Summer Island Read online

  ‘How?’ Ninni pulled back. ‘I’m sorry. Now I’m being nosy.’

  ‘No, it’s okay. I don’t mind. Roland, Fedra’s father, promised me for years that I would become a partner in his restaurant. That’s why I worked so hard. So when he gave it to Fedra instead, I finally understood that he never intended to give it to me in the first place. I think the loss of the restaurant hurt more than anything Fedra did. Stupid, isn’t it?’

  ‘Only if you stay angry, I think.’ Ninni took a deep breath. ‘I thought Karl and I would move in together, start a family, all of those things. We were together for almost two years.’

  ‘What did he do?’ Jack sounded even kinder.

  ‘Karl is a pilot and travels a lot. It wasn’t unusual for me not to see him for weeks on end, and then he would show up and stay with me for a period of time.’ Ninni couldn’t really believe she was telling him all this.

  ‘He cheated on you, didn’t he? He had someone else?’

  Ninni smiled quickly. ‘Not really. It turns out that Karl is married and I was the someone else he had on the side. He even has children. I had no idea. I didn’t even suspect it, you know. After I found out, I couldn’t breathe for days. And I felt so stupid. I still do.’

  There, she had said it out loud, to another person, instead of Frikk. She held her breath again.

  ‘I’m sorry. You didn’t deserve that,’ Jack said softly.

  Ninni shrugged. ‘Neither did his wife. I hate it that I didn’t understand anything until she sent me a picture of him and his kids. I would never have started a relationship with him if I had known.’

  ‘What did you do to him?’ Jack was suddenly walking so much closer to her.

  ‘I threw him out, of course, and told him to go to hell.’

  She remembered Karl looking at her, mouth wide open, eyes wide open, and then actually trying to explain himself. Ninni closed her eyes for a second, sending the memory to the darkest corner where it belonged.

  ‘Good for you. How long ago was this?’

  ‘Last time I talked to Karl was just before you hit me with your car. I was yelling at him,’ she said.

  Jack smiled. ‘See, I told you it was your fault.’

  ‘Yeah, no. You still drove the wrong way through the roundabout,’ Ninni said. The lights from the house caught her eye. ‘We’re here.’

  ‘Are you really going to let me walk down to the farm by myself in the dark?’ he said.

  ‘You really are afraid of the dark, aren’t you?’ She couldn’t help smiling at him.

  ‘What if I walk down the path and have a nasty fall? These wellingtons are too big for my feet and I could easily trip. You’ll find me there in the morning with a broken leg or a broken neck.’

  ‘But you’re not concerned that I have to walk back up again, risking my neck?’ Ninni laughed when he was the one to shrug.

  ‘I’ve seen you running down this hill like a maniac. I think you can manage,’ he said.

  ‘Scaredy-cat,’ she said.

  He held out his hand. ‘You have no idea.’

  Ninni hesitated for a second before putting her hand in his. He gently folded his fingers around hers. It felt surprisingly good.

  ‘Did you enjoy the beach party?’ she said, feeling as stupid as she sounded.

  ‘You didn’t notice? I even loved the potato-planting. More than anything, I enjoyed the mussel-picking with you.’

  They walked carefully down the narrow shortcut to Agnar’s house. Jack didn’t have any problem walking down.

  When they came down to the farmyard, Jack stopped. Ninni looked at him. ‘Safely delivered. Are you going to be okay now?’

  ‘More than when I came here. I slept in the garden that first night. This isn’t very manly to admit, but I was spooked.’

  Ninni smiled. ‘Scaredy-cat,’ she said again.

  ‘I’m afraid so. It’s not something I’m proud of.’ He was smiling when he said it, not the least embarrassed.

  ‘I would have slept outside too. Probably for longer than the first night,’ she said.

  ‘Yeah?’ Jack locked eyes with her and pulled her closer.

  ‘Absolutely. Ghosts thrive in a house that has been standing empty for some time.’ She didn’t pull away when he kissed her.

  The kiss turned from light to deep before she could even think. Then she didn’t want to think. Jack tasted of smoke and sea, and made her weak at the knees.

  ‘Wow,’ Jack said when they broke apart.

  Wow indeed, Ninni thought. She took a step away.

  ‘I think you’re safe now,’ she said, clearing her throat.

  He looked confused and she would rather leave it at that. If they kissed again, it would bring about all sorts of unwanted things. Ninni wasn’t ready for anything remotely summer flingy.

  ‘Goodnight, Jack. My dad will be waiting for me,’ she said and walked towards the path.

  She turned around at the top of the pathway and looked back. He was still there. He lifted a hand, and she did the same.

  Damn, she thought. I hoped he’d be a worse kisser than Karl. He wasn’t.

  Chapter 13

  On the following Sunday, Ninni followed Petter to the last ferry. He looked thoughtful and a bit concerned, not his usual happy self. He didn’t even throw the usual sticks for Frikk, who looked disappointed at the lack of attention.

  ‘I have to ask you something,’ Petter said.

  ‘Okay,’ she said, hugging his arm.

  ‘Why didn’t you tell me about Karl?’ He gave her one of his sharper looks, the one he had used when she was a teenager and tried to argue about curfew.

  ‘I was embarrassed. I still am,’ she admitted.

  Petter looked horrified. ‘Why on earth would you be? That little shit cheated on you. I’d like to throw him overboard on a dark night.’

  Ninni couldn’t help laughing. ‘Please don’t. He’s not worth it. I’m getting over the whole thing, Pappa.’

  He put his arm around her shoulder. ‘That’s my girl. Don’t let that bastard get to you. I would never have survived your mother’s departure if I took things too seriously.’

  Ninni smiled. It wasn’t exactly how she remembered her parents’ divorce, but she didn’t correct him. He had got over her, but not as lightly as he thought.

  ‘Yes, I know and, as you know, it takes time.’

  He nodded several times. ‘Of course. But you are okay, aren’t you? I don’t have to worry about you?’

  Ninni leaned towards him. ‘Of course not. I’m not that dramatic.’

  ‘No, you’re like me. You should be happy about that. Drama is so exhausting.’ He hugged her again and laughed.

  They passed the road to Agnar’s farm and Ninni avoided looking down. Petter, on the other hand, had no such reservations. He pointed at the farm. ‘Now, what about your Englishman? He seems like a nice young man.’

  ‘He’s not my Englishman, Pappa.’ Ninni rolled her eyes.

  ‘You could have fooled me. The way the two of you looked in the boat the other day? He fancies you. Even I could see that.’

  ‘Pappa, there’s so many things wrong in those sentences. Please stop. I’m not talking to you about this. And, for your information, Jack has just left a bad relationship. He’s not looking for someone else, and neither am I.’

  Petter thought about it as they got closer to the quay. ‘Then you have something in common, haven’t you?’

  ‘I can’t believe we’re having this conversation.’ Ninni discovered Frikk digging in a flowerbed and called him back.

  ‘Fine, fine. I’m trying to help. I like him.’

  ‘Then you go out with him. I won’t.’ Ninni smiled to disarm him. ‘It’s good for me to be alone, Pappa. I need that.’

  ‘That’s all fine and dandy, but you were alone for most of the time even when you were with Karl, weren’t you? He was always off somewhere, wasn’t he?’

  Ninni knew he was right. She had been alone a lot more than together w
ith Karl, when she thought about it. But she wouldn’t admit it so easily.

  ‘Yes, but that doesn’t mean I will throw myself at the first man who comes along.’

  ‘You could have a fling,’ Petter said, shaking with laughter when she looked at him in horror.

  ‘Please don’t tell me you’ve been talking to Britt?’

  He pulled a face and pretended not to hear. ‘Oh, it looks like the ferry is coming in early.’

  ‘You are so sneaky,’ she said.

  At the harbour they met Alma, waiting for goods from the mainland. Frikk sat down at Petter’s feet, placing one paw on his shoes. He didn’t approve of his people leaving.

  ‘Are you going back to Bergen so soon?’ Alma seemed surprised.

  ‘I have a business to take care of,’ Petter said.

  While they chatted to each other, Ninni pulled back a little. It had started to rain, a light drizzle at first then a little heavier, and it was obvious that it would get worse. Ninni pulled the hood on her rain jacket over her head.

  ‘I’d better get myself onboard. It’s my turn to open the store tomorrow,’ Petter said.

  ‘You’re the only one who works there,’ Ninni said, shaking her head.

  He gave Ninni one of his bear hugs and looked at her. ‘Look after yourself now. I left some books in the house. And don’t become a hermit.’

  ‘No, Pappa, I promise. Drive carefully and call me when you’re home.’ Ninni hugged him back and stood close to Alma.

  Frikk got a quick cuddle, and then Petter walked on board the boat.

  Alma frowned. ‘Did he talk to you about Agnar and Jack?’

  Ninni put her hands in her pockets. ‘No, not really. He talked to Jack and he likes him, so I guess it’s okay.’

  ‘Hmm,’ Alma said.

  Ninni looked at her. ‘What? You don’t like Jack?’

  ‘No, he’s fine, but that doesn’t change anything, does it? Jack is still going to sell Agnar’s farm and we will still be overrun by those kinds of people.’ She nodded towards a huge yacht gliding past them with passengers on board, staring towards land. ‘Right now we have nothing here that they’ll find interesting. That will change if Haldorsen, or someone like him, gets their grubby hands on Agnar’s farm.’

  ‘It might not be that bad,’ Ninni said, knowing she didn’t sound convincing.

  Alma suddenly looked tired. ‘Things change so fast these days. Even on this island. I can’t keep them at bay for much longer, Ninni.’

  ‘Perhaps you should talk to Jack about your concerns. We have no idea what he thinks, do we?’

  ‘All I can do is beg Jack not to sell to the worst developer, people like Haldorsen, but sooner or later it will happen.’

  Ninni put her hand on her arm. ‘It might not be that bad, Alma,’ she said again.

  ‘If it does, I’m sure some bastard would want to buy the landhandel from us, tear down the house and build a gourmet supermarket for the yacht people.’

  ‘What will you do if that happens?’ Ninni smiled at her now.

  Alma shook her head. ‘We can move to the mainland or even to Spain, if that happens.’

  ‘Mamma loves Spain,’ Ninni said to tease her.

  Alma scrunched up her face and for a moment Ninni thought she was crying. It took a second to realise that she was laughing.

  ‘Oh, I can just picture myself in one of those tourist apartment blocks, next to your mum. She’d love that, I’m sure.’

  Ninni couldn’t help joining in with the laughter. ‘She could teach you to play bridge.’

  ‘I’d rather have my teeth pulled out.’ Alma lifted her hand and waved at Petter, who stood aft in the ferry.

  Ninni waved too. ‘I always wondered why he doesn’t move back here. He loves this island.’

  ‘You know how it is. Your father went to university. He wasn’t meant to be a fisherman or a sailor.’ She looked grim. ‘And he could never sell enough books here to survive. Not even if it becomes a millionaires’ playground. That lot haven’t read a book in their lives.’

  The ferry disappeared out of sight. Ninni shivered and Alma noticed. ‘Come to the shop. You can help me get the last of these things up there.’

  “These things” were magazines and books to go on sale the next day. Alma took one package and Ninni the other, trying not to reveal how heavy it was. The plastic wrapping didn’t make it easier, only more slippery.

  She had time for a coffee. It wasn’t as if she was actually busy with anything useful.

  Ninni found Frikk outside the shop. He was snoozing under one of Alma’s red currant bushes, but jumped up when she called his name.

  She gave him a doggy biscuit before they left. It had started to rain again while she was in the shop, but she wasn’t worried about that. It was a nice change from all the sunshine.

  On top of the hill, she looked down towards Agnar’s house. The lights were on in the kitchen. Perhaps Jack was cooking? Those pasties he had brought were really good. For a brief second she considered going down there. They should probably talk about the kiss, but she hesitated.

  After all, it was just a kiss.

  She turned away and walked towards the house. Better go home and do some work, she thought. There were bills to be paid, dog food to buy and she needed a distraction from good-looking men who could kiss.

  From where she stood, she could see darker clouds moving in from the open sea. More rain, she thought. Perhaps a summer storm. Ninni smiled. Storms made for great reading weather. She could cosy up in the big chair, or in bed, with a good book and a steaming mug of hot chocolate.

  Frikk ran ahead of her. He loved the rain too, putting his nose to everything he could reach. Once in a while he stopped and looked back at her to make sure she was following. Then he ran ahead until she couldn’t see him any more.

  Ninni turned from the path to Agnar’s house. All she wanted was to get home and lock herself away for a few days. She increased her pace, suddenly eager to get inside. The dog was nowhere to be seen.

  ‘Frikk? Frikk? Come here, boy,’ she called, whistling her usual signal for him.

  He didn’t appear. Ninni frowned. Now what? She started running, calling his name, and when he still didn’t show up her heart raced so fast that at first she couldn’t breathe.

  She found him in the thicket, whimpering.

  ***

  Jack looked at the translation app on his phone and swore to himself. ‘Bloody useless thing,’ he grumbled. After the meeting tomorrow, he would find a bookshop and buy the biggest dictionary he could find.

  The notebook from his grandmother was difficult to translate. He couldn’t find the words on the app. Grandmother, he thought. That was a strange word. He had never called anyone Nana or Granny. Holly and Danny called their grandmother Granny. He never did, despite the fact that she was the nicest of the lot.

  Most of Paul’s family regarded him as an intruder, and treated him as such. It didn’t bother him now, but it had been hard growing up and seeing how differently they’d treated Holly and Danny.

  Would Magni have been nice – given him cookies when he came to visit, always remembered his birthday? Perhaps. Petter had said she’d wanted grandchildren and that she’d loved her son. Chances were she would have loved him too.

  He smiled, a bit sad at the thought. They’d never got the chance, any of them. It didn’t really matter now, did it? They were both dead.

  Jack shook his head. Good Lord, if he wasn’t sitting there, feeling sorry for himself. He stood up so abruptly that the chair almost tipped over.

  Better go outside, clear my head instead of sitting here feeling sorry for myself, he thought.

  He grabbed a raincoat from one of the pegs, pulled on the wellingtons and headed out. Before leaving, he hesitated then grabbed the phone as well. Just in case he got in the mood to call someone that mattered.

  Outside, he looked up at the grey sky. The rain seemed to come in bursts. Not so pleasant now, he thought, but it
was a relief after all the hot weather.

  On the field, Olav’s hesjer looked miserable. It took him a few seconds to see that they were covered in plastic or some kind of tarp. Obviously Jens’ weather reports worked. He hadn’t even noticed they were there, putting it up.

  He closed the door behind him and shoved his hands in his pockets. He looked up towards Ninni’s house, and realised she wasn’t at home. The windows were dark.

  No point in knocking on her door then. He had to admit he was disappointed. That kiss showed promise.

  Instead of going up to the road, he decided to go to the beach, to get a proper view of the storm. If that was even what it was. The islanders probably called this a drizzle.

  He turned around and started walking towards the boathouses. When he got closer, he realised someone was there.

  The outside light on Ninni’s boathouse was on, and he could see her getting ready to get into the boat. The boat jumped and dipped, as if it was trying to get onto dry land.

  ‘What the hell are you doing?’ he called out.

  Ninni looked at him and he could see the desperation in her eyes. Jack was suddenly worried. ‘What’s going on?’

  ‘It’s Frikk,’ she said.

  He could see tears running down her face, and the way she was drying them off with an impatient hand. ‘Vipers,’ she said. ‘A bloody nest of bloody vipers. I have to get him to the vet.’

  Jack bent over and looked at the dog. Frikk was panting and he didn’t look like his normal energetic self. His nose was swollen and bloody. It didn’t look good.

  ‘You can’t go out there alone. Not in that boat,’ he said.

  ‘I don’t have time to get any of the others. Frikk needs help now. There’s an emergency vet in Haugesund. I’ve called them, and they will stand by for us.’

  Her teeth were chattering. Jack made a quick decision. ‘I’ll come with you.’

  Ninni shook her head. ‘No, you can’t. You’re not båtvant – I mean, you’re not used to boats. I can’t worry about you too.’

  Jack picked up the old life jacket from the boathouse and put it on. ‘I’ll take care of Frikk while you drive. Get in the boat. There’s no time to waste.’