‘See what happens when you don’t have one?’
She laughed, rubbing her fingers under her eyes to wipe away the tears. ‘You end up calling your luxury hotel Rooyah.’
He threw his head back and laughed. ‘I did not choose that name!’ It felt good to laugh given the situation he found himself in. Having Lotta here reminded him that there was more to life than the island.
‘Good! Oh my god, Mats.’ She shook her head. ‘Please let me help you. Wait a second.’
She disappeared back into the house and came out with her laptop.
‘I’ve done this as a starting point.’ She watched him as he took in the campaign she’d put together. ‘Now we need a name so I can refine it.’
‘It’s wonderful.’ He had tears in his eyes. She’d done all of this for him without him asking. It was so much more than a marketing campaign; it was a sign that she loved him. And a sign that she understood and believed in his dream.
‘We’re in this together,’ she said, squeezing his hand. ‘I want to live my dream with you beside me. All of the time. And I want to be part of yours.’
‘What are you saying?’
‘I came here because I’m ready for the next step.’
29
Now that she was here, with Mats, what had felt like a huge step when she’d sat in the park in London yesterday with Freya, felt like the most natural thing in the world. Whenever she was here in Norway, she felt at ease. Like the pressures of real life lifted a little, giving her space to breathe. All her memories of being in Norway were good. The Snug Oslo work had given her so much confidence and belief in herself again. It was a place that had altogether good associations for her. Mats was the biggest reason to stay, especially now he needed her support through this crisis he was having with the project, but the rest was just as important.
‘I want to live here.’
‘You’re moving here?’ His eyes lit up, and he grinned in disbelief.
She nodded, giving him a shy smile. ‘If that’s okay?’
‘Lotta! That’s more than okay.’ He took her in his arms and hugged her.
‘But I don’t know if I can live on the island yet. I need good internet for work. And hot showers.’
‘Neither can I. That place is ruined for me,’ he said, laughing. ‘We’ll have our cabin as a holiday home and we’ll find somewhere to live in Bergen.’
‘And although I can’t help out with any money for the island, I’ll do everything I can to market the hell out of it when it’s ready.’
‘I love you so much, Lotta. Thank you. Thank you for wanting to do this.’
If she hadn’t known before that she’d made the right decision, she did now. Because there was no question; she loved him. Mats had done everything he could to avoid making her feel forced into moving to Norway, and only now, when she could see how much it meant to him, did she realise how hard it must have been for him to do that. And she was happy to do this for him. For both of them. Because what use was a dream if you had no one to share it with? She’d been so busy controlling her life in the guise of protecting her career that she’d lost sight of the fact that she wanted her destiny to be Mats. And if she had the most glittering career imaginable, it wouldn’t mean anything without him there. Being proud of her. Supporting her successes like they were his own.
They went back inside where Ida and Freya were getting to know each other.
‘All sorted?’ Freya asked.
Lotta nodded. ‘Sorry for dragging you to Bergen.’
‘I love an impromptu city break,’ said Freya. ‘And it’s about time we met each other, assuming you’re still together.’
Ida burst out laughing.
‘We’re still together,’ Lotta said, leaning into his side. ‘We’ve made a plan.’
‘He’s got to you,’ said Ida.
‘Absolutely,’ Lotta said, grinning up at him. ‘And you’re going to be seeing a lot more of Bergen…’ she said to her sister. ‘I’m moving to Norway.’
‘That’s wonderful!’ Ida said, getting up to hug her.
