When she came down to the beach she stopped. The doors to Agnar’s boathouse was wide open. She held back Frikk, who was trying to catch the waves coming in. Sounds from someone swearing came from inside.

Hiding a smile, she walked closer and looked in. What are you doing?’

It was a legitimate question. Jack was in there, muttering to himself while struggling with the chain. ‘I’m trying to get this stupid boat out in the water,’ he said through clenched teeth.

Ninni climbed in the boathouse. ‘Do you have the key?’

Jack looked up at her. His hair was tousled and he had a black mark on his cheek. ‘I have a key and I have used it to unlock the bastard lock, but it’s still not budging.’

Ninni leaned against the open door. ‘Why are you taking out the boat?’

He pulled at one of the chains. ‘I learned today that I am the owner of a flock of sheep and that they live on an islet. I would like to go out there and check how they are doing.’

Ninni folded her arms over her chest. ‘You didn’t know before today about Agnar’s sheep? How is that possible?’

He straightened his back and looked at her with a mad look in his eyes. ‘You know, I have asked myself the same question. It turns out that the law firm that translated the will didn’t bother with the inventory list and never told me about them. So, no, I had no idea.’

He was flustered and angry. Ninni was enjoying herself; she couldn’t help it. ‘Do you know where they are?’

Jack waved his arm towards the water. ‘Out there. I will go there, if I can get this blasted boat out of here.’

‘Agnar used this boat when he put out his fishing nets. It’s hard to handle, even if you know what you’re doing. Do you even know how to drive a boat?’

Jack looked annoyed. ‘How hard can it be?’

‘I’ll take you.’ Ninni could hardly believe she’d said the words, but she couldn’t in good conscience let him go out there alone. Most likely he would get lost and drown.

‘No, thank you,’ he said, followed by a yelp when he managed to get his finger stuck in one of the chain links. ‘Bloody hell.’

Ninni walked over to him. ‘Let me see.’

Jack stuck his finger in his mouth. ‘No,’ he said between his teeth.

‘Don’t be a baby. Let me see.’ Ninni held out her hand.

He showed her. The cut was small and not bleeding very much. ‘You’ll live. Come on, let’s go see how your sheep are doing.’ She turned around.

He followed her without a word. The boat was ready, but he wasn’t. Ninni popped into their boathouse and picked up the lifejackets. She handed him the largest. It was pretty old and bulky. But it was the only one in his size. ‘Here, put this on.’

Jack eyed it suspiciously. ‘I’m not putting on that,’ he declared. ‘I know how to swim.’