Page 49 of Meet Me Under the Northern Lights

REYKJAVIK BUS STATION

‘Please, Erik, I know I am late but there is good reason and?—’

It was the next morning and Gunnar hadn’t slept.

Despite being the most tired he had been in so long due to the drama of the day before, sleep had not arrived and, instead, he had spent the whole evening churning over everything in relation to Magnús, to Hildur, to Chloe.

And every time he had moved he had knocked into another Christmas decoration because, when they had got back from the hospital where Hildur was to stay for at least a few days, Magnús had been instructed by said elder to continue the festive decorating into the bedrooms…

‘Stop talking,’ Erik ordered, half a cinnamon roll hanging from his lips as they stood in front of the line of buses.

‘But, there really is a good reason, Erik, and I do apologise but?—’

‘I know your reasons, Gunnar,’ Erik interrupted again. ‘You do not need to apologise any further.’ He put a hand on Gunnar’s shoulder. ‘My sister-in-law works at the school, remember? I know what has been happening with Magnús and the Lundgrens and what happened with Hildur yesterday.’

‘You do?’ Gunnar asked, relief filling his gut.

‘I do,’ Erik affirmed. ‘How is Hildur?’

‘This morning she called me to say she does not like the nurse with silver hair and the bread is too dry,’ Gunnar said, shrugging.

‘She is healing,’ Erik remarked. ‘Good. And Magnús?’

‘The police will not be taking any matters further. There are no matters to take further with regard to Magnús after they reviewed the CCTV. And, as for Bernard Lundgren being on the roof of the school, he has claimed it was all his idea not Hildur’s.

’ Gunnar sighed, knowing the truth but grateful for the outcome nonetheless.

‘Brigitta Lundgren was to be suspended for a week, along with three other children, but Magnús asked the principal not to do this. They are all in the Christmas play and Magnús wants the show to go on so…’

‘He is a good boy,’ Erik said, nodding.

‘He is,’ Gunnar replied, feeling a little prideful. ‘So, the bus is ready for the south coast tour? I will apologise to the customers for keeping them waiting. I will make sure they have the best time and?—’

‘No,’ Erik said firmly.

Gunnar swallowed. This was the moment he lost his job. This was the next disaster to happen because things always came in threes. Hildur’s accident. Magnús’s issues with school. But, actually, Hildur had had a second accident and Kirstin had turned up and…

‘You are on a different job today,’ Erik said.

His relief at not hearing the words ‘you’re fired’ quickly turned into curiosity.

‘A different job? What route?’ Gunnar asked him.

‘It is a private tour,’ Erik stated. ‘You will take the luxury minibus. The customer asked for you specifically. She said she needed the best driver and the best driver was you according to your high ratings on Tripadvisor.’

As the information started to soak into him Gunnar looked across the icy car park to the luxury minibus and that’s when he noticed someone stood beside it. Chloe.

‘But what tour is it?’ Gunnar asked Erik.

His boss laughed, cinnamon roll crumbs spilling from his lips as he finished the other half. ‘She has paid a good sum, Gunnar. Just take her wherever she wants to go.’

* * *

Chloe blew out a breath that was thick in the air.

It was freezing today, the snow a thin crispy carpet underfoot.

But she was full of confidence about her new plan for the Sinclairz Chairs event and she was determined, by the end of this day trip, she was going to have told Gunnar her fertility story.

It didn’t need to be overthought, it didn’t even need to be for any potential relationship opportunity purpose, it just had to be said. Her sharing her truth with someone.

‘ Halló ,’ she greeted, waving a hand as Gunnar strode towards her.

‘ Krúttio mitt , you wanted to see me so much you bought a luxury minibus,’ Gunnar said, arriving with her.

‘Oh, did I buy the whole thing? I still can’t get the hang of the currency. I mean it was thousands of króna but I thought that was only for the day trip, I didn’t realise the whole thing was mine now.’

‘You would never fit it in your luggage on the plane,’ he joked.

‘Not the way you pack,’ she answered.

He laughed. ‘I loaded your case back up for speed not precision. But you know I will do a much better job at taking you on a private tour today. So, where are we going?’

‘Let’s start with the Golden Circle,’ Chloe said. ‘And see what happens after that.’

‘OK,’ Gunnar said. ‘Then, please, your five-star transportation awaits.’