‘You’re a mind-reader, thank you. What’s the plan?’
‘We have to make a stop to pick up some equipment.’
‘Oh, it’s a surprise?’
‘I think it will be a good surprise,’ Siggi said, glancing over at her. She looked pleased. ‘How did it go at the IMO yesterday?’
‘It was great. We modelled some of the data I’ve collected and Bjarkey thinks it’s giving some extra depth to what they’re picking up from their own monitoring, which is great. She’s getting hold of a couple more portable seismometers that we can set up in other places in Hraunvik to see if that enhances it even more.’
Iris’s enthusiasm was infectious and Siggi was happy to hear all about her data and her monitoring, even if he didn’t understand what it all meant. ‘That’s great,’ he said.
‘Yes. It’s very positive. Now I need to write up what I have so far and send it back to my lab. I’m hoping that they’ll let me extend my stay.’
‘Really?’
‘I hope so. The outcomes are very positive. It would be a shame to leave now, before I can see it through to a proper conclusion.’
‘You mean before an eruption?’
‘Or whatever is going to happen. The data is pointing to it not being an eruption of a volcano but something else.’
‘Because there is no volcano in Hraunvik, and yet you are monitoring it.’ Only now had it dawned on Siggi that this was the case. He knew the entire country was constantly monitored for seismic activity that predicted volcanic activity and eruptions, yet he knew that the closest volcano to Hraunvik was the one he had taken Iris to at the weekend, and that was some way from the town. ‘What do you think will happen?’
‘We think there are some old lava tubes filling with magma.’ She glanced at him and he could see that she wasn’t telling him everything.
‘Near the town?’
‘Perhaps. It’s too soon to say.’
‘I need to know, Iris. I have people in that town.’ He needed her to understand why it mattered to him.
‘I know. But I don’t understand why you wouldn’t knock on their door if they’re your family?’
‘It is complicated.’ He hated himself for replying with such a cliché, in an attempt to close down this line of questioning.
‘Okay.’
He could hear the confusion in Iris’s voice. He didn’t blame her. He was being vague. But he wasn’t about to explain his life story to Iris. Not now, not today, when they should be enjoying themselves.
They pulled up at the industrial unit on the outskirts of Reykjavik where Iceland Adventures stored all of their equipment.
‘This looks interesting,’ Iris said. The note of sarcasm in her voice wasn’t lost on Siggi, and he knew he needed to turn things around if it was going to be the day he’d hoped for. He needed Iris not to care what his connection to Hraunvik was. For now.
‘Come on,’ he said. ‘And bring your coat. It’ll be cold inside.’
Iris followed him, pulling her coat on as they walked over to the door.
‘Wow, this is impressive,’ she said, as Siggi flicked the lights on and revealed the well-organised equipment store.
‘It does not look like this at the end of the summer,’ he said. He began pulling dry suits from a rail, holding them up in front of him and squinting at Iris to see which would be a good fit.
‘We’re not going diving?’
‘Not quite.’
‘Swimming?’
He shrugged, trying to keep the secret a little longer. ‘I think this one looks like it will be a good fit. He held it up closer to her and nodded, then began sorting through a pile of neatly-folded inner suits. They were basically insulated jumpsuits to wear inside the dry suit.
