Chapter 1 - 10
Chapter 1
May 26th 1999
Dear diary,
So, now I'm on my way. I'm sitting in an airplane crossing the Atlantic on my way to USA. Is this the right thing to do? Ok, I can turn around in New York or continue to California as I planned. I've just left my boyfriend(that cheating bastard) and thought I'd take my cousin up on his offer, I really need a change in my life. We have always had good contact writing letters and later on e-mails. Maybe I even can get a job at his nightclub. Singing would be nice- I'm not a professional singer, but I have always dreamt of beeing on the stage. Otherwise I'll try to get him to give me a job as a waitress. And of course I'm longing to see my cousin Ben and his wife Meg and their twins. I haven't met him in about ten years(I think he visited just before he married Meg). He had had a couple of bad years after his first wife died in that boating accident. He told me back then that whenever I felt like it I was welcome to visit. Unfortunely I couldn't make it to his and Meg's wedding but I have a picture from it and they look so happy together. I could have been that happy too if I hadn't cought my boyfriend cheating on me. No, I should not think so I said to myself a while ago. I have to start a new life and hopefully I can do that in Sunset Beach. The only thing I regret with this trip is that I had to leave my family and friends behind.
Ben doesn't know that I'm coming. The only one I've talked to about this is his clubmanager Mark. The nightclub is celebrating it's 15th anniversary and since Mark wanted to surprise his boss and knew about me he contacted me a month ago. By the way Ben and Meg will soon celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary. So, they're in for a big surprise. By the mails Ben has sent me, Meg seams like a really nice person, I didn't like Maria. I only met her once when they made a stop in Sweden on their honeymoon. Ben and Meg on the other hand spent all their time in Venice, so I haven't met her yet. And their twins, Ben adores them. He must, I haven't heard him say many bad words about them. I really look forward to meet them. On the photo Ben sent a few years ago, they look lovely. They must be nine now. Oh how time passes fast. And little Dallas. Oh, she's not so little either; five years old. I really hope I can stay for a while and spend time with them. I remember when Ben came to stay at our place when we were young. He and his twinbrother didn't get along very well. That was some great summers. He was about fifteen years old, and I adored him. I was only five back then, but I still adore him and if he wasn't my cousin Meg would be in for a big fight over him.
Oh, I have to finish up now. The stewardess told me we'll soon be landing in New York. I hope I don't get lost at the airport so I miss my flight to California. I have to remember calling Mark too, so he knows when to pick me up. I was lucky to get on this flight, so I have a couple of days to settle in and help out with the last minute plans. I don't think I can be at the Deep(it's the name of the nightclub) very much, if Ben sees me the surprise will be destroyed.
My conversation with Mark
- The Deep, it's Mark!
- Hi, this is Tina....... from Sweden!
- Oh, nice hearing from you again. You were very lucky. Ben just left and he's been in the office the whole day. Have you left Sweden yet?
- Yes, I'm in New York right now, landed about an hour ago and will be on my way to California in two hours.
- So, when will you land here?
- According to my ticket I have to go to LAX and change to SBX, and if everything clicks, I'll be landing there about 8 p.m local time.
- I'll try to get off, it's usally quite on Mondays. Otherwise I'll sent Casey, the other guy on the picture I sent you. You did get that, didn't you?
- Yes, so see you then, or at Surf Central. It's still ok that I stay there?
- Oh, yes of course, Gabi moved out yesterday and home to Ricardo, they'll soon be married, finally.
- How nice. 'Til then.
- Bye!
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Chapter 2
May 27th 1999
Dear Diary,
So now I'm finally in Sunset Beach. Mark was able to get off and was waiting for me at the airport when I arrived. There was not that many people so he was easy to spot, and he told me that there was only one passenger who looked like she had been travelling half way 'round the world the same day.
Yes, yesterday was a big day. It was rather late when I finally went to sleep. Everyone was waiting for us when we came to Surf Central. Everyone is Casey & Sara(thank God she can keep a secret, she's Meg's sister), Michael & Vanessa and Gabi & Ricardo. And then they had told Antonio and his wife to come too. There's one more that meets Meg everyday. She's still the nanny at Ben and Meg's place. Since Dallas hasn't started kindergarten yet, Miranda(Antonio's wife) is there everyday, except weekends.
Finally I feel to sleep and slept all morning, and didn't wake up until noon today. The first thing I did after I'd had some "breakfast" was to check the beach out. The finest sand and the water was quite nice too. I didn't go for a swim though, that have to wait until after the show, I don't want to catch a cold.
When I came back inside the house I decided to make some cookies, and just when I've finished I heard someone coming through the front door. That was Mark and a voice I didn't recognize from yesterday. But Mark was on his guard. He talked loud and adressed the ladyvoice with Meg, so I could run upstairs without getting caught. Anyhow they made their way to the kitchen and Meg asked Mark if he'd found himself a new girlfriend, because she couldn't remind her of anyone baking since she left Surf Central. But Mark is quick. He said that they had a guest that probably just had baked the cookies as a thanks before she'd left. She had been a cousin or someting of Casey's and only had stayed for one night. That was really close, because it didn't sound to me upstairs like Meg was satisfied with the answer but she had to leave. The twins was to be picked up from school.
I talked a bit to Mark and thanked him for not telling about me, but he said that it was nothing to thank him about. He's the one who asked me to come. After that I went to bed. I hadn't that many days left to get into the timechange.
May 28th 1999.
Dear Diary,
Today I visited the Deep for the first time. What great premises. And the stage. I haven't ever seen anything like it since, I don't know when. But the whole club has had some renovating because of the anniversary. You probably wonder how I could visit in the middle of the day. Easy, Ben had taken his family for a day out. He called Mark about noon to tell that everything was going according to their plans and they shouldn't be home before closing time, so Mark had to do that.
I did help Mark prepare for the evening. The club have been open a week now(the final renovation had been done in a week and the club was closed at that time). He even showed me the Java Web. That's a great place too. I think I'm going to like it here. I really hope I can stay on. I also had my first rehersal. I have to take every opportunity I can get. Hopefully I can get one more chance before the big evening. There's only 10 days left. Anyway. The stage was great and I think that what I've been thinking of singing will fit right in. It's not all kind of songs that fits everywhere.
The funny thing about this anniversity is that it's celebrated on our(Sweden's) national day the 6th of June. Talking about celebration, I have to call home. It's my mother's and one of my sister's birthday today. See you.
June 1st 1999
Dear diary,
It's been a couple of days since I last wrote anything. The days have been quite busy. Mostly trying not to bump into Ben, because I've tried to do some sightseeing in this city. I have a long list of places where I not should go, not if I want to meet Ben or Meg anyway.
I have also spend some time at the beach. I'm not very much for laying on the beach, but I have to say that I'm getting quite a nice tan. And that's nice because then I won't look so pale on stage. Mark said that he maybe could get Ben out of the club tomorrow so that I could get one final rehersal, and soundcheck, because I can't do it on the 6th. Ben will be there all that day and I don't want to destroy the surprise. I probably won't write anything until after the big reopening and 15 year anniversary of the Deep.
Oh, I haven't written anything about this, but the local newspaper "the Sentinel" has been writing a lot about this day and about Ben and his life. I'm lucky that everyone has been able to keep quite about I'm being here. I can bet that if they hadn't, it would have been in the paper. But Vanessa(she's a reporter there) promised not to say a word if she could have an exclusive interview afterwards. And that was not hard to promise. I didn't want to spoil this surprise for my favorite cousin.
I wonder what he'll say when he gets his hands on the programmes for the evening. They're already arrived, but Mark hides them here at Surf Central. And I know that Ben is furious that they haven't arrived yet. There's only five days left. But like I've been saying before. Mark's quick. He has so far been able to come up with a story and kept Ben busy with other things so he couldn't call the printing shop.
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Chapter 3
June 7th 1999
Dear Diary,
Yesterday was a great day, at least most of it.
Mark and I was in the kitchen eating breakfast when suddenly the frontdoor went open and Ben rushed in. I barely made it up the stairs before he came into the kitchen. He wanted to know where the programmes were. And the only way to get him to quite down was for Mark to take them out.
"How long have you had them? And what is this "surprise"?" Ben asked.
"Ok boss, I have to confess that I have had them here for a week, I couldn't let you see them. I know that you would have gotten me to tell you all about it." Mark answered. "Now I have to go to the Deep. Are you coming?" he continued.
They left and I could come downstairs to finish my breakfast. Ben had been so upset and in such a hurry that he didn't notice that there were breakfast for two on the table.
Since I knew it was safe, I went for a stroll on the beach. The afternoon went rather quick. I had to get ready for the evening. I had to sing a bit to get my voice clear. I also had to get dressed. I had bought myself a quite nice outfit on the airport in New York, it was on sale otherwise I don't think I could have afforded it. You know how expensive things are at airports.
Anyhow the evening came and all the other acts was fabulous, I was backstage for about 30 minutes before it was my turn. I could be there for the whole evening, I wouldn't spoil the surprise now that we all had kept it a secret. Mark had told me that he should hold a short speech before I went on. So here it comes.
"Everybody can I have your attention. Soon this show will be over, but there's one thing left and it's quite a story behind it. It was quite a job to keep it a secret, the boss doesn't like surprises, I even had to keep the programmes hidden from him, but he almost blew it this morning when he rushed in on my breakfast.
When the boss first came to me with this idea, a special person of his life popped up in my mind. For the past year I've been talking to her over the internet."
Ben looks like he's about to say something
"No boss, it has not turned into a romance like your's and Meg's" Mark said.
"I was about to stop you from calling me boss, for the millionth time" Ben said.
Everyone laughed.
Mark continued
"Anyhow, this person- as I said it's a woman, was a big part of the bo.. Ben's life a long time ago."
Meg looked surprised at Ben as Mark went on.
"So before I give her away totally. Ladies, Gentlemen and Children I Mark your co-host for this evening like to wish you fun for the rest of it and now I'm proud to introduce to you THE SURPRISE!!!!!!!"
Just before Mark finished Ben turned to Meg.
"It couldn't be. Mark can't have had arranged this."
"What? Who are you talking about?" Meg wondered.
"My cousin Tina from Sweden, I told you about her, didn't I?" Ben told her.
"Yes I remeber, we didn't get the chance to visit her when we where in Europe for our honeymoon." Meg said.
I started to sing, and then I entered the stage. The look on Ben's face was to pay for. First he looked really surprised and the second after that he smiled at me. Then he crouched down to his children and (what I think) told them about me. Anyway they too along with their mother smiled and waved at me.
What I sang??? I started with the old "Seasons in the sun" just because we had so much fun together. Then I did "Up where we belong" we had quite an act to together for this one.
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Chapter 4
This is a chapter about what was said and happened after the show was over.
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Hugs, kisses,smiles and introductions came from all over the place.
Ben gave me the biggest hug I had in years, yes, I think I hadn't had one like that since he left about 10 years ago.
Ben: I don't belive it, it's really you. How are you and what are you doing here?
Me: What I'm doing? Isn't that quite clear, I try to surprise you, and it looks like I managed.
Meg: Yes you really did, I haven't seen Ben like this since....I can't remember. Anyway, it's nice to finally meet you, and these are our children; Trevor, Ashley and Dallas.
I croched down infront of the children and said hello.
Me: It's so nice to meet you all. I think it's too bad that we missed eachother all those years ago when you where in Europe for your honeymoon.
Ben didn't say very much, he was still stunned.
Meg: I really have to know why you choose those songs, and especially "Seasons in the sun" that's quite a sad song.
Me: It's because we had joy and we had fun all those summers Ben came to stay with us. That's why I had it changed a bit too and started out with the chorus-part of it.
Ben: Where do you stay?
Meg: What kind of question is that? Is it the first thing you think about when you meet your long lost cousin?
Ben: Sorry, I still can't believe you're here.
Me: I am, and I'm staying at Surf Central. It's a great house. I was told by Mark that I got your old room, Meg.
Meg: But Gabi, where is she staying then?
Me: She moved out the day before I got here. She's moved in with Ricardo.
Ben: I heard something about that. But that was almost two weeks ago.
Me: Yes, I arrived 11 days ago.
Ben: 11 days? There must have been a lot of hiding out for you then. And did you get a chance to try the stage?
Me: Yes, the day you took your family for a day out.
Sara's coming.
Sara: Hi, Tina! Nice to meet you again!
Me: And you too!
Meg: Again?????? Did you know she was here, and didn't tell me, your own sister?!
Sara: Yes. I was there when she arrived. Along with Casey,of course. Gabi and Ricardo, Michael and Vanessa, Antonio and Miranda were there too.
Ben: Vanessa too. And there hasn't been a thing about it in the paper yet. Is she loosing her touch?
Me: No I don't think so, she had me to promise her an exclusive about our summers to get her to keep quite. That wasn't so bad, was it?
Ben: No, the summers in Sweden was one of the greatest things when I grew up.
Meg: It must have been, you've been talking about bringing us there for some years now.
Ben: Yes, but I wanted to wait until Dallas was big enough to appreciate some of the things.
Me: I'll be glad to show you around, and the family really misses you Ben. They look forward to me getting you and your family over there.
Meg: That sounds great! But unfortunelly I have to get these children home and in bed. There's a day tomorrow too. I'll be home all day, so please just come over. I can imagine that Mark already showed you the house.
Me: Yes he has. I'll be around tomorrow. It was so nice to meet you all.
Ben: I'll be home later. Don't wait up, Tina and I have some catching up to do.
Meg: Of course you do. I'll miss you though.
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Chapter 5
Catching up!
Ben: I still really can't believe that you're here. And that you have been for 11 days. How's things back in Sweden.
Me: The same as ever. We haven't changed that much. My parents still live where they always have.
Ben: And you, I thought you said something in a letter or mail about getting married? What happened? I don't think that you would have come here if everything was right.
Me: No, even though we haven't met in all these years, you still read me like an open book. I caught him cheating on me.
Ben: With some one you know? Tell me if I should mind my own business, but I'm always here from you.
For the first time since all that happened I started to cry and Ben got up and gave me one of his great hugs.
Me: This is just like when we were young and I fell and hurt myself and you comforted me. I could always count on a hug from you to make things better. Meg's a lucky lady to be able to get in your arms every day.
Ben: And I'm a lucky man having found her.
Me: Yes, you told me all about it. You sounded so reliefed and happy after having conected with Meg that very first time over the internet.
Ben: Back to you now, it sounded like that cheating bastard wasn't all the story.
Me: No, He wasn't really a problem. I think I would had broken up with him anyway. It was on a party at my sister's when I told everyone that I was leaving the next day. There's were mostly happy wishes, but one guy reacted different.
Ben: So, tell me, it's me Ben Evans your favorite cousin in the world.
Me: I had my eyes on him last year, but nothing happened, and I didn't think so much about it when I met Michael. But you should have seen the look on his face when I told everyone that I was about to leave. I never seen anyone look so hurt before.
Ben: So, what's his name? And why do you think he got hurt.
Me: His name is Ola, and I think that he just wanted to give me some time before he made a move. It hasn't been so long since I broke up with Michael.
Ben: So, do you like this Ola and would you like something to happen.
Me: I've always liked him, but since I had this trip planned, I really didn't want anything to happen. And anyway he drove off quite quickly after dinner. I really don't know what I want. I like to try living here for a while. Maybe you have a job for me.
Ben: For you, I can always find something, but you have to be a bit happier. By the way, why don't you come stay with us. We have a lot of space and empty rooms.
ME: I'll think about it. Meg invited me for breakfast tomorrow, or shall I say today. I really have to head back to Surf Central to get some sleep. It's 4 a.m and Meg said to come at 9.
Ben: Ok, shall I drive you.
Me: No, I have my rental car outside. See you tomorrow, and thanks for listening.
Ben: That's nothing, see you.
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Chapter 6
June 10th 1999
Dear diary,
The house was great, and Meg is the perfect hostess. She had made the greatest breakfast I had seen in years. A lot of fruit and freshly homebaked bread(she must have been up all morning). And after having taken the kids to school Ben joined us and we had a great morning. They showed me the house, the garden and their private beach. Ben took me to his office at the Mediacenter as well. I got quite a picture of his life.
And it's clear to me that he really likes his life. The family is everything to him and there's nothing he wouldn't do to protect them.
I also got to meet their neighbours Bette and Ashe(Ben told me his whole name, but I forgot it). They too have a daughter, born the same day as Dallas. So there's a lot of kids in the neighbourhood.
Of course Ben nagged me about moving in. And I think I will. That house is great, and if I walk along the beach it only takes five minutes to get back here to Surf Central.
June 15th 1999
Dear diary,
So I moved into the garageappartment at Ben and Meg's. I got a job at the Deep and the Javaweb. I even have got to sing again. Ben's the greatest. I only wish I could get the answer to a question. When I called my sister the other day, she said that they'd done some investigation to why Ola ran off from the party the day before I left. Quess what, nobody has talked to him since. It seems like he just vanished. Not even his parents knew where he was. I wish she didn't tell me. I don't know if I hope he's on his way over here or not. I just want to know that he's OK.
It's a great evening and I have it off. I think I'll go for a walk on the beach. The sunset seems to be great tonight. And I need to relax and clear my head. I have that interview with Vanessa tomorrow. I might say that I and Ben have it. I'm not letting him of that easy. I had to sit through an interview made by his kids last night. So, now he has to make it up. i think it will be great though.
Good night my trusted friend.
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Chapter 7
The sunset really was great that evening. I could easily imagine the night when Ben and Meg first saw eachother before she got robbed. There's really something about the sunsets, and I think that the legend Meg told me about could be true. She's been the legend-teller ever since Elaine left town. It's certainly because the legend happened to her. The part the the one you meet on the far side of the pier when the sun sets and the Santa Ana wind blows.
Anyway I went for a long walk on the beach, and when I was on my way back I popped in on Surf Central. Just in time to get a cup of coffee. I really don't know what should have happened if I hadn't done so, that is if I went stright home.
When I'd told them all good night and got out on the beach again, the sun was just about to set. I went down to the water and took the shoes in my hand. The water was quite warm. I started to walk back to the house. I had come half the way when I thought I heard someone call my name. Just in my mind I told myself, but then I heard it again. And closer this time. It was a voice I recongized, but I couldn't place it anywhere. Once again I heard my name and turned around.
It was Ola!! Do I have to say anymore? I was stunned.
Me: What are you doing here? Do you know that everyone is looking for you back home?
Ola: What I'm doing here? Don't tell me I made this trip for nothing. I'm here to see you.
Me: To see me? Why didn't you say anything back home. You hadn't had to come all the way here.
Ola: I got so hurt when you told everyone that you were leaving. I had thought about talking to you later that evening.
Me: But why did you drive off then? If you had stayed we could have talked. What did you want to talk to me about?
Ola: Us!
Me: Us?
Ola: Yes, you and me. I thought that I finally had a chance with you now that it was over between you and that; what's his name.
Me: Michael.
Ola: Yes, Michael. I thought that I had waited long enough and then when I finally had made my mind up you spring us all with this trip to USA and telling us that you don't know when you'll be back.
I just couldn't stay. I'm sorry for rushing out like that. Do you think your sister got offended.
Me: No, I don't think so. But have you told anyone where you are?
I talked to Anna the other day and she said that not even your parents knew where you were.
Ola: Don't worry I told them and made them promise not to tell anyone where I'd gone off to.
Me: Don't take this the wrong way. I'm happy to see you, but couldn't you have called first?
Ola: No. I thought that if I didn't get on a plane and come after you I'd loose you forever. I'm usally not this impulsive. But I couldn't see you run through my fingers again.
Me: Again?
Ola: Yes, don't you remember, I was at that big party too where you met Michael.
Me: Oh yes, I remember that evening very well. I saw you there, you had that girl all over you and didn't seem to mind a bit. That's when I decided to take the chance with Michael instead.
Ola: Instead, so does that mean there's a chance for us?
Me: Yeah, I think so. It's what I really have wanted since that first time we met at my sister's birthdayparty.
Ola: Really. Well don't take this the wrong way, but do you know a good place to stay. I've been travelling since yesterday morning. Do you know that if you have to fly on stand by it takes almost 48 hours to get from Sweden to L.A and then I had to get out here.
Me: 48 hours? But I've been here for three weeks, do you know that everyone have been looking for you all that time. Did you hide at you parents.
I know that my friends at Surf Central has a vacant room. They just waiting for the right person to rent it.......
Ola: That's sounds nice. Is it too late to go there now.
Me: Let me finish. Or you can stay with me. I have the garageappartment at Ben and Meg's. They wouldn't mind. I only think they'd be happy to meet you. I know Ben would.
Ola: Is it far, I haven't fixed a rental car yet.
Me: No, I was just on my way back. Let's get going before it get cold. It has a tendence to get cold quickly after the sun sets, and I didn't plan to stay out so I left my jacket at home.
Ola: Home?
Me: Yes, what shall I call it. It's my home here in Sunset Beach.
Ola. Here take mine, I think it's warm anyway.
Me: Thanks, that's because you haven't gotten used to this climate yet. It's warmer than home.
The jacket smelled just like him. He only had a backpack for luggage and after having picked it up (he had to take it off to give me his jacket) he ran up and started to walk beside me. We hadn't taken many steps before I felt his hand in mine. It felt so right. All I could think about was how right this felt. I turned to him and got the cutest smile I ever seen. There's only one thing I could to.
This I shall tell you. That kiss I'll remember my whole life even though we'll not be together(which I doubt).
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Chapter 8
Just when I put the key in the door, I heard a familiar voice.
Ben: Nämen hej!(But Hello!) So what's this he said with a teasing voice.
Me: What's what. I'd like to say who's that. Ben, this is Ola. Ola this is my cousin Ben.
Ben: Hej Ola, välkommen till Sunset Beach.(Hi Ola, welcome to Sunset Beach). My Swedish is a bit rusty, can we talk in English.
Ola: Of course, nice to meet you Ben. Hope you don't mind me staying with Tina.
Ben: No, not at all as long as you don't so anything to hurt her.
Ola: It wasn't my plan, I didn't travel half way 'round the world to hurt her, I wouldn't do that to anyone.
Ben:(a bit teasing) Do this mean I won't see you for breakfast tomorrow Tina?
Me:(quickly) No, you won't, but it's because I'm opening the Java Web up. If you're home tomorrow you can pop in and wake Ola up at 11.
Ben: I thought you had an evening shift at the Deep tomorrow.
Me: Yes, but I'm free between 1PM and 8 PM. And I'm meeting, sorry we are, for that interview at 2 PM.
Could you please tell Meg about Ola, so that she don't think he's a burglar.
Ben: Why don't you both come in for a cup of coffee, Meg's up waiting for me anyway. It's the only time a day we get to talk private adult stuff. No, Tina, I saw that thought. It's not that private.
Ben opened the door.
Ben: Meg, honey I'm home. I ran into Tina and Ola outside and invited them for coffee.
Meg: The Ola!!??
Ben: Yes.
Meg: I'll be right there.
(Coming out of the kitchen) Hej, nice to meet you Ola.
Ola: Nice to meet you too.
Meg: I hope you don't mind talking English, I've picked up some Swedish word the last couple of weeks, but not enough to have a conversation.
Ola: That's OK, I didn¨t expect anyone to talk Swedish except Tina.
Me: Meg, can I help you in teh kitchen?
Meg:(started) No, it's not necessary....... But one never knows what happens. Let's go.
Ben: Let's go sit ourselves down. I think the coffee will take a while. The two of them have become such good friends, and that's lucky for me. What if my wife and favorite cousin didn't get along, and hated eachother.
Ola: No that wouldn't have been nice. But I don't think Tina is a person anyone can hate for long, and certainly not after having gotten to know her.
Ben: I can agree with you there. And it seems like Meg and she are soulmates.
In the kitchen
Meg: So that's Ola?
Me: Yes, isn't he sweet.
Meg: He certainly seems so, and the way he wouldn't let you go.
So where did you find him? I mean where did you run into him here in Sunset Beach.
Me: At the beach of course.
Meg: (laughing) Of course!
Me: i can't stop thinking about what had happened if I'd went straight home or if I'd stopped longer at Surf Central.
Meg: That's where the legend comes along. I just have to say this. I think he gotencahnted by hte sunset and would have been there the whole evening if you hadn't come along.
Me: The legend again. I know it's working. If I only get half of the happiness you and Ben have, I'll have great life with Ola.
Meg: Don't get fooled here, me and Ben have our arguments, but it's nice making up.
Me: I know you have your arguments, I could read it behind the lines on Ben's letters and mails. He didn't tell me directly though.
Meg: Now, let's get this coffe to our men before they fall asleep. I know Ben had a tough day at work, and I couldn't go in to help him. And I think that Ola is tired too. He must have been travelling the whole day.
Me: Acctually since yesterday morning. He travelled "stand by" to cut the price down.
On the way back to the apartment
Ola: They seem to have a nice life together. And they really are nice people. I felt welcome at once, even though I really didn't know what to do when Ben started to tease you here outside the door. Lucky me I didn't say or do anything.
Me: Yes, lucky you. Meg made me feel welcome at once too when we met. And just wait until you meet the others. They're really nice too. The way they covered for me when I was hiding. I came to Sunset Beach 11 days before I met with Ben and Meg. And it was all planned.
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Chapter 9
The day of the interview
After having had a busy morning at the Java Web i came home at 1.30 PM just to fine that Ola wasn't in the apartment. I went into the house.
Me: Meg?! Anuone?!
Meg: Hej Tina!
Me: Have you seen Ola today, he wasn't in the apartment.
Meg: He's outside in the garden playing around with Dallas. Let's get out there, Vanessa is soon coming too, it was today wasn't it?
Me: Yes it was, she'll be here at 2 PM.
Seeing Ola playing with Dallas made me certain that this was the man I'd like to spend the rest of my life with.
-HELLO!!!!!!! it was Vanessa coming on the beach. She smiled politly when she went by Ola and Dallas on her way up to the terrace.
Vanessa: Sorry if I'm early.
Me: That's Ok, Ben's not here yet though.
Vanessa: Meg, have you gotten yourself a new "nanny"?
Meg: No, that's Tina's Ola. He's from Sweden too.
Vanessa: Hello Ola!(she yelled to him) Sorry I thought you were here to look after Dallas.
Ola: That's Ok, Hi Love he said when he saw me. Are you back now?
Me: No, that's just you imagination playing games in your head. Of course I'm here, I have this interview to give to Vanessa here. She's the starreporter at the Sentinal.
Ola came up carrying Dallas.
Ola: Hi Vanessa, was it? Nice to meet you.
Vanessa: Nice to meet you too Ola, sorry about the mix up.
Ola: Oh, that's OK, you couldn't have know who I was.
Ben entered the house.
Ben: Anyone home?!
Meg: Hi My love, we're out here on the terrace. Vanessa just arrived a couple of minutes ago.
Ben: Hello everyone! Vanessa, nice that you could meet us here it's much nicer than the office. Ola, how are you today?
Ola: Nice thanks. Your little girl here( he still had Dallas in his lap)have kept me busy for a couple of hours. And the jet-lag haven't really hit me yet.
Ben: I promise you it will and when it does, you don't want anyone around. That is except Tina maybe.
I threw a spoon at him
Me: Funny are you?
Vanessa: Shall we get this started? Do you mind me recording. It helps me listening to the tones in your voices when I'm writing.
Ben and Me: No, of course it's OK. Everyone started to laugh.
Meg and Ola both started to rise.
Me: Please stay, if you don't mind Vanessa, I'd like them to hear this too and not just read about it.
Vanessa: I don't mind.
Ola: Then Im staying.
Meg: Me too.
Vanessa: So, the two of you are cousins?
Me: no, not really we're second cousins. My father and Clive's mother are cousins.
Vanessa: But you did spend your summers in Sweden, didn't you Ben?
Ben: Yes, I think I spent every summer there since I was 14 years old. Even back then me and Derek didn't get along. And our mother thought that she had to do something, so I had to go to Sweden. Don't take this the wrong way, I loved it there.
But I hated my mother for sending me away. Why did I have to go when Derek was the bad one. She later explained that she didn't know what and when Derek was up to something. She knew I was her "little gentleman" and would behave.
Vanessa: How about you Tina, what did you think about Ben coming?
Me: I was furious too. Having to share the room with my sister. I had just gotten my own room that spring and now I had to give it up for some second cousin from England.
But I was exited too. We had just started to learn English in school and now I had a perfect opportunity to develop it.
Vanessa: What did you really so all those summers? It seems like you got along very well.
Me: That handsome young man of course had to be introduced to my friends. And he slipped into the "gang" quickly. We did all those things kids does in the summer. We went swimming, camping and just having fun. It became a tradition to go camping. We did it the same weeken every year.
Ben: Yes, the camping was fun, I think we were ten people that went every year.
I also got to learn a new language. It wasn't easy but I can still keep a conversation in Swedish if anyone makes me.
Vanessa: I'm so curious about those songs you sang at the anniversary. They must have meant something special to you and Ben?
Me: Yes, "Seasons in the sun" is a quite sad song, but all those summers "we had joy, we had fun, we had seasons in the sun"
Vanessa: And the other "Up where we belong"
Me: Me and Ben entered a contest with it one summer.
Vanessa: Oh, nice. Did you win?
Ben: Acctually we did.
Ola: Sorry to interrupt. I remember that. It was in my hometown. My mother was one of the orginizers . I knew I'd met Ben before somewhere, or at least seen him.
Vanessa: nice, an eyewitness. Is there any possibility it will happen again? At the Deep maybe?
Me: It's all up to Ben, I can do it tonight if he wants to.
Ben: I really don't know? It's been so long.
Meg: Now it's my turn to interrupt. Please do. I know you can sing, Ben.
Vanessa: So the Deep is the place to be tonight? Sorry i don't get this article in before that so people will know.
Ben: It's lucky you don't get it in. I haven't sais I'll do it yet, and I don't want to scare any customers off.
Me and Meg: Please do it!!! Everyone laughed again.
Vanessa: Back to Sweden then. Have you been there latley, Ben?
Ben: No, since I started the Java Web and the Deep I haven't had a chance. I was there once with Maria. But it was raining and we only stayed for three days, she had to get to a warmer place she said. Me and Meg had to cut the honeymoon short because of the Liberty corporation, and then when the children came along I wanted to wait until they all could appriciate the trip.
Who knows, maybe we'll go there by invation next summer.
Me: What was that look about?
Vanessa: Oh, I got that.
Me: Please don't write anything about it, we just met "for real".
Ola: But it feels so right. He looked at me with so much love.
Of course the interview went on until it was time to make dinner and for Ben to pick the twins up from school.
The evening at the Deep......that's a different story all together.
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Chapter 10
June 17th 1999
Dear diary,
The sun is shining and the morning is just great. Ola came the other day. I was really surprised, but it was a nice surprise. He told me that he at least had let his parents know where he was. I told you before that when I talked to my sister back home they didn't know where he was. I certainly know where he is now, he's still in bed, I think he's a bit jetlagged. It's been a tough couple of days.
Thank God for Ben, he developed a real taste for the Swedish coffee, and he's importing it. So here I am in the kitchen writing and drinking coffee, just waiting for the clock to strike 11(Ola has to get into some kind of rythm). I have the day off and I promised him that I show him the town today. And this evening we're invited for dinner at Surf Central.
Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. Last night, what a night at the Deep. Me and Ben sang together, and it was like we hadn't done anything else since that last time years ago. What we sang; it was just the one song; "Up where we belong" dedicated to Meg(by Ben) and Ola(by me). And I think that it will happen again, the audience was thrilled, the owner on the stage singing. That never happened before at the Deep.
Talk to you later, it sounded like Ola was on his way.
Later the same day or night really
Oh, what a great time we had. I showed him what I'd had the time to discover before and then we went to see Meg at her catering business and Sara in her store. We also got time to go for a swim. The water was lovely. And a few hours to do nothing at all is always nice.
Of course then we went to Surf Central. It seemed like everybody was there. Ok, Mark was working but he showed up after closing. The Deep closes earlier in the middle of the week. Vanessa and Micheal, Sara and Casey, Gabi and Ricardo and Miranda and Antonio were all there. They had made the most fabulous meal. And I don't think that I have room for breakfast tomorrow. Now I just have to find a date when I can invite them back. It's not that I lack the space. This garageapartment is as big as mine is at home. It has two bedrooms, the one is used as an office. The livingroom can as easily be turned into a diningroom, it just need a bit of moving the furniture around and putting up a big table. And at last the kitchen, it's.... let me say huge. It's even bigger than the one I have at home. It will feel so smorl when I get back.
Talking about getting back, we have to discuss that. Ola can't stay away from his work too long, and now that everything has been straightened out I think I'd like to go back home soon too. I really like it here, but I miss my family and my friends, and me and Ola has to get into some kind of life at home. It's easy to spend time together here, but I know that it won't be the same when we get back. Besides Ben said that he try to take the family over next summer, and me and Ola could always come here for the New Year.
Now I'm really tired it's be a fun day today also. A lot of activities and tomorrow is a working day. Ben even asked Ola if he'd like a job, but Ola told him that if he needed an extra hand if he was at the Deep an evening he could help out, otherwise he'd like to take it easy, it's his first real vacation in years.
Good night my friend.
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