Page 59 of Meet Me Under the Northern Lights
TWO DAYS LATER
Reykjavik Airport
‘Are you sure you have to go?’ Chloe asked Kat, giving her friend the longest, strongest hug as they stood near the entrance to security.
‘My mission here is complete,’ Kat said, hugging hard back and then letting go and looking at Chloe with the most sincere expression on her face.
‘I came here to make sure you were OK with the whole Michael Bali Babygate thing and then, I admit, it turned into “wow, isn’t Iceland one of the coolest places I have ever been to” and also “wow, waterfalls are immense and I need to read more dark fantasy novels involving heroes choking heroines under those” and “wow, my best friend is the most resilient, amazing person I’ve ever known”. ’
‘I agree about the waterfalls,’ Chloe said, smiling. ‘And Iceland really is cool and so cold today.’
‘You need to agree about the last sentence too,’ Kat ordered.
‘I’m still learning about resilience,’ Chloe admitted.
It had been two days since she had had her Zoom call with Michelle and in that time it had been complete non-communication with her boss.
As promised, Chloe had emailed the pitch for the Sinclairz Chairs event and she thought it was one of the best she had ever created.
It was chic, it was chill and celebratory but it was also steeped in the tradition and importance of ‘family’, ‘togetherness’ and ‘working as one to achieve united success’.
There was a creating cocktails masterclass on a hotel rooftop, there was a private Northern Lights boat trip with traditional folk music followed by a DJ playing contemporary chill tunes until dawn.
There was a unique combination of the south coast and Golden Circle tours by VIP minibus that Gunnar had helped her create and the husky ride was also in there – what better way to show teamwork than a band of cute doggies working together to pull a sleigh?
Maybe Michelle had completely changed it.
But, to Chloe, the success was not getting the Sinclairz Chairs job now, it was knowing she had done her best work, even if it would be the last pitch she ever planned.
‘Stop thinking about Michelle,’ Kat ordered as if she could read her thoughts. ‘She will be knee-deep in designer baby paraphernalia and TikToks about preparing your pelvic floor.’
‘I know,’ Chloe said.
Kat rubbed her arms. ‘Listen, if she’s really crazy enough to accept your resignation and let you go and this is the end of things with her company then… the universe has other, much better plans for you.’
Chloe nodded. But it wasn’t a reticent nod, it was one of pure conviction. She wasn’t afraid of the future now, she was excited for it. Her job had been her much-needed safety net for so long, but now it was time to jump into life and trust that she would fly.
‘And I know that I am going to be completely jealous of the smoked lamb that is coming your way later. Not a euphemism.’
‘I’m more nervous about that than I am about anything Michelle is going to say or not say,’ Chloe admitted.
‘Nervous about a man cooking for you? I would lap that up while it’s being offered. Not sure it happens that often unless it’s a chef on Sunday Brunch .’
‘Two men,’ Chloe reminded. ‘Don’t forget Magnús.’
‘Ah yes, the potential step-son.’
‘Don’t say that,’ Chloe said.
She swallowed, nerves tingling. She hadn’t known Gunnar very long but their connection had grown so fast and so strong and it was important enough to him to have her meet the boy he had been raising. It felt like a privilege to be invited into his home to share a meal and be introduced.
‘And the old lady,’ Kat added. ‘The old ladies are always the ones judging. It’s her you need to be nervous about, not the kid.’
Hildur. Gunnar had described her as someone with the whole Earth’s wisdom but with the juvenile spirit of someone who did not let her age stop her from doing anything. Including falling from a roof apparently…
‘Should I take a gift?’ Chloe asked. ‘I hadn’t even thought about that. I should definitely take something, shouldn’t I?’
‘For the boy? Or the old woman? Is this sounding a little bit Disney Pixar right now?’
‘I don’t know. Maybe something for the house? For everyone? Or is that too impersonal?’
Kat squeezed her arms. ‘Now you’re worrying too much. Don’t overthink it. It’s just dinner at a guy’s home with his almost-son and an overbearing Icelandic grandmother figure who will either be willing there to be a marriage or casting runes to try to find out your ulterior motives for her family.’
‘Great,’ Chloe said, shaking her head.
‘Remember that very first Icelandic phrase I taught you?’ Kat asked.
‘Do you have wine?’
‘Exactly. That is still all you need. Get a nice bottle of something, some sugary snacks for the child and you will be potential girlfriend of the month.’
Girlfriend. Was she on the way to becoming someone’s girlfriend again?
‘Now, let me leave,’ Kat ordered, letting Chloe go.
‘I have to head back to Winchester ready for my mother to arrive, along with her terrible world views and even more terrible wardrobe of sequinned outfits and a whole carefully curated schedule of “must-do” Christmas activities starting with making some cranberry-infused tea that is going to take years off me apparently.’
Chloe pulled Kat in for another hug. ‘Thank you, Kat. For being here.’
‘Thank you for having me and putting up with me and for taking me around some of this beautiful island. Now, go and explore the best part of it without me,’ Kat said, grinning. ‘That hot coach driver tour guide of yours!’
Hers. Gunnar was hers. But, in reality, was it even possible?