‘We’ll see,’ Jack said, trying to be diplomatic.

‘Oh, I understand. Well, it’s a good thing you came by. Ninni left something for you.’ Jens shuffled over to the post office desk and pulled out a carrier bag. ‘I don’t know why she left it with us when she could have given it to you herself, but here it is.’

‘What’s this?’ Jack couldn’t think of anything Ninni might leave behind for him.

Jens smiled. ‘I don’t know. We’re not allowed to open other people’s mail. It’s against the law.’

‘Thank you.’ Despite Jens’ obvious curiosity, Jack stuffed the bag in his suitcase.

‘Have you had any breakfast?’ Jens didn’t wait for a reply. He went over to the baked goods section and put two school buns in a small paper bag. ‘Here. Alma would have my head if I sent you on your way without anything to eat.’

Jack smiled. ‘Thanks. Give her my love, will you?’

‘Of course. She’s over at Britt’s, helping with the B&B. She’ll be sorry to have missed you.’

The arrival of the ferry ended the conversation, and Jack sighed with relief. Obviously Norwegians were as awkward at saying goodbye as the British, he thought.

Even so, Jens followed him out, gave him a pat on the back before he walked up the gangway and even waved when the ferry left.

Jack stayed on deck, watching as the ferry moved away. His eyes fell on the community building. It would have made a great restaurant, he thought.

And then his thoughts returned to Ninni. He didn’t like that.

Chapter 20

Jack came in the door of his apartment with one carrier bag too many. He almost fell over his own suitcase, blocking the hallway.

‘Watch out for the suitcase,’ Holly yelled from the kitchen.

‘Why is the bloody thing standing in the hallway?’ Jack shook the rain off his hair.

His sister was sitting at the table with a stack of books in front of her. ‘Can I borrow your suitcase?’ she said, barely looking up at him.

‘Why do you bother to ask me when you’ve already taken it?’ Jack stretched his neck to see what she was looking at. It looked … medical. ‘What is that?’

Holly rubbed her eyes. ‘Exams,’ she said.

‘Is that why you need the suitcase?’ He failed to see the connection.

‘Yes. I have to study this weekend, and I’ve rented a cottage in the Cotswolds with some friends.’

Jack put the bags on the counter. ‘That sounds more like a party than a study group.’

Holly laughed. It was more of a snort. ‘We all have the same exams, Jack. It will make revision easier. We help each other stay awake, for one thing.’

‘Is that why you’re here so early? Where’s Dad?’

‘He’s coming later. He and Danny are fixing the roof of the shed. There’s a lot of hammering and swearing. It’s insane. I had to get out of there,’ she said.

‘I see.’ He placed an apple next to her. ‘Eat something. You look like a ghost.’