‘This is amazing. I love the history of the place,’ he said.

He suddenly turned to her and kissed her. Ninni was taken by surprise but kissed him back.

‘I have to go to London tomorrow,’ he said, still holding his arms around her.

Ninni frowned again. ‘Is that why you’re acting weird?’

That made him smile. ‘I guess so. I talked to Fedra. She told me her father wants to talk to me, but not on the phone. I have to go to London to see him.’

‘Of course you do. He was your friend, wasn’t he?’

Jack shrugged. ‘I thought so. Perhaps I can put this behind me,’ he said.

‘Or get your job back and perhaps that Michelin star. If that’s what you want,’ Ninni said. ‘Is it?’

‘I love what I do, and I’ve worked for years to get to that level. Of course I want my job back.’

He looked a bit lost. Ninni smiled at him. ‘Well, since you’re not going until tomorrow, how about a swim?’

Jack took a last look at the “sea house” and followed her. ‘I have my swimming trunks at home,’ he said.

Did he even realise he had called the farm home? Ninni didn’t ask.

***

The beach was crowded when they came down, but no one was using the pier in front of their boathouses. Jack smiled at her. ‘You know, I’m not sure this would work back in the UK.’

‘What do you mean?’ Ninni had already stripped out of her clothes and stood in her bikini. Frikk was sprawling on a beach towel, looking as if he too was sunbathing.

‘I mean, ignoring the best sunspots on the beach. Look at them, so careful not to come too close. Brits would never do that.’

Ninni smiled. ‘Of course they would. Haven’t you seen that at the airport when you fly to Norway? You guys rule the whole queuing thing; I’ve never seen anything like it. We, however, clump together and use our elbows to get in first. No matter what seat numbers we have.’

‘I think I remember that, now that you mention it. Now, that was scary.’ Jack looked at the water and the rather DIY-looking diving board. ‘Is it deep enough to dive from here?’

‘Yes. That’s what it’s there for. My mother hates the seaweed and the potential creepy-crawlies hiding in it. My father made the board. It’s been there for thirty years, so it’s safe.’

She laughed at him now. Jack knew why. ‘I don’t want to whack my skull on the bottom, if you don’t mind.’

‘Oh, go on, before I push you in.’ Ninni came towards him and Jack walked out on the board.

He stopped on the edge and looked down. The water was crystal-clear and inviting. Without hesitating, he dived in. Ninni dived in right behind him and broke the surface with a wide smile on her face.

‘Isn’t it wonderful?’ she said, treading water.

Jack swam over to her and kissed her. She tasted of saltwater and something that was just her. ‘You are wonderful.’