She didn’t appear to understand anything he said. ‘I’m too tired for this. I haven’t had more than a couple of hours’ sleep since she was born.’

Jack watched her while she flopped down on the sofa and pulled a blanket over herself. He guessed he had to wait until she woke up again.

‘I love you too, you idiot,’ she muttered.

‘Good. Then I guess we return to the island. It’s all ready for both of you. I found an old cot in the attic and repainted it. You wouldn’t believe what I found on the back of it. The names of all the babies who have slept in it. Agnar was the last one. So, when you decide on the name of this one, we’ll put her name on there as well. She’ll like that when she gets older.’

He was talking to himself. The baby slept, and so did Ninni. Jack sat down at the end of the sofa. It was fine. The important thing was that they were going home together. He fished out his phone, took a picture of the baby and sent it to his dad. It was time he knew he was a grandad.

Ninni woke up with a jolt. For the smallest of moments she had no idea what she was doing on the sofa.

She sat up. The baby. Where was the baby? She looked at the sofa with her body frozen in fear. Had she fallen asleep on top of her? Relief rushed through her. No, Jack had her. Jack was here and he had the baby.

She stood up and tied the belt around the bathrobe. Rolling her head, she heard popping in her neck. That had been the best sleep in a month, she thought.

Ninni stopped in the kitchen doorway. It smelled divine in there. Jack had the baby sitting in her carry cot while he was cooking something. He talked to her, telling her what he was doing. The baby followed every word he said.

‘She’s a bit young for cooking lessons,’ Ninni said.

Jack looked over his shoulder. His face lit up. ‘No, she’s not. I’m making an imprint on her brain. This way, she’ll connect me with good food.’

Ninni came closer. She couldn’t believe he was here, in her kitchen, taking care of the baby. And, by the look of it, taking care of her far better than she’d managed.

‘What are you making?’

‘You didn’t have much in here, apart from eggs and cheese, and some questionable milk.’

‘Whatever it is, it smells good.’ Ninni drew her breath in. ‘Jack, I don’t understand. Why did you come?’

‘I told you. I have come to take you home.’

‘I don’t need you to rescue me, and I am home.’

Jack pointed at the table. ‘Yes, I know that, but you are only really at home on the island. And also I came to apologise,’ he said.

‘No, you didn’t do anything wrong. That’s all on me. I should have told you the truth, but I chickened out. I didn’t really know how to.’ Ninni talked so fast, her words jumbled.