Page 79 of The Secret to Belonging

and this must be the famous Espen!

she kisses him twice

appraises him

i’ll find your luggage

he strides away

molto delizioso, she says as he walks away

well done, sister friend!

you ask about her priest, but she tosses her hand

says she’s moved on

she’s sleeping with her host father now

excuse me?

you’re used to assuming you’ve misunderstood

but she’s speaking English

your host father?

it’s no big deal, everyone has affairs. she laughs

when in Rome, and all that!

you’re about to ask if her host mother knows

when Espen returns with her suitcase

i’ve got a taxi waiting, he says

okay, darlings, says Alison. show me everything!

Espen escorts you to the house and unloads her bags

then kisses you and says he’ll stop back later

he wants you to have a proper reunion

no boyfriend to distract or impose

your heart sighs as he turns up his collar

and heads down the snowy road toward town

you are so. damn. lucky

unbelievably lucky

inside, Alison has toys and games for Lise and Erik

Italian wine for Bjørn and Elinor