Christmas Island

by Natalie Normann

  He came over to her and held her close. ‘We knew from the start this would be short. The good news is that you haven’t lost your job or your career. That’s what you need to focus on.’

  Holly nodded, pressing her nose against his chest. ‘I know, but that doesn’t make it any easier.’

  She leaned in and they shared a long, very hot kiss, that made her weak at the knees and left her feeling light-headed.

  Holly took a deep breath that made him laugh, and somewhere, in the back of her mind, came the realisation that in a very short time, she would probably never see him again.

  ‘Holly?’

  She felt embarrassed now. ‘I’m sorry. I don’t want to ruin our last days. I want to remember all the lovely things.’

  He smiled, a bit sadly, she thought. ‘So would I, but we knew that this would end all along, didn’t we? From the beginning.’

  ‘I know and I’m sorry. I’m ruining everything.’

  ‘Only if you stay sad.’ Tor looked into her eyes. ‘We don’t have much time, Holly. We shouldn’t darken it by giving in to sadness. Let’s take it one moment at a time. Let’s just enjoy each other’s company for as long as we can.’

  ‘Can we go out in your boat again?’

  ‘Yes. Today, and tomorrow,’ he said.

  ‘Good.’ Holly sighed. ‘As much as I would like to stay like this, we have to go for lunch at Jack and Ninni's,’ she said.

  Tor stroked her back. ‘I think it’s a bit late for lunch.’

  ‘Then we’ll go for tea later. Jack promised me a proper Christmas.’

  ‘Do I have to drink tea?’ Tor frowned.

  ‘No, tea means dinner. If we’re lucky, Jack has made turkey.’

  Tor smiled. ‘I like turkey, but I have to see to the nets first.’

  ‘Then we better leave now,’ Holly said, delighted at the idea of a boat trip.

  Tor kept an eye on her as he turned the boat around, to return to the house. Holly was sitting in the aft, stretching her legs out in front of her, and Frøy was sprawled out across her lap. She had a peaceful look on her face, seemingly not so bothered by her news any longer.

  A trip out in the boat, will do that to you, he thought. Or mostly it was the cool air and the quiet sea.

  He knew she hid her disappointment that things were coming to an end. He was doing so himself. And it was stupid. It made him feel stupid, and he didn’t like that.

  Nobody knew how they felt about someone after barely a week. It was illogical and unrealistic, and all the other sensible words.

  And still, there was nothing he dreaded more than saying goodbye to her.

  ‘Do I have fish blood on my face?’ Holly said, interrupting his thoughts.

  ‘Sorry?’ Tor frowned.

  ‘You’re looking at me as if there’s something weird about my face.’

  Tor laughed. ‘No, not at all. Your face is perfect.’

  Holly burst out laughing. ‘Nobody has a perfect face, Tor.’

  ‘I didn’t mean perfect to everyone, but to me.’

  ‘You are a funny one,’ Holly said, carefully putting Frøy down, and coming over to him.

  Tor smiled when she put her arms around his waist and pressed her cheek against his back. ‘I’m going to miss this,’ she said.

  ‘Is it possible to drive this boat up the Thames?’ he asked.

  Tor could feel her giggling.

  ‘I wouldn’t know, but the estuary might be a problem. Or not. No idea how that works, I’m afraid.’

  ‘I’m sure it would be a lovely trip,’ he said.

  ‘There are all sorts of boats on the river, and they have to come from somewhere, right?’ Holly ducked under his arm and leaned against him. ‘But it’s not like here, you know.’

  She waved at the open sea ahead of them. ‘Not at all.’

  Tor could hear longing in her voice. ‘You will come back to visit, you know. You have family on the island.’

  ‘Of course.’ Holly smiled at him. ‘But you won’t be here, will you? Your life is in Oslo.’

  ‘I might come back. If you’re here,’ he said.

  Holly smiled at him. ‘We could have one of those long love affairs where we meet once a year, here on the island, until we’re too old to travel.’

  ‘Sounds nice to me,’ Tor said.

  ‘Yes, it does, doesn’t it?’ Holly drew a sharp breath. ‘But it won’t happen, you know. We deserve better than a week every year, don’t you think?’

  Tor sighed. ‘I suppose so.’

  She was silent for a second. ‘Let’s not make this into more than it is, shall we? Let’s just enjoy it while it lasts. Deal?’

  He kissed the top of her head. ‘Deal. Now, do you want to drive the boat?’

  ‘I can?’ Holly looked at the steering wheel. ‘How hard can it be? Is there a gas pedal, or more importantly, a brake?’

  ‘No pedal, it’s more like a motorcycle with everything on the dashboard. And it’s not a speed boat, so be gentle, and don’t hit anything.’

  ‘As in don’t hit any icebergs?’ Holly was teasing him.

  ‘Yes, although there are no icebergs here. There are, however, underwater reefs, and loads of other obstacles. Most are marked by buoys or on the sea charts.’

  ‘Careful it is then.’ Holly grabbed the wheel and held on so hard her knuckles paled.

  ‘Relax. It’s not going to bite you,’ Tor said, putting his hand over hers. ‘How do you drive a car?’

  ‘As if brakes are optional, according to my dad.’

  But she did relax her grip and the boat tugged gently forward. The water was choppy, with the wind blowing across the surface. Tor could see clouds building on the horizon.

  ‘See that?’ He pointed.

  Holly looked at him. ‘Are you telling me to head for the edge of the world?’

  ‘Clever,’ he said. ‘No, the weather is changing. There might be a storm. We need to hurry. The boat will be safer docked at my pier.’

  ‘Really?’ Holly frowned. ‘I can barely see any clouds.’

  ‘Oh, they’re coming. Better get Frøy inside too. I don’t want him to get blown away.’

  ‘Okay. You better take the wheel, then. I don’t want to hit anything because I’m in a rush.’

  He took over the wheel and increased the speed.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  By the time they had secured the boat, put an insulted Frøy in the house, and headed for Ninni and Jack's house, the wind was increasing. Tor held her arm and they ran most of the way, the wind pushing them sideways.

  Inside the house it was warm and cosy, and so filled with Christmas lights it was dazzling.

  ‘Are there any lights left in the entire country?’ Holly said, peeling off her outerwear.

  ‘Some,’ Ninni said, greeting them in the hallway.

  She put down Rosie who threw herself at Holly, who barely had time to catch her. ‘What are you doing, you little maniac?’

  Rosie pointed at Tor. ‘Pus!’

  ‘Of course he is,’ Ninni said.

  Rosie insisted. ‘Fløy?’

  Tor smiled. ‘Frøy had to stay home today.’

  Holly picked up Rosie and rubbed her nose on her chin.

  The little girl giggled. ‘Holly silly,’ she said.

  ‘Yes, that’s the privilege of aunties. We are supposed to be silly.’

  ‘Thank you for inviting me, Ninni. It smells incredible in here,’ Tor said.

  Ninni smiled at Tor. ‘It does, doesn’t it? I’ve been banned from the kitchen for the last few hours. As if the turkey would explode if I looked at it.’

  ‘Yeah, I know,’ Holly said. ‘It’s the whole “artist at work” attitude.’

  Jack put his head out from the kitchen door. ‘Don’t mock the artist. Dinner is ready, actually. You have impeccable timing, Tor,’ he said.

  ‘What about my timing? Isn’t that impeccable?’ Holly looked offended.

  ‘Not so much. I have learned that Norwegians
are freakishly punctual,’ Jack said.

  Holly followed him into the kitchen, and sat Rosie down in the highchair. ‘I’m punctual. They’d fire me from the hospital for sure if I wasn’t.’

  ‘True.’ Jack smiled. ‘Okay, you’re a freak too.’

  ‘Oh, you think you’re so funny, don’t you?’

  Jack narrowed his eyes. ‘Did you hear from the hospital?’

  Holly gaped at him. ‘How do you always know stuff like that?’

  ‘I’m you brother, and I know when something’s bothering you. What did they say? Did you get bad news?’ He sighed. ‘Why would they give you bad news on Christmas Day? That’s just rubbish.’

  ‘No, I was asked to come back to the hospital by the 28th, actually. All is forgiven, and I get to keep my place in the program,’ Holly said, not looking at him.

  ‘But Holly, that’s great news, isn’t it?’

  ‘Yes, of course it is. It’s the best outcome I could hope for. Even if I suspect I only heard back now because they’re under-staffed for the New Year’s weekend.’

  ‘Don’t do that. You know they wouldn’t take you back unless you were completely in the clear.’

  ‘I know that,’ Holly said, scowling at him.

  Ninni sat next to Rosie and smiled at Tor. ‘So, do you have any siblings?’

  ‘No, I don’t. Neither do you, I’m guessing.’ He grinned at her in mutual understanding.

  ‘I used to miss having a sibling, thought that it was bad to be the only one. Apparently it’s not,’ Ninni said.

  Jack put a plate of mashed potatoes on the table and smiled at Ninni. ‘The bantering will keep us from getting dementia in our later years. It’s all good, I promise.’

  ‘Did you cook Brussels sprouts?’ Holly looked at Tor.

  ‘Yes. I also made mash and the stuffing you like. And toast, just for you,’ Jack said, bringing Brussels sprouts and cranberry sauce to the table.

  ‘Good. I’m so ready for some proper Christmas food,’ Holly said, pulling a face at Tor.

  ‘Do you need any help?’ Tor ignored her face pulling. ‘Setting the table, bringing in more firewood? Taking out the trash?’

  Ninni grinned. ‘You’re sweet. But no, we’ve done all that. All you have to do is eat, and warn me if Jack has put something weird in the turkey. Like Marmite.’

  ‘Hey, Marmite is lovely, especially on toast,’ Holly said, shaking with laughter.

  ‘No, it’s vile,’ Ninni said, stopping Rosie from putting her hand in the mashed potatoes.

  Tor shrugged. ‘I like it,’ he said.

  Holly looked at Ninni. ‘See, he likes it.’

  Ninni turned to Tor. ‘Marmite? Really?’

  ‘I got a taste for it when I lived in Scotland for a year,’ he said. ‘Along with Scotch eggs and whisky.’

  ‘You spent your time wisely then,’ Jack said, returning to the table with a gigantic turkey. ‘You have good taste.’

  ‘You won’t think that when you learn he likes pineapple on his pizza,’ Holly said.

  ‘Oh. I take it back then. Pineapple on pizza should be made illegal.’

  ‘I’m a rebel,’ Holly said.

  ‘Pus!’ Rosie said, pointing at the bird.

  ‘No, that’s turkey and you love it,’ Ninni said.

  Jack carved the bird and sat. ‘Enjoy. Christmas supper is officially open.’

  Ninni looked at Holly. ‘How did you like Christmas Eve?’

  ‘Oh, I enjoyed it. Not so much the aquavit though. I had a massive hangover that didn’t really go away until we got in the boat,’ Holly said, filling up her plate with turkey and all the trimmings.

  ‘Fresh air cures everything, or so I’ve been told,’ Jack said, handing Rosie a piece of turkey.

  ‘I wish,’ Holly said. ‘But also I don’t because it would make my job obsolete.’

  It didn’t take long before Rosie was happily smashing her spoon in the mash and Frikk had found a place on the floor next to her, safe in the knowledge that food would fall down sooner or later.

  Holly tried the cranberry sauce and frowned. ‘There’s something different.’

  ‘That’s because that’s lingonberry sauce. It’s next to impossible to get cranberries here,’ Jack said. ‘It’s almost the same.’

  ‘It’s not the same, but it’s good,’ Holly said, laughing when he stuck out his tongue.

  Rosie did the same, making everyone laugh.

  The wind was howling outside by the time dinner was over and the last of the dishes put away.

  Ninni looked out of the kitchen window. ‘I think you better take dessert to Tor's house, Holly. Unless you both would like to stay here tonight?’

  Holly stood and walked over to the window. She could see the few trees in the garden bending almost to the ground.

  ‘I think we should go back. Because of Frøy, you know.’

  She looked at Tor who nodded.

  ‘Sure. He doesn’t really like being left alone for too long. And he gets really cranky if I’m not there to give him breakfast in the morning,’ Tor said.

  Holly managed to stay serious when she looked at him. There was no way she would spend one of the two nights she had left on the island in Jack and Ninni's spare room. ‘Tor is Frøy’s butler,’ she said.

  ‘Aha,’ Jack said. ‘Right. That explains it then. You’d better hurry.’

  He exchanged looks with Ninni, revealing that they hadn’t fooled anyone. Holly couldn’t care less.

  When they were dressed for the outdoors again and standing in the hallway, Jack handed each of them a bag. ‘One with food, the other with your presents from Dad and Danny.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Holly said, knowing full well what he meant. ‘I’ll call them so they also know I’m coming home.’

  ‘Good, and tomorrow you both come back here for dinner.’ Jack shook his head. ‘No arguments.’

  ‘Fine. We’ll be here.’ Holly rolled her eyes, then gave him a hug. ‘Can you make a turkey pie? You know, like you always do at Christmas? Please?’

  ‘Yes, I’m quite capable of making a pie,’ Jack said, grinning at her.

  ‘You’re hilarious,’ Holly said.

  Tor gave Ninni a quick hug, and said a few words in Norwegian, then shook Jack's hand. ‘Thank you for dinner. I’ve never eaten turkey that wasn’t dry.’

  ‘Then I guess you were due a change,’ Jack said.

  Rosie held on to Frikk’s collar. She pointed at the door. ‘Out?’

  ‘No, you two are staying right here. You’d be a tumbleweed in that wind,’ Jack said, picking up Rosie and planting a kiss on her cheek.

  ‘We’re going. I’ll let you know when we get to the house,’ Tor said.

  Jack handed Rosie to Ninni. ‘I’ll hold the door,’ he said.

  Ninni took Rosie and Frikk, and disappeared into the house, closing the middle door behind her.

  Jack grinned. ‘Ready?’

  ‘Let’s go for it,’ Tor said, taking Holly’s arm in a firm grip.

  The wind hit them in the face the moment they stepped outside.

  Holly laughed, then stumbled and then was really happy Tor was holding on to her.

  Behind them, Jack closed the door in a hurry.

  Tor looked at her. ‘You okay? We can change our minds, you know.’

  Holly leaned into him. ‘No, we can’t. This isn’t too bad, is it?’

  A gust of wind almost toppled them over, and gave Holly the giggles. Tor held her tight. ‘We have the wind at our back. That’s good. It makes it easier to walk.’

  ‘I’ll take your word for it.’

  They managed to get up to the fork in the road and onto the pathway to Tor's house easily enough but the pathway was slippery and hard to manoeuvre. Holly almost fell twice, but Tor held on. I’ll probably have bruises in the morning, she thought, but she was grateful he didn’t let go.

  Tor opened the door, and dropped the bags on the floor. Then he closed it again.

  Holly looked at him.
‘What are you doing?’

  ‘I want to show you something. You okay with that?’

  ‘As long as you’re not taking me out in the boat or suggesting that we go for a swim.’

  He held her hand. ‘You don’t want to miss this.’

  Holly let him pull her up the small slope to the side of his house, and then on top of a big boulder.

  ‘Are you sure this is safe?’ The wind felt as if it was pushing her down.

  ‘I wouldn’t drag you up here if it wasn’t. Just hold on to me,’ Tor said.

  He put his hand around her waist and pulled her up the last step, then enveloped her in his arms and kissed her.

  ‘Nice. Did you bring me up here for this? I like it,’ Holly said.

  ‘Not just that. Look…’ Tor turned them towards the sea.

  Holly gasped. She could see waves crashing over each other, everything in shades of grey and white, and absolutely magnificent. ‘Oh, my,’ she said.

  ‘Isn’t it spectacular?’ Tor smiled at her. ‘It’s one of the many reasons I like it here.’

  Holly leaned against him, watching the weather rage. ‘It’s fantastic.’

  They stood like that for a few minutes, swaying with the wind. Then the rain hit with a vengeance.

  ‘Time to go,’ Tor said.

  He managed to get them back down and into the house quickly. Holly could hear the rain hammering on the roof and against the windows.

  Her fingers were cold and stiff, and she struggled with the zipper on her coat.

  Tor had an easier time with his, and he came closer to help.

  ‘You’re shaking,’ he said.

  ‘I’m cold.’ Holly let him pull of the coat and help her with the overalls.

  ‘I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have dragged you up there,’ he said, rubbing her shoulders and arms.

  ‘No, I’m happy you did. Aren’t you cold?’ Holly kissed him quickly.

  ‘Not really. ’

  Holly laughed. ‘Because you're hot?’

  Tor took her hand and pulled her into the lounge. It was warm and cosy, the perfect place to warm up.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  By the time Tor turned the boat toward the beach below Jack's farm, it was dark again. Holly didn’t want time to move. Not now, not like this. They only had one night left. She tried to tell herself, they only had to eat with Jack and Ninni, and then head back to the boat.