Once they have driven away, silence descends on the cabin. Stig gives me a furtive glance and I wonder if he feels it too. The vast emptiness of outside crowding in – almost like it’s a living, breathing thing in the room with us. Yrsa and Olav live miles away on the other side of the forest. Apart from them, there’s no one. No phone or Internet connection, no way to contact the outside world. I was cut off in my room back in England, but at least I had Kelly and Mum for company. Apart from Gandalf, all I have now is a stranger.

6

I make some toast and coffee and Stig holds out his hands. Instinctively I flinch away in case his clothes touch me, then place the plate and cup on the kitchen table – managing to misjudge the distance and spilling coffee on his lap. He smiles forgivingly and I sit across from him, my face burning. I take a bite and chew quietly, feeling awkward.

Finally he breaks the silence. ‘So your mother, she’s coming out tomorrow?’

‘I only told Yrsa that. Mum has no intention of coming.’ I don’t even try to hide the bitterness in my voice. He looks at me for an explanation, but how can I explain when I don’t understand myself. Mum never exactly got on with Mormor, but after the accident her moods became so erratic. One minute she’d be worried and fussing over me, the next she’d be cross with me for even mentioning Mormor’s name.

‘It’s tricky.’ I shrug. ‘What about you? Can you get your mum to send you some money for the ferry?’

Stig gives a hollow laugh. ‘No. I’d rather sleep in the woodshed than go back.’

I bite my thumbnail, knowing how that feels. ‘It’s complicated,’ says Stig. Then under his breath, ‘Complicated like a labyrinth.’

I think about all the hours I’ve spent reading Mum’s clothing, testing the different types of material and trying to understand her. Once when she went out, I even climbed the loft ladder and went through an old chest of her clothes. I know she loves me, but there’s so much she keeps hidden.

‘Try a labyrinth in the dark,’ I sigh.

‘Blindfolded,’ says Stig.

‘With a big hairy Minotaur,’ I add.

‘So, you’ve met my mother?’ Stig gives a wry smile and I start to laugh, then stop. It feels wrong without Mormor here to share the joke.

‘What about you? Are you going to go home?’ asks Stig.

I glance at the door. ‘I’d rather sleep in the shed with you.’ He raises an eyebrow and I feel myself blushing. ‘Not with you. I meant …’

‘I know, don’t worry.’ He inspects his nail, then says in a quiet voice, ‘Maybe we can both stay here for a while?’

I shift in my seat. ‘I guess. For a few days anyway.’