“We will need to be very quick across the snow. Follow me.”
He darted out of the shed and sprinted across the snow to where there was a gap in the rocky edge and the water naturally ebbed onto the gravelly, volcanic ground.
Rachel couldn’t help shrieking, it was so cold and her feet were grateful to be immersed in the shallow water while she stood and worked out her next move. Jonas had placed his towel on a rock next to the little beach and was already submerged in the water up to his neck with a dreamy look on his face.
“It’s wonderful,” he called.
Even over her feet it did feel wonderful. Rachel whipped off her towel, leaving it on top of Jonas’s before she dipped herself down into the water which became much deeper where Jonas was. She’d never been skinny-dipping before but she could understand the appeal. It felt very freeing and was especially nice once she made her way over to him and they embraced, keeping themselves as submerged as they could all the time.
“This place is brilliant, Jonas. I was so worried that you’d make me go diving or climbing or something.”
He kept his arm around her waist as he led them to an underwater rock which was positioned perfectly as a seat. “I think I know you would not enjoy that.”
“Don’t you think it’s weird that you know that about me already?”
He shrugged. “It’s not weird. I think it’s a sign that we’re right for each other.”
It was true. The short time they’d been together hadn’t really been spent getting to know each other because it felt like they already did.
“It’s so right that I worry about what we’re letting ourselves in for. When I leave.”
But whatever she said, there was nothing she could do. She wanted to be with Jonas more than anything and whatever hurt she might be storing up for herself in the future, it somehow seemed worth it.
“We both understand the risks, agreed that we would enjoy being together for however long that is.”
Rachel nodded. “I’m scared that won’t be enough”
“Me too. But it is better than never having met at all and who knows what will happen?”
But Rachel couldn’t imagine Jonas being anywhere else, certainly not London. Wasn’t that why he’d split up with Hilde, because he couldn’t leave his business? What else did he have? His life was inextricably linked to Iceland.
“I think we both know what will happen.”
“I will be away for the next two nights after this one but when I get back we are going to spend every minute we can together. Every night for sure.”
“Okay. But the opening isn’t far away. I’ll be really busy.”
“We have time, Rachel. Let’s enjoy it.”
He was right. What was the point of dwelling over what was yet to happen, however inevitable it might feel? This minute, this day, that was all she needed to worry about and as with every other minute she spent with Jonas, it was perfect.
24
THEY’D SAID A sleepy goodbye to each other when Jonas left for work at some ridiculous hour that morning. As he was taking a three-day excursion to the south of the island they had made a vague plan to meet for dinner when he got back. Rachel had stayed in bed after he left, dozing, letting her mind wander.
It had been the most amazing couple of days. After they’d finished skinny-dipping Jonas had let her drive the snowmobile most of the way back to the storage shed then they’d driven back to town where he’d dropped his jeep off and they’d walked back to the hotel for another night of love-making.
Now, she was savouring the weariness of her body, a physical reminder of the day before and all she would have to keep her going until Jonas was back. Him going away was probably good timing though as today was a big day, the one Rachel had been looking forward to the most throughout the whole project. All the stock was arriving and she and Gudrun would spend the next two days filling the shelves, making displays and generally having a lot of fun.
Rachel arrived at the shop first and stood in the middle of the floor surveying the finished space. It was light, airy and would look brilliant once everything was in place. There was a knock at the door and Rachel opened it to find Gudrun on the doorstep, grinning, with coffees and pastries in her hands.
“Oooh, perfect!” Rachel said, taking them from her so that she could take her coat off. “I’m absolutely starving, I didn’t have time for any breakfast this morning.”
“Well, I am guessing it will be a long day for us. We will need plenty of energy.”
They sat on the sofa in the window which was still covered by vinyl so that no-one could see in, and devoured their pastries.
“So, what’s the plan?” said Gudrun, mid-mouthful.
