‘That’s sisters for you,’ she said in the end. ‘So you’re actually building something?’
‘Yes.’
She could hear the pride in his voice.
‘Only the base so far. It’s going to be almost double the size it is now.’
‘I can’t wait to see it. And how is the rest of the work going?’
‘It’s quicker than I thought. They have the timber frame for the main house extension finished. So there are some guys working on the roof now, which will take longer because it’s more complicated, but it’s amazing to see the progress every day.’
‘That’s great, Mats.’ He had something to focus on. ‘And being there to see it will be good.’ It was a tentative reference to how that might not have been the case, and she held her breath for a moment, wondering whether it was a step too far.
‘It’s worked out for the best,’ he said. ‘I think I’d have regretted it if I hadn’t seen it all the way through.’
‘I’m so glad you’re feeling okay about things.’
‘You were right. Coming here gave me perspective.’
It was such a relief to hear that. As well as it being good that he wasn’t dwelling on things, it made her feel lighter. Falling in love with him, with anyone, meant it wasn’t just you to worry about anymore, and Lotta had had more than her fair share of worries in previous relationships. She knew if she found the right person, and maybe Mats was that person, that sharing worries was a normal part of a healthy relationship. Of course she wanted to be there for him when he needed her, but at the same time, she had to remember where that had got her before. Now that she was finally finding success for her business, she needed to be a little selfish.
‘I’m so happy to hear that.’
‘When do you think your next trip here will be?’
‘I’ve only just left.’
‘Lotta, that’s irrelevant.’ She could hear the smile in his voice, and she loved that he couldn’t wait to see her.
‘The week after next. I’ll be coming over with Clemmie from Snug. Basically, it’s to sign off the Oslo part of the project, and then it’ll be full swing to launch the campaign across all the stores.’
‘I am counting down the days. And this will sound very needy of me, but do you think you can spare a couple of days to come to Bergen after that?’
‘Definitely.’ She couldn’t wait to see the progress on the island, and she couldn’t wait to see Mats. At least she had enough work to keep her busy. The days until they saw each other would fly by for her, as they should do for him now that he had the cabin extension to concentrate on. ‘Tell me you’re not enjoying this more than your old job.’
He paused, and Lotta wondered whether he’d feel she’d dismissed what had happened only a few days ago.
‘Best thing that could have happened, Lotta. After running into you in an airport lounge.’
She grinned.
‘Crack on, then. I’m expecting an ensuite next time I visit.’
20
By the time Lotta was back in Oslo, Mats had adopted a new life as a building contractor. In return for a hand from some of the guys on site with the cabin, he’d lent a hand with the farmhouse. He helped strip the rotten wooden slats from the veranda and loaded them onto a boat along with the other building waste ready to take to the mainland. He laboured for the carpenter, fetching pieces of timber from the materials stored in the clearing to save him time, and helped keep the work area clear of mess.
It was rewarding work, and he felt a huge sense of satisfaction when he fell into bed at night in the cabin, his whole body aching and a smile on his face. It also made him feel as if he was actively contributing to moving the project along now that there was a genuine risk that he’d run out of cash before his apartment could be sold.
Staying on the island had its advantages, but after a few days without access to a shower, he made the trip over to Loddefjord to take advantage of the facilities at Ida’s.
‘You could have bathed in the fjord,’ Ida said.
He rolled his eyes because she knew it was far too cold even in June and no match for a hot shower, especially when he’d been working hard every day.
‘How’s it going looking through the stuff from the house?’ He knew Anders and Becca had helped with sorting out the easier things, like furniture, but there was a lot of paperwork thatneeding sifting though carefully, not only because it was family history, but some of it might relate to the history of the island itself.
‘There are a couple of things for you to look at on the side,’ she said, waving her hand at the sideboard in the kitchen. ‘Go and shower first, you stink.’
