It was just a summer fling, she thought. Nothing to take too seriously, nothing to get attached to or be sentimental about, and certainly nobody’s heart would break. Except she felt miserable at the thought of not seeing Jack again.

You can’t have everything, she thought. No matter what they said. Sometimes you had to make impossible choices. Realising that was the easy part. No matter how panicky she felt, it was up to her, and her alone. It was her decision.

She decided to call it a day. Jack had sent a text earlier, telling her he had arrived at his dad’s house. She knew he was busy catching up with his family, and that would give her some extra time to figure things out.

Frikk jumped out of the boat the second she steered it alongside the pier. He sat there, panting, while she secured the boat and unlocked the engine.

‘You could help, you know,’ she said, heaving the engine onto the pier.

Frikk licked her face. ‘Silly dog,’ she said, patting his head.

The sun chased them inside the boathouse. Ninni put the engine in the box her dad had made for it, then locked the doors and walked towards the house, leaving the beach to the summer guests.

She didn’t see him until she came up the hill. For a moment she thought it was Jack, and smiled. The smile faded quickly when she realised who the visitor was.

‘What do you want?’ she said, grabbing hold of Frikk, who growled next to her.

Karl smiled his most charming smile, the one that always got to her. Now she couldn’t care less.

‘I came to talk to you. I feel I owe you an explanation.’

‘Well, I have no interest in your explanation, Karl. Leave.’

Karl tried to look sorry. ‘I can’t. The last ferry has gone to town. I have no choice now but to stay here. Are you going to make me sleep outside?’

‘The weather is warm. You’ll be fine.’ Ninni unlocked the front door and let Frikk inside.

‘Please, Ninni. Just give me a few minutes. I feel horrible because of what happened.’

Ninni narrowed her eyes. She was boiling. ‘I have nothing to say to you.’

‘No, but perhaps you can let me talk to you? Please. I have come all this way.’

‘You being an idiot isn’t my problem. Perhaps Britt has a place for you in the barn. If you’re lucky.’

Karl didn’t give up so easily. ‘I really need to talk to you. Please, Ninni. I want to explain.’

Ninni turned her back on him and walked inside, shutting the door in his face. Suddenly the idea of having a child with him made her sick. She ran to the bathroom and threw up.

When she came out, Frikk was waiting in front of the door. She looked at him. His tail slapped the floor.

‘Oh, for God’s sake.’ She opened the door. Karl was sitting on the step, looking pathetic. ‘Fine, but this doesn’t mean I’m talking to you.’