Mark shrugged and half-nodded. ‘Kind of. With some bird-watching in-between.’
‘And what’s the verdict?’
‘My client is interested in buying it.’
Whatthe actual fuck?
‘How can he buy it when it’s not for sale?’
‘Don’t be naïve, Sara. Everything’s for sale – we both know that. It’s just about agreeing the number.’
‘And Tore has agreed to three million?’
Mark paused. ‘Not Tore, no.’
Surely Henrik and Jonas wouldn’t have gone over Tore’s head. They couldn’t have. ‘Who then?’
‘Look. I’ll level with you. Again, only because you’ll find out anyway. The Nilsen family don’t actually own Firefly Forest. Another local family does. The Bakkens.’
I frowned, trying to get my head around what he was saying. ‘Meaning?’
He rolled his eyes. ‘Meaning any deal that gets done will be with the Bakkens and not Tore. Bjorn Bakken is very interested in the three million.’
It was a double blow. ‘I can’t believe this. How bloody stupid am I to think you were here for a break? You’d think I’d know you well enough by now. You just used me to book in here and do your dirty deal.’
‘Who cares if I did?’ he snapped, irritated. ‘Why are you so invested? You’ve only been out here a couple of weeks.’
‘Because I feel responsible! It’s my fault you’ve managed to bulldoze your way in here, pretending to be a guest. Tore took the bookingbecause I was here. And now you’re planning to swing a wrecking ball through his life and snatch the land his family have lived on for generations.’
‘What are you talking about? My investor doesn’t want to wreck anything; he wants to make this place bigger and better. Capitalise on its success. Refurbish the cabins, build a proper spa, get some top chefs in. He’ll throw loads of money at it and add that layer of luxury you thought you were getting when you booked.’
It was hard to argue when I’d said those exact words to Mark, but now I understood what it was, I felt ashamed for having wanted all that. ‘I was an idiot before, and I’ve changed my mind. Firefly Forest is perfect just as it is, because it’s the opposite of all that. The Nilsens have created something unique and magical here. And their vibe and approach – their secretsauce – isn’t scalable. The kind of luxury you’re talking about would ruin it. This place wouldn’t be the same without them.’
‘Agreed,’ Mark said, nodding.
I felt my shoulders drop. ‘You agree?’
‘Absolutely! It wouldn’t be the same without the Nilsens and my client has no intention of getting rid of them. It’s their brand of tranquillity that guests are buying into,’ he said with a smile. ‘They’ll be kept on with full employment contracts and excellent terms and benefits; nothing to worry about there.’
‘Employment contracts? To work in their own business?’
‘Don’t take it so personally, sweetheart. It’s quite simple. Tore doesn’t own the land and the family who do are keen to sell. It’s only fair that they’re allowed to do so, don’t you think?’
‘No, Mark, I don’t think that. I think you’re meddling and mansplaining where you’re not wanted. And don’t call me sweetheart.’
He held up his hands. ‘Apologies, old habits. Let’s just agree to disagree then, shall we? I’m afraid Iam wantedhere by Mr Bakken and I’m dealing with him directly to work out the finer details of the sale.’
‘You’re not floating it asan area to look atthen, are you? There’s already a deal on the table.’
‘Potentially.’
‘Is this really what you’ve become? A wannabe property tycoon, preying on innocent families doing good in the world?’ I rubbed my temples in frustration as I tried to think of a way out of this. Where was the win-win? There had to be a way to negotiate a deal.
Mark lowered his voice. ‘Look. I get it. This is your retreat. You found it and now I’m making a nice little wedge out of brokering a deal, which doesn’t seem entirely fair.’
I put my head in my hands. ‘It’s notmy retreat,Mark. For God’s sake – listen to yourself!’
‘How about I try and swing you a finder’s fee?’ he said, ignoring me and typing aggressively into his calculator. ‘Hmm? Would ten grand make you feel better?’
