part0016

Isabella set down her bag and told her how the day had been.

“Here, help yourself. I think you need it.” Celine placed a glass of ice water in front of her.

“So do I. What a day!”

“We’ve had chocolate ice cream,” Patricia called.

“Me too. Not chocolate, but vanilla ice cream.”

“It’s not the same.”

“You’re right, but it’s yummy. Did you go to the beach today?” Patricia joined them, and Isabella swept her up in a hug.

The girl giggled. “Yes, I went swimming. So did Mom.”

“Was the water cold?”

“No, but do you know what? I played with Lisa and Anna from kindergarten.”

“How nice.”

Patricia nodded and disappeared again.

“It’s great she’s made friends,” Isabella said. “It’s not easy to move to a new place.”

“For neither of us. It helps that she’s outgoing.”

Isabella yawned. “I’m sleepy after a day at sea.”

“It’s the sea air. By the way, you haven’t received any more scary envelopes, have you?” Celine asked.

“Ugh, I’m trying not to think about it. There have been three envelopes so far. Good thing there’s no mail service on Sundays.” Then she remembered the envelopes hadn’t been sent by mail but hand delivered. She looked at Celine and could tell she was thinking the same.

“Keep your eyes open. Sooner or later, something will happen, I’m afraid.”

“I hope you’re wrong.” She walked heavily up the stairs. She almost didn’t dare unlock the door but pulled herself together and turned the key. Her eyes went to the floor, and to her joy, there was no envelope to be seen. Relieved, she let out her breath.

What did this mean? Was there no envelope because Dinah had been with them all day? Her ankle was hurting, and there was no way she could have delivered another envelope. Or was Bob behind this? He usually had no problem speaking his mind. It wasn’t his style to work behind the scenes. Someone else may be responsible for the prank. But she was friends with everyone, so that thought was unlikely to her. Either way, this was uplifting. No envelope was progress.

Isabella spent the rest of the night drawing and writing down suggestions for the cooking class. If they were efficient, the class could start this coming week. She’d check with Remy if he would be able to have it ready by then, or if he needed more time. Planning the menu would be a lot of work, especially finding a balance between a beginners’ class and a more advanced one.

Her thoughts eventually went to the boat trip. What a strange day it had been. How awkward to be on a family trip! If she’d known Dinah was coming, she never would have accepted. She’d almost felt like a fifth wheel and a trespasser. Dinah had made sure of that.

Isabella did feel sorry for her. If she’d been in the same situation, she would have reacted in the same way. She would have done everything in her power to keep her husband if she loved him and was convinced their marriage could work again. Maybe Remy and Dinah had attended marriage counseling. She couldn’t picture him at a place like that, but she didn’t know him well enough to know that.

Isabella felt bad again for the feelings she had for Remy. She hadn’t realized before today how much she cared for him. She could still sense his touch on her back while swimming. Her stomach was fluttering just thinking about it, and it made her feel even more guilty. If she stayed away from him, there might still be hope for their marriage. She didn’t want to stand between their happiness. She had no right to. They were married. And the breakup was so recent there might still be a chance they could work it out.

In any case, Remy wasn’t ready for a new relationship. He couldn’t be. He must have been tempted by Isabella as a reaction to everything he’d been through lately. It was typical for men to behave like that, wasn’t it? They would throw themselves at the first and easiest opportunity, almost before their long-term relationship was over. Well, she wasn’t going to fall for that. She’d do her best to keep it at a friendly level. Then she would feel better toward Dinah, too.

The flower girl was both cute and attractive, with long brownish highlighted hair. And blue eyes clear enough to look right through you. She wasn’t beautiful, like Dinah. Nor was she tall and slim like her. Isabella would never have landed a model job.

Dinah smiled contentedly to herself. At least that was something. But why had Isabella gone on the boat trip with the family? She had no business being there. This was Dinah’s family and her husband. Fiona claimed she was the one who’d invited Isabella, but she wasn’t at all sure about that. What if it was Remy? She had goosebumps on her arms just thinking about it.

No way would another woman have Remy. He was hers, and hers alone. They were married, for goodness’ sake! Had they forgotten? They weren’t even divorced yet, barely separated. It was necessary to tighten the reins even more. It didn’t seem like her previous actions had been enough. She’d better come up with something smart…

“At long last, there you are.” Dinah eyed Remy impatiently. He was back to carry her out of the boat and to a more comfortable life at the hotel.

He frowned. “Would you rather walk?” His tone was calm, as always. She must pull herself together and remember that the goal was to get her husband to move back home, not push him further away.

“I just missed you, darling.” She smiled sweetly and cocked her head. That usually softened him, but not today. “I wish we could be together, just you and me. The way we used to be.”

He gave her a serious look. “I’m really sorry, but those days are over. We’ve tried long enough.”

“Don’t say that, Remy. I’m convinced that if you move back home, everything will be fine. This silly little restaurant you’re running here in the countryside is nothing compared to what you had in Oslo.”

“That might be, but I like it here. And this pace suits me better.”

“I get that. You’ve been working like crazy for years. But surely you can find something in between.”

Remy lifted her from the sofa and started walking. She wrapped her arms around his neck. It wasn’t often she was this close to him anymore. She used the opportunity to kiss him on his lips. A long kiss, which he couldn’t end without dropping her. He’d stopped walking, and she could feel him giving in. She took pleasure from the kiss. This was exactly how it used to be. Oh, how she wished it would never end.

Unexpectedly, he put her down.

“Ouch, my foot! What are you doing?” She was upset and was standing with both feet on the floor.

“What are you guys doing?” Fiona came down the stairs and looked at them.

“Your mother wanted to walk by herself,” Remy said.

“You liar. Of course I can’t walk on a sprained ankle.” Dinah held on to the railing while balancing on one foot.

“Cooperate, then.”

“I did.” She stared daggers at him.

“Let’s get going,” Fiona said and looked at her watch as if she had an appointment.

Remy picked her up again and walked upstairs. The car was parked close by, but it was still a bit of a walk. Beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

“You’re not ninety pounds anymore,” he said, out of breath.

“Are you complaining about my weight? How rude! I could get a job in the blink of an eye if I wanted to.”

“I just meant it’s far to carry you,” Remy amended.

It went quiet.

“If it’s that easy for you to get a modeling job, why don’t you apply?” he asked.

“My modeling career is long gone. I’m not interested in showing off swimwear for seniors, despite having the body of a twenty-five-year-old. That’s considered ancient in that business.”

She had weighed her options of having more work done. Some lifts here and there. It was about time for a little maintenance. It had been too long since last time. The only thing she was unsure of was their financial situation. They had yet to discuss how to divide their assets. But Remy would move back home, so there was no need to address these things. She was comfortable in the big house and had everything she needed there, her husband made sure of that. So, what was the issue?

“It’s about time you look for other jobs. You worked as a skin care therapist before Fiona was born.” Remy didn’t look at her but kept his eyes on the car.

“What do you mean?” She didn’t get it and looked uneasily at him.

“Well, we must get started on the divorce settlement and divide our assets.”

Her mouth hung agape.

“The house and boat are my separate property. The house belonged to my grandparents, and the boat was my parents’.” He unlocked the car and set her inside.

“So now I’m homeless, too?” She knew her eyes became too big when she widened them, but they were bottle-green and beautiful, so it might help her case. It looked gloomy.

“Of course not, but maybe you should get an apartment.” He stretched his arms as if she weighed two hundred pounds and he’d nearly pulled a muscle carrying her. “I’m considering selling the house and buying something in Solvik.”

Dinah closed her eyes and felt her whole world collapse anew. Would she have to move from a huge house to a small apartment? Just because Remy had decided to leave her? Life was indeed unfair.

“You mean Fiona and I am going to share a shoebox?”

“That’s not what I said. You’re exaggerating. Fiona wants to visit me on weekends when school is off.”

“Oh, so you’re going to take my daughter away, as well?”

“She’s our daughter, so we have to find a solution that works for all of us. Fiona is old enough to decide for herself.”