‘Perhaps you should ask for a DNA test, Ninni suggested.

Alma shrugged. ‘No, he’s been vetted by the lawyers, and by Agnar. His name is on Jack’s birth certificate. It’s all true.’

She fell silent for a moment. Ninni picked up the bucket again and waved Frikk away when he tried to sniff the fish.

‘We have to give him a proper welcome, you know. Agnar would have expected us to treat him well.’

Ninni wasn’t sure that was a good idea, considering Agnar’s secrecy. ‘But Olav said Jack wants to sell the farm. Why would you welcome him when he’s going to leave, and destroy the island at the same time?’

Alma patted her knee. ‘We must be clever. He has never been here before; he feels no ties to the island or to the farm. He is also confused about the whole situation. Our aim will be to keep him from leaving until he realises that he belongs here.’

Ninni looked at her. ‘That’s your plan? It’s not much of a plan, Alma. He’s British, he’s from London and he’s a Michelin star chef. There is no chance in hell that he will stay here.’

Alma smiled. ‘We will win him over by making him feel like he’s one of us. Which he is; don’t forget that. We will all help, including you. You wait and see.’

‘You are sneaky. It’s a long shot, though. You know that, right?’

‘Stranger things have happened. We didn’t think Agnar had an heir, but he did.’

‘Okay. What do you have in mind?’

‘I’ll think of something. In the meantime, we will treat him like family.’

‘Well, perhaps not that close,’ Ninni said, not sure why she didn’t like the idea at all.

Alma took a deep breath. ‘Jack told me that his father’s family never treated him like one of them. So he needs us. Even if he doesn’t know it yet.’

Ninni almost rolled her eyes. ‘If you say so.’

‘You should call Petter. Let him know. You know how close he was to Agnar. I’m sure he would like to meet Jack.’ Alma got up from the grass. She brushed her trousers and smiled at Ninni. ‘Don’t look so serious. We’ll get him on our side. If there’s anything of Agnar in him, we’ll find it.’

After getting to know Jack a little better, Ninni doubted anything would make him stay on the island. It must have shown on her face.

Alma patted her cheek. ‘It will all work out in the end. I promise.’

Ninni picked up the bucket. ‘I caught these today. Perhaps you would like them? They’re too many for me.’

Alma peered into the bucket. ‘I’ll take them. Jens loves mackerel cakes. I’ll save some for you, if you like.’

‘Thank you. I’ll pick them up tomorrow. I’m more in the mood for pizza today.’

‘You are a funny one. I have to go. Jens is eagerly awaiting the result of my talk. He’s in for quite a shock.’