The Englishman was one such distraction. Alma hadn’t stopped going on about him. The others had got involved and he’d become the topic for the rest of the night. Nobody knew where he was staying and nobody had seen him since he’d left the harbour.

Ninni had tried to stay out of it. Speculations seldom led to any real answers. It was a waste of time, considering he was only passing through.

When she’d come up to the attic the night before she was overtired and sad. Now she felt more relaxed, more like herself.

The magic of the island, she thought, and sat up so abruptly Frikk almost fell out of bed. He jumped down and went over to the door. He barked a few times, wagged his tail and finally pressed his nose against the door.

‘I’m coming, I’m coming. You’re the nuttiest dog I have ever met. And I’ve met a few.’

Ninni went downstairs and let him out, leaving the door ajar, then had a shower and made coffee.

Frikk came bouncing back after doing his business. Tongue lolling and tail wagging, he flopped down next to her. Ninni filled his water bowl and rubbed his ears.

‘We have to inspect the island today,’ she said. ‘A lot has been going on since we left.’

Frikk lapped the water, making noises and splashing the floor.

Ninni looked at the computer on the kitchen table. Next to it lay the stack of reference books she needed for the next assignment. But today translating contracts for an oil company didn’t tempt her. She needed a day off.

The phone pinged and she looked at it. Karl. She deleted the message at once, then blocked his number.

Ninni filled a thermos with more coffee, putting a spoon of chocolate powder in it and shaking it well.

‘I’m bringing some salami for you and a sandwich for me. Think you can handle that?’

Frikk was looking at her as if he understood every word.

I’m talking to the dog as if he will turn around and quote Ibsen back at me one day, she thought, rolling her eyes.

Before she changed her mind, she grabbed a bright green sweater, put on a pair of jeans and red trainers, and headed out.

She always did the “grand tour” on the first day on the island. Even if it was only a weekend trip or midwinter. The tour always made her feel better.

Ninni looked down towards the sea. Waves were lapping in with the tide. She spotted litter among the pebbles and sighed. Why would people just throw their rubbish overboard? It made no sense.

Downhill from their house, she caught a glimpse of Agnar’s farm. The house was snuggled on the high ground in a cove. He had access to one of the best beaches on the island and yet, at some point, he had put a tall fence around the entire property.

‘It’s to keep the landlubbers out,’ he had said once when she’d asked him. For a long time she had looked out of her window every morning to see if the giants had invaded his garden.