Summer Island by Natalie Normann

Author:Natalie Normann [Barlow, Christie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780008362683
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2020-02-28T17:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

Finishing the potato field took almost three hours, despite all the people working. Jack was knackered halfway through, but would be damned if he was going to show it. His back, arms and even shins ached. But he kept up with the mad mud people.

Ninni came over to him, rubbing her hands against the dungarees she was wearing on top of her clothes. ‘You did well,’ she said with a wide smile. ‘How are you feeling?’

He looked at the furrows he had finished. They didn’t look as straight as the others. ‘It’s not really precision work, is it?’ he said.

‘Not really, no. They look fine, though. Are you hungry?’

‘I’m starving. Are we done?’ Jack couldn’t hide his relief and it made her laugh.

‘Yes, you can turn in your bucket now. We are going to the beach. Jens started up the firepit an hour ago.’

‘Sounds fantastic. Is it for hot dogs?’

‘That too. Don’t worry, there’s plenty of different stuff to eat. You brought something as well, didn’t you?’

She had noticed. Jack grinned. ‘I couldn’t come empty-handed, could I?’

They dropped the buckets by the barn. Ninni looked at him. ‘What did you bring? I’m only asking because I don’t want you to be disappointed if they don’t like it. We’re not Michelin-star eaters here, you know.’

He smiled. ‘A challenge. I like that.’

Ninni watched him. He had mostly kept pace with everyone else. She hadn’t expected anything less. He looked fit enough. He looked damned good, although she wouldn’t let him know that.

‘There’s a bathroom in the house if you want to have a wash,’ she said.

Jack looked at his muddy hands and equally muddy wellingtons. ‘I’ll think I’ll take you up on that.’

Ninni watched him as he walked towards the house.

‘Oh, dear, he looks a bit stiff in the gait, doesn’t he?’ Britt slid up to her, following her look.

‘Not used to hard manual labour, I should think,’ Ninni said.

‘But he’s a sight for sore eyes, isn’t he?’ Britt grinned. ‘And he likes you.’

‘No, he doesn’t.’ Ninni frowned, which only encouraged Britt.

‘He was watching you the whole time you were digging around with the potatoes. Admiring your bottom. It was so obvious.’

Ninni shook her head. ‘You’re so wrong. I’m not ready for someone else, and besides, Jack is leaving as soon as he can sell the farm.’

‘Well, then, have a summer fling while he’s here. Enjoy yourself. You’re finally rid of that idiot Karl. It’s time to live a little. There’s nothing wrong with having a bit of fun. If I was fifteen years younger I wouldn’t encourage you,’ Britt said.

‘Did you bring any beer today?’ Ninni pulled her hair out of the scrunchie and shook her head.

‘Of course I did. Sigrid put them in the fridge. They’ll bring it down later.’

They made their way down the pathway to the beach. Ninni looked at Britt. ‘Do you really think Karl is an idiot?’

Britt rolled her eyes. ‘God, yes, Karl is so full of himself. Pilots have egos as huge as jumbo jets.

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