ran, too.