"nearly there," says jill, and smiles at me.

"good," i say brightly, and clasp my sweaty hand more tightly round my briefcase handle. oh god. please save me from this. please. .

"here we are!" she says, and stops at a door marked "conference room." she knocks twice, then pushes it open. there's a roomful of people sitting round a table, and they all turn to look at me.

"jan virtanen," she says. "i'd like you to meet rebecca bloomwood."

a bearded man rises from his chair, give me a huge smile, and extends his hand.

"neiti bloomwood," he says cheerfully. "nautin erittain paljon tapaamisestamme. onko oiken, etta teilla on jonkinlainen yhteys suomeen?"

i stare speechlessly at him. my face is glowing, as though i'm consumed with happiness. everyone in the room is waiting for me to answer, i've got to say something.

"i. . erm. . erm. . ha