Time for Surprises

by Mette Barfelt

  "What's the reason for this pleasant visit? Have you run out of work?"

  Miranda hugged her. "Not at all. I have a million things to do, but some are more important than others." She told her about the lunch with Celine. Kitty sat by the dining table, creating jewelry. There were bits and pieces everywhere, and several boxes containing articles she needed in the process.

  "What a brilliant idea. I can train her to take over my jewelry business." Kitty laughed heartily. "None of you are interested in designing jewelry, apart from Elvira. But she lives in a world of her own and isn't likely to return to our planet."

  "We like it, but don't fancy making it ourselves," Miranda said as diplomatically as she could. Her grandma made lovely jewelry, but it was too big for her liking.

  Kitty seemed to read her mind. "I know how you feel. There's no accounting for tastes, and that's fine. When is Patricia coming?"

  Miranda stood up. "I had to ask if it's okay with you first. I barely managed to convince Celine. She doesn't want to be a nuisance."

  "I see. I'll take good care of my great-grandchild. You know, my dear Freddy and I never had a daughter. I so wished for a little girl, but Freddy wanted differently. It's the men who decide the child's gender! And then it's the women who have to raise the child. Certain matters are unevenly divided..."

  ***

  It was a mild spring day. Miranda had worked non-stop for several hours and needed some fresh air. She'd persuaded Isabella to have a cup of tea on the terrace, where they'd recently started outdoor service.

  "Have you seen anything so beautiful?" Isabella gazed at the beach and sea in front of her.

  "I don't think so. The hotel has the best location in all of Solvik. Dad knew what he was doing when he bought this property."

  Isabella loved food, both savory and sweet, and she had brought a small bowl of chocolate chip cookies. "Mmm, try this."

  Miranda complied. It had bits of chocolate and chopped almonds and was yummy. "Where did you get it from?"

  Isabella looked disconcerted. "Er, I smuggled it out of the kitchen."

  Taken by surprise, Miranda stared at her. "The kitchen at the restaurant?"

  "The pastry chef made them, but Remy gave them to me."

  Isabella chewed thoroughly, savoring the cookie.

  She looked up, mystified. "When did you get to know Remy?"

  "I've scarcely spoken to him. All I asked for was a treat to go with the tea."

  "Gosh, he must like you. He's a man of few words and appears tricky to get to know. Actually, he's quite fearsome."

  "Agreed, he's not my type. Much too quiet."

  Miranda watched her sister, and it occurred to her that they would, in fact, be a good match. They were equally fond of food. "Are you sure about that?"

  Isabella lowered her eyes. "Yes. You know I'm not interested in a relationship."

  "Hmm." She drank her tea and thought it best to change the subject before Isabella became discouraged. "How is the shop doing?"

  "Few guests have stayed at the hotel so far, therefore, it's quiet in the shop. Everything's connected."

  "We're expecting some guests next week, and even more the following week. So we're heading in the right direction."

  Isabella snatched another cookie. "I've got to figure out how to get the locals to shop with me. I won't be able to compete with the flower stands at the square, other than on special occasions when there's a need for flower arrangements and bouquets. But I have a wide selection of giftware. All I need to do is lure the customers to the hotel."

  Miranda agreed. "Summer is approaching, and Solvik will be overcrowded with tourists. I'm sure the outdoor restaurant will be trendy, as will the pool area and the beach. The possibilities are endless, but there's a lot to deal with now in the beginning."

  They got up. "You're renting an apartment in the same house as Celine," Miranda said. "Have you seen much of them?"

  "Not really. I walk to work, but Celine drives her daughter to kindergarten before going to the hotel. The kindergarten and hotel are in opposite directions, and she needs a car so as not to lose too much time."

  "How about I invite you all to dinner tomorrow? We should get to know each other better."

  "Suits me. Should I bring anything?"

  "Not necessary. I'll make pizza. Everyone likes it."

  Isabella couldn't resist the last cookie and picked it up. "Sounds good."

  11

  "Did you really have to invite people today?" Vidar looked dissatisfied, hanging over Miranda, who was rolling the dough. "I'm off for my training, and I don't have time to wait for pizza. Moreover, pizza isn't good for me. If I want to be on top form, I can't eat a lot of junk food. At least, not on a Thursday."

  She could see that, but everything wasn't about Vidar's needs.

  "You're welcome to make something for yourself if you like. The fridge is full of fresh produce from the market."

  Vidar wasn't impressed. "Then why don't you use it?"

  "Because I'm making something to suit everyone. It's the first time Celine and Patricia come here, and I want to make it pleasant for them. Our children will survive pizza on a Thursday. It'll be fine, you'll see." Her words were dripping with sarcasm at the end, but it couldn't be helped. They ate healthily enough the rest of the week.

  Vidar ignored her, and she noticed him grabbing a protein bar from the cupboard, rather than make an omelet or something else easily digestible before his training session. She felt a little guilty but pushed it aside and continued with the dough. She had enough on her mind. The children were in their rooms, playing. Noah should be studying for an English test, and Sofie had a Spanish test the following day, which she most likely hadn't started preparing for. She sighed deeply. Her daughter worried her the most. Her grades had plummeted since last fall. She was tired of school, and not motivated. The problem was, the grades she got now would determine which high school she'd get admitted to, and how long the distance would be to get there. She'd explained this to Sofie countless times, to no avail. She didn't know what else she could do to make her pay more attention to her school work. How simple everything had been last year when she cooperated and did her homework, without the constant reminders or sulking. Those times were seemingly long gone.

  Patricia was the first to arrive. Miranda had met her before, but the children hadn't. Everyone greeted each other.

  "Look at my new purse! I made it myself." The girl proudly showed them a light-pink cloth handbag showered with sequins in a darker shade. There were pink zigzag seams all around it. In the middle was a little pocket.

  Miranda was impressed. "It's terrific. But surely you've had some help from Mom with the sewing machine?"

  She shook her head. "Did not. Did I, Mom?"

  Celine patted her daughter's long blonde hair, so like her own, only wilder. "No, you did it all by yourself."

  Miranda was surprised. How could a small child accomplish something like this on her own? "How clever of you, Patricia. But how did you manage to use the sewing machine?"

  The girl looked at her, uncomprehending. "It's not that hard. Do you want me to show you?"

  Miranda started laughing. "Some other time, the pizza is ready."

  They all sat down to eat.

  Sofie was sitting next to Patricia. She asked, "Are you in kindergarten?"

  "Yes, I've been there four days. What are you going to be when you grow up?" Her large blue eyes stared at Sofie, who didn't have a clue what she wanted to do in the future.

  Sofie looked at the girl, amazed. "I've no idea."

  "I'm going to make clothes. It's called a designer."

  "Sounds like a great idea," Isabella said. She was creative herself and fully understood the little girl's choice. "Perhaps you can make something I can sell in my shop?"

  "Yes, I will. What do you want?"

  Patricia was so charming that Miranda was completely enchanted. She was polite and sat decently at the table. For a moment she wondered i
f Sofie and Noah had ever had such manners.

  Celine seemed to be used to her daughter being the center of attention. "Patricia, we can discuss it later. Now, have something to eat."

  "Yes, Mom."

  "Are you happy in Solvik?" Miranda glanced at Celine.

  "We are. Patricia enjoys kindergarten, and that's my priority. But it's nice to live in a small town where everything's close by. It's very convenient."

  "Imagine how gorgeous it will be when summer arrives. Two minutes' walk to the beach where you can take a dip."

  "I like to swim," Patricia informed them. "I've learned to swim far."

  "She learned it recently," Celine added.

  Miranda wondered how old her children had been when they started swimming. Six or seven? Not five, for sure.

  "Where's your dad?" Patricia looked at Sofie.

  "Biking."

  "I don't have a dad," Patricia said earnestly.

  "You have a dad, you just haven't met him." Celine seemed uneasy but didn't elaborate.

  "It's the same thing, Mom."

  "Not quite."

  Isabella came to their rescue. "What are you designing now, then?"

  Patricia brightened. "A skirt."

  Miranda watched her pink nails, the same shade as her cute dress. It was easy to see that she loved to dress up. "Will it be pink as well?"

  "No, light lilac."

  "Almost like lavender, my favorite color," Miranda said. She went to get the ice cream.

  "Mom has lavender in a pot at home. Don't you?" She turned to her mother.

  "That's right. It's a beautiful flower."

  "Have you seen all the flowers in my shop?" Isabella helped place bowls on the table.

  "Can I see them, Mom?"

  "We can stop by when we visit Kitty. Thanks for making it possible for me to do aerobics, Miranda. I truly appreciate it."

  "My pleasure. Is Monday the first time?"

  Celine nodded.

  "I think you'll like your new great-grandma," Miranda said to Patricia. "She makes jewelry. The whole dining table is full of things she uses."

  "Oh!"

  "She has a dog, too," said Sofie, who felt left out. She was used to getting all the attention, and now someone else had taken over. "The dog is so tiny, you can hardly see it."

  "This small?" Patricia made a ball with her hands.

  "Yes, that size."

  The peaceful afternoon was interrupted when Vidar came barging in. He was wearing his bike outfit and pulled off the light jacket.

  Miranda hoped he'd set a personal record and was in high spirits. "Would you like some ice cream?"

  "Does it look like I need something cold?"

  "He looks very hot. Is he your dad?" Patricia whispered to Sofie, but everyone heard it.

  "Yes."

  "Why does he smell so strange?"

  "It's called sweat." Noah grinned.

  "It doesn't smell good. Will you smell like that when you work out, Mom?"

  Celine blushed deeply. "I think we'd better leave now, it's bedtime. Thanks for having us."

  Vidar had lost the power of speech, which was probably for the best. He hurried up the stairs, heading for the bathroom.

  Miranda couldn't hide a smile when she hugged Celine goodbye. "It's been a joy getting to know you."

  ***

  Miranda didn't have a choice. There was too much to do at the hotel to take the whole day off. She'd tried to get most of her work done during the week, but she wished she had a few extra hours a day now in the beginning. Sofie and Noah were visiting friends in Oslo and would spend the night there. Vidar was reading the newspaper when she left.

  It was a chilly spring day with cloudlets, and the sun was shimmering on the surface of the sea. She passed Sweet Temptations and decided to treat herself to something tasty for lunch. Outside the bakery were chairs and tables in various colors, but this early in the morning they were vacant. Inside was equally colorful, and Miranda had to smile. What a fun place. The walls and furniture featured contrasting pastel colors. She went over to the counter and spotted Sara, the cute woman from the opening day at the hotel.

  "How nice to see you again. What do you fancy?"

  Miranda couldn't make up her mind. "Such an amusing bakery. What do you suggest?"

  "Everything?" Sara laughed merrily. "I love sweets, but these cinnamon buns are very popular. So are the truffles."

  "You've got many types. Let me try a couple of each and a cinnamon bun."

  "Good choice." Sara placed the truffles inside a box and the bun in a bag and rang it up. "Don't forget the knitting café tomorrow."

  "I'll remember. See you then."

  Miranda crossed the lively square with its market where the stalls were lined up. The customers walked about with heavy bags in hand while chatting with each other. She continued past the marina and toward the hotel on the cape. When building the hotel, a footpath had been made along the sea all the way to the hotel area, and further around the headland. It had become a romantic path with benches to sit on and enjoy the sun setting at the mouth of the fjord.

  Miranda greeted Rebecca at reception and had a chat with Pernille in Anemone, before heading upstairs to her office, where she unlocked the door. She slumped down on her chair but bounced back up as if stung by bees. What on earth? She stood rooted to the spot, staring at the PC as if she'd never seen it before. Well, she hadn't seen it like this. What was it? She bent closer to examine. It looked like someone had spilled something or other all over her PC. She was usually calm in a crisis, but now her heart started beating rapidly. What if she'd lost everything she'd stored on the PC? It was probably a mishap, but it was strange that no one had called her. If one of the cleaners had done it, they would have contacted her immediately.

  She moved closer to smell it. Coffee? It looked like dried coffee, with the typical spots the shape of clouds. She turned the PC on, expecting it to revive. Nothing happened. It was absolutely dead.

  Miranda tried to keep a cool head and went to make herself a tea. The combined tea and coffee-maker looked like it always did. Everything seemed normal. She sat on the sofa with her mug and the cinnamon bun. Taking a hefty bite, she tasted the delightful caramelized sugar on top. Precisely what she needed now. She breathed deeply and tried to focus. What had happened? She ate the bun slowly while ruminating, none the wiser. She decided to call Gabriel. He had the weekend off, as always, but it couldn't be helped. He might have some advice to offer. She dialed his cell phone and explained the situation. It went quiet.

  "I'm on my way. Don't touch anything."

  12

  Due to the short distances in Solvik, it didn't take long before Gabriel turned up. She had no idea where he lived, but he must have taken the car.

  "Thanks for coming. I didn't know who else to contact." She was surprised at herself. It would have been the natural choice to call Vidar first, but the thought hadn't even crossed her mind. Was communication between them so lousy that it didn't occur to her? It was a frightening thought, but she was afraid it was the truth. Thinking about it, she realized they didn't have much to talk about any longer. It was mostly messages. They informed each other about the children's activities, about Vidar's training sessions, and that dinner was ready. Simple sentences that didn't initiate any further discussion.

  "You did the right thing," said Gabriel. He studied the PC thoroughly.

  "It looks like coffee, doesn't it? Only I don't drink coffee..."

  "You may be right. These are typical coffee stains, with the dark circles on the outside and the lighter yellow-brownish color inside."

  "The PC is dead. I'm terrified I might have lost everything." Her forehead wrinkled. She didn't like what she saw.

  "You've done back-ups?" He gave her a stern look.

  "I have, but not every hour. Nor every day." She tried to recollect. "I know I did it on Thursday, but I'm not sure if I remembered to do it yesterday. I worked on my PC most of the day and was exhausted
when I left."

  "Let's check with the cleaners. I'm calling Olivia Dahle." Gabriel reached for his cell phone.

  She let him talk undisturbed and went over to the window facing the open sea. She never tired of this view but couldn't enjoy the sight of boats heading out today.

  "Olivia is checking and will get back to me."

  She produced the box of truffles. "Help yourself, they're from the bakery." She tried one with chili. "Mmm, this one's hot."

  "Then I'll go for pistachio. That bakery has many treats."

  "I'm no comfort eater, but they'll do nicely today."

  His cell phone rang, and he answered, but didn't talk long before hanging up.

  "What did she say?"

  "No one cleaned your office yesterday. It's not on a daily schedule."

  "Of course. It's not necessary to clean it every day." She thought for a minute. "What about the keycard to my office? How many have access?"

  "Besides the cleaners, you, the janitor and me." He got up. "Would you like some tea?"

  "Yes, please." She remained seated, pondering until he handed her the mug. She knew it couldn't be Gabriel. She trusted him one hundred percent. And Vidar had attended the meeting at the bike club last night.

  Gabriel examined her door lock while she drank the hot blackcurrant tea. "The door wasn't broken open. Come with me."

  She followed him into his office. He opened his PC, his fingers running over the keyboard before studying the screen. "I should be able to see who accessed your office using the keycard. The problem is that the log's empty! Do you want to see?"

  She went behind him, peeking over his shoulder. "How odd. What about the safety camera?"

  "There's no camera in your office, only in the corridors. Let me see."

  She was standing by his side, lost in thought. The hotel had been open exactly one week, and she was facing trouble already. But challenges were meant to be solved, and she intended to get to the bottom of this pretty quick. One couldn't have dishonest employees. She got goosebumps just thinking about it.

  "Are you cold?" He eyed her bare arms.