“I feel sorry for that Dajana,” Viktoria said, scratching her head as she watched her husband bustling around the grill.
“It’s not such a big deal to break something.”
“On María José’s terrace? Where her little dog runs around with its tiny paws? Are you kidding? She’ll never forgive that woman if Perla steps on a shard.”
“You vacuumed it up, didn’t you?”
“You know how sneaky glass splinters are! You can never clean them up completely. There’s always one hiding somewhere, just waiting to stab an unsuspecting foot.”
“She still can’t be mad at Dajana. She meant well. She brought her palm syrup.”
“Which still hasn’t been properly cleaned off the stone floor.”
“Tomorrow, you’ll go over with the vacuum and a bucket again. I’ll help you.”
Viktoria was touched by Günter’s kindness.
“Thank you, darling. You’re so good.”
“You make me that way,” her husband replied sincerely.
“What would you think if I went to visit her?”
“Who?”
“Dajana.”
“What for?”
“I feel sorry for her.”
“You don’t need my permission, but you know what I think.”
“I do. And I’m not looking to be friends,” the German woman assured him. “I just want to offer a few kind words. Ludmilla was so rude to her, as if the poor thing had smashed it on purpose.”
“I understand your intention, and you’re right—they treated Dajana unfairly. But I can’t help thinking about their financial situation. I don’t want to end up with another ‘friend’ who asks us for loans.”
“I promise I won’t let her get too close. I’ll bring her a bottle of liqueur, we’ll chat a little, and that’s it. Just today. No continuation.”
“Knock-knock!” Viktoria called out as she stepped onto the Slovak family’s terrace.
“Well, well,” Dajana placed a hand on her chest, surprised to see her visitor.
The German woman raised the bottle with a smile.
“I came to bless your home too. Should I just smash this right here?”
Dajana forced a smile.
“How about you just set it down gently on the table? I’ll grab two glasses.”
“Thank you for coming,” Dajana said gratefully after their toast.
“They were both acting like witches, and you didn’t deserve that. I don’t know what’s gotten into María José—she’s usually not like this. Ever since she got so close with Ludmilla, it’s like her tongue’s been sharpened too.”
“I’m not mad at them. In fact, I understand her frustration—she’s worried about Perla.”
“But it wasn’t intentional.”
They sat in silence for a while, listening to the birds chirping from the hedge.
“How do you think I can make it right?” Dajana finally asked.
“Normally, I’d say you don’t have to—because you meant well. But right now, I think you should just come back tomorrow. I’ll be there too, and together we’ll vacuum and scrub every inch of that damned terrace.”
“That’s so kind of you! I’m really grateful for your help.”
“Oh, don’t mention it. We live together in this community—we need to stick together.”
That evening, at the dinner table, Adrian listened to Dajana with satisfaction.
“You see? I told you you’d make friends.”
“Cleaning together doesn’t make us friends. Viktoria came out of a sense of justice, not sympathy.”
“You have to start somewhere. I say don’t be shy! Tomorrow, when you’re done, invite her for coffee as a thank-you. And make sure to tell her you’re an accountant.”
“Why on earth would I do that? What difference does it make?”
“You’re really asking? She should know that just because we do manual work doesn’t mean we’re not educated.”
“Oh, come on, Adrian! Who cares what we do for a living?”
“You’ll see! Just give it a try.”