‘Yes, you should, but I should never have believed you would go back with what’s-his-face. That was my mistake. I should have been here, with you.’ Jack pointed at one of the kitchen chairs. ‘Sit down, please.’

She was too overwhelmed to protest. He put a plate in front of her. ‘Eat. You need sustenance.’

‘What does this mean? Are you staying on the island now? Have you given up London?’

Jack smiled. ‘Yes, I have. I’m opening a restaurant on the island, in the old “sea house”. I have investors and everything. We are going to serve local produce. Good food all through summer.’

‘And the farm? Are you a farmer now?’ Ninni couldn’t help smiling at his plans.

‘Not really. Olav is taking over the fields, but I’m keeping the sheep. I like them.’

The baby made noises and Ninni looked over at her. She was playing with her fingers.

‘I can’t get over how tiny she is,’ she said and took a bite of the omelette. ‘She’s a couple of weeks premature, but she’s doing so well. It’s hard to believe.’

‘I know. Barely a handful of a human. She likes me, you know. We had a great time while you were snoring on the sofa.’

‘Yes, I remember. You speak baby.’ She looked at him. ‘You talk as if this is going to be easy, Jack. It’s not something you can do on a whim.’

Jack shrugged. ‘I’m not. I have thought about nothing since I left.’

‘Listen, the plan was always to take care of her by myself. Karl doesn’t even know about her, and that’s how I want it. But you don’t have to do this, Jack.’

Jack looked at her. ‘I’m not an impulsive person, Ninni. Not at all, and you and her are a package deal. My dad did it with me, and he had a much more difficult time since I was five years old when my mother married him. He taught me that it makes no difference. That the dad is the one who is there. It’s not a big deal. Adoptive parents do it all the time, and they love their kids the same.’

Jack moved the baby’s chair closer to himself and sat down. ‘Ninni, eat.’

Ninni took a bite. She swallowed and nodded. ‘Good. I’m not getting in a car with you, you know, and certainly not with the baby. You’re not safe.’

Before she finished the sentence, he leaned over and kissed her. ‘Your dad will be here in an hour. I promised him we would be ready. Baby and all.’

Ninni started to laugh. She was shaking with laughter. The baby looked at her, startled by the sound. Jack raised his eyebrows.

‘I’m glad you came,’ she said finally.

‘So am I.’ Jack smiled. ‘Did you know that there’s no salt and vinegar crisps in this country? Like in the entire country?’

‘You’re mad. You know that, right?’

Jack grinned ‘Whatever it takes.’

THE END