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Two weeks later, Sofia calls from the kitchen of a shared flat. A room she expected to rent has fallen through. Daniel is standing at home with a notebook already open. He has written the names of two people who might be able to help before she has finished explaining.

“I did tell you this could happen,” he says.

There is a silence. He hears how quickly her practical problem has become evidence in his argument. He wants to withdraw the sentence, but it has already reached her.

“I know. I still need to sort it out.”

Daniel puts down the pen. He asks what she has tried and what help she wants. They agree that he will check one detail of the proposed contract with her. She will find the room and decide whether she can afford it. He explains what financial help he can offer and where his own limit lies.

Afterwards he remains at the table, imagining several ways the situation could go wrong. Listening has not made him calm. It has given Sofia room to manage a problem without requiring him to pretend there is no risk. When they speak again, he begins by asking what happened.