Summer Island Read online

  She didn’t argue, but got into the boat. Jack lifted Frikk carefully and handed him to her, then got into the boat himself.

  ‘Sit down in the middle,’ Ninni said. ‘That way there’s not that much water on you and it’s a bit easier to travel.’

  She didn’t wait for him to do as she instructed; instead she got the engine started and the boat headed out to sea.

  Jack tried not to think about the movement of the waves, or the wind pulling at the hood of his raincoat. He focused on the dog, holding him tight to his chest and trying to shield him from the rain as best he could.

  Ninni held onto the engine handle and steered them out of the bay and into the open sea. Jack had no idea if she was going in the right direction.

  ‘You know where it is, right?’

  She nodded, grim-faced. ‘I’ve been sailing this way since I was eight, Jack. We’ll be fine. It’s just rain.’

  It didn’t feel like “just rain” to him. There were no bursts any more, just a solid wall of rain. His trousers were soaked. I have a soggy bottom, he thought, and didn’t find it remotely funny.

  ‘Hang on, Jack. I’ll try to get in as fast as I can, and it will be a bit bumpy. How is he?’

  She had to bellow over the wind. Jack looked at the dog. He was breathing, but it was shallow. ‘Just get us there.’

  The blanket she had wrapped around Frikk was wet too. Jack knew that if the dog went into shock they would have a bigger problem than getting to shore. He fiddled with his raincoat and managed to slip Frikk inside. His shirt got as wet as the rest of him, but at least it gave Frikk some shelter.

  He watched Ninni. She looked like a Fury with her hair flying in the wind, whipping her face while she paid no attention to any of it. She had to be as drenched as he was, possibly more, as she was sitting on the stern, more open to the elements than he was. And yet she didn’t seem to notice anything.

  Vikings, he thought. That would be what they’d looked like in their longboats, fighting for their family. Did female Vikings fight? He had no idea, but it wouldn’t surprise him.

  ‘We’re getting closer. Do you see the lights?’ Ninni had to yell to be heard.

  Jack turned his head. He spotted a few lights, blinking through the rain. ‘That’s Haugesund? Are you sure?’

  ‘That’s the town, yes.’

  Jack checked on the dog again. He was listless. ‘You’d better hurry up then,’ he said.

  Ninni didn’t say anything. The boat seemed to fly across the water.

  Chapter 14

  It took them another half an hour before the boat glided close to the harbour. They were below the edge and the concrete was lined with old tyres to protect the heavier boats when they moored.

  Ninni grabbed hold of a metal ring hanging from the concrete.

  Jack sat still, cradling the dog. He had no intention of standing up and falling into the black water. There were other boats close by, some tied directly to the concrete, others to each other. There were lights from houses on both the mainland and the two islands.

  Over their heads was the bridge to Risøy Island.

  Ninni secured the line and jumped off the boat. Jack discovered she stood on a narrow step. She pointed up.

  ‘The steps are slippery. Be careful when you climb out of the boat. I’ll go get a taxi.’

  Jack held onto the dog for dear life and managed to get himself onto land. He stood for a second and looked around. There was no one in sight. Everyone was inside because of the rain, he figured. Now he also realised there were people in the boats. None of them paid any attention to him.

  There had to be an anti-seasickness gene in these people, he thought.

  He pulled back the hood of the raincoat and tried to see where Ninni had gone. There was no sign of her. Then he checked on Frikk. He was still breathing, but it was shallow and the wounds looked even more swollen.

  ‘She’d better get here soon, Frikk,’ he muttered.

  When he turned around a car came down the road. It stopped next to him and Ninni threw open the door to the back seat.

  ‘Get in!’ she yelled.

  The car sped off and Jack fell back against the seat. ‘Oof,’ he said.

  Ninni looked at the bundle. ‘Is Frikk okay?’

  Jack pulled down the corner of the blanket. ‘He’s not in great shape, but he’s still here.’

  Ninni was fighting back tears. ‘I can’t believe he got into that thicket. I was just behind him. Damn curious idiot.’

  ‘How long until we get there?’

  The driver answered. ‘A few minutes,’ he said.

  He drove fast, so they were there in even less time. The veterinary surgery was fully lit.

  Ninni opened the door and held it open for him. Jack realised she’d made no attempt to take Frikk from him.

  Inside the surgery, it was nice and warm. A smiling woman dressed in surgical clothes came towards them and took a quick look at Frikk. The smile disappeared. ‘Follow me.’

  Jack did as he was told. He wouldn’t have dared to let the dog out of his sight, anyhow. Inside the examination room, she pointed at a bench. ‘Put him down there.’

  Jack carefully put Frikk down on the bench and stepped back. Ninni leaned against him. The vet turned on the big overhead lamp, peeled away the soggy blanket and looked at Frikk. ‘And what have you done to your lovely self?’

  ‘It’s vipers,’ Ninni said. ‘He’s fascinated by them, and he got bitten.’

  The vet pulled the lamp down more closely over the table. ‘More than once by the look of it. He’s got at least three bites in the face.’

  She looked at Ninni with concern in her eyes. ‘There’s only so much I can do. The rest depends on his strength and how much poison he got. I can’t promise anything right now. You do know that, right?’

  Ninni swallowed. ‘Please, do what you can.’

  The vet got out a couple of syringes. ‘I’ll give him the antiserum, take some blood tests and give him something for the pain. Then we’ll have to keep him calm for a few days. Do you have anywhere to stay for the night? I’m guessing you’re not going to be able to return to the island now. The wind is getting stronger.’

  ‘No, there’s no point in that now. We’ll find somewhere.’

  The vet smiled. ‘There’s a sofa in the office and there’s coffee. Also, there are some blankets in the hallway cupboard. They smell of dog, but I hope they’ll do.’

  ‘We’ll be fine,’ Ninni said.

  The vet fastened an IV needle to one of Frikk’s paws and secured it with a piece of tape. ‘Frikk is the only overnight guest at the moment. I’m sorry, Ninni, but I have to go back home to my baby. I’ll come by in a couple of hours to see how he’s doing. If you notice any deterioration, call me and I’ll come right away.’

  ‘You’re going to leave everything here with us?’ Jack couldn’t help himself.

  The vet smiled. ‘Well, Ninni’s Frikk is here. I doubt you’re going to leave him. Don’t have any wild parties and all the drugs are locked up. Get those blankets. You guys look drenched.’

  Ninni stood up. ‘Yes, thank you.’

  ‘There’s also some overalls and sweaters there, if you want to dry your own clothes. And if you take a look in one of the drawers I’m pretty sure there’s a bottle of Scotch somewhere. For emergencies,’ she said, before carefully lifting Frikk off the table and setting him down on a comfortable doggy bed in the corner. ‘Keep an eye on him and let him know you’re here,’ she said to Ninni.

  Ninni nodded. ‘I will. Thank you for coming.’

  ‘That’s what we’re here for.’

  With a last look at the dog to see he was breathing properly, she left. They heard the main door slamming after her.

  Jack realised he was cold to the marrow and he was dripping on the floor. He took Ninni’s hand. It was ice-cold and he could feel her shaking.

  ‘Your teeth are chattering,’ she said.

  ‘So are yours.’ He found the bla
nkets in the hall and handed one to her.

  She pulled it around herself and sat down on the sofa. ‘God, I’m so cold. I never freeze.’ Ninni was shaking, and Jack sat down next to her. At first he thought it was the chill, but he suddenly realised she was crying.

  Jack didn’t say anything. He put his arm around her and held her close. It seemed the best thing to do. She was a silent crier and it didn’t take long before she stopped. ‘Oh, this isn’t helping at all.’

  ‘I would have found you a handkerchief, but it would probably be wet already,’ Jack said.

  Ninni looked at him and smiled through her tears. ‘Another joke. I’m impressed.’

  ‘I aim to please,’ he said. ‘And on that note … Wait here while I find the clothes she talked about.’

  He came back with a few odds and ends and handed her one of the sweatshirts. ‘Put this on before you get pneumonia. And try one of the overalls. They look like they would fit you.’

  Ninni pulled off her clothes, totally ignoring him. Jack got a glimpse of soft curves and white underwear, and forced himself to breathe slowly. Wow, he thought.

  To hide his embarrassment, he pulled off his own shirt and changed into one of the sweatshirts. It was bliss.

  ‘You should try these trousers. I think they will fit you,’ she said, holding the item out to him.

  Jack lifted them up and made a little show by measuring them and looking at himself in the mirror on the wall. Ninni laughed, which was exactly what he was hoping for.

  ‘I would rather have a pair of socks,’ he said.

  ‘Don’t think they stock anything but bandages, I’m afraid. I’ll just see to Frikk.’ Ninni stood up from the sofa. Trailing the blanket after her, she went out to check on the dog.

  Jack tried the overalls. Not a perfect fit, too wide and too short, but it was better than the other way around, he thought.

  I’m bonkers, he thought. This is bonkers.

  He looked up when Ninni came back. ‘He’s sleeping and he’s breathing better. I think the serum is working.’

  ‘Good. I’m starving – is there anything to eat here, apart from dog food?’

  Ninni smiled. She was more composed now. ‘Let’s see what’s in the kitchen.’

  ‘They have a kitchen?’ Jack followed.

  ‘Where do you think they keep the coffee? Also, it’s a lunchroom,’ Ninni said.

  It was more of a mini version of a kitchenette – an electric kettle, a small fridge, a table and four chairs and, most importantly, a stove.

  ‘I’m not touching anything in there,’ Ninni declared and shut the refrigerator door.

  ‘Where’s the nearest shop?’ Jack could see she was at the end of her tether.

  ‘Oh, there’s one by Hotel Saga, I think.’ Ninni sank down on one of the chairs. ‘You don’t have to go. It’s still raining.’

  ‘You’re not the only one starving.’ Jack inspected the cupboards to see what kind of pots or pans, if any, were available to him. Not very impressive, he thought. But not unexpected. It was a vet’s surgery, not a culinary school.

  ‘You know, we can just order something. There are fast food places in this town, most of them quite decent.’ Ninni nodded towards the wall where different menus were tacked to a cork board.

  ‘No, I think we need proper food to cheer us up. Especially as we’re going to be here all night.’

  He put on his rain jacket again. Ninni looked at him, a small smile showing on her face. ‘Are you really going out like that?’

  Jack looked down at the short trousers and wet socks. ‘I have wellingtons. Would anyone care about my fashion choices, do you think?’

  ‘In this weather? Probably not.’ Ninni looked at him. ‘Thank you for coming. I don’t think I would have managed alone.’

  ‘I’m glad to be of help,’ Jack said.

  For a moment their eyes locked and then she looked away. Jack cleared his throat. ‘Well, is there anything you prefer? Of food, I mean.’

  Ninni shook her head. ‘Anything will be fine. I’ll go and sit with Frikk while you’re gone.’

  Jack got the keys to the surgery from the desk and walked outside. It was still pouring down so he pulled his hood up. There was hardly anyone outside.

  Sensible people, he thought.

  He quickly found the shop and felt a lot better when he discovered they also sold socks and underwear. After a moment of hesitation, he bought some for Ninni as well, in two different sizes to be on the safe side.

  A quick tour through the supermarket left him wondering. Why did they have such a limited variety of produce? The prices were a good indication. He shook his head. Some of the basic greens were double the price they were in the UK. No wonder Norwegians ate minimalistic.

  In the end, he settled for eggs and flour for the pasta and some tomatoes and basil for the tomato sauce. Onions looked nice, as did the garlic he found in a corner. That should work well, he thought. Easy and quick to make.

  He looked for wine, and didn’t find any. Asking one of the assistants granted him raised eyebrows. ‘You have to buy that in Vinmonopolet, but they’re closed now. We don’t even sell beer now. It’s after eight.’

  ‘What’s Vinmonopolet?’ Jack was sure he hadn’t heard that before.

  ‘They are the only shops where you can buy alcohol. Unless you go to a bar or a pub, but you can’t buy any bottles from there and take them with you.’ The shop assistant grinned, obviously pleased by the confused foreigner. ‘A bit different from where you live, I guess.’

  ‘Yes, I would say so.’

  Jack wondered how people lived without the basics. He refused to make tomato sauce without a drop of red wine. So carbonara it was, he thought. ‘I’ll be right back.’

  After putting the tomatoes and basil back where he’d found them, he returned with bacon, more eggs and a carton of heavy cream. The shop assistant smiled at him. ‘Did you find everything you wanted? Apart from the wine, of course.’

  ‘We’ll soldier on,’ Jack said.

  ‘Hæ?’

  ‘It’s fine. Thank you for your help.’ Jack waited while his purchases were added up.

  Armed with two bags filled with groceries and a few other things, he headed back to the surgery. It was time to cook.

  Ninni was waiting in the reception when he arrived. She looked at the heavy bags. ‘What did you do – buy the whole shop?’

  ‘They don’t really have anything here, so we have to make do the best we can.’

  Jack put the bags on the counter and rummaged through one. ‘Here. I hope this helps.’

  He handed her a large bar of chocolate and smiled when her eyes lit up. Ninni opened the chocolate and broke off a piece. She handed it to him. ‘Better than almost anything,’ she said.

  He put the piece in his mouth. It melted on his tongue. ‘Almost,’ he said.

  Ninni peered into one of the bags. ‘Why would you buy a frying pan?’

  Jack frowned. ‘I had to. All they have here is a saucepan. You need proper tools to do a proper job, you know.’

  Ninni munched on another piece of the chocolate. ‘What are you cooking?’

  ‘It’s a surprise. In the meantime, I bought these for you. As I’m not sure about your size, I bought two different ones. I hope it’s okay.’

  Ninni took the packages and looked at them. She laughed. ‘Did you really buy knickers and socks for me?’

  ‘You’re as soaked as I am, and dry underwear and socks always help,’ he said, grinning back at her.

  Ninni looked at him. It was that moment again. Something unspoken. She lifted her hand and put it to his cheek, just for a moment. ‘You are quite unexpected,’ she said.

  Jack frowned. ‘I have no idea what that means,’ he said.

  ‘It’s a compliment.’ Ninni clutched her gifts. ‘I’m going to change into this and you should do the same. You’re right. Dry underwear is one of the keys to happiness.’

  ‘And I thought it was all about the cooki
ng,’ Jack said.

  Ninni smiled. ‘Another joke. You’re improving.’

  Jack picked up the bags. ‘I do my best. Dinner should be ready in about an hour.’

  ‘Thank you.’ Ninni smiled. ‘You are a really nice man.’

  He shrugged. ‘Not too nice, I hope.’

  Nice man, he thought. The death of everything. He knew he shouldn’t have bought the knickers.

  Ninni took a deep breath. She clutched the socks and the knickers to her chest. Wow, she thought. He can’t be for real. She paid a quick visit to the bathroom and changed out of the last wet items of clothing.

  And he cooks, she thought when she came back out. He might be close to perfect. Even when he was wearing trousers that were too short and he looked ridiculous.

  She went back in to check on Frikk. He was breathing more easily, she thought. She hoped. He didn’t react much when she spoke to him, but that didn’t stop her. She scratched his ears and he blinked at her. He tried to wag his tail, but didn’t have the energy for it.

  ‘Keep breathing, Frikk. That’s all you have to do,’ she said. With one hand on his chest, she was relieved to feel the dog’s heart beating strongly. That was surely a good sign, she thought. ‘I hope you have learned your lesson now. No more vipers, all right?’

  Frikk kicked one of his legs and Ninni breathed a bit more easily. She kept a hand on his fur until he settled again. This was going to be okay, she thought. He was going to be okay.

  Ninni didn’t know how long she had been sitting there, when Jack put his head in. ‘If you’re still hungry, the food is ready.’

  ‘I’m starving.’ She almost jumped onto her feet.

  ‘How is he doing?’ Jack dried his hands on a tea towel.

  Ninni looked back at the dog. ‘I think the antiserum is doing its job.’

  ‘That’s good. I can bring the food out here, if you want.’

  Ninni shook her head. ‘No, I don’t think we should eat food on the floor of a vet’s surgery.’

  She followed behind him. He still looked silly in those trousers. Silly, but good.

  ‘It smells amazing. What did you make?’

  Jack looked over his shoulder. ‘Pasta carbonara. Best I could do under the circumstances.’