In Chapter 22, Ove is having another day that’s ruined because of other people’s interference. After his daily inspection walk with the cat, Lena the journalist reappears. Ove tries to avoid her by entering the garage but accidentally ends up locking her inside the garage while he and the cat stand outside. This is how Parvaneh finds them. When she finds out about Lena, she makes a deal with Ove: She will get rid of the woman if Ove will drive her and her 3-year-old Nasanin to the hospital, where they will pick up Patrick. She also mentions that they would otherwise take the bus. Ove says it’s “blackmail” (172) but agrees.

Parvaneh gives Lena her card and tells her to call so that they can discuss Ove. Ove then drives Parvaneh and Nasanin to the hospital. There, he waits in the car with the cat. He continues an earlier discussion with the cat about Rune, telling it: “They won’t be coming to take Rune away. They say they’re going to do it, but they'll be busy with the process for many years" (173). Although he directs his speech to the cat, “[m]aybe he’s also saying it to

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