Christmas Island

by Natalie Normann

  Holly realised she was full about halfway through the second bowl. It was too rich.

  She turned to Tor who had finished his second serving.

  ‘Did Jens get in touch with you?’

  He looked surprised for a moment, then nodded. ‘Yes, he did.’

  ‘Are you coming tomorrow, then?’

  Tor nodded. ‘Absolutely.’

  Holly smiled at him. ‘Good. That’s really good.’

  She didn’t say anything after that. It was enough to sit in a cosy kitchen, listen to children laughing and Rosie babbling, and know that she had nothing to worry about.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Christmas Eve

  Rosie sat on Jack's shoulders again, slapping her hands on his head. She had thrown his hat away before they left the house. It was now protruding from his back pocket.

  The weather was grey and the skies heavy. ‘Maybe we’ll get some proper snow tonight,’ Ninni had said with delight.

  Holly didn’t mind. If it got colder now, she’d crawl under the duvet with Tor, and not come out until spring.

  ‘Where are the two of you off too?’ Holly looked up at her brother.

  ‘We are just going to burn off some energy, so that Rosie can take a nap before we go to dinner. Because if she doesn’t, she’ll be cranky when Santa comes. Isn’t that right, Rosie?’

  Rosie paid no attention to either of them. She was too busy enjoying herself pulling Jack's ears.

  ‘You two are so adorable together,’ Holly said, touching Rosie’s boot.

  ‘Yes, we are. Rosie wins, of course. It’s hard to compete with a toddler.’ Jack smiled at Holly. ‘Even if she is sticky and snotty right now.’

  ‘She’s so much like you, Jack. I know she doesn’t look like you, but she acts so much like you. She’s a lucky girl,’ Holly said. ‘I mean, you raised me, and look how amazingly amazing I turned out.’

  ‘True. I take full credit for that, of course. And that has a lot to do with this, you know. I got to practice on you and Danny, and that made it easy for me to take on Rosie.’

  Rosie leaned forward and drooled on his head. ‘Also, I would miss out on things like this,’ he said, lifting Rosie down from his shoulders and handing her to Holly.

  ‘No!’ Rosie said, squirming in Holly’ arm.

  ‘A little help, please. It’s like holding a slippery ball,’ Holly said.

  Jack wiped his head before putting the woollen hat back on. ‘You can put her down, but don’t let go of her. She’s a sprinter, that one.’

  ‘I know that!’ Holly put Rosie down, and held on to the back of her winter suit while Rosie struggled to get away.

  ‘Will you bring Tor to our house first, or go straight to Alma’s?’ Jack asked, while keeping an eye on Rosie.

  ‘I’ll go to Tor’s and change there,’ she said. ‘Then we'll come to you first.’

  Jack nodded at the bag she was carrying. ‘Is that why you took your dress with you?’

  ‘Sure, I don’t want to give him an excuse to change his mind. He can’t say no if I’m all dressed up, now can he?’

  ‘Not if he has half a brain. Don’t be late. Norwegians, especially Alma, do not approve of tardiness, I’m afraid.’

  Rosie threw a tantrum by throwing herself forward, making Holly lose the grip on her suit. She hit the slushy ground, kicking her legs.

  Jack shook his head. ‘She’s got great lungs. I’d better take her for that walk and then go home.’

  Holly nodded. ‘See you then.’

  She headed for the pathway leading to Tor’s house, then stopped to look back at Jack and Rosie. They were walking now, holding hands, the tantrum obviously forgotten.

  They looked so sweet together. She loved that Jack was so happy. I hope I find someone that makes me half that happy, she thought. Tor… Tor was special, but it wasn’t like that. It was a holiday romance, not a happily ever after romance.

  Maybe some other time, she thought and started to walk to Tor’s house. Christmas Eve would certainly be different this year…

  After the porridge party, she had no idea what to expect, but it was going to be some sort of dinner, apparently. Alma was cooking with Jack's help, Sigrid, Olav, and their kids would be there, as would Britt and Guro. Tobben was with his sister on the mainland.

  When she climbed the last hill up to the edge, where she had almost fallen off, she met Frøy.

  ‘Hi Frøy. What are you wearing?’

  The cat sat and looked up. He had a bright, fire-truck red bow around his neck. ‘You look very elegant,’ she said and stroked his head.

  She couldn’t see Tor anywhere, so she had to brave the pathway down to the house by herself.

  When she came to the door, she could see he had decorated. There was a wreath on the door and Christmas lights in the windows.

  Holly opened the door and peaked inside. ‘Tor? Are you here?’

  He popped his head out the kitchen door. ‘Did you see Frøy out there?’

  ‘Yes, he looks very festive,’ she said.

  ‘Do you know how hard I had to work to get that bow on him?’

  ‘I can only imagine.’ Holly held up her bag. ‘Can I put this anywhere?’

  ‘Sure. What is it?’

  ‘It’s my dress. I thought I could change here and then we could go to this thing together.’ Holly looked at him.

  Tor frowned. ‘You weren’t sure I would come, were you?’

  ‘I figured you might change your mind.’ Holly wondered if that had been stupid. What if she came across as clingy or needy? That would be awful.

  He came all the way over to her and put a warm hand against her cheek. ‘I said I would, didn’t I?’

  ‘Yes, you did. But still. I need you there.’

  Holly got up on her toes and kissed him.

  ‘Why would you need me?’ Tor let his hand rest on the back of her head.

  ‘I need you to translate the culture. Like you did yesterday.’ She leaned against him. He felt as solid as a rock. ‘Christmas Eve at home is spent drinking wine, wrapping last minute presents, stuffing our faces with Ferrero Rocher or some kind of chocolate truffles. Or we go out to a bar, have some drinks and have fun. Jack says it’s a big deal here. He says it’s the most important dinner of the year. Which is odd, since he’s not cooking any of his own creations.’

  Tor laughed. ‘As with everything else in life, some people take it serious, others not so much. It’s a semi big deal. We dress up, eat for an entire evening, and then sleep off the food coma the next day. You do that in England too?’

  ‘Of course we do, but there’s hardly any dressing up. Not like this.’

  Tor grinned. ‘And I’ll be wearing my best suit. Well, my only suit, as it stands.’

  ‘An actual suit?’ Holly laughed.

  ‘Damn straight and with shoes to match.’

  Holly hesitated. ‘Let me see if I understand this correctly. You travel to this island in your little boat and with polar bear clothes, determined to avoid people at all costs, but you also bring a suit?’

  Tor nodded. ‘I never know when I have to look smart, so I always pack a suit. There might be meetings with people who always dress up in suits, and I can’t sit there in a sweatshirt and jeans. Honestly, I’ve done a fair amount of meetings from the house, and I have then worn my shirt, tie and jacket… but with pyjama bottoms.’

  While he was talking, he helped her take off the boots and the coat, then he pulled her with him into the kitchen.

  Holly giggled. ‘That must have been a lovely sight if you stood to get a cup of coffee or something.’

  ‘Which is why I wear the pyjama bottoms. I care about my presentation, you know.’

  ‘You do look good in pyjama bottoms,’ Holly said.

  ‘I know,’ he said, looking very pleased with himself.

  Holly realised the kitchen smelled good. ‘What are you doing?’

  ‘I was about to eat something. Are you hungry?’

 
‘Not really.’ Holly smiled at him. ‘Not for food, anyway.’

  Tor touched her face again. He smiled, and she felt almost dizzy.

  ‘I think we can come up with something to… you know, keep us busy for… how much time do we have?’

  ‘We’re supposed to be there at six and Jack said we can absolutely not be late,’ Holly said,

  ‘Oh, so plenty of time.’ Tor kissed her and Holly was almost lifted off the floor. ‘But not in the kitchen,’ he said.

  He took her hand and was about to climb up the stairs.

  ‘Too far.’ Holly pulled him into the lounge.

  They fell over each other onto the couch and ignored the cat who returned to the kitchen and flopped down in front of the heater.

  Holly looked up at Tor. ‘We can’t sleep,’ she said. ‘We can’t be late. Look, it’s dark outside already.’

  ‘It’s barely four o’clock. We have plenty of time,’ Tor said, smiling at her nervous face. She was adorable. ‘I would offer you something to eat, but you need to be hungry for later.’

  ‘God, you’re heavy,’ Holly said, trying to get up from the sofa.

  ‘I’d be insulted if you weren’t right.’ Tor didn’t want her to leave. She was warm and soft, and he loved the way she looked right now.

  ‘You’re awfully fit, you know,’ she said, putting her hand on his chest.

  ‘Must be the fishing and the hiking.’ Tor played with her hair.

  ‘No, well, that too, but I meant you’re awfully good looking. Even with all that scraggly beard,’ she said.

  He smiled. ‘You don’t like my beard?’

  ‘It has it’s uses,’ Holly said, shrieking when he rubbed the beard on her face. ‘Don’t do that! I’m going to look as if I’ve been scratched by Frøy.’

  ‘Do you want me to get rid of it?’ He asked with his face close to hers.

  ‘Nope, I wouldn’t do that. It’s your beard, and it must have taken you ages to grow it,’ she teased.

  Then she kissed him and rolled away. ‘I need to shower and then get dressed.’

  ‘Will it take two hours?’ Tor held out his hands to pull her back, and she pulled away.

  ‘No, don’t do that. Don’t distract me.’

  ‘I could watch you forever,’ he said, suddenly becoming serious.

  Holly blushed and he realised he loved watching that.

  ‘Really? Well, we don’t have forever, now do we?’ she said, looking away.

  ‘You’re right. Go, take your shower,’ Tor said, waving at her. ‘I’ll wait here.’

  ‘Please don’t fall asleep. I don’t want to be late,’ she said from the door.

  ‘I’m getting up,’ he called after her, then he fell back on the sofa.

  He missed her already. He sighed. Better get dressed. Christmas Eve was a big deal and he wanted Holly to enjoy herself.

  Tor put on his pants and caught a glimpse of his face in the hallway mirror. He stroked his beard and then smiled. It was time.

  Holly put on her dress, and examined herself in the mirror.

  Not too bad, she thought. Good thing it’s not a tight fit.

  The red dress looked festive enough, with not too much cleavage on show. Looking good was fine, but looking sexy seemed inappropriate for a family party. She put up her hair in a loose bun and finished the look with pearl stud earrings.

  Downstairs the sofa was empty, and so was the kitchen, except for Frøy who rolled around when she came in.

  ‘Where’s Tor?’ She asked, scratching his head.

  Frøy jumped up and seemed to wonder the same. Holly straightened his bow. ‘Now we can’t have you losing this, can we?’

  Tor came through the door dressed in jeans and boots, carrying wood from outside.

  ‘How are you not freezing to death?’ Holly gaped at him.

  ‘I’m always hot.’ Tor dropped the wood into the basket next to the fireplace. ‘But not as hot as you. Wow, Holly, you look great,’ he said.

  Holly enjoyed the look he gave her, but raised her hands when he took a step towards her. ‘No, don’t mess up my make-up. I can see what you’re up to.’

  Still, he pulled her close and Holly shrieked when he let his icy fingers run along the neckline of her dress.

  ‘That’s cruel,’ she whispered before he kissed her. He smelled of outdoors and fire and something that was only him. ‘You have snow in your beard.’

  ‘More like rain, I’m afraid.’ He let go of her. ‘I’ll just take a quick shower myself and then we can go.’

  Holly went into the lounge again, picking up her phone. Jocelyn answered on the first ring.

  ‘Are you snowed in yet?’ Jocelyn said.

  ‘No, not really. I’m sitting in a lovely lounge, in my shiny new Christmas frock, waiting for Tor to get ready.’

  ‘In his lounge, you say? Did you sleep with him on Christmas Eve?’

  Holly giggled. ‘Does it matter what day it is?’

  ‘God, no, of course not. I’m thrilled and really jealous that you’re having a proper Viking holiday. Are there any other sexy Vikings on that island?’

  ‘Not really. As far as I know, all the Vikings are on their way to Christmas dinner, or they’re cooking it. If you want to go Viking hunting, you have to come in the summer.’

  ‘I could live on a Norwegian island for a week or two,’ Jocelyn said. ‘I mean, they have Wi-Fi and hot water, right?’

  Holly could just picture it. Jocelyn stomping along on high heels and in the tightest swimsuit available. ‘Yes, they do. You’d be a sight, though,’ she said.

  ‘Aren’t I always? Listen, rumour has it that Brian is out. I’m not sure if that’s good news for you, or if, you know, they’re going to be hard on both of you. I really hope it’s good news. Have you heard anything?’

  ‘Nope, not a word. I’ve decided not to worry about it though. They won’t let me know now until after Boxing Day, anyway. I’m happy Brian is having a crappy Christmas though.’

  ‘Good for you. I hope you have a lovely evening. I’m certainly going to,’ Jocelyn said.

  ‘What are you up to?’ Holly could picture her in the apartment, getting ready for a night out.

  ‘I’m on my way out, as you well know. We’re hitting a club and then, well, you know…’ Jocelyn said, giggling again. ‘I miss you! When are you coming home? I mean, whatever happens with the hospital, you’re still coming home , aren’t you? Or are you doing a Jack?’

  Holly laughed. ‘I’m definitely not doing what Jack has done. I couldn’t even if I wanted to, which I don’t. Pretty sure Norway has plenty of doctors, and they would all be licensed, which I’m not. Not at the moment, anyway.’

  ‘Oh. Are you sure you can leave your Viking that easily?’

  Jocelyn meant to joke, but it hit a nerve with Holly. ‘I… please don’t ruin my holiday romance with your sensible questions. Go out, have fun, and I’ll talk to you tomorrow,’ she said.

  ‘Fine, no too early, mind you. I’m planning on a having a hangover and a lie-in. I’m not due back in the hospital until Boxing Day, and I’m going to make the most of my days off. If you know what I mean.’ Jocelyn giggled.

  ‘Yes, I do. Okay, I’m going to leave you to it. Be careful.’

  ‘You sound like my mother.’

  Holly put away the phone. Christmas Eve would have been so different if she had been home. She smiled. So different. No Tor for starters, and he was worth more than what she was missing out on.

  ‘So, how do I look?’

  She turned around and gasped.

  ‘Holly?’ Tor laughed when she stared at him as if she had never seen him before. ‘Please don’t faint on me.’

  Holly found her voice. ‘What did you do?’

  He touched his chin, a bit self-conscious. ‘I realised it had been going on long enough. I’m not a hermit anymore, am I?’

  ‘I like it.’ Holly walked closer and put her fingers on his chin. ‘I’m glad you didn’t take off all of it. It suit
s you like this.’

  ‘Really?’ He looked pleased. ‘Good. And the suit?’

  Holly hadn’t really noticed the suit. He looked so different from the gruff fisherman she was used to. The suit was navy blue, with a white shirt and a bright red tie with green spots. On closer inspection, the spots turned out to be miniature Christmas trees.

  ‘Oh, I like that. That’s a nice touch. You look too good for words. You clean up nicely, I have to say.’

  Tor stroked his hand over the tie. ‘Thank you. So, shall we go?’

  ‘Please. I don’t want to arrive after Jack and Ninni.’

  When they were ready to leave, Tor shook his head. ‘I almost forgot the most important thing. Hang on a second.’

  Holly stepped outside. Being fully dressed in winter clothes in a warm house, was too much. She had the bag with the party shoes slung over her shoulder.

  It took about a second to understand why she had seen so few Norwegian women in skirts. ‘Bloody hell,’ she muttered to herself when the wind attacked her legs.

  Tor turned up in the doorway, carrying a large bag filled with colourful presents. ‘What’s wrong?’

  ‘I just remembered why the overalls are such a useful piece of clothing.’

  He looked at her legs. ‘Right. Do you have any tights with you?’

  ‘No, they’re at Ninni's. I’ll be fine. It’s not that far.’

  Frøy decided it was time to leave then and the red bow bobbed up and down as he ran up the path.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Tor and Holly followed Frøy, fingers entwined. Holly glanced at the bag he was carrying. ‘Do you have Christmas presents for everyone?’

  ‘Of course I have. My mother would die of shame if I didn’t bring presents on Christmas Eve.’

  ‘She’s celebrating Christmas with her partner, right?’

  ‘Yes. He has two kids and three grandchildren, and his family owns a cabin up in the mountains. If you want to have proper snow these days, that’s where you have to be.’

  Holly squeezed his hand. ‘And that’s where you should have been, isn’t it?’

  ‘No, not really. I’m terrible at skiing, and I prefer to stay by the coast.’