Minus Me Read Free

hand behind her.
    Linda takes the hint and goes out into the kitchen, closing the door after her. She’s seen it all before, her mother throwing up, the nervous but hopeful glances between her parents. Glances that say: will there be a baby this time? A little brother or sister for Linda? Another little one to love? But it’s gone wrong each time. Her mother has lost two babies. The last a couple of years ago. Linda gets a lump in her stomach just thinking about it. It was in the summer, and they were at the cottage down in the south of Norway. She and Axel had borrowed a boat, without permission, and crashed it on some rocks, so it got a hole in the bottom. Everything turned out okay, they’d been rescued by some local fishermen, but they’d got a terrible telling-off. And that night, it happened. Her mother had started bleeding and her parents rushed to the hospital. They’d stopped talking about having more children after that.
    Is that why they haven’t said anything, Linda wonders, as she boils the eggs and puts on the coffee. Surely her parents can’t believe she hasn’t guessed? When she was little, Linda longed for a little brother or sister. But now . . . does she still? A screaming baby for whom she’ll be expected to babysit and change nappies? What is she going to say to all her friends when her mum starts getting big? After all, her parents are getting on a bit; they’re well over forty.
    The eggs are ready. Looking in the saucepan she realizes she’s boiled three after all. She sighs, rinses them under cold water and puts them in the eggcups on the table. While she’s waiting for her parents to come to breakfast, she makes packed lunches for all three of them. It’s never a bad idea to make an extra effort when it’s your birthday soon – or if your mother is pregnant again.
    ‘So you made eggs for everyone, after all?’ says her mother, coming in from the bathroom. She’s dressed now and has put her make-up on, but she still looks rather pale.
    ‘Sorry, I did it without thinking. But there is bread, ham and jam also, if you prefer that.’
    ‘That’s okay. I’m feeling better now, so I’ll try to eat a bit,’ she says, ruffling Linda’s hair as she takes off her turban. ‘Shall I comb your hair for you afterwards?’
    ‘I can manage, thanks. Are you ill or something, Mum?’
    ‘For wanting to comb your hair?’
    ‘No. You were being sick.’
    ‘Oh, that . . . that’s nothing to worry about. It’s probably something I ate.’
    Her mum folds the towel and puts it on the edge of the kitchen bench. Linda follows her movements, but doesn’t ask if she’s pregnant. She’ll have to wait to be told.
    ‘Erik!’ her mother calls out. ‘Are you finished in the bathroom? Linda’s made breakfast.’
    Linda’s father comes out of the bathroom, hair wet and lips pursed ready to plant a kiss on her mother’s cheek.
    ‘Good morning, Mrs Larsen!’ he says, laughing. ‘Aren’t we lucky to have such a grown-up daughter?’
    ‘Oh, pur-lease!’ says Linda, rolling her eyes.
    ‘Oh, pur-lease!’ imitates Linda’s father, laughing. He pulls her over and gives her a hug. ‘Now, let’s eat.’
    The extra time they’d gained by Linda getting up early and making breakfast is soon lost to eating their eggs. Her father looks at the clock and starts putting the milk and juice back in the fridge.
    ‘Are you two coming to the diving competition tomorrow?’ asks Linda, putting the packed lunch she’s made into her bag.
    ‘Are you sure you’re well enough? You seemed so poorly yesterday,’ says her mother.
    ‘You’re the one who’s throwing up,’ says Linda, getting annoyed by her mother’s anxiety.
    ‘We’ll be there, alright. We want to see you win the whole caboodle!’ her father interrupts with a grin.
    This is an obvious attempt to stop any argument – or discussion. They never argue in this family, they discuss things. But today Dad doesn’t want to do either. He