Sara introduced them, and they went to have a look around the property.
“What a marvelous garden,” Nelly said in a loud voice, so no one would miss what she was saying. “This is where we should have lived, Gustav. This is something else, rather than that tiny garden of ours, where we can barely turn around without bumping into each other.”
Gustav quietly nodded his answer. Philip put his arm around Sara, and they looked lovingly at each other. They didn’t seem to be bothered by Nelly and her dream of a bigger garden.
“It’s my aunt who is the landscaper. Let me show you the house.” Bettina led the way and brought them inside. Her in-laws came to mind. Elfrid was nice enough and very kind, but Willy was odd. He was far from Bettina’s favorite. Fortunately, they were traveling at the moment, but Elfrid had mentioned they were planning an overnight stay soon. She’d called a few days ago and told her how much she was looking forward to seeing the guesthouse.
“What a beautiful house,” Nelly said after the tour. “You’ve chosen such soft and delicate colors, Bettina. You really should learn from her, Sara.”
Sara laughed and didn’t seem to care about the insult. “I’m way too eccentric for Nelly,” she explained when the in-laws had taken off.
“I like your fresh colors,” Bettina said.
The number of visitors slowly dwindled. In the end, only Emmelin and her husband Dennis were left, in addition to Sara and Philip. Bettina heaved a sigh of relief and forgot for a moment that she wasn’t alone.
“Are you glad it’s over?” Emmelin looked at her and smiled. She was six months pregnant with her third child. “It’s so much work getting everything ready for an opening like this.”
“You’re right about that. The last few weeks have been hectic. Our first guest is arriving on Wednesday.”
Preben put his arm around her. “I had a serious word with your aunt. She has to pull herself together if this is going to work. When it gets rushed here, you won’t have time to run back and forth between the floors whenever the alarm sounds.”
The others laughed, and she managed to see the humor in all this.
“You’d think she’d want to see how nice it looks,” Dennis noted. “Perhaps she sneaks around the house when you’re not home, and admires the rooms.”
“Let’s hope she does,” said Bettina.
“Mrs. Fredriksen managed on her own before you moved in,” Preben reminded her. “It’s probably just a matter of time before she gets tired of lying there.”
“Hopefully, you’re right.” She’d started doubting it since she hadn’t noticed any change in Mathilde’s state of mind. But the hope itself helped a little, and a positive attitude wouldn’t hurt. The best thing would be to get the tricky situation resolved as soon as possible.
The others got up to leave, and she walked them outside while Preben started clearing the cups and plates. He was efficient, and she was delighted that he’d been here today. It helped to have a second person around.
“What a stunning view,” Sara said and hugged her goodbye. “You can sit on the porch and watch the sunset.”
“Yes, it’s beautiful here. But I’m thinking of how it will be when the new hotel opens in the spring. How tough will the competition be? A hotel will have many facilities that I can’t offer.”
“Don’t let the worries of tomorrow ruin today’s joy,” Emmelin said. “You have several months to work on a concept here. Nobody can compete with your elegant rooms. It’s homey, and that’s what you need to focus on. Many prefer it to an impersonal hotel. What you have is unique, and the guests will have a personalized service. That’s worth a lot to many people.”
“You must listen to Emmelin,” Sara said. “Her travel agency is doing well. Furthermore, she has a degree in marketing, so she knows her stuff.”
“Thank you so much, Emmelin, that’s reassuring. I’ll make sure the guests enjoy their stay. Sara, see you on Thursday morning, if not before. I’ll come by to get bread for the guest.”
She went back inside and sank onto the sofa. Shortly after, Preben came to keep her company. “Finally, we can take a breath. What a day.”
“But it’s a good sign so many people showed up,” he said. “And nice to make some new friends. The knitting café must be a fine place to gather.”
She agreed. “But I’m worried about my aunt. I don’t get why she used the bell today. She knew the house was full of people. She even agreed to it. It was downright rude. And disrespectful.”
He pulled her closer and kissed her lightly on the cheek. “It almost seemed like she did it on purpose. If she doesn’t change, the guests will change their minds. You don’t want the reputation of it being a madhouse here.”
Her stomach was in knots just thinking about it. “No, that’s for sure.” She didn’t know how to solve the issue with Mathilde. Before the arrival of the first guest, she had to have a proper talk with her.
“Most things are perfect, except this. I’m having a good time so far, and think I’ll enjoy living in Solvik.”
“It will be even better when we marry. I can’t wait,” he said.
She smiled and looked at him affectionately. “Didn’t you say you have trouble sleeping here? It’s too quiet for someone who’s used to the background noise of a big city. How will you manage to live here permanently?”
“I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it. I have half a year to get used to birds twittering. Don’t you think it’s enough?” He got up without waiting for an answer. “I have to get going. The morning meetings are way too early.”
She rested on the bed when her fiancé left. It had been a successful day, but she was exhausted. She’d met Jane’s parents today. It was nice of them to come to the opening. She wondered what the next few days would look like. She’d get a soft start with only one guest, even though this person would be staying for a while. She would have to figure out the practical stuff as she went along, and make use of the time. She had no idea what was expected of her. But how hard could it be to make breakfast every morning, and set out some cookies in the afternoon? Luckily, she was an early riser like her daughter, and wouldn’t have trouble getting up. Moreover, Anneli was going to school, so they had to get up anyway.
She would have to stop by the bakery every morning. She could bake herself, but it was too much work. Making bread took hours with all the rising and baking. Cookies were easier, and much more fun to make. She’d stick to what she liked doing the most, and Sara’s bread baker could take care of the rest. There would be enough new things as it was.
She thought of the fancy juicer she’d bought. Nothing tasted better than fresh juice in the morning. Right then and there, she decided that fresh orange juice and homemade cookies would be her trademark. She’d make sure she always had a bowl of oranges. They looked appetizing and were decorative. She was content that everything was slowly coming together.
6
Bettina was excited when the doorbell rang on Wednesday afternoon. Her first guest was standing outside with a delighted smile on her face.
“Welcome to the Solvik Guesthouse. I’m Bettina Hoff.”
“I’m Christel Bakkelund.” They shook hands.
“What a lovely house. It looks like it’s from a fairytale, with a tower and everything.”
Bettina smiled. What a lovely woman. “I’ve recently taken over the house after my uncle died. My aunt still lives here. Right above us, in the round tower.”
“How exciting.”
If she only knew how exciting it was. Bettina had had a serious talk with Mathilde about acceptable behavior now that they had guests. But it was uncertain how much she had committed to. Mathilde was unpredictable. It was impossible to know how she would behave.
Bettina looked at her guest again. The woman was heavily pregnant, and she felt a stab of jealousy. Hopefully, she would be pregnant by this time next year.
“Let me take your luggage.”
“Thank you, that’s kind.”
They went over to her car at the guest parking. Bettina pulled a medium-sized suitcase from the trunk. “Do you have anything else?”
“No, just this bag.” She pointed at a spacious bag that was hanging over her shoulder.
They went into the house and up the stairs to the second floor where she would be staying.
“What a gorgeous room,” Christel exclaimed. “And look at the forest with windflowers. The painting is perfect here.”
“Thank you. That was the intention. I tried to find a theme, so everything was harmonious.” She smiled modestly and went over to the window.
Christel sat on the small sofa by the window. “What a view of the sea. I could sit here for hours and never tire.” She seemed content and stroked her big, round belly.
Bettina smiled as she was leaving. “There are refreshments in the dining room. You’re welcome to spend time in the living room downstairs if you wish. I have a key for you, so you can come and go as you please. I don’t serve lunch or dinner. But there’s a popular café next door, and a few blocks from here is an Italian restaurant. And there’s a cozy bakery called Sweet Temptations at the square.”
“That’s perfect. I’ll rest first, and come down in a while.”
Bettina went to check on her aunt. She’d promised to go by more often, so Mathilde wouldn’t have to use the bell. It had been working a whole day. But then again, she’d been up here quite a few times. The running up and down the stairs made other exercises superfluous. She ran so much that her legs became stiff, and she had to stretch out in the evenings.
“The first guest has arrived,” she said. “The woman is heavily pregnant and is staying for two weeks. I want to remind you of the ship’s bell. The guest needs to rest.” She was sure it was the case. The end of a pregnancy was tiresome; she knew that much.
“Do you want me to take the bell, so it doesn’t tempt you?” She looked innocently at the woman in bed.
Mathilde glanced at her with distrust. “No. If you come by as often as you have today, I won’t need to use it. Is dinner ready?”
“Not yet, I’ll get started soon.” She didn’t want to let Mathilde order her around more than necessary and wanted to decide for herself when dinner should be served. And she didn’t want to commit to serving dinner at the same time every day. She could do with some freedom.
Uncle Herman had taken care of the point of sale terminal. Christel Bakkelund had already paid online, so everything was set. Bettina checked for new bookings, and then she made a macchiato.
She put on a jacket and went out on the porch. It was a delightful day, and the sky was blue, but a cool current of fall was in the air. Summer was on the wane.
Anneli was at Jane’s doing homework, but would be home soon. She was grateful that her daughter enjoyed living by the coast. She was a clever student and took responsibility for her homework. It was fine now she was this old. But the thought of small children was tempting. It would have been nice for Anneli to have siblings, it had just never happened. She’d been on several dates throughout the years but never found the right one, until she met Preben two years ago. He sincerely wanted children. It was one of his biggest wishes. She pictured a future with a baby as soon as they were married. Fortunately, she still had some time but should start working on it soon. Right now she had her hands full with the guesthouse, so it would be better to wait until spring.
Her thoughts went to Christel. How strange to check into the guesthouse alone, for such a long time. Where was the father of the child? And why wasn’t she staying with him? She had many questions, but she couldn’t ask. It was important to let the guests decide how much they wanted to share. She didn’t want to be pushy.
Christel wasn’t all that young, probably in her mid-thirties. She had short, chestnut hair, with a middle parting. Her eyes were nut brown and pretty, but her face was ordinary. It was her clothes and their slightly rough style that caught everyone’s attention. She wore a short, black leather jacket and jeans. Christel was of normal height and resembled a tomboy who preferred climbing trees with tough guys as a little girl, rather than play dolls with her girlfriends. She seemed cheerful and sweet, so Bettina crossed her fingers that her stay would meet with her expectations, for both of them.
***
Christel was lying on the soft bed, looking around. What a grand place she’d found. Everything was so precise. The green curtains matched the bedspread and the throw pillows, and the sofa by the window. It was the same shade of green as the windflower leaves on the painting above the bed. She wondered who the artist was. She sat up to have a closer look. The painting was large and took up a lot of space. The forest with the windflowers was painted so beautifully that they almost looked real. At the same time, there was a mellow flair to it. The painting was signed by Bettina Hoff. Goodness, it was the hostess who’d made the stunning painting. She lay down again. Some people were very talented. Imagine being such a competent artist.
***
It was time to get started on the dinner. Bettina cut the chicken fillet and put rice in the cooker. Luckily, Mathilde wasn’t picky, as long as she got her smoked salmon and grapefruit juice for breakfast. Anneli took her the food, and then they started eating in the cozy kitchen.
“How’s the new guest?”
Bettina poured water with ice into their glasses. “She seems nice. And she’s expecting. It looks like the baby could be born any day, but it’s possibly a month or two left.”
“How exciting.”
She smiled. Her daughter loved babies and had babysat for the neighbors several times the last year. “Once we get more settled, you’ll find someone who needs a babysitter.”
“Yes, that would be fun.”
They finished, put away the food, and set the plates in the dishwasher. Shortly after, their guest appeared. They’d left the door open in case she needed anything. Bettina suddenly felt unsure if she should offer her dinner, despite it not being part of the deal. It was so difficult to know how to handle things, and how to behave. There was so much to learn. She would have to improvise and feel her way. It would get easier eventually.
“We just finished dinner and have leftovers. Would you like some?”
Christel shook her head and smiled. “No, thank you, I ate a sandwich I brought from home. But a glass of water would be fine.”
Bettina cleaned the kitchen counter while talking. “Of course. There’s a pitcher in the dining room, over by the cookies. Help yourself. This is my daughter, by the way.”
They shook hands.
“When is the baby due?” Anneli was curious.
“In about a month. I’m looking forward to it.”
“Do you know if it’s a boy or a girl?”
She nodded enthusiastically. “A boy. I’m on sick leave and have been told to slow down. So I thought this place would be perfect.”
“That’s nice to hear,” Bettina said. “You’ll have to let us know if you need anything. My aunt keeps to herself in her own apartment. She has a nasty tendency to ring a loud bell when she needs something, although she’s promised not to do it. Will you go up to her with a cup of chamomile tea and a glass of sherry, Anneli?”
Anneli nodded. She’d come to the same conclusion, that it was better to anticipate Mathilde’s needs to avoid the noise.
“This chocolate chip cookie is yummy. I love cookies.” Christel chewed thoroughly.
“So do we. We always have cookies in the house,” Anneli said and disappeared with the tray.
“I’m going for a walk to have a look around,” Christel said. “I’ve never been here before.”
“How did you find our guesthouse?”
“I stumbled upon it online when looking for a quiet place to spend the next few weeks. It’s so noisy where I live in Oslo, even if I enjoy living in the city. The doctor said I needed to take it easy. He’s worried about my blood pressure.”
Bettina was pleased. “Yes, it’s quiet enough here. I’m from Oslo
myself, so it’s been quite a transition to move here. My fiancé hasn’t gotten used to the silence yet. He comes on the weekends for the time being. My aunt is strict in that sense.”
She went out in the hall and got the key, which she gave to Christel.
“Have a nice walk.”
***
Christel walked along the boardwalk. It was cloudy, but she was wearing a jacket and a light scarf. The foliage had started to take on fall colors. There was some orange and yellow among all the green. She liked the changing of the seasons, especially this one. She had something wonderful to look forward to this fall. She scratched her belly, when she felt a strong kick. It seemed like a soccer player was living in there. She appreciated all signs of life and knew it was exactly how it was supposed to be. It was reassuring to get close supervision from the doctor. They had agreed that if she were too tired to go to Oslo for a check-up, she would visit the local doctor in Solvik. Her high blood pressure had to be frequently monitored, but she felt very relaxed here by the sea. The soothing landscape contributed to it. The stress was about to let go.
She arrived at the marina and rested on a white painted bench. It was a weekday and summer vacation was over long ago. The boats were used only on sunny weekends now. Some people were in the process of getting their boats on land for the season.
She’d passed by the bakery and the square. It was late afternoon, and everything was closed. She wasn’t particularly hungry but decided to stop by Café Solside on the way back. She craved apple pie, and the local café seemed to be the right place for it.
***
Bettina woke early the next morning. She was happy to live so close to the seaside that she could run across the road and take a dip. She put on a bikini and wrapped a towel around her waist, before sliding into her flip-flops. Then she walked down to the beach and ran into the cold water. It was always a shock to her body when the water was as cold as now, especially when it hit her tummy. She took a quick dip, then went up to the beach to wrap herself in her towel.
Time for New Beginnings Page 6
