‘I wasn’t sure with all the Norwegian, but then why would it be in there? You wouldn’t put something as important as that covenant in a box of old school reports.’
‘No idea, but if it’s not in any of the places it should be, it must be someplace where it shouldn’t.’
‘If it exists,’ I said, starting to doubt the whole thing. It was late, and I’d been sat on the floor for too long. I’d have to launch myself headfirst down the stairs at this rate.
Henrik was immersed in the final pile, speedily scanning each page. ‘No, no, no,’ he muttered, placing each document back in the box once he’d checked and rejected it. I thought about sending Mark a message while I had Wi-Fi, but the damage was done. If he pulled out now, Bjorn would find another buyer. Mark had meddled with the status quo and a seismic shift would now have to happen one way or another. Henrik was still and studious as he carefully checked every last detail of every page, a tiny frown on his face. Anothernowent in the box as he picked up the next, which had a manila envelope paperclipped to the back. He opened it and unfolded the paper inside, his eyes flicking back and forth, working overtime.
There was no point me sitting watching him. ‘I think I’m going to head back…’
‘Hang on,’ he said, his frown deepening as he read. ‘I’ve found something.’
I opened my eyes wide. I sat completely still on my numb bum, in case I jinxed it.
‘Have you? Have you found it?’
‘I don’t know…’ he said, still scanning. ‘It’s a handwritten letter that mentions it.’ He flicked to the second page and then the third. ‘Oh. Hang on. There’s something more official looking attached to it. And it’s signed.’
‘Oh. My Godddddd!!!! Is it IT?’ I crawled over to have a look.
‘Yes! Two signatures – a Bakken and a Nilsen. This is it, Sara! This is IT!’
We screamed with excitement and stood up, hitting our heads on the ceiling. Laughing and hugging, relief palpable as it flooded through us both. Henrik pulled back and kissed me on both cheeks. Then I kissed his cheeks, and our celebration kiss turned into a full-on snog, just as Jonas popped his head up.
‘Sorry!’ he shouted, bobbing back down. ‘Don’t worry, I didn’t see anything.’ We stopped, flustered and breathless, staring at each other. I wasn’t sure how that had happened, but I’d been enjoying it and didn’t want it to stop.
‘What are you screaming about?’ Tore yelled. ‘Come down here.’
‘I’ve found it!’ Henrik shouted, his eyes hot and hungry. ‘Actually, Sara found it and I translated.’
Jonas popped back up again. ‘You’re shitting me.’
‘Come down immediately!’ Tore shouted again. Jonas reversed down the ladder and Henrik followed, waving the letter in the air like a winning lottery ticket. Which was exactly what it was.
The four of us sat around the kitchen table, red-faced and excited for different reasons.
‘Read it out then,’ Jonas said.
20th February 1842
My dear friend Ivan,
Today is a blessing for both our families. The day my daughter marries your son, and the Bakken and Nilsen clan become one. In honour of this occasion, I want to put in writing our agreement on the future of Firefly Forest. It is a magical place that gives solace and healing to all who visit. My family have owned the land, and your family have worked the land, for generations, and the forest is part of the dowry that will forever belong to our descendants. The covenant attached makes this so.
Yours,
Aksel Bakken
