“That’s a funny story, actually,” Anna said. “She was here last year to work on an article she was writing for a newspaper. She’s a journalist. Did I tell you that? Anyway, she was in Oslo last year and needed a translator because she didn’t speak a word of Norwegian. Not a word!”
Kristian raised his eyebrows and looked from one to the other. “Not a word?” he repeated. “But...you speak it very well now!”
“That’s what’s so funny!” Anna agreed with a laugh. “I acted as her translator last year and we became friends. When she came back, I met her for dinner, fully expecting to be translating the menu again. But there was no need!”
“That’s quite amazing.” Kristian grinned. “You must have a very good ear for languages.”
“I do.” Evelyn smiled. “But I must confess I still have some difficulties. I gave the landlord of the boarding house I’m staying in a good laugh this morning. I mixed up my words and told him the lice in the hallway was out.”
Both Anna and Kristian burst out laughing and Evelyn grinned and shrugged.
“There will always be mistakes,” Anna assured her, still chuckling. “I was in a jewelers once when an American came in. He was looking for a gold chain for his wife. He asked for a gold vagina! I didn’t think the salesman was ever going to stop laughing. I finally took pity on the American and went over to help.”
“Oh my goodness!” Evelyn gasped. “I hope I don’t ever say that!”
“As I said, mistakes will be made. It’s to be expected.”
Evelyn sobered, looking up as the waiter returned with their drinks. Mistakes were to be expected, but if she made them in front of the wrong person, it could be a deadly. She had to do better.
“Here’s to mistakes!” Kristian said, lifting his glass of beer. “May they always cause laughter and not offense!”
She smiled and sipped her beer, turning her attention to the menu. After studying it for a moment, she decided on salmon with roasted potatoes and set it down. While the other two were still deciding, she took the opportunity to look around the restaurant. The tables around them were filled now, but the closest ones were not within hearing distance. They might as well be all on their own, which suited her perfectly. If she was going to try to get Kristian to talk about what he was listening to on his radio, she didn’t want any curious ears listening.
“I think I’ll gain a ton with you visiting,” Anna announced after a few minutes, setting the menu aside. “I hardly ever go out to eat, and this is the second time this week!”
“Don’t you?” Kristian looked up. “That surprises me. Why not?”
“I’m a working girl now,” she said with a grin. “I don’t have the time or the funds for a wild life anymore.”
“Did you live a wild life before?” Evelyn asked in amusement. “Do tell!”
Anna laughed. “Hardly. But I did used to go out quite a bit.”
Kristian set the menu down. “I think we all did,” he agreed. “This is a rarity for me as well. When you’re on a fishing boat at four in the morning, you don’t want to stay out late the night before.”
“You both make me feel very decadent and irresponsible,” Evelyn said decidedly.
“Why? You’re on holiday. You’re allowed to be decadent and irresponsible,” Anna retorted. “Besides, I’m not complaining! I’m enjoying it.”
“Do you have to be out early tomorrow?” Evelyn asked Kristian.
He shook his head. “No. My brother is taking the boat out for me. We rotate weekends so that we can have some kind of a social life.”
“It’s a family business,” Anna explained to Evelyn. “Kristian is partners with his two brothers. His father used to work as well, but he’s getting on in years now.”
“He keeps the nets repaired and helps with the boat maintenance, but he doesn’t go out anymore.” Kristian reached for his beer. “He keeps his hand in, but we’re all glad he’s finally agreed to stay ashore. After his heart trouble last year, it’s best.”
“How is business?” Anna asked, and he shrugged.
“It’s the same as its always been, which is a good thing. We make it work.”
“Do you still live in the village?”
“No. I moved into a small house just outside. I have a wonderful view of the river and the village is below me.” Kristian nodded. “The height is perfect for my radio, and I enjoy the quiet. My brothers are still in the village with my parents.”
“Anna said you’re a wireless radio enthusiast,” Evelyn said with a smile. “I’ve played with one myself, but I don’t know that I would consider myself a student just yet.”
“Have you?” Kristian leaned forward, his eyes widening in interest. “Anna didn’t tell me.”
“Anna didn’t know,” that lady said dryly. “I did tell you she was interested in talking about it, though. I remember distinctly!”
“Yes, of course.”
“Did you build your radio?” Evelyn asked.
“Yes. I’ve always been good at things like that. It’s much more practical to build it yourself.”
“The one that I played with belonged to my friend. He built his as well. He did a tremendous job. He could listen to broadcasts all the way from America!”
“Oh yes. I listen to the German broadcasts, as well as the Danes and the French. I’ve even managed to pick up some of the Soviet ones, but of course I have no idea what they’re saying. I don’t speak Russian.” He sipped his beer. “The signals are fantastic now. I haven’t managed to get a BBC one yet, but I think that’s more due to my set than anything else. I want to make some adjustments, and once I have, I hope to tap into those as well.”
“I’ve always found it amazing that we can listen to broadcasts from across countries,” Anna said. “It seems rather fantastic, somehow.”
“It’s quite simple, actually,” he told her. “The signals travel from the towers, you see. As long
