Page 35 of Meet Me Under the Northern Lights

GUNNAR’S HOME, THE OUTSKIRTS OF REYKJAVIK

‘Stop fussing around me like I am an old woman!’

Hildur shrugged off Gunnar’s attempt at assistance as they arrived home later that afternoon from her day at the community centre.

He opened the front door and, before he could offer her help to get inside, she had bustled as fast as her leg boot could carry her over the threshold and into the open-plan living area.

By the time Gunnar had turned and closed the door, Hildur was standing in the centre of the room with her arms folded across her chest.

‘Now, you tell me exactly what is going on with Magnús and the school. Because all this “there is nothing for you to worry about” and “everything has been worked out” are lies you think you have to tell me because you think I am too old.’

Gunnar swallowed. Their conversation in the car had been a stupid attempt to try to pull the wool over Hildur’s eyes but for only the right reasons, because he really did not want her to worry.

‘Gunnar Eriksson!’

‘OK,’ Gunnar said quickly. ‘But, please, Hildur, let us sit down.’

‘No, I have been sitting down all day watching people who are really old in their minds as well as their bodies playing games for children. We will stand.’ She tightened the fold of her arms. ‘Start talking.’

He nodded, then explained exactly what had happened with Mr Almr and the threat of action from the police. And when he had finished Hildur just stood stoic, as if the information hadn’t reached any part of her.

‘I see,’ Hildur said, finally.

‘So, it is a very hard situation and?—’

‘Where is Magnús this evening?’

‘He has hockey practice. He is there. I have checked his location and one of the parents is bringing him back here after.’

‘Good,’ Hildur said, nodding. ‘Now, you will leave this situation with me to deal with.’

‘What? No, Hildur,’ Gunnar stated firmly. ‘Magnús is my responsibility.’

‘Nonsense! We are family. When one of us has a problem, it is a problem for all of us. That is the purpose of family. And then we decide which one of us is the best person to solve the problem. I am the eldest, as you are always so quick to point out, and I have decided that I am the best person to fix this.’

‘Hildur, no,’ Gunnar said, shaking his head. ‘I have a plan. Magnús says that there were witnesses to what happened, so I am going to speak to the children, with the parents’ consent of course and?—’

‘Gunnar, did you not hear what I said? You are to leave this problem in my hands.’

He had never heard Hildur sound as utterly full of conviction as she was now. And her blue eyes were almost slicing the air between them. He didn’t know what to say. But Hildur didn’t even allow him the opportunity.

‘You say the girl is Brigitta Lundgren, yes?’

Gunnar nodded. ‘Yes, but?—’

‘OK,’ Hildur said. ‘So now this conversation is over. And you can tell me what time you are meeting with Chloe.’

‘I—’

‘You are meeting with Chloe, yes?’ Hildur said, finally unfolding her arms.

‘Yes, a little earlier. She needs my help with something for her work and?—’

‘Good,’ Hildur said. ‘Because I will not let you use anything as an excuse not to take this chance, Gunnar. Not problems with Magnús, not that you have too much work, or you are too tired from work… they are all excuses you make because you are afraid to get your heart broken.’

Now he really wished they were talking about Magnús’s school issues. He dropped his eyes to the floor, looked into the swirls of the blue and red patterned rug.

‘Look at me, strákurinn minn .’

My boy. Gunnar raised his eyes to meet hers.

‘If you do not take the chance, you will never know again all the joy that courtship brings. The highest of highs, when just thinking about that person makes the widest smile on your face. When being near them makes your stomach churn and your nerve-endings feel like they are on fire with passion.’

‘Hildur—’

‘Gunnar, listen to someone who knows, someone who took some of her chances yet is still regretful of those she did not take that could have given her life more laughter, more light.’ She reached out and took hold of his arm, squeezing it between her fingers.

‘That is the one wonderful thing about the heart, you know. No matter how many times it breaks. With time, it will always, always mend.’

He let the undeniable truth of Hildur’s statements sink in. She was right.

‘Now, take a shower and choose something nice to wear. I know it is cold but I sense that dressing like you are a yeti is not going to get you anywhere with Chloe.’

Gunnar smiled and enveloped Hildur in a firm hug before she could think about pushing him away… which she quickly did.

‘Stop with that nonsense. Always near Christmas everyone thinks they must touch each other all the time.’ She shook her head but Gunnar could hear the warmth wrapped around her words. ‘Save these actions for Chloe.’

‘Hildur,’ Gunnar said, retreating for the bathroom. ‘It is our first time going out together.’

‘And she is not here for long,’ Hildur reminded him. ‘Do not waste a moment.’

With that advice ringing in his ears, Gunnar nodded and headed for the shower.