Page 18 of Astrid at Sea

“You’re spoiling her, you know?” I chuckled.

“It’s hard to say no to her.”

“You’re not wrong there. Thank you for looking after her.”

“You don’t have to thank me. I enjoy playing with her, though I feel like Kis only puts up with me because I supply the food.”

“I’d love to tell you otherwise, but unfortunately, I can’t. She’s the same with me,” I laughed. “Now, as your little helper for the day, what do you need me to do?”

“We’re going to make a fish stew for lunch and dinner today, so you can start by cutting these vegetables for me,” Gustav said as he scrubbed the pot. “We can’t start on the fish until Jerrik catches something.”

“How do you want me to cut them?” I asked, eying up the carrots that looked a little sorry for themselves. They were the last of the fresh produce we brought from Jorvik, but thankfully, we managed to get some from Isle as well, which would last a little longer.

“Into medium-sized chunks,” Gustav told me. “Just as you would do when we roast vegetables.”

“Medium-sized chunks. Got it.”

It became apparent to me very quickly that Gustav didn’t need my help in the kitchen. Even though it was a lot of work to cook enough to feed thirteen people and a cat three times a day, Gustav was very efficient with his work. He had cut up half the vegetables in the time it took me to peel and cut just two. If anything, I was only slowing him down with my help, but he didn’t complain.

Even Jerrik mentioned that Gustav seemed behind with the cooking today when he came by to drop off the fish he had caught. Usually, by this time, Gustav was finished with all theprep and growing impatient, waiting for the fish. It was great for Jerrik, as he didn’t need to deal with an impatient Gustav today, but I couldn’t help but think I was doing more harm than good by helping him out.

I wasn’t sure why he accepted Viktor’s request for me to help.

Gustav sent a pointed look at the fish Jerrik had dropped off. “Grab one.”

I did as I was told, trying to ignore the slippery scales as the fish flailed about, desperate to escape from me and back into the water.

“What next?” I asked.

“Grab a knife and lay the fish down like this,” he instructed, showing me what to do. “I usually cut the head and tail off first, so we’ll start with that. Kis can eat the heads if she wants. And then we’ll gut them.”

“How do we gut them?” I asked in a small voice, afraid I would need to stick my hand inside the fish. I always found it very unpleasant when I watched my parents do that. I didn’t know how the sight of blood and fish guts all over their hands didn’t bother them.

“Follow my lead.”

I watched as Gustav lay down the fish in front of him. The fish stopped squirming when Gustav slammed the sharp side of the knife down on its throat, severing its head. He was quick to do the same to the tail. He then turned the fish around and slid the knife down its throat. The insides slowly began slipping out of the fish, and Gustav helped speed up the process by scooping out the rest with the tip of his knife.

“Now we’ll give it a wash, and it’s all good for cooking,” Gustav told me with a grin, but it immediately slipped off his face when he noted my face.

“Are you okay, Astrid? You’re looking a little green.”

“I don’t think I can do that.” I shook my head frantically, trying not to look down at the two fish beside each other. One was dead and bloody, and the other was squirming far more than before, no doubt aware of the horrid fate that it would face soon, just like his scaly friend.

“Don’t worry. All it takes is practice,” he tried to assure me. “By the time we get through all these fish, you’ll get the hang of it.”

My nose scrunched up in disgust, and I pressed a hand to my mouth. “That was one of the most disgusting things I’ve ever seen. I don’t think I can do this, Gustav. I’m sorry.”

“I know it’s not for everyone,” he chuckled. “How about you cut up the fish after I wash it, and you add it to the stew?”

“I can do that,” I murmured, grateful I didn’t need to gut the fish anymore.

Who knew cooking could be so bloody and gruesome? Certainly not me.

CHAPTER NINE

“Gustav came to talk to me earlier,” Viktor leaned over to whisper as we all enjoyed some ale after dinner. “He told me you weren’t a fan of gutting fish.”

I leaned into his warmth and rested my head on his shoulder. “That would be putting it lightly,” I snorted. “I was doing everything I could not to throw up.”

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