A Scandinavian Summer, page 22
‘Oh my goodness. He’s not after my money. Well, at least I don’t think he is… And I haven’t done anything to you,’ I say.
Rosie slams the phone down without her usual goodbye or telling me she loves me.
It makes me feel sad and for a moment I wonder if I am doing the right thing after all. Surely, Lars isn’t after my money? He’s just a quiet baker.
But then I remember that Lars still hasn’t explained how his wife ‘perished’. Perhaps I have been a little impulsive and rushed into this relationship.
Oh, Martha. Is it all too soon?
I decide I need some reassurance. I need to speak to Lars.
On the third ring he answers.
‘Hej, all ready for the flight tomorrow, Omelette lady?’
‘Yes, I am. Well, sort of,’ I say.
‘What do you mean, sort of? I hope there’s not a problem. I’m desperate to see you,’ says Lars.
‘No, not really a problem. I have to ask you something. It’s silly, I know, but I need to know something from you.’
‘Sure, what is it?’ he asks.
‘Well, you know how you said your wife perished? What did you mean by that?’ I ask.
‘You know I don’t really like to talk about her because she perished,’ says Lars.
‘I know, but it’s just a funny word to use. Perished. Why do you say that word? What exactly do you mean?’ I ask.
‘Well, okay. You know, in the bakery, food perishes, right?’ says Lars.
‘Umm, okay. I don’t quite understand though,’ I say.
‘She perished. Like milk does. She went off, you know. She left me.’
I laugh so hard. So, Lars did not do anything remotely gruesome. The relief is immense.
‘Oh, silly sausage. It’s the way you said it, I thought you’d murdered her or something!’ I say.
‘Why would I murder her?’ asks Lars.
‘Oh, never mind. I must tell you about my overactive imagination one day. It’s a curse, really.’
‘Right, okay. So does that mean you will still be here tomorrow?’ says Lars.
‘Absolutely. Too right I will be there tomorrow,’ I say.
‘That’s fantastic. I’ll pick you up from the train station in Esbjerg as planned,’ says Lars.
‘Perfect,’ I say.
As we tell each other how much we love one another, I realise how excited I am about seeing him. I would never want to upset Rosie, but she has Ben and her forthcoming career. She needs to understand that it is time for me to make the most of every moment I have left on this planet, and Lars is part of that plan.
Chapter Thirty-Six
This time I don’t need to ask for directions at the airport. I remember exactly where to go. I feel like a seasoned traveller, as I confidently make my way to the platform for the Esbjerg train. It is only my luggage that holds me back a little, as I try and steer the trolley with two huge suitcases. It is much more than I had previously, but then I have brought every material thing that is important to me – my whole world.
When the train pulls up at Esbjerg station, I see Lars immediately. I’m not sure if it is his handsome, kind face or the huge bouquet of flowers that he is holding that makes him stand out. I feel like the luckiest woman alive as I step off the train and he greets me, lifting me off my feet, squashing the bouquet between us.
‘Hello, Omelette lady,’ says Lars.
The flowers don’t look quite so plump now and a few carnation leaves fall to the ground as Lars places the bouquet on top of my suitcase.
‘Ah, come here, I’ve missed you,’ he whispers, leaning over to kiss me.
The kiss is perfect. Absence has certainly made our hearts grow fonder. It is fantastic to be back in his arms again. I hadn’t quite realised how much I had missed this.
* * *
Fortunately, my luggage fits in Lars’ van and we drive off, happily chatting, his hand on my leg.
‘So, how was your flight? All good?’ he asks as we turn the corner towards the ferry terminal.
‘Great, this time I had two empty seats besides me. Everything was perfect,’ I smile.
The ferry to Fanø comes into sight. I can already picture the cottage, the deer and the bunny. I don’t even mind that the woodpecker will probably wake me up early in the morning. I am about to arrive at the place where I feel most at home.
The twenty-minute drive to the cottage goes fast as we catch up on everything that has been happening. Lars tells me that Agnete has had a famous client come to her for help, but she isn’t allowed to divulge who it is. I can’t help wondering if it is Kristian.
When we finally arrive at the cottage, it is incredibly emotional. Apart from the freshly cut grass, everything is just as I left it, even though other people have been staying here since my departure.
As we open the front door, Lars picks me up and lifts me over the threshold of the cottage.
‘Are you supposed to do that at this age? I don’t want you to put your back out,’ I laugh.
‘Shush, Omelette lady. I’m a strong Viking,’ laughs Lars.
He kisses me as he puts me back down and I feel so alive and happy. Lars even knows that I like my cup of tea when I get in and so he rushes to put the kettle on.
‘I hope you brought those teabags you like. I couldn’t find any in town,’ says Lars.
I open my bag and remove the box of teabags, which I had left at the top for easy access. As I hand them over, I see there is a message on my phone. It’s Rosie.
Having trouble with WiFi here today. Hope you get this in time. Don’t go to Denmark, Mammy. Don’t get on that flight. Ben found something out about Lars. Message me when you get this.
Another two messages follow.
Mam, confirm you got this. Did you go to Denmark?
Mammy, where are you? Message me so I know you received this.
I almost jump out of my skin as Lars leans in behind me, kissing my neck.
‘I hope I didn’t put too much milk in it for you,’ he says, handing me a cup of tea.
‘Oh, what? No, umm…’ I say.
‘Are you okay?’ he asks.
‘Yes, just need the loo,’ I say.
Running to the downstairs bathroom, taking my phone with me, I quickly lock the door.
Furiously, I type a message to Rosie.
What do you mean? I’m in Denmark already. What did Ben find out about Lars?
I feel sick. I might have known this was too good to be true.
I talk to myself again, something I haven’t done for ages.
‘Ooh, Martha. What did you do now?’
‘Sorry. What are you saying?’ says Lars.
‘Nothing!’ I shout.
I have to find a way of getting rid of him until Rosie messages back. What if it is something terrible that they have discovered?
Lars has always made me feel safe until now, but I begin to doubt everything. I have to make an excuse to get him to leave.
I come out of the bathroom, rubbing at my temples.
‘I have the most awful migraine. It must be all the travelling,’ I say.
‘Oh, no. Can I do anything? I know, how about a nice massage?’ says Lars, coming closer. For the first time, I back away from him.
‘No, I think I need sleep. I need to rest in a dark room,’ I say.
‘Poor you. Let me get your room ready for you,’ says Lars. He runs upstairs and I hear the noise of the curtain hooks clanging against the rail.
‘Shall we go to bed then? Your room is waiting,’ he smiles when he returns.
‘Look, I’m sorry but could you leave me for this evening? I don’t want to sound miserable, but I don’t feel too good. I think I need some peace and quiet. Alone, you know?’
Lars seems taken aback at this news.
‘Oh, I thought we would stay together tonight but… Well, okay, I can still make the ferry back, I guess,’ he says.
‘Great, thanks. I’ll let you know how I feel in the morning, okay?’ I say.
Depending on what Ben has found out, I might have to escape the cottage by tomorrow. What a dreadful thought.
Lars kisses me goodbye, but I struggle to return the warmth of his embrace.
‘Are you sure you’re okay?’ he asks.
‘Yes, fine. Honestly, just a nasty migraine,’ I say.
‘Okay. I’ll check on you tomorrow. Take it easy,’ says Lars.
‘I might have a lie-in, so please don’t worry. I’ll message you when I feel up to it, okay?’ I say.
Lars jumps into his van and waves as he drives away. I close the front door and lock it, leaving the key in to make sure nobody can come in. I don’t know what sort of news to expect from Rosie and Ben. It could be absolutely anything.
I am relieved that Lars has left, but disappointed that I am now here alone. I assumed we would be spending our first night reunited wrapped in each other’s arms and not apart like this.
Sitting in the lounge, I reach for my phone. I desperately need Rosie to message me back, but there is nothing.
I can hardly keep still and so I run upstairs and pull one of the Danish books out from the bookcase on the landing. I don’t understand any of it, but, for a moment, it takes my mind off the anxiety I have about Lars.
Finally, my phone bleeps and I almost jump out of my skin.
Hope you feel better in the morning my lovely Omelette lady. Sweet dreams xx
I decide I won’t reply until I know more. For all he knows I’m asleep by now anyhow.
I message Rosie again.
Rosie, you have to tell me what’s going on before it’s too late. Is he evil? Has he done something bad? I need to know now.
I look at the time and realise that she will probably be sleeping by now, but hopefully she will get this as soon as she wakes up.
As I press send, a message from Rosie comes in.
Typical, WiFi a nightmare here. Sending you this before I go to bed. Looks like Lars is on every dating site out there.
Rosie seems to have tried to send it a few hours ago but, as there are photos attached, it must have taken a while to get through.
I look at the profile of him. All of them say the same thing.
Lars Nielsen, 43 y.o. Skads, Denmark. Romantic Capricorn, looking for fun and good times. Sensitive, spiritual soul who likes to meet new people from different cultures. Get in touch to find out more.
My heart lurches as I read it. He likes to meet people from different cultures. Oh, my goodness, that’s me. Did he simply want to meet someone from a new country?
I look at the photograph. Examining it closely, I see that the background is the garden at Agnete and Ludwig’s. Perhaps he even asked Agnete to take that for him, especially for this purpose.
I don’t even understand why he is on dating sites when he has so many women around him. I am quite sure there is no need.
The thought that he could get me all the way over here and do this to me makes me feel sick. How could he do this and why did I trust him?
I cry myself to sleep. Lars Nielsen is a serial playboy and I fell for it.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
I manage a few hours of sleep and then it starts. Tap, tap tap. I grin to myself as I hear the noise. I am no longer fearful of it and am pleased to hear that my little woodpecker still lives here.
However, my grin quickly subsides when I remember Rosie’s messages. I still can’t believe Lars could seem so genuine and do this to me. What a rotten egg, as my nan would say.
I pop on my glasses and head downstairs. I notice there is a message from Lars on my phone that has been buzzing away in my dressing gown pocket. I choose not to read it. Instead, I walk to the window and spot bunny eating grass again. It is nice to see him. I look around for the deer, but he is nowhere to be seen. It is then that I hear the noise of a vehicle. No cars come up this lane and so it can only be either Lars or Olaf.
Please let it be Olaf, I pray. But then I see the white van approach. Oh no, I told Lars that I would get in touch when I was ready. Why is he turning up again?
I step back from the window and run to the back of the cottage. I hide by a wall, hoping he will leave when he has no answer.
‘Hej, where are you? I brought breakfast for you,’ shouts Lars through the front door.
I hear his footsteps walking around the cottage. They are distant at first and then I hear them get closer and closer, until he reaches the back door.
‘Hej, are you in there?’ says Lars.
I don’t reply.
‘Ah, I see you,’ says Lars. I look up as he watches me through the kitchen window crouching down by a table. ‘What are you doing down there? Did you lose something?’ he asks.
He has caught me and I now have to open the back door and let him in. What a disaster! I don’t particularly want to shout through the back door that I know what he has been doing. However, I suppose I should explain that I know and that he can’t get away with such terrible behaviour. Perhaps it will stop him doing it to someone else.
I open the door to him and he gives me a big smile.
‘Are you feeling better today? I was worried about you,’ says Lars.
‘I’m fine. It was just a migraine. Nothing to be concerned about.’ I notice how my tone has changed with him.
‘That’s great. I thought we could go for dinner in Esbjerg tonight, if you feel up to it. Agnete and Ludwig could join us, if that’s okay for you?’
‘I don’t know that I am up for dinner, to be honest, Lars,’ I say.
‘Are you okay? You seem a little weird. Are you tired?’
I sit down at the kitchen table and consider where to start. I pull my phone from my pocket to show Lars what is troubling me. There’s a new message from Rosie.
I’m sorry, Mam. We had to tell you. It’s better you find out now than later. Love you. Xx
I scroll back to the previous message. ‘This is what’s wrong,’ I say, showing Lars the dating profile. He seems as shocked as I am about them.
‘But I didn’t do this! I don’t understand,’ says Lars. He looks at the pictures again. ‘Why would I be on a dating site when I met someone so special? This is not me.’
‘Well, it clearly is. Look, it’s your face,’ I say sarcastically, holding the picture up to his chin.
‘I don’t even know of these dating sites. I don’t understand,’ says Lars.
‘Look, please don’t insult my intelligence. It is you and there’s no point denying it,’ I say.
‘Yes, I see it’s me, but I didn’t do this. I wouldn’t know how to if I wanted to. Not that I want to,’ says Lars.
‘Well, if you didn’t, then who did?’ I ask.
I stare at him, waiting for an answer, but he looks puzzled. He is certainly good at acting; perhaps Kristian taught him well.
‘Please, you must understand I wouldn’t do this to you. It must be someone having a joke. Perhaps my ex-wife? We didn’t part on good terms, but I don’t think she has this photo of me. Where would she find it?’
‘Well, who took the photo?’ I ask. I don’t even know why I am giving him the time of day when he surely knows full well he put this online himself.
‘Agnete,’ he says loudly. ‘Yes, Agnete took it. I remember. It was last summer. I was at the house and she took this in the garden.’
He sits down and rubs his forehead.
‘Agnete put this on dating sites? I don’t believe it,’ he says.
‘No, neither do I,’ I say sarcastically.
‘I mean it, you have to believe me. It must be my sister… or someone else. But I didn’t do it. Please don’t let this make you think less of me. I didn’t know anything about it until I saw this with you,’ insists Lars.
I look at him distrustfully. If I didn’t know what my husband of all those years was up to, I am not exactly going to trust someone who has just walked into my life.
‘Let me find out some more. I’ll speak to her. I’ll pick you up for dinner tonight and we can talk. At least let me find out who did this. It’s upsetting for me too that I’m on here. I’m also angry with whoever is responsible.’
Lars tries to take my hand but I snap it back. Gosh, he’s good at lying.
‘Please, you have to trust me. It’s not something I’d ever do. Give me until tonight to find out more. Can I pick you up and you’ll agree to dinner with me? I’ll find out everything by then and prove my innocence, I promise.’
Part of me wants to say no, but being a sucker for solving mysteries, I find myself agreeing.
‘Thank you. I promise I will get to the bottom of this,’ says Lars.
He leans over to kiss me, but I turn my face. A kiss lands awkwardly on my cheek.
* * *
I make myself some tea and walk around the garden after he has left. I search for the deer. Surely he must be around here somewhere. The fresh air hits my face as I look around. Whatever happens between me and Lars, I decide that I will stay in the cottage. I came to this place before I met him. I am not going to let our relationship change anything. It is beautiful here regardless.
When I have exhausted the garden and its surroundings, I consider whether I can get my bicycle back from Morten, the man I rented it from last time. Perhaps he has my lovely blue bike available again.
I decide to take the long walk to his corrugated iron shed, where I see my bike leaning against the side. Morten is busy outside, oiling the chain of a child’s bicycle.
‘Good to see you again,’ he says.
‘Thank you. It’s so nice to be back. I see the bike is here. Can I rent it?’ I ask.
‘Ah, I’m sorry, it’s reserved for someone. I have this one?’ he says.
I look at a silver bike with scratches. It is nowhere near as sparkling as my blue bike but it will do the job.
‘Okay, can I take this one for now and if the blue one comes back, can you let me know?’ I ask.
‘Ja, of course,’ he says.
I pay the deposit one more time and Morten gets my seat into position. I wobble off in the direction of the shops.
