Page 86 of Entwined in Norway

‘Would your parents be okay with that? They might want you to themselves.’

‘They’re going to love you, Ida. I think they’ll want you to themselves. You’re gonna have to brace yourself for seeing a lot of pictures of me as a kid. And hearing a lot of stories about how amazing I am,’ he laughed.

‘That sounds good to me. I can tell them how grumpy you were when we first met.’

‘Nothing they haven’t been on the end of themselves. Man, it’s incredible to me that I could be such an asshole and still end up with you.’

The train had resumed its climb through the mountains. Erik gazed out of the window, unable to tear his eyes away from the ever-changing landscape, while Ida rested her head on his shoulder and mindfully enjoyed the quiet before they arrived.

‘I feel like we should have brought skis with us,’ Erik said when they stepped off the train. The change in temperature was noticeable, but they were well prepared with winter coats and boots. People were carrying skis, and some were skiing from the platform out into the town.

‘It’s mostly uphill to the cabin, remember? That’s a brutal start to the weekend, even for someone with a natural ability like you.’

He gave her a good-humoured raise of the eyebrows. ‘I can’t wait to show you what I can do. You’re gonna eat your words, Ida Larsen.’

They walked up to the cabin. It felt like a much longer walk than it had in the summer, although Ida had done it countless times before.

‘Ready?’ she asked him when their cabin, the windows glowing with a welcoming light, came into view. Thea had been here for a few days already since she was off work for a couple of weeks. She’d found a tiny flat in Bergen near the quay her ship sailed from, but it really was tiny, so she was still spending time in Voss when she wanted a change of scenery.

‘Always.’ He took her hand, and she thought how wonderful it felt to be doing this with someone instead of always being the single person. Always being the one in charge, the sensible one holding the family together. She knew she’d made that role for herself in the past few years to compensate for the lack of fulfilment the rest of her life gave her. And in her darkest moments, she’d thought her future might be nothing more than that. The legacy that Mats had picked up and run with, despite the misgivings of Ida herself and the rest of the family, had genuinely changed her life.

So now, she led the way up to the front door of the cabin, with Erik at her side. Part of something aside from being the eldest sister of the Larsen family. And it felt amazing.

‘Ida!’ Ingrid squealed and threw herself at her sister. She was dressed all in cream, looking cosy and relaxed already, even though she couldn’t have arrived much before them.

‘Ingrid,’ Ida said fondly, giving her youngest sister another hug. ‘I’ve missed you.’

They took a moment to assess each other before Ingrid’s eyes landed on Erik.

‘You must be Erik.’ Ingrid smiled at him before her eyes flicked to Ida with an almost imperceptible look of approval.

‘Great to meet you, Ingrid,’ said Erik.

‘Mats and Fredrik aren’t here yet, then?’ Ida knew the answer because Emil would have made his presence known by now if he knew Erik was in the building.

‘Fred had something to do for work before they could leave. Mats texted to say they’ll be another hour or so,’ Thea said.

‘In that case, let’s get settled in and open a bottle of wine before the peace is shattered,’ said Ida.

‘Already started.’ Ingrid settled herself back on the sofa, looking as if she were in a photoshoot for the magazine she worked for.

‘I was just opening the wine.’ Thea carried four wine glasses in one hand, their stems between her fingers, and a bottle of wine in the other, and set them all down on the coffee table. She’d already lit the fire.

‘Which room are we in?’ Erik asked.

‘You guys are in the boys’ room with Fredrik and Emil,’ said Thea. ‘I thought we ought to let Mats and Lotta have the double.’

‘I’ll take the bags through while you catch up with your sisters,’ Erik said.

Ida felt herself relax the moment she sat on the sofa and picked up her glass of wine.

‘Perhaps we should have had a girls’ weekend?’

‘And miss the chance to meet Erik? He’s the only reason I came,’ said Ingrid.

Thea laughed. ‘That’s probably not even a joke.’

‘It’s alright for you, you’ve already met him,’ said Ingrid. ‘Unless I traipse back from Oslo, I’m never going to meet him. No one ever comes to visit me.’