‘No tonic or ice, unfortunately. But you can sit on the rocks and drink your water?’
I laughed. ‘Fine.’
‘I’ve got a block of cheddar and a pack of pork pies back at the cabin as well.’
‘You haven’t!’ My mouth watered instantly. The vegan food was good, but my insides were missing meat and dairy. I’d had enough pumpkin shots and beetroot brownies to last me a lifetime. I pictured a slice of bear ham with grated cheese forhair, holding out his hammy hand with a wink. It wouldn’t take much to tempt me back from my have-a-go veganism. Never again would I travel abroad without an emergency stash of KitKats.
Mark was taking photos like a comic-book photographer, capturing the view from every angle: the forest, the fjords, the sky.
‘Are you OK?’ I asked, concerned. It wasn’t like him to care about remembering a place.
He stopped. ‘Yeah, fine. I got this camera for my birthday, and I’m loving it.’
‘Oh, yes. Happy birthday for last week.’ It was a date that had been etched in my mind for years. Mark’s love language was receiving gifts, and I’d treated him to some outrageously generous birthday presents in the handful of years we’d known each other. Tickets to The Ashes in Melbourne, Adele in Las Vegas, a surprise weekend to Coachella. It felt strange to have barely acknowledged his birthday this year when there had always been such a build-up to it before. But I wasn’t too bothered. It was as clear a sign as any that I was moving on. All that past thought and effort – and what was the point? I didn’t ask who’d bought him the camera, and I didn’t care. Maybe his mum. Maybe he’d bought it for himself. ‘Did you celebrate with Millie?’
He rolled his eyes. ‘No. It might surprise you to hear she went cold after your little outburst at Harry’s.’
I clutched my chest in faux surprise. ‘What? Why?’
‘Lots of reasons, but mainly her allergy to dogs.’
‘Oh really? Nothing to do with you then?’ I said archly.
‘No. More women are allergic to dogs than you might think.’ He laughed. ‘At least that’s what they keep telling me.’
‘Speaking of which, we should call your mum and check in on them.’
‘Have you missed them? Being out here?’ Mark asked.
‘Of course,’ I said, thinking of their little snouts. ‘My two mini besties. Always full of good vibes.’
‘Not when they’re with me. They bark non-stop when you’re not around. It was a relief to drop them off at Mum’s. I don’t even think they like me.’
‘Of course they do!’ I said, knowing full well I was their favourite. ‘They only ever want a walk, a cuddle or food – or ideally all three. Dogs are remarkably simple creatures.’
‘I’ve read they choose one human, and all others pale into insignificance,’ Mark said, glumly. ‘And it’s clear I’m not their choice. I’m a means to an end at most.’
‘How can you say that?! They love you!’
‘Nah. They love treats and pigs’ ears. But I get the feeling I’m just their pork supplier. They tolerate me until they can get back to you.’
I was proud of my girls for being loyal in my absence and showing Mark what they thought of him breaking up our little family.
‘It’s hard for them. It’s been hard for all of us,’ I said sadly.
Mark didn’t respond, picking up his camera and hiding behind the lens to take more photos of the same view. ‘Shall we carry on down to the water? Or head back for lunch?’
I was still hungry after my flapjack and hadn’t had much breakfast. ‘We could go for silent lunch now, then walk along the shoreline tomorrow morning? If we leave before nine it’ll give us time to have a swim in the thermal pool.’
‘Good plan,’ Mark said. ‘You always were one step ahead.’
I took a final swig of water and stood up in a burst of energy.
‘I’ll race you,’ I called behind me, getting a head start before his competitive streak had chance to kick in. I was still trying to get his attention, even now, and it made me sad. I didn’t really want him to chase me. But I wanted him towantto chase me.
*
‘There you are,’ Tore said as we ran towards the Orangery, snorting with laughter. ‘I was getting worried. Are you OK? Did you get lost?’
