Page 26 of Entwined in Norway

‘You’re not coming back to the island?’

She shook her head. ‘But I’ll be back in the morning.’

‘Will you get home okay?’

‘Yes. It’s not far. I’ll take the bus.’ She could tell he was the kind of man who would see a girl home at the end of the night and she’d love nothing more if that didn’t mean he’d miss the last boat back to the island and probably get lost in the suburbs of Bergen as well.

‘Tonight has been… it’s one of the best nights, Ida. The best.’

‘Same for me,’ she said smiling up at him. ‘You’re a great kisser.’

He laughed. ‘Thank you. So are you.’

She didn’t know if that was true because she certainly hadn’t had much practice, but it had felt natural and she desperately wanted to do it again, which had to be a good sign.

The boat was at the quayside with a couple of other guests already on board.

‘I’ll see you tomorrow then,’ he said softly.

Ida could tell they were going to kiss again, so she leaned up, hardly able to believe that it felt as great as the first time.

‘Vi sees.’

‘Bye.’ He climbed aboard and stood on deck as the boat headed away. He raised his hand in a wave and Ida did the same, then stood there until he was out of sight. With her heart full, she headed to the bus stop.

Mats and Lotta were still up when she got back. They were lying on the sofa together and hurriedly scrambled to sit up when she came in.

‘You went on a date?’ Lotta said.

‘With Erik. Why didn’t you tell me?’ Mats said.

‘Where did you go?’ Lotta asked.

Ida knew there was no point in trying to keep whatever it was with Erik a secret. She’d see him tomorrow at the hotel, in front of other people, and she didn’t want to be weird about it. It didn’t need to be a secret.

‘We went to Fjellskål. The fish restaurant we went to for Fredrik’s birthday,’ she added for Lotta’s benefit.

‘And what’s he like? Did he just ask you out?’

‘He only arrived yesterday. He’s a fast worker,’ Mats said.

‘So it was love at first sight,’ said Lotta.

‘I’m making tea. Do you want one?’ Ida said to them both before heading into the kitchen. She couldn’t answer questions like this. How could she explain any of it to them when she didn’t know what was happening herself?

‘We’re pleased for you,’ Mats said, coming up behind her. He knew her better than any of the others, probably because they were oldest of the five of them, and they’d spent more time together over the past couple of years than any of the others. ‘But I know you just met the man today and you’re not the type to open up so quickly. So I’m guessing it was more of a friends thing.’

‘Yes,’ said Ida, hardly able to believe she was barefaced lying to her brother. But she could understand that’s what he’d assume based on the fact she hadn’t been on a single date for the past few years. She didn’t even have a friendship group anymore. Of course it was far-fetched for him to believe she’d been out on a date with Erik because she liked him. Already. It seemed far-fetched to her when she thought back to the kiss. Kisses. Did they really happen?

‘Don’t worry. I’ll let Lotta and Ingrid know to manage their expectations.’

‘Ingrid?’

‘She messaged Lotta about it. Said you’d asked her what you ought to wear.’

‘I didn’t want to show him around in my work clothes.’ Had she told Ingrid it was a date? She could hardly remember now.

‘Of course not,’ Mats said solemnly. Was he humouring her?