Ninni was outraged. ‘You ran me down with that stupid driving of yours yesterday. You shouldn’t even be walking into revolving doors. Are you stalking me or something?’

He looked horrified for a moment. ‘No, are you mad? I had no idea you were here. How would I know that? I’m just visiting. I’m sorry, but I didn’t recognise you in your bunad.’

‘Who are you visiting?’ She couldn’t believe it.

‘I’ve always wanted to see a proper Norwegian island,’ he said and then he smiled.

Ninni didn’t like the jolt in her stomach. She glared at him. Dressed in jeans and a grey sweatshirt, he stuck out among all the people in their party clothes. He was pulling a suitcase behind him. Perhaps he really was a tourist. And he was so out of sync with everyone because of the way he dressed it was ridiculous.

‘I’m a bit lost, I’m afraid,’ he said. ‘This is a bit overwhelming. I’ve never been to a Constitution Day before.’

She frowned. ‘We don’t bite.’

He smiled back at her. ‘Do you promise?’

Was he flirting with her? She hoped not. That would be too weird. And for some absurd reason it made her feel guilty. For what, she had no idea. As if she was cheating on Karl, and that made her mad.

He really was a complete idiot if he thought flirting would get him into her good graces. What a prat, she thought.

‘Ice cream or hot dog?’ she said quickly, to avoid confusion. Whether for him or for herself, she didn’t care to know.

‘Excuse me?’ He was staring at her with an intense look in his eyes.

‘You look hungry. A hot dog is probably better for you.’ Ninni took a bun from the grill and put a steaming, slightly burned hot dog in it. Then she pointed at the sauces. ‘Ketchup or mustard, mayo or shrimp cocktail, onions or red beets?’

‘That sounds a bit too much, to be honest. I don’t really like frankfurters,’ he said, looking at the hot dog.

‘Then you’re in luck. This is not a frankfurter; it’s a grilled sausage wrapped in bacon. A Norwegian speciality.’

He looked baffled for a moment, then laughed. ‘That doesn’t sound half bad, actually.’

His smile was lovely, she thought. ‘Try it. It’s good, I promise.’

‘I haven’t had any breakfast.’ He took a bite of the hot dog and chewed carefully. ‘Good,’ he said and took a bigger bite.

‘Are you visiting anyone on the island? Perhaps I can find them for you. I know everyone here.’

He shook his head. ‘I’m just passing through. I needed a holiday and Norway sounded interesting.’

‘Okay. Are you camping? I’m asking because you don’t look like an ordinary camper. No backpack or tent, or anything like that.’ He was a strange man, she thought.

He smiled at her. ‘I have accommodation, thank you.’

Ninni frowned. That sounded odd, she thought. ‘So, you are staying at the B&B, then? I didn’t know Britt had opened for the season,’ she said.