Epilogue
Six months later
Twiggy and Dots were barking blue murder as the postman cycled off in panic.
They were the other side of the front gate, so he was safe enough, but the two of them howling like the world was ending was ruining my morning meditation. I tried for another minute or two, then gave up. There were only so many times I could acknowledge the thought ‘SHUT UP, THE PAIR OF YOU!’ and send it on its way.
I straightened the picture of Henrik’s family Christmas on his photo wall, where it sat pride of place, and marched out the front door.
‘What is all this noise?’ I chided affectionately, but I couldn’t help but smile as my two little sausages looked up at me, their tails thudding on the tarmac. It was nice to get any kind of post, but there were three letters with my name on today. I’d used Henrik’s address for my redirection. Two cards and an official brown envelope that I ripped open first.
University College Hospital
Euston Road
London
Dear Ms Lee,
I’m pleased to confirm we are discharging you from our care with immediate effect. Your recent tests have shown vast improvements in your anxiety levels, and I am pleased to hear your panic attacks have now stopped. Your blood tests have all come back clear and your blood pressure is back within the normal range.
Whatever you’re doing – keep doing it!
Best wishes,
Dr R Fielding
What a relief. I was starting to think I’d never get back to myself.
‘Anything for me?’ Henrik stuck his head out the bathroom door, steam billowing into the corridor.
‘Nope. Happy New Home cards from Kat and Abi, and the official all-clear from Dr Fielding for me.’
‘Well, that’s good news – we should celebrate.’
‘Yes, we should! With a wholetroikakake?’
He laughed. ‘I don’t think the doc would approve of chocolate cake.’
Henrik disappeared back into the bathroom, and I put the kettle on. I still had my morning coffee, but I’d cut out the Red Bull and Berocca. Luminous drinks were trouble. It was a beautiful summer’s day full of sunshine, and the birds were singing as I opened the patio doors. The dogs flew past, leaping over each other and down the steps into the garden. Their days of tight-lead London walks were now well and truly behind them. Lil’ Will smiled at me from his corner of the patio and was now up to my waist. Still too thin to hug, but leafy enough to tickle.
It had been three months since I’d moved to Bergen as caretaker partner for Oliver while he set up his London office, and three months since Henrik had moved away from FireflyForest and back to the city. Except it wasn’t the Big Apple this time, it was the little Bergen version. He’d rented a house near the mountain, and I’d rented a flat in the centre of town which gave us the best of both worlds and plenty of space to get to know each other. I didn’t want to jump out of one serious relationship straight into another, even though that’s exactly what had happened. It was all still so new, but it meant we could enjoy the buzz and energy of the city when it suited us, go on dinner dates and to late-night bars, and relax in the countryside whenever we wanted to, as well. It was a two-home, two-dog relationship and Tore, Jonas and Greta were just a boat ride away whenever we wanted to visit.
Henrik’s phone buzzed on the table, andPappaflashed up on the screen.
‘It’s your dad,’ I called.
‘Can you grab it?’
‘Hei, Tore!’ I said, putting him on loudspeaker.
‘Ahhhhei, Sara.Hvordan har du det?’ he said cheerfully, asking how I was.
I’d been practising. ‘Jeg har det bra!Hvordan har du det?’
‘Greit, takk.’OK, thanks. He chuckled. ‘Your accent is impressive – the Duolingo lessons are working!’
I laughed. ‘I’m not sure how farI’m fine, how are you?will get me, but the owl is on my case and she’s a harsh taskmaster.’
