Page 87 of Entwined in Norway

Thea and Ida voiced their objections at the same time.

‘That’s not true! I was going to come and stay, and you said I could, but that you wouldn’t be there!’

‘Fredrik has dinner with you every time he comes to Oslo. That’s on behalf of all of us.’

‘Lame. Both of you. Lame excuses.’ Ingrid said. She had such a sunny disposition; Ida wondered how she appeared to be so unscathed by the last few years. Like Thea, she seemed to have been happier taking the path of avoidance, and Ida didn’t think she was capable of putting on a front like she and Thea could.

‘I told you Ida was different,’ Thea said to Ingrid.

‘I’m not different,’ Ida said, not sure what she’d done to make Thea think that.

‘You are so different,’ Ingrid said. ‘And I knew you would be as soon as you called me about what to wear. I just had a feeling.’

‘That didn’t mean anything. I just panicked.’

‘Oh, shush,’ Thea said. ‘You two are made for each other. Anyone can see that. He’s made you happy, Ida. That’s all.’

‘We didn’t want you to stay in Mamma and Pappa’s house by yourself, Ida,’ said Ingrid, saying their names as if she did it all the time with no problem, when Ida found it difficult even now. ‘I’m happy you have your new place, your new job and your new man.’

Ida couldn’t help but be touched by her sisters being so pleased for her. There was no point in trying to say they were wrong, because they weren’t. Everything with Erik still felt special, and she hoped it always would.

He came out of the bedroom and sat on the sofa next to Ida, putting his arm lazily around her shoulders. Ingrid and Thea exchanged a look.

‘That’s enough!’ Ida said. ‘Stop looking at me like that.’ But she couldn’t help laughing.

‘What are they doing?’ Erik asked.

‘I can’t explain it, but they know.’

‘It’s a sibling thing?’

‘Yes. See? Erik’s an only child. He’s not used to dealing with this kind of thing. It’s not fair on him.’

‘I have no idea what’s going on right now, but I love it anyway,’ Erik said.

‘And that’s why you’re going to fit into our family perfectly,’ said Thea.

By the time Mats, Lotta, Fredrik and Emil arrived, the wine was gone, and Ida was excited about the rest of the weekend.

‘Erik!’ Emil threw himself at Erik.

‘Hey buddy. Good to see you. How was school?’

Emil launched into a detailed explanation of something he’d done that day that Ida had trouble following because he was far too excited to speak comprehensible English and was throwing Norwegian words in as well, so she knew Erik would have no idea. But he listened as if he understood every word, and Ida’s heart melted.

Fredrik and Emil had been over to California to see Kristi, Fredrik’s wife and Emil’s mother. Apparently, the visit had been more successful than previous ones because Kristi had been on good form. She’d welcomed Emil and been around for the whole time they were there. But Fredrik said Emil hadn’t really opened up to her this time, as if he understood for the first time that it was her decision not to be with them, rather than something she couldn’t help.

Ida was glad that Emil seemed to have bounced back after being quite withdrawn when they’d first got back from America. Her brother did an amazing job of being a single parent, but she knew it must take a toll on him having to navigate his own relationship with Kristi for the sake of his son.

‘Hei,’ she said, hugging him.

‘Hei, Ida. I think I’ve been replaced.’

‘You deserve a relaxing weekend. Let us all, well, mainly Erik, help out.’

‘Don’t worry about me. It’s not your job.’

‘Yes, it is. Don’t argue with me. Get yourself a glass of wine.’