‘This is Olafur,’ Jonas said, ‘and Brun.’
‘Good to have you in the team,’ said Olafur. ‘I hear the boat tour was fun this morning.’
Leifur didn’t know Olafur well enough to know whether he’d somehow heard the truth about how things had started off between him and Astrid and was being sarcastic, or not. He decided that assuming Olafur was being genuine was probably the best course of action.
‘It was. Saw a couple of humpbacks.’
‘A couple of humpbacks must be a normal day at the office for a fisherman,’ Brun said.
Leifur smiled. ‘I’ve seen my fair share. Goes with the territory when we’re both after the same thing.’
‘Are we going to have a staff boat tour as a dry run?’ Siggi asked.
‘That’s not a bad idea,’ Jonas said. ‘Before we let Leifur and Astrid loose with tourists, we can give them a proper test.’
Olafur laughed. ‘I am not one for boats, I have to admit. I will stay behind to keep the berth free for when you return. Make sure none of our competitors steal our spot.’
‘An important job,’ said Siggi, rolling his eyes. ‘I wouldn’t mind being your first mate, Leifur. I love being on the water.’
‘Astrid is his first mate,’ said Olafur.
‘Until she finds something better,’ said Siggi. ‘Then you will need someone else to step in.’
Jonas shook his head. ‘Sadly, you are too valuable to be out on a boat all day. Besides, you’re more likely to end up telling the guests where they can catch some good waves and forget all about the whales.’
They were such a good-natured bunch. It felt to Leifur that they had the same kind of bond he’d had with his crew.
‘How long have you guys worked together?’
‘We’ve all known each other since school. Then Jonas started the business, and we came to work for him one by one as the business grew,’ said Olafur. ‘I remember you from school. Were you a couple of years older than us?’
‘Around four years older, I think.’ Leifur couldn’t place any of the others, but it had been a while.
He was starting to relax. The beer was helping, as well as the fact that they were so welcoming. He felt like there was a chance he could be part of something again. He had his back to the door, but he saw Olafur’s face light up as someone came in.
‘Hæ!’
Leifur turned around and saw Astrid and her sister. Olafurgot up and went to the bar to get them a drink while the women took their coats off and then sat down at the end of the table. Astrid chose the seat next to Leifur, which he couldn’t help but see as a good sign. Hopefully, he was well and truly forgiven.
‘Hæ,’ she said, smiling.
‘Have you been shopping for candles this whole time?’
She laughed. ‘No. Would you believe I don’t own a scented candle?’
‘Yet,’ her sister said. ‘I’m Gudrun, the younger and friendlier sister.’
‘Leifur. Nice to meet you.’
‘Astrid tells me you’re not a morning person, which is odd for a fisherman,’ Gudrun said.
Astrid put her hands over her face and let out a small wail. ‘This is why I don’t live in Reykjavik. You have no boundaries, Gudrun.’
Olafur, busy handing the beers around the table, roared with laughter.
‘I’m sorry,’ Astrid said to Leifur. ‘I only told her you had been a little bit grumpy first thing.’ She glared at her sister, who laughed it off and took a swig of her beer.
‘I’m just teasing, As.’
