Stein smiles at me and rocks from side to side in his chair. He’s nothing like Dad. Dad was tall and slim, Stein is only a little taller than Mum, yet appears shrunken somehow.

‘Oh Ida, Ida, Ida,’ he says. ‘You do like to meddle.’

‘Meddle, eh,’ I repeat with a smile on my face.

I never know how I’m supposed to talk to Stein.

‘Oh yes,’ he says. ‘But I think you ought to give the wine a rest for tonight.’

I feel a sense of fury stirring in my chest, yet still I smile.

‘I think you’ll find that’s up to me,’ I say. 92

‘I know,’ Stein says, waving his hands. ‘I won’t get involved. But don’t sit here all night long, flirting with your sister’s husband.’

‘You must be joking,’ I say.

‘Perhaps,’ Stein says, getting up. He stretches. ‘Let’s say I am joking and leave it at that. Now I’m doing as you suggest,’ he says and makes for the cabin, patting Kristoffer’s shoulder as they pass each other on the way.