Page 152 of Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt

Horst guffawed. ‘Not if he keeps drinking. He will simply disintegrate.’

I considered the help I could offer. ‘You know, there are some highly reputable rehabilitation clinics available across Europe. As you know, my friend, there is no problem when it comes to money. Perhaps you would allow me to finance a treatment plan for Felix?’

‘Thank you, Bo. But I understand the key to successful rehabilitation is to want to be rehabilitated, which I can most emphatically confirm Felix does not. Anyway,’ Horst continued, ‘the matter at hand is more complex.’

I stood up in anticipation. ‘Please, tell me exactly what you mean.’

‘Two days ago, whilst I was out shopping for groceries in Bergen, a young woman approached me. She looked pale and ashen, as if she had been deprived of sleep for many weeks. She said her name was Martha, and that she was pregnant with twins.’

‘Ah,’ I said, beginning to understand.

‘I wished her well, and asked her what it had to do with me. Then she told me that Felix was the father.’

‘Oh Horst.’

‘She said she was a student of his, and that they were deeply, deeply in love. But apparently my grandson will not respond to her requests for support.’

I felt deeply for the man who had shown me such kindness. ‘This is the last thing you and Astrid need, Horst.’

‘Quite. But it gets worse. When I met her, Martha seemed somehow... troubled. The way she spoke and the frantic look in her eye... So I told her not to worry, took hertelephone number, and told her I would contact Felix, to buy me a little time. Despite everything, I was giving my grandson the benefit of the doubt. I went to see him in his cabin that evening. He was shocked when he opened the door to me, and desperately tried to hide the empty bottles as I walked inside. I told him about the woman in the supermarket.’

‘How did he respond?’

‘Angrily. He said that Martha had taken one look at him at the university and immediately fallen head over heels in love, to the point of obsession. I asked him if he had slept with her, and he admitted to it. So, naturally, I told him he was to come with me and take responsibility for his actions.’

‘What did he say to that?’

‘He flat out refused. He said that Martha had a long-term partner, and it made logical sense that the pregnancy was his doing, rather than his own.’

I rubbed my eyes with my free hand. ‘I see.’

‘Felix told me that Martha suffers from mental health issues too numerous to mention. He begged me to believe that she is a danger to him.’

I pondered the situation. ‘Do you believe him?’

Horst sighed. ‘After my confrontation with Felix, I met up with Martha at a restaurant outside of the city. She described her romantic encounters with my grandson in a little too much detail, including dates, and it seems to me that there is little doubt. Felix is the father.’

It was very difficult to know how to advise Horst. ‘Right,’ was all I managed in response.

‘But...’ Horst was clearly finding every second of this painful. ‘I think Felix is right about Martha. She does seem to be completely obsessed with him, despite the fact they were only together twice. Not that it excuses Felix’s actions, but I at least take his point about the young lady’s mental health.’

I crossed over to my bookshelf, and picked up the lucky frog that Pip had gifted me on theHurtigruten. ‘Is the child well in the womb?’ I enquired.

‘Children,’ Horst replied sullenly. ‘She’s having twins. The ultrasound confirmed it.’

‘Forgive me, is that where they are able to bring up an image of the baby? Or babies in this case?’

‘Yes.’ Horst took a moment to gather himself. ‘This is where things become absurd. I asked Martha if she knew the sex of the children. She nodded, and proudly told me that she was expecting a boy. But when she informed me the other was a girl, she rolled her eyes and grimaced.’

I frowned. ‘So she was pleased to learn about her son, but not her daughter?’

‘Precisely. Martha said that she and Felix were going to have a perfect boy, the next great Halvorsen man.’ Horst groaned. ‘When I asked about her daughter, she simply shrugged, as if totally dismissing her existence.’

I gripped the lucky frog tightly, as if willing it to somehow improve the situation. ‘Good Lord. Why?’

‘As I told you, this young woman is deeply mentally troubled.’

‘Does Astrid know anything of this situation?’