‘Have you enjoyed it?’ Henrik asked.
‘Yes. More than enjoyed it. I’ve loved it.’
I glanced behind him at this magical place and felt so lucky to be here. There were ribbons and decorations strewn all over the tipi and candles on every table. A glitter ball slowly turned adding a sparkly light to the dance floor.
‘What are you thinking?’ Henrik asked, holding me close.
‘I’m wondering how easy it would be to bring two dachshunds to Norway and whether they’d need doggie passports. I’m also thinking that I don’t know if Henrik even likes dogs.’
His eyes lit up. ‘Are you? Well, let me reassure you on that,’ he murmured. ‘Henrik likes dogs very much. He loves all animals. He’s a live and let live kind of guy.’
‘I thought he might be.’
‘Do you think you might take the package from work?’
‘I already have,’ I said staring up at him. ‘I won’t get that kind of opportunity again. It was just a shock when they offered it to me out of the blue. I had no idea the firm was struggling so badly.’
‘It’s like I always say – when life offers you a cash lump sum – take it.’
‘I don’t remember that mantra in the meditation sessions?’
‘What?! That’s the lead message in my money meditation. You were probably asleep. It must have been that time you woke yourself up snoring,’ he said, teasing. ‘Don’t worry – you’ll get another job easily.’
‘I might already have one.’
‘See! I knew it. A smart cookie like you doesn’t hang around.’
‘Do you remember I told you Oliver was opening an office in London?’
Henrik nodded, listening carefully.
‘Well, he’s offered me a job.’
‘Of course he has!’ Henrik said, but his tone was flat. ‘Makes perfect sense. Congratulations.’
There was a kerfuffle among the guests as we stared into each other’s eyes, and we looked over at the same time. Flashes of pink, purple and blue were flying across the sky like rockets, and then came the greens, luminous and rich. A rainbow of magic spreading out above us, filling the air with colour. The rare rainbow version of the Northern Lights had appeared to bless the wedding, just as Greta and Jonas had hoped. Their wedding wish to feel Audhilda was watching over them and celebrating from up above.
Henrik nodded slowly to himself. ‘Hei, Mamma,’ he said, putting his arm around me. We stood completely still, watching the miracle of the Northern Lights as they put on a show.
‘It’s a sign,’ he said, eventually.
‘What is?’
‘This. Mother Nature showing off all her colours at the exact moment you were talking about changing your life.’
‘You think?’
‘I know it. Most people will never witness what we are looking at right now. It’s a sign you’re making the right decision, even if that’s to stay in London and run Oliver’s satellite office. We’ll just have to manage long distance for a while.’
‘Well, that’s the interesting part of the offer, because Oliver wants to set the London office up himself. He’s moving over for six months to recruit the team and get it up and running. The job he’s offered me is as acting partner to look after things in Bergen.’
Henrik’s expression changed completely. ‘Really? In Norway.’
‘Yes,’ I said, feeling giddy. ‘In theNorwegianBergen. The one and only.’
‘And what did you say?’
‘I said… yes.’
The look on Henrik’s face was so cute, I had to kiss him. ‘It just feels right being here. I love it.’
It was a different triple F to the ‘Financial Freedom Forever’ I’d hoped for with my promotion, but ‘Firefly Forest for the Foreseeable,’ felt just as exciting.
‘And we love you being here. I love you being here.You can loan yourself to Norway for a while and see how it goes. It doesn’t have to be a forever thing.’ I leant in and kissed his handsome face, feeling more at home than I’d ever felt before. ‘Unless you want it to be, of course.’
