Page 79 of Entwined in Norway

‘No. Let me surprise her.’

‘It’ll be good to see you. Let me know if there’s anything I can do.’

‘Can you book room 308 for me?’

Erik came off the call. He was fizzing with excitement now that Mats was on board. It was mixed with some trepidation about what Ida’s reaction would be, but it felt good to be taking a chance on something again. If the last few days had taught him anything, it was that taking a chance didn’t need to mean putting himself on the line physically. When he’d been snowboarding, that’s all it had meant. That’s all he knew. So emotional risks were harder to take, but he hoped, would be more rewarding in the end.

Not wanting to waste any more time, he’d booked a standby ticket on a flight to Oslo for that evening, and luck was on his side. He got a seat on the first flight out of Toronto with a stopover in Reykjavik and arrived in Oslo the following day. This time, he took a short internal flight to Bergen and caught the train into the city centre. It was a short wait for the boat to take him to the island, and even the persistent drizzle couldn’t dampen his spirits. He felt as if the rest of his life could begin as soon as he’d talked to Ida.

Emilie was at the desk when he checked in. ‘Erik! Welcome back,’ she said. ‘Mats has you booked into room 308, but we have a bigger room free on the second floor if you prefer?’

He shook his head and smiled. ‘I like the small room.’

She grinned, her eyes widening slightly, telling him she thought he was mad for wanting that room when he didn’t have to. But to him, it was the only place he wanted to be. And he hoped with all his heart that he’d be sharing it with Ida again. Soon.

‘Well, I don’t know what is going on, but he told me to keep it quiet that you are the guest he booked it for.’

‘Is Ida in today?’

‘She’s taken the boat over to Loddefjord to collect Emil from school, then she’ll be back. Shall I tell her you’re here?’

‘No. I’ll find her later, but thank you.’

‘No problem. Your secret is safe.’ She pulled a finger across her lips.

Erik went up to his room. It really did feel like his room, and he wasn’t sure how many other people had stayed in it other than him and Ida. He lay on the bed, letting his body relax for the first time in a day or so after all that travelling. Although his body still ached, his heart was feeling better now, and that feeling of optimism made everything else fade into insignificance. Feeling contented to be back where he belonged, he closed his eyes for a few moments.

The shriek of a small boy woke him. The jet lag had him beat, and it took him a minute or two to remember where he was. He sat up and looked out of the window to see Emil running across the grass at the front of the hotel towards the cabin that Mats was working on in the woods. Ida was following behind. Her hair was in a ponytail with wispy bits falling around her face. She looked more beautiful than he’d remembered, as if the time that had passed since he’d last seen her had begun to erase her from his memory.

He pulled his boots on and went downstairs. When he went outside, there was no sign of Ida, but that was okay. He hoped Mats would take care of Emil so that he could talk to her. He’d already picked out the spot.

The drizzle had stopped, but the smell of fresh rain lingered in the woods as Erik walked towards Fredrik and Emil’s cabin. He stopped when he got close, needing to gather himself properly. He’d rehearsed what he was going to say over and over again on the flight, but who knew if it would come out like that once he was standing in front of Ida.

Ida had her back to him when he approached the cabin. Mats was showing Emil how to sand a piece of wood. The small boy was running his hand over the wood while Mats explained how the grain worked.

Erik stepped on a twig and it cracked. Emil looked up and grinned when he spotted him.

‘Hey, it’s Erik!’

Ida whipped around, and Erik waited to see what expression would be on her face. Would she be pleased to see him or not?

Before Emil could run over to say hello, Mats picked him up by the waist and threw him over his shoulder, then walked off in the opposite direction while Emil squealed with laughter.

Ida watched them walk away before she turned to Erik. Her face was softer than the last time he’d seen her. She looked guarded, but she was still standing here. Maybe ready to hear what he had to say. He hoped so.

‘Hey.’ He had to stop himself from reaching for her.

‘Hey. You came back.’

Did he detect the hint of a smile?

‘I missed this place. I missed you.’ It felt good to say it out loud. He was done with keeping his feelings inside. It hurt too much.

‘Did Mats know you were coming?’

He nodded, hoping Mats wouldn’t get it in the neck from his sister for keeping secrets. ‘We had a talk about the timber forest. He made me an offer.’

‘He told me.’