Page 133 of Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt
Horst was unsure of what to say, but thankfully Astrid returned with the tea. ‘I feel I have caught the tail end of that conversation,’ she said with a sad smile. ‘You and Elle are no longer together?’ I shook my head. ‘I did think it unusual that you were not mentioned in the letter she sent.’
My head shot up. ‘A letter? When did you receive it?’
‘Gosh, it would have been about six months ago.’
‘Only six months ago? That’s fantastic! May I see it?’ I enquired, my heart rate increasing.
‘By all means, Bo,’ replied Astrid. She crossed the room to a desk, opened the top drawer, and flicked through a variety of papers before selecting one. ‘Here it is. It’s only very short, but it was lovely to hear from her.’
Astrid handed it to me. It was comforting to see Elle’s neat, elegant handwriting once again.
Dearest Horst and Astrid,
I hope this letter finds you well. Please know how terribly I miss you and Bergen, and my darling friends Pip and Karine too.
Recently, I have thought a great deal about you, and the nights we used to spend together playing music on the hilltop.
Evenings in Norway were magical, and I find myself yearning for what once was, but now is gone.
Listening to Grieg makes me think of you and the beautiful land which I was so lucky to call home for a little while.
Another lifetime has passed, but I wanted you to know that you are still so close to my heart.
Never forget the memories we all have together; I know I shan’t.
Darling Felix must be getting tall now!
Bonny babe no longer!
All is ahead of him.
But I wish his parents were here to see him too, how proud they would be.
Yours,
Elle
I let the letter rest on my lap, and furrowed my brow. ‘It’s an unusual letter, would you not agree?’
Astrid shrugged. ‘Is it? A little broken perhaps, but I put it down to the fact that Norwegian is not a first language for either of you.’
‘No. But she was fluent by the end of our time here, as am I. I can’t put my finger on it, but something about the way she writes is odd. It doesn’t sound like the Elle I know.’ I looked to Astrid. ‘You have every right to say no, but might I be able to keep this?’
‘Of course,’ she smiled kindly.
I had a brainwave. ‘Astrid, do you have the envelope this letter arrived in? I’ve just realised it will have a postmark!’
She shook her head. ‘I’m sorry, Bo. It has been thrown away. I only kept the letter.’ My heart sank. ‘I do remember that it came from abroad...’
‘Where? From England?’
‘No, it wasn’t England.’ She closed her eyes and thought deeply. ‘Or was it? I do recall the postmark beinginEnglish. I think. Oh, I can’t be sure. I’m sorry not to be of any use to you.’
‘That’s all right, Astrid,’ I replied, hiding my disappointment. I changed the subject. ‘How is Felix? he must be, what... eleven years old?’
Horst and Astrid looked at each other. ‘He’s thirteen now,’ Horst replied solemnly.
‘Goodness me, how time has flown. Is he well?’
