‘Obviously not now, otherwise he wouldn’t roam the island like some cursed sailor,’ she muttered.
I’ll tell you mine, if you tell me yours, she thought. She had a feeling his story would be interesting. A lot more interesting than her own story. She had already told him about her mother. That was more than she had said about her in years. Then only thing she hadn’t told him was about Brian and the meltdown. It was too embarrassing.
Holly put her hand on the cat again, giving belly scratches that made Frøy purr even more. ‘You are such a love bug, you silly fluffy cat.’
She looked at the screen again. Tor’s happy face smiled at her. Then she felt even more like a stalker and closed the computer.
Would he come to the market, she wondered? Probably not.
Her hand touched Frøy’s collar and she smiled. Well, she wasn’t about to give up that easily.
While Frøy napped, she put together a few things and made a little pouch. Then she wrote a short message, rolled it together and put that in the pouch too.
When she was finished, she found Frøy sitting by the door, ready to go home.
Frøy was howling outside the door when Tor came downstairs to let him in.
‘Why aren’t you using the window?’ Tor said and opened the door. ‘It’s open so that I don’t have to run downstairs and risk breaking my neck.’
Frøy trotted inside, ignoring Tor’s look. He plonked himself down on in front of the fireplace in the lounge and Tor discovered he had something around his neck.
‘What have to brought with you now? Is this why you didn’t jump up to the windowsill? And why am I always asking you stuff when I know you can’t talk back?’ Tor managed to untie the small pouch Frøy had in his collar.
It looked like a small Christmas present, jolly paper and all.
Tor looked at Frøy. He was no help. Besides he already knew it had to be from Holly. No one else on the island would do anything like this.
He opened the pouch an shook out the content. Two wrapped sweets and a small note.
I hope to see you at the market. I’ll be there all day. Frøy ate a tin of tuna at my house.
Tor looked at the cat. ‘You know, fluffy fur can only hide so much.’
He unwrapped one of the sweets and popped it in his mouth. Some kind of chocolatey coffee flavour. ‘Good,’ he said, feeling ridiculously happy that she had sent him a gift.
‘Maybe I’ll send you to visit her more often. You can be my ambassador,’ Tor said.
Frøy crept closer to the fire.
Chapter Seventeen
The first cup of tea on the day of the market tasted like heaven, filled up with milk and sugar. It felt good to have a purpose, even if it meant working in a market stall all day.
Too much holiday is not healthy, she thought. Especially not for me. Too much thinking, too much in my own head. Not good. Not good at all. She hadn’t heard or seen Tor since the fishing trip. Perhaps Frøy had lost the note or Tor just didn’t want to spend more time with her. She hoped that wasn’t the case.
She sipped the tea and pondered what to make for breakfast.
Or perhaps she should skip it. With all the crisps and sweets she had been living on, she’d risk more than losing her medical license. Nope, she thought. Not going there.
‘Something healthy then,’ she said to the grinning brownie in the corner of the kitchen. ‘I wish I could put all of you in a closet. Like Chuckie or those creature puppets that turned into monsters when they get wet.’
She turned away from the doll, and searched for food. She ended up with an apple and a cookie. At least it’s semi-healthy, she thought. After finishing the tea, she took the apple with her out in the hallway.
Lesson learned from the boating trip with Tor, she put on tights before jeans, sweater and everything else. He had left her the overalls and coat, so she was prepared for a day outside. Before she had time to put on all the outerwear though, Britt knocked on the door.
Holly opened with one elfish boot on, and the other in her hand. She also had the cookie in her mouth.
‘My kind of breakfast,’ Britt said, leaving the door open behind her.
Holly managed to pull on the other boot and took the cookie from her mouth. ‘I have an apple in my pocket,’ she said, and took another bite of the cookie.
‘Yes, it’s very useful to bring an apple, but you don’t have to worry about that, actually. We will be fed. I can guarantee you that. Personally I think Alma’s motto is to feed us until we all look like bulky snowmen.’ Britt turned her head. ‘Our ride is here.’
Holly discovered a small vehicle of sorts stopping on the gravel road outside the house. Tobben sat on top of it. He lifted a hand and waved at her.
‘He’s giving us a lift to the harbour,’ Britt said.
‘The sea house is like what, 300-400 feet away?’
Britt laughed. ‘I know, but it’s fun. Come on. You can choose between sitting next to Tobben or in the hanger. If you sit next to Tobben you will have the pleasure of his dazzling small talk, mostly about the winter storms and how one day the ferry will stop coming, and the prize of food, or you can sit in the back and enjoy the view.’
Holly frowned. ‘I’ll take the view, if you don’t mind.’
‘I don’t mind at all, I’m already dazzling,’ Britt said, flashing a smile at Tobben who didn’t look too impressed.
Holly scooted into the little wagon and held on to the edges with both hands.
‘All aboard?’ Tobben called, before Britt rolled her eyes at Holly to make her smile.
The little tractor, or whatever it was, rolled along the pathway. Holly dangled her legs and enjoyed the scenery. There was a cold wind from the sea, and she could hear seagulls screaming in the distance.
Behind her, Tobben and Britt talked in Norwegian. It was obvious that they were comfortable with each other, as she could hear the friendliness in their voices. She wondered again if there was something going on between them. None of your business, she reminded herself.
At the hospital gossip and rumours were part of the daily routine, and mostly it was friendly and amusing… until it wasn’t. But she didn’t want to dwell on that today.
When they came to the fork in the road, Holly stretched her neck, trying to see if Tor was anywhere in sight.
Not a glimpse of man nor cat.
I shouldn’t be thinking about him, she told herself. He’s a hermit, for goodness sake. And after the way he had disappeared after meeting her and Britt on the path, she was sure he didn’t spend a minute of his day thinking about her. Somehow that annoyed her.
They arrived at the harbour and Tobben stopped outside of the sea house. ‘Here we go, ladies,’ he said with a broad smile.
Britt jumped off and stretched her back. Holly followed. The harbour was quiet and the only boat was a large row boat with no sail or engine, as far as Holly could see. She walked over to the edge and looked down. The water was choppy and grey, but she could still see the seaweed floating just below the surface. The smell of the sea, salty and fresh, made her feel as if she breathed easier.
Britt grabbed Holly’s arm. ‘Let’s go inside. I’m in the mood for breakfast, to be honest.’
She pulled up the heavy door and for a moment Holly couldn’t see. She blinked a few times until her eyes got used to the light inside.
‘Wow,’ she said. ‘This is huge.’
‘Is this your first time in here?’ Britt looked at her.
‘Yes, actually. I know Jack plans to turn it into a restaurant. It sounded crazy at first.’ Holly stepped inside. ‘Still does, to be honest.’
Everything was made of wood, and not painted or polished but rough wood, with windows a bit high up, and a solid floor. There was a second floor, she knew that. But it seemed to be really high up. At one end of the building she caught a glimpse of a gleaming kitchen, and at the other, two large doors.
‘Where do they lead?’ She looked at Britt.
‘
Right out to a small pier, and the wide open sea,’ Britt said. ‘It’s where the herring boats would stop to unload their catch of the day.’
On one side, a huge fireplace dominated the wall, and there was a long wooden table standing in front of it.
‘Of course it’s crazy, but he seems to have good plans. We’re all in on it, poor man. Your brother is patient, I can tell you that.’
Holly smiled. ‘He put up with Danny and me, so I’m not surprised. This looks a lot better than I had imagined, you know.’
Britt put her hands on her hips. ‘It’s getting there. And when we’re done with the market, Christmas can start. We’ll have a proper Christmas Eve dinner with food and drinks to look forward to, and I’m curious to see what you think of my beer.’
‘That sounds lovely,’ Holly said. ‘Jack sings its praises.’
‘Yeah, it will be on the menu in the restaurant next year. After Christmas Eve we’ll have the New Year’s Eve party to look forward too. If the weather is nice, we’ll have that outside.’
‘A beach party? In December?’ Holly couldn’t quite see it.
‘Sure, but like I said, it’s not until New Year’s Eve.’ Britt laughed again. ‘You should see your face. It’s a way to say goodbye to the old and hello to the new, and of course, an excuse to get sloshed. How else can we keep warm out here?’
Holly laughed. ‘I love that.’
‘But, sadly, for now we have to work,’ Britt said.
She waved at the boxes standing next to the door. ‘All this will be brought to town, and to our market stalls. And then we have a damn exhausting day to get through.’
‘There’s no need for that kind of language,’ a stern voice said behind them.
Holly looked over her shoulder and discovered Alma coming in with a basket on her arm.
‘Sometimes that’s just what is needed. Is that coffee you have there?’ Britt said.
‘Yes, of course.’ Alma put the basket on the table, and started to take things out and put them on the table. ‘Holly, there’s paper cups and plates in the kitchen. Right on the counter. Can you bring them?’
Holly was curious to see the kitchen. She opened the door and switched on the lights. ‘Wow,’ she said.
It was top tech all the way, gleaming steel and shiny surfaces. This is Jack’s dream come true, she thought, unable to stifle a giggle.
She found the plates and cups, and returned to the big room just as Tobben arrived and took a pepper cookie from Alma who scowled at him.
‘It’s impressive, isn’t it?’ he said when Holly came back.
‘It looks like it’s been designed by NASA,’ Holly said.
Alma took the plates from her. ‘I think it looks very nice, very professional,’ she said.
‘Like a mad scientist’s laboratory,’ Britt said, joining them. ‘What have you brought us?’
‘Sandwiches, of course. Here, drink some coffee. It might clear your mind,’ Alma said, opening a large thermos.
‘What, no cookies or anything lovely?’ Britt plunked herself down next to Holly.
The aroma of coffee filled Holly’s nose and she held out her cup. ‘Is there any milk in the kitchen? Shall I bring it?’
Alma frowned. ‘Not sure there is. Most of us drink our coffee black, like normal people. I can get tea for you, if you prefer that?’
Holly shook her head. ‘No, coffee is fine.’
‘We have coffee cream, if that’ll do you,’ Britt said, stretching over to the counter and then placing a small carton on the table in front of her. ‘Alma thinks we all drink our coffee black, but we don’t. Some of us, including Jens, don’t mind a few drops of the white stuff to take the edge of the acidity.’
Alma snorted slightly. ‘Only children need cream in their coffee.’
‘Children shouldn’t drink coffee,’ Britt said, winking at Holly.
Alma ignored her and smiled at Holly. ‘Help yourself, Holly. There are all sorts of pålegg, as you can see. It’s always good to eat properly before we got to work.’
Holly looked at the table. There were two baskets with different types of bread and rolls, all brown, and several plates of different toppings for your sandwich.
‘Not sure she knows about pålegg, Alma,’ Britt said, grinning at Holly.
‘No idea what that means,’ Holly said. If Tor had been there, he would have given her a long explanation.
‘It means anything you can put on a sandwich,’ Britt said.
‘Thank you.’ Holly followed the others lead and made her first open sandwich for herself with cheese. Cheese is safe, she thought.
‘Try this,’ Britt said, and put a plate of different slices of meat in front of her. ‘It’s all made of pork.’
‘What kind of ham is this?’ Holly said, studying the plate.
‘The square one is called sylte, and it’s like pressed ham, with some cloves and whatnot in it.’
‘Honestly, Britt. You know better than that. It’s pressed meat from the pigs head, mixed with ground spices like clover, allspice, and ginger. I use an old recipe from the island,’ Alma said, sending Britt a glowering look.
Britt laughed. ‘It’s very tasty. The other one is made of rolled rib meat. I’m sure you can take a small piece and try it first.’
She didn’t wait for Holly’s response, but put a few slices of different pålegg on her plate. Holly put the roll on her sandwich and took a bite. The taste was salty and fragrant. ‘Delicious. You really made this?’ she said to Alma.
‘Of course. Ready-made isn't the same,’ Alma said, clearly pleased with Holly’s reaction.
Britt looked at Alma. ‘You really haven’t brought any sweet bakes or something? Even a waffle will do right now.’
‘I have brought a nice kringle today. I hope you like it, Holly.’
Holly smiled. ‘I won't even try to pronounce that.’
She watched as Alma took out another foil-wrapped package. It was a pretzel-shaped cake, decorated with pearl sugar and flaked almonds, thin stripes of white icing, and smelling of cardamom.
‘I think my stomach just woke up,’ Holly said. ‘It looks delicious.’
Britt leaned over. ‘Did you put sukat in this thing?’
Alma cut a large piece, put it on a plate and handed it to Holly before turning to Britt.
‘No, I didn’t. This one has a lovely almond filling. No raisins and no sukat. I can’t stand watching you pick out every tiny piece of sukat and building a little mountain on the plate as if you were five years old.’
‘What’s sukat?’ Holly took another bite of the sandwich.
‘It’s simply candied citrus peel,’ Alma said, turning to Britt again. ‘You’re too old to complain about that.’
‘No, I’m not. Sukat is gross.’ Britt accepted the plate Alma handed her. ‘You make the best kringle in the world. Why would you ruin such scrumptiousness with things that look like square pieces of snot?’
Alma shot her a furious look, then looked at Holly. ‘I think you call it “succade”, Holly. It’s not gross and it’s not snot.’
Holly smiled. ‘I’m glad it isn’t.’
She took a bite of the cake and closed her eyes. The cake was light and fluffy, and tasted of sweet almonds and butter with just a hint of cardamom. ‘Oh my god, this is to die for.’
‘Thank you. It’s my mother’s recipe.’
Holly was too busy to enjoy the cake to mind much when the two women shifted to Norwegian when Tobben and Jens came in with more boxes.
The breakfast ended an hour later, when the last of the kringle was devoured by Jens and someone said the ferry would come at any minute.
Jens smiled at Holly. ‘I’m sorry Jack and Ninni have been delayed. I hope everything is fine with Ninni’s mother.’
‘Jack didn’t say anything about her last time I talked to him, so I presume she’s fine,’ Holly said.
‘She’s always fine. My guess is she has made up some grievances to keep them there longer,’ A
lma said.
Holly could sense there was more to the story about Ninni’s mother. All she knew about her was what Jack had told her. ‘She lives in Spain permanently, doesn’t she?’
‘That she does. The island was never enough for her, and Bergen was too rainy and cold,’ Alma said. ‘But I’ll say this for her, she loves Rosie. I can’t hold that against her. Even if she makes up some outrageous story to keep them there for longer.’
‘Well, you never know. The law of averages says she has to be ill at least once,’ Jens said, laughing at his own joke.
Alma scowled at him. ‘There’s no need for gossip. I don’t want Holly to think that we have no manners and that we backtalk people.’
Jens raised his eyebrows. ‘You brought it up, my dear.’
Alma said something sharp in Norwegian and Holly wondered if it was a swear word. It might be, as Britt had to stifle a laugh.
‘I think we should leave now,’ Alma said. ‘We should have everything lined on the pier before the ferry gets here.’
At Alma’s command, they all stood and everyone took their plates and cups over to a rubbish bin while Alma packed the food into the basket again.
The streets teemed with people, obviously with money to spend, when Tor came up the steep hill from the harbour. The sun was setting, and Christmas lights lit up the whole street.
He had chosen to take his own boat instead of the ferry, knowing that it would be filled with islanders. He wasn’t quite ready to be stuck on a boat with people he had managed to avoid for most of his stay, even if Holly would be there.
Someone had decorated a statue of two fishermen with scarves. It made them look at bit silly, which was probably the intention, he thought.
When he finally stood in the street, right below the red brick church and the old post office building, he realised that he didn’t know where to look for the islanders. He knew that the main street was fairly long and he had no idea where the market was.
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