Madame Verona and her husband lived in isolation on a hill above a small village. When Mr Verona died, the locals expected that the legendary beauty would return to the village, but Madame Verona had enough wood to keep her warm during the years it would take to make a cello - the instrument her husband loved. When the last log has burned, Madame Verona sets off down the path, with her cello and her memories, knowing that she will not return.

Born in Belgium in 1972, DIMITRI VERHULST is the author of a collection of short stories, a volume of poetry and several novels, including Problemski Hotel (Marion Boyars) which was translated into English in 2003. All his books are widely translated in Europe and receive a lot of critical praise.