Ane-Marie Kjeldberg

Bella has been a widow for such a long time, she can barely remember anything else. But now, she has accepted Ian’s proposal. She loves Ian, but as the wedding approaches, she realizes that he is much different than she thought. She goes to her North Sea cabin to sort out her feelings, but instead of peace and quiet, she finds the carpenter, Bill Raven.

For over 20 years, Nook has been a calming presence in Christian’s life. She has made his bed, prepared his food and been a steady person for Christian to count on. But now, Nook has lost her mother, and she is neglecting her duties. Christian wants to cheer her up, but his sister, Bella, wants to send her back to Thailand.

Christmas has come and gone, and Ingrid has entered the New Year with a hope for a better life. For years, she has been living in the shadow of her mother, and even though she has enjoyed life, she has never thrived. But that is about to change. When Ingrid chose the artist, Xenia, to rent the other half of her cabin, she never expected the sensuality and wildness that would follow her.

Christmas time is usually a happy time for Frederick. But this year is different. His boyfriend has left him, and he is determined to ignore the holiday alone in his cabin by the North Sea. At least, that is what he tells himself. But then, his cousin, Ingrid, shows up. She forces him to enjoy the holiday and even invites Tina Black, the ex-wife of Doctor Black.

The events of the summer have left Otis alone. His marriage to Sally was never right, and he is grateful to have time alone to write the book he has been trying to finish for years. The cabins in the area are all empty, and the loneliness permeates everything. Maybe that is why he says yes, when the author, Frederick Gray, asks him to lunch.

The summer of 1968 is warm and humid, but rife with possibilities. Something is in the air; something more than thunder and lightning. Sally and her husband, Otis, have decided to spend the summer in their small cabin by The North Sea. Her career as a ballerina is over, and Sally is ready to have children.