As she took down cups and saucers Carina said thoughtfully, ‘I’d love to see Nico really happy.’
Hannah nodded, though she wasn’t sure why Carina was sharing. ‘He seems relieved to have left his job.’
Carina shrugged. ‘Happiness is more linked to people.’ She arranged tarts and a cake on a rectangular platter and Hannah carried it into the other room. Josie and Maria instantly revived and tucked into bruin-brown Körsbärschokladtårta or chocolate cherry cake.
Carina addressed Nico as she passed around napkins. ‘I have something to say to you.’
Nico lifted an enquiring eyebrow. Hannah fielded a half-chewed cherry Maria was trying to drop beneath the table as if feeding an invisible dog.
After a moment to take one of the hazelnut tarts called Kejsarkronor, Carina went on. ‘Before I knew Maria and Hannah would be with us this week and Lars fell ill, I’d arranged a surprise – to take Nico and Josie to Stockholm on Tuesday and Wednesday. Mattias and Felicia will be at work, of course.’ She smiled at Josie’s sudden indrawn breath. ‘I promised you a visit to Skansen to learn more about Sweden, Josie, didn’t I?’
Hannah instantly perceived herself and Maria to be the flies in this plan’s ointment. ‘Don’t cancel it unless you think you need to be near Lars. I’ll stay with Maria.’
Carina smiled comfortably. ‘But I’ve talked to the hotel and they can add another room to the booking for you so we have one family room and two singles. Finns det hjärterum så finns det stjärterum.’
Hannah giggled because that translated to if there’s room in the heart there’s room for the bottom. Then she sobered. ‘Actually, I’d hoped to make contact with my ex while here and he does live in Stockholm.’
Carina looked taken aback, the smile fading from her dark eyes. ‘Ah. There’s someone in your life.’
Hannah snorted. ‘He’s only “in my life” in that he owes me money. I’d like to encourage him to settle up.’ Briefly, she outlined the story of Hannah Anna Butik. ‘The ratbag’s declining my calls. Tracking him down in person might make him realise I’m not going to be meek.’
Carina’s smile returned full force. ‘We’ll make time for you to “encourage” Albin.’
Josie was bouncing in her seat, obviously awaiting her turn in the conversation. ‘Is Skansen the place with the animals, Farmor?’
‘All the Swedish animals like elk and wolves, lynx and bears,’ Carina agreed, gently staying Josie’s movements in case it joggled her plate from her lap.
Not quite able to believe this opportunity to chase Albin down Hannah said, ‘But will it be OK to leave Lars?’
‘We’ll only miss Tuesday because we’ll be back in time for Wednesday-evening visiting and then Lars will come out of hospital on Thursday,’ Carina said. ‘Mattias will see his father on Tuesday, I’m sure.’
‘Of course,’ said Mattias, woodenly. ‘But we have to leave now. Work tomorrow.’
Carina looked surprised. ‘It’s not even nine o’clock—’
But Mattias was already fetching their coats and bidding everyone goodnight without offering hugs or giving Felicia time to do so.
Nico jumped up and followed them to the door but soon returned wearing a baffled expression. Carina, too, looked surprised. ‘Have I offended him?’ Nico asked her in Swedish, presumably so Josie didn’t ask a load of questions.
Carina shrugged. ‘He’s been tense lately. Probably it’s a reaction to your father’s illness.’
They spent Monday morning helping Carina and her choir clear up after the Lucia service. White and gold festive flower arrangements remained in place but a couple of hundred people dropped a surprising amount of tissues and sweet papers. In the afternoon they drove into the snowy forest, which had the happy consequence of sending Maria to sleep, making her fresh for the evening ice hockey.
It was Hannah’s first live match, sitting up on the tiered rows by the halfway line. ‘These are great seats!’ Nico enthused, eyes darting about as if trying to absorb every detail of the brightly lit and colourful rink. HV71 was the local team and Nico was a lifelong fan. Josie was happy because there would be hotdogs and Maria was happy because the stiff programme, folded like a fan and banged on her leg with gusto, made a sound like loud applause.
Josie, however, forgot hotdogs the moment the players burst out of the tunnel in a shower of fireworks and was literally on the edge of her seat. ‘Goal!’ she yelled, arms aloft. ‘No, no goal. Nearly a goal, eh, Dad? Ooooooooh, that man banged into the other man!’