‘Are you really going to let me walk down to the farm by myself in the dark?’ he said.

‘You really are afraid of the dark, aren’t you?’ She couldn’t help smiling at him.

‘What if I walk down the path and have a nasty fall? These wellingtons are too big for my feet and I could easily trip. You’ll find me there in the morning with a broken leg or a broken neck.’

‘But you’re not concerned that I have to walk back up again, risking my neck?’ Ninni laughed when he was the one to shrug.

‘I’ve seen you running down this hill like a maniac. I think you can manage,’ he said.

‘Scaredy-cat,’ she said.

He held out his hand. ‘You have no idea.’

Ninni hesitated for a second before putting her hand in his. He gently folded his fingers around hers. It felt surprisingly good.

‘Did you enjoy the beach party?’ she said, feeling as stupid as she sounded.

‘You didn’t notice? I even loved the potato-planting. More than anything, I enjoyed the mussel-picking with you.’

They walked carefully down the narrow shortcut to Agnar’s house. Jack didn’t have any problem walking down.

When they came down to the farmyard, Jack stopped. Ninni looked at him. ‘Safely delivered. Are you going to be okay now?’

‘More than when I came here. I slept in the garden that first night. This isn’t very manly to admit, but I was spooked.’

Ninni smiled. ‘Scaredy-cat,’ she said again.

‘I’m afraid so. It’s not something I’m proud of.’ He was smiling when he said it, not the least embarrassed.

‘I would have slept outside too. Probably for longer than the first night,’ she said.

‘Yeah?’ Jack locked eyes with her and pulled her closer.

‘Absolutely. Ghosts thrive in a house that has been standing empty for some time.’ She didn’t pull away when he kissed her.

The kiss turned from light to deep before she could even think. Then she didn’t want to think. Jack tasted of smoke and sea, and made her weak at the knees.

‘Wow,’ Jack said when they broke apart.

Wow indeed, Ninni thought. She took a step away.

‘I think you’re safe now,’ she said, clearing her throat.

He looked confused and she would rather leave it at that. If they kissed again, it would bring about all sorts of unwanted things. Ninni wasn’t ready for anything remotely summer flingy.

‘Goodnight, Jack. My dad will be waiting for me,’ she said and walked towards the path.

She turned around at the top of the pathway and looked back. He was still there. He lifted a hand, and she did the same.

Damn, she thought. I hoped he’d be a worse kisser than Karl. He wasn’t.

Chapter 13

On the following Sunday, Ninni followed Petter to the last ferry. He looked thoughtful and a bit concerned, not his usual happy self. He didn’t even throw the usual sticks for Frikk, who looked disappointed at the lack of attention.