‘You look funny,’ Ninni said, stretching her legs in front of her. Next to her was a bucket with a few paper bags. She hadn’t told him what it was, and he didn’t ask. It didn’t mean he wasn’t curious.

‘I do? Even in my normal trousers?’ He smiled.

‘Not that kind of funny. Your expression,’ she said.

Jack raised his eyebrows. ‘Funny, how?’

‘I don’t know. Like you regret we didn’t sleep together last night. Do you regret it?’ The question was hesitant and direct at the same time.

Jack smiled. ‘No, I don’t. Do you?’

Ninni smiled with a shadow of relief. ‘Not even a little bit. It wasn’t the right setting – or time.’

That’s good, Jack thought. ‘So, there’s a right time? Okay, I can live with that.’

Ninni laughed and Frikk lifted his head. ‘Well, how about I invite you for dinner tonight? Since you made dinner for me last night, it’s only fair that I cook for you.’

Jack decided to tease her. ‘You can cook? What kind of food?’

‘Nothing fancy, if that’s what you were hoping for.’ She looked a bit annoyed, which made him smile.

‘Okay. I’ll be delighted with whatever you serve. What can I bring?’

Ninni cocked her head. ‘Are you any good at baking bread?’

‘I make fantastic bread, actually. People cry when I make them bread. In fact, people have named their children after me, that’s how good I am,’ Jack said.

Ninni narrowed her eyes. ‘Then fine. Bring bread, but it has to be white bread.’

‘I thought you guys were fanatical about brown bread.’

‘It depends on what you’re eating with it. What I’m cooking is absolutely white bread food,’ she said.

They fell silent. Jack studied the calm water, so different from the night before. The sun was shining, making the surface sparkle.

‘It changes so fast,’ Ninni said and looked over his shoulder. ‘Sometimes you turn around and there’s a storm coming. It takes some time getting used to.’

Jack turned around and looked behind him. The sky was clear blue as far as he could see. ‘Not now, right?’

Ninni laughed. ‘Not now. You’re safe.’

Jack scratched Frikk on his head. The dog looked mournful, but his tail flapped a few times.

‘What are you going to cook for me?’

‘Oh, I don’t know. Something, I guess. Are you allergic to anything? I don’t want to accidentally kill you; that would be bad for my plans.’

‘I’m not allergic to anything. I hate runner beans, though. Please don’t cook them.’

‘And there goes my runner bean mousse,’ she said.

Jack smirked. ‘Thank you. It’s awful.’

‘There’s your islet.’ Ninni pointed suddenly.

Jack caught sight of it immediately. There were no sheep to see today. ‘Where are they?’

‘Most likely on the other side, or in the middle, I’m guessing. It’s their islet. They roam freely.’

‘I’ll never get used to owning goats,’ Jack said.

‘They are still sheep.’ Ninni laughed.

Jack liked seeing her laugh. The first time they met, she had been so furious with him, but right now she was happy.