‘How was lunch?’ He sat next to her on the sofa, where she had her laptop open.
‘Good,’ she said, smiling. ‘What have you been up to?’
‘I had some papers to sign for the apartment and some money to shift around. Nothing exciting.’ He’d set the wheels in motion to list the apartment for sale but the agent had warned him it wouldn’t be quick. It wasn’t what he’d been hoping to hear, but at least it had taken the other decision he’d been putting off making out of his hands.
Aside from the house in Loddefjord, the Larsen siblings had each inherited a considerable amount of cash. Mats had decided at the beginning of planning his island project that he wouldn’t be dipping into that money to fund it. It seemed wrong, given that his father had nothing to do with the place, to spend his money on it. But it was the only option he was left with. The redundancy money had gone on the latest phase payment to Lars and to Knut so that he could order the industrial kitchen. It was a decision he’d have loved to talk to Lotta about but after last night he knew she had enough on her plate at the moment without him adding his money problems into the mix.
‘I’m sorry about last night,’ she said.
He put a hand on her thigh and squeezed gently. ‘There’s nothing to apologise for. You have a lot going on. It’s natural to think of reasons why it could all end tomorrow, but it’s also important to see that there’s no actual reason to think that will be the case.’
‘I know. It’s crazy to think like that. I just can’t help it sometimes.’
He kissed the back of her hand. ‘It’s not crazy. You’ve worked hard for a long time to make this happen for yourself, and it’s terrifying to think that something could ruin that.’
‘It’s happened before. That’s why.’
‘I will never do anything like he did.’
‘I know.’
But he still had the uneasy feeling she might not be sure.
‘We should get going.’
‘This might be the last time we stay here together,’ she said.
‘It might.’ If only she was right and the apartment would sell that quickly.
‘I’ll miss it.’
He didn’t say anything. He’d miss being here with Lotta, but this place was for a person with a different life to the one he had now. Aside from the past few weeks, it held no particular memories, good or bad. He remembered how it had felt to buy it all those years ago, like a tangible sign that he’d achieved something, reached a milestone in his life, but he didn’t need to hang onto it now he had the island.
They got to Bergen on time and headed straight to Loddefjord, where Ida had a meal waiting for them.
‘Look at him,’ she said to Lotta, gesturing at Mats. ‘He’s turned into a builder.’
‘I like this look on him,’ Lotta said. ‘You can never have too many pockets in your trousers.’
Mats laughed. He’d picked up some work clothes from a store that Knut recommended and was a convert to the utility trousers and thick flannel shirts he wore over a wool sweater. It made a nice change from wearing suits all the time.
‘I think this is me now,’ he said, grinning, and feeling as if it was true.
‘You will have to get used to the smell,’ Ida carried on.
‘I can’t help it if there are no showers on the island yet,’ said Mats. ‘And it’s not like there’s anyone there to smell me most of the time.’
‘I would force him into the fjord to freshen up if I were you,’ Ida said.
Lotta giggled. ‘I don’t mind a more rustic version of you,’ she said, kissing his cheek while he grinned at his sister in victory.
‘How was your party?’ Ida asked.
‘Really good. We met Anders’ friend Gudrun. She’s helping out at Snug Oslo for a few weeks until the new manager’s up and running,’ said Lotta.
‘I think you and Gudrun would get on,’ Mats said to Ida. ‘Perhaps we should invite her to stay when Anders and Becca are here in a couple of weeks?’
‘That’s a great idea,’ said Lotta.
