Page 4 of Sixty Meters Under

“Now I’m the one who is making things up.”

“Björn, Lennart, calm down,” Anna warned and joined

them at the table.

“We’re okay. Don’t worry, Mom,” Björn reassured her. “Let’s just eat in peace.” Anna poured hot tea into her

mug. Her hands were already shaking.

Hugo, as was typical, didn’t want to get involved in

family quarrels; he put a sandwich on his plate, and ate in silence.

Björn always had to provoke his brother one way or another, and that didn’t irritate Lennart any less. Lennart gave Björn another glance before digging into his food.

They savored food without further disruption before Björn spoke up again, “Will someone finally tell me the details?”

Lennart looked up but kept quiet. He was sure their mom would gladly lay it all out.

Anna looked up. “Well, this is all just an idea for now. Actually, the first conversation we’ve had about this. After the last worldwide economic crisis, back in 2049, we agreed that it would be good to have some sort of hiding place. Remember?”

“I see. I just sincerely hope that you planned to include me too. I’d like to organize my private room according to my taste. I wouldn’t want to spend weeks or months in some shithole.” Björn chuckled and took a bite of his sandwich.

“Oh, you don’t have to worry about that. Each of us will arrange our rooms to our taste,” Anna said with a smile.

“Okay. And count on me to bring at least two or three chicks with me, so it would be good if the room was spacious enough.” Björn glanced at his older brother to see his reaction.

This time Lennart couldn’t remain silent. “Don’t get ahead of yourself. There will be limited space in the bunker, especially when it comes to useless individuals.”

“Useless? Who said they will be useless? Maybe they would be for you, but not for me. That’s for sure.” Björn laughed.

“It’s still too early to make such plans,” Lennart said, dismissively. “Even so, I’d prefer to let people into the bunker who can be of help to all of us, not just for one person. If you want to take a woman with you, make sure you find a girlfriend by then.”

Björn frowned, and Lennart knew that would not be an easy task for his brother.

“Or you’ll go in alone and meet some chick in the bunker.” Lennart smirked, but deep down he knew he would end up like that, even more likely than his brother. Finding a decent partner wasn’t a simple task. Many people told him that being twenty-nine was still too young to give up on love, but his last relationship had robbed him of all hope.

“Like you said, we’ll see by then. But either way, I won’t go alone,” Björn stated with determination in his eyes.

“That’s up to you,” Lennart said, nonchalantly.

“You know I despise sausage parties. I want to be prepared.”

“Oh, that’s the only thing you’re worried about? Too many sausages?”

“Mostly, yes. Because I knowyou.”

“No. You don’t.”

They stared at each other for a few seconds, like stags in a forest. Anna noticed the tension growing between her sons, so she spoke up again, “Tell me, Björn, how’s the preparation for the race going?”

“Good.” Björn broke eye contact with Lennart and both continued to eat.

“It’s this Saturday, isn’t it?”

“Yeah.”

“I’ll be there. As always.” Anna gave her son a smile, but Björn didn’t reciprocate. She knew that he thought she wasn’t thrilled with his career choice, but she tried her best to be. In his eyes, she only pretended to be a supportive mother. Björn used to say that people didn’t change easily, and that he knew her well. It hurt her, and she hoped he would look at things differently one day.