“What have you been doing all these years?” she asked. The dimples she remembered so well emerged.
“I worked shifts at the emergency in Oslo for many years. I worked too much, even holidays and vacations when people with families wanted time off. It was exhausting in the long run.”
She could imagine. “You never married?”
He shook his head. “Never found the right one. And it’s difficult to meet someone when you don’t have a life outside of work. I worked so much that I reached a point where I no longer enjoyed it. It was time to take control and try something new.”
“So you wanted a calmer life and moved here?”
He helped himself to a chocolate chip cookie. “That’s right. When I heard that Doctor Thorsen was looking for someone to take over his clinic, I took the opportunity and moved to Solvik. Mmm, I like this.”
“Try the other two. They’re my favorites. My daughter’s too, by the way.”
“Are you married and settled here?”
“My husband died years ago, so I’ve been alone with Anneli. But now I’m engaged to get married in the spring.”
He drank some espresso. “How exciting. And this remarkable house, what’s the story behind it?”
She told him about the circumstances of the will and the move here.
“In that case, I understand how difficult your aunt is.”
She smiled. “She’s not too bad now. She was worse when we first got here. You should’ve heard the ship’s bell she used, to get attention. It chimed all over the property. I’ve forbidden her to use it, except in emergencies. After all, we have a guest staying here. Christel – you’ve met her, I’ve heard. So Mathilde can’t behave like she’s alone in the house.”
“That’s true. Christel told me she was staying at the new guesthouse.”
Bettina was having a fine time in Erik’s company. It was as if they had never lost touch, but were continuing where they’d left off. She might as well tell him the rest of the story. “What you don’t know is that Christel is the ex-wife of my fiancé.”
He looked at her amazed, and his facial expression made her start laughing.
“Huh? How did that happen?”
She told him how they had become friends until Preben showed up last weekend. “But I won’t deny that the situation feels uncomfortable. It’s not ideal having them both here, far from it. My fiancé is here on the weekends only, so that helps somewhat.”
“I get it. Is she staying here for long?”
She curled up on the sofa. “Two weeks, maybe longer. The worst part is that I like her. She’s outgoing and full of life.”
As soon as she’d said it, the door opened and Christel’s brown head appeared. She stared at them dumbfounded. “Is something wrong?”
Bettina nodded and told her about Mathilde.
Christel removed her jacket and sat down. “How terrible. And she doesn’t want any help?” She grabbed a cookie.
“You sure can bake. They’re equally good, all three of them,” Erik commented and got up. “I’ll check on Mrs. Fredriksen before I leave.”
“How long have you been sitting here with the handsome guy?” Christel looked at her, and Bettina had to smile at her curious face.
“An hour or two, I guess. Time flies in great company, you know.” She couldn’t help but tease her.
“And you didn’t call me? I was next door.” Christel looked slightly upset. “I’d like to get to know him better. There are so few attractive men like him around. You know, I haven’t had a serious relationship after the divorce. But now the baby is on its way and everything is looking up, I miss it.”
Bettina fully understood. She smiled at her obvious interest and told her that she and Erik were old friends.
Then he reappeared. “Your aunt is asleep, and I didn’t want to wake her. She was sleeping so peacefully.”
Bettina was taken aback by the expression. Mathilde was many things, but she would never call her peaceful. Demanding was a better word. However, she didn’t comment but followed him outside. Just then, Anneli came biking into the courtyard. Bettina introduced them and told her about Mathilde.
“Poor Aunt. How is she doing now?”
“She’s asleep,” Erik said. “Best not to wake her. Let her rest as much as possible.”
“She hasn’t done anything but rest since we moved here. How can she get a heart attack from doing nothing?” Anneli exclaimed.
Bettina had to hide a smile when Anneli disappeared into the house. Children always said what adults would like to say.
Erik laughed. “See you tomorrow.”
9
Mathilde didn’t look particularly better the next morning when Bettina went up with a cup of tea and a ciabatta for her.
“Did you sleep well?”
“Not really. I was awake a lot.”
The embroidery was left untouched on the chair next to the bed. She reached for the teacup and drank. Then she had a bite of the food and put the rest aside. She’d always had a healthy appetite, so Bettina was skeptical.
“I’m exhausted.”
Mathilde didn’t look warm, so that may be a good sign. But she didn’t have rosy cheeks either. Her skin looked gray and pallid.
“You should have gone to the hospital last night. I think you know that.”
“I told you I don’t like hospitals. What a horrifying place with white, sterile walls and never-ending hallways. Room after room is filled with hopelessness and sorrow, with hope for only the optimists. I’ve never been one of them.” Mathilde was well enough to give her an irritated look.
“Sometimes we have to do things we don’t like. You were in need of both a real examination and medicine.”
“Don’t nag at me. I did survive. Soon I’ll be able to continue embroidering.”
Bettina shook her head at the headstrong woman and left to continue with the breakfast. Anneli had already started, and Christel followed shortly after.
“It’s stupid that she doesn’t want to be examined. Imagine being that stubborn.” Anneli squeezed juice for all of them and filled their glasses.
“Neither Uncle Herman nor she has children,” Bettina explained. “It’s always been the two of them. Maybe she’s never had to please anyone or be considerate. Herman was happy as long as there was food on the table, I remember Father said. And she’s a great cook. No wonder she was upset when I told her I would only serve breakfast.”
“No one expects more than breakfast at a small guesthouse,” Christel said in her defense. “And besides, it’s fun to eat out and try new places.”
“I agree. When we travel, we like to eat at interesting restaurants. It’s a big part of being on vacation. It would be boring to eat at the same place all the time,” Bettina said.
“You’re right, Mom. I like to try new places.” Anneli got up. “School starts shortly. I’ll check on Mathilde to see how she’s doing on my way out.” She cleaned up after herself and left.
“What a wonderful daughter you have,” Christel said. “So independent and helpful.”
“Thank you. I’ve tried to raise her to the best of my ability, with help from my parents when she was little. Now they’ve moved, we don’t see them that often. But they have a cottage by the sea, so I can see why they like it there.”
Anneli called from the hall that Mathilde was asleep. Christel helped herself to another roll. “My parents live in Oslo, but I haven’t talked to them since I got pregnant. They have trouble accepting the circumstances under which I got pregnant. I wish I had siblings…”
Bettina hugged her. It had to be tough not to have her parents’ support. For her, it was inconceivable. “It’s sad. But they might change their minds when the baby is born. All parents love grandkids. Just wait and see,” she said and gave her an encouraging look.
“I hope they do. Let’s talk about something nicer, like your wedding,” Christel said and looked at her expectantly.
Bettina didn’t know h
ow to act around Preben’s ex-wife, who was so eager to help. It was clear they had similar opinions on many things. But she didn’t have much choice, because Christel was all fired up and ready to get started. She had tons of ideas, and she did have experience. It was best to try and forget who she was.
“What kind of dress did you have in mind? Preben doesn’t get to have an opinion, so you can choose precisely what you want.”
That was true. She would manage to choose a dress. How hard could it be? Christel probably knew exactly what kind of dress her ex-husband preferred, but she had no intention of asking. It would seem silly, and something she should know already. “I like simple dresses, without a lot of lace and nonsense. It’s not me at all.”
Christel smiled. “Less is more. Either way, you have the figure of a supermodel and would look great in any dress. In other words, you have a lot to choose from.”
Bettina made a cappuccino and picked up her laptop from the bedroom. “Let’s sit in the living room and look at pictures online. Get some inspiration.”
They spent the next hour looking at creations that were far from her style. “The dress has to be sleeveless and floor length. But I don’t want a long train or a veil.”
“No, it would be a shame to hide your lovely curls. They’re so shiny I can see my own reflection in them. I’m so jealous.” Christel rumpled her own, short hair to show what she had to compete with.
Bettina smiled modestly. “The short hairstyle suits you. This is my Mexican heritage.” She lightly shook her curls. “The only thing my father got to decide was my name.”
They were interrupted by the doorbell. “It has to be Mister Good-looking,” Christel said. “Good thing I’m sitting here with you.”
Bettina tried to look serious when she opened the door. “Hi, Erik, come on in.”
His smile revealed even, white teeth. He could have been mistaken for a dentist rather than a doctor.
“How is Mrs. Fredriksen today?”
She told him how she was doing. “We’ll go and see if she’s awake.”
“Christel, how are you?” he asked.
She had come out into the hall, so as not to miss anything. “Thanks. All is good. I’m well taken care of here. Cookies all day long.” Christel smiled, pleased.
“Yes, those cookies are something else. I can imagine you’re enjoying staying in this delightful house. Do you have a sea view?”
“I do, it’s magnificent.”
***
Christel was tempted to ask if Erik would like to have a look at her room, but presumably he had better things to do than be tempted by a pregnant woman.
She went to the dining room and poured herself a glass of water while the other two went upstairs. More than ever, she longed for someone to share everything with. Especially now the baby was about to be born.
She hadn’t thought about Preben in a long time, but seeing him again had brought up old memories. It was inevitable. She missed the years they’d had together. If it hadn’t been for all the stress trying to get pregnant, and all the disappointment when it didn’t happen, they would most likely still be married. It was sad to think about it. They were a perfect match. And they were so alike.
Where was she supposed to find a new man? And one who would take the baby into the bargain. Far from everyone would. Quite a few, she corrected herself. Most people preferred to start afresh. She had lots of baggage, and she wasn’t twenty years old any longer. But she was happy that Preben had found a new woman to love. He deserved it. And she liked Bettina. She only wished they were a better match…
***
“Dear me, is it you again?” Mathilde asked when the doctor approached her bed.
Bettina thought she sounded better.
“You give me no choice if you don’t want to go to hospital.” He examined her without any protests. “Are you sure I can’t talk you into it?”
“Nonsense, I’m already feeling better.”
Her embroidery was lying on the chair, untouched, so Bettina wasn’t convinced.
Erik finished, and they left her apartment.
“There’s nothing else we can do but check on her regularly. It will be more work for you to look after her.”
She smiled wryly. “It won’t be much different from what it’s been like so far. She’s stayed in bed since I moved in.”
He took her arm and walked toward the stairs. “I’ll try to come by once in a while. Maybe it will relieve you.”
She looked into the same eyes that she remembered so well from school. If truth be told, she’d had a crush on him back then, but he would never find out. She got why Christel was smitten by him. Tall, blond, and fit. What more could you want? She had to check herself. She was engaged, and her thoughts should revolve around Preben and their wedding. Instead, she was standing here dreaming of another man.
“Thanks, that’s kind of you,” she heard herself say. “It’s reassuring to have you around. I could ask Christel, who is a nurse, but it doesn’t feel right to ask a paying guest to help out. She’s here to rest and forget about her worries.”
“I know what you mean.”
“Can we offer you a cup of coffee?” Christel met them with a big smile, and Bettina knew her intentions. It wasn’t easy to get to know someone at a doctor’s office.
Erik smiled back. “Yes, please. I have some time before my next patient arrives.”
“Help yourself,” said Bettina.
He made an espresso and brought it into the living room where he stood looking out the window. “Pretty view.”
Christel wanted to talk about something else other than the view. “Where did you get those great biceps from?”
Bettina nearly choked on her drink and had to suppress her laughter. What a way to hit on a man. That was a chat-up line she’d never tried before.
Erik’s face took on a shade of pink. He wasn’t used to questions like that.
“It’s from rowing. I do kayaking in my spare time.”
“Wow, how interesting.” Christel looked at him, intrigued. “What a pity I can’t sit in the back, like on a motorbike. It would be difficult in a kayak.”
He laughed. “Yes, that sounds about right.”
Bettina noticed that he had left his doctor’s coat at the office, and was wearing a tight, cornflower blue pique shirt. It was no wonder Christel was impressed. Even she had trouble withdrawing her eyes. The term “biceps” had gotten a new meaning this afternoon.
They chatted for some time before he went to get his coat and said goodbye. Both of them walked him out and stayed staring at his toned butt while he disappeared around the corner.
“You embarrassed him,” Bettina said when they were alone.
Christel laughed. “But he’s so handsome. My blood pressure is so high now I should lie down and rest immediately.”
Bettina was in the middle of dinner preparations, chopping pine nuts, when Christel came strolling into the kitchen wearing slippers she had brought.
“That looks yummy. May I help?”
“You can peel some sweet potatoes if you like. I thought we’d have oven-baked cod with a nut crust. And then we’ll have soy butter and sweet potato mash on the side.”
“I’ve never tried that combination before. Sounds like a fine choice.” She got the sweet potatoes from the fridge, dumped them into the sink and started peeling them.
Suddenly Preben appeared in the kitchen. Bettina didn’t get it. It was Tuesday, and he was never here during the week.
“That looks good,” he said and looked at the ingredients before wrapping his arms around her.
“What are you doing here today?” Bewildered, she freed herself.
“Aren’t you glad to see me?”
She smiled and poured soy sauce and chopped spring onion into the melting butter. “Of course I am. It’s just so unexpected.”
He picked a carrot stick from a bowl on the table.
“I assume you didn’t come because you’re hung
ry. You’re able to fend for yourself.” Bettina thought it was strange. She’d planned on baking cookies after dinner. She didn’t have time to entertain him tonight. And why hadn’t he called?
“I remembered that Christel hadn’t bought a single piece of clothing or any equipment for the baby. What if he decides to come early? You have to be prepared.” He looked seriously at Christel, who was so startled that she dropped a sweet potato. It slipped out of her hand and hit the floor with a thump.
“You never know beforehand what’s going to happen. That’s why I haven’t bought anything. There’s no hurry,” Christel said.
“It’s crucial to be ready, Christel. I thought I’d take you to Babyshop, so you can buy the most important things, at least.” He looked at her, both determined and concerned.
Bettina was staring at him in disbelief. What was going on with her fiancé? Was he going to take his ex-wife shopping for a baby that wasn’t his? She could tell that Christel was just as puzzled, but he didn’t give up.
“You have several decisions to make. You can’t do it all at the last minute,” he insisted.
Christel was still hesitant, but let him talk her into it in the end. “I guess there’s no harm in having a look at what they have,” she said, as if to convince herself. “I don’t necessarily have to buy anything.”
“Bettina, you’re coming along, right?” He went over to her and kissed her. She didn’t like that he kissed her when Christel was present. It wasn’t appropriate, somehow. And it was poor judgment to be amorous while his ex-wife was watching them.
“I don’t have time tonight; I have to make cookies. But you go, and make sure Christel finds what she needs,” she told Preben. “It’s smart to get everything soon, Christel.”
The dinner was eventually ready, and she lifted the dish out of the oven.
“Is Mrs. Fredriksen doing any better?”
She told him that the doctor had been there again today. “Go up to her with some dinner and see for yourself.”
“Good idea.” He put some food on a plate and disappeared.
Time for New Beginnings Page 10
