‘Which is totally understandable,’ Kat said. ‘I mean, I tend to bury myself in Häagen-Dazs and other people’s problems apparently. We all have our coping mechanisms. But, you know, I just want you to be happy and if working for Michelle makes you happy then it’s not my business to make you question that,’ Kat said.
‘WorkingwithMichelle,’ Chloe said. ‘That’s what I want, remember? The partnership.’
‘Then that’s the plan,’ Kat said, winding an arm around her shoulders. ‘Your plan. Not something I’ve bitch-talked to you about. And I am here now to help you create this perfect Christmas celebration party/whatever it is for Sinclairz Chairs.’
‘OK,’ Chloe said, taking a deep breath and refocussing.
With minimal input from Michelle it was going to be down to her to pull something out of the bag that was going to wow her boss and the boss of the chair business, something that was going to elevate her to that piece of company ownership pie.
‘So, what is the plan? Apart from me paying for this lunch to make up for being a total cow.’
She had a few places in Reykjavik she had noted down for this afternoon – the Sun Voyager sculpture, theArnarhóllstatue – but after that she didn’t know.
‘Let’s go and finish our food, then we will brainstorm,’ Chloe said.
‘And I’d better call work,’ Kat said, clapping her gloved hands together. ‘Check they got my email. It’s a bit reckless of me, isn’t it? Let’s hope I don’t get fired. I need the cash for all the Nordic knitwear I’ve had my eye on since I arrived.’
‘Gift bags,’ Chloe said, pointing a finger into the air. ‘We could suggest gift bags for all the Sinclairz celebration attendees – a mix of luxury and traditional. Something woollen. Or something kooky.’
Huldufólk. She thought about Gunnar. Him talking about the mysterious hidden people. Him looking at her so intensely from the driver’s seat of his truck last night. What trip did he say he did? Something about the south coast…
‘So, how do I wangle an invite to this festive celebration if you get the job?’ Kat asked, breaking into Chloe’s thoughts.
‘Well,’ Chloe said. ‘If you get fired from your job, you could apply to Sinclairz Chairs and?—’
Kat slapped Chloe’s arm good-naturedly. ‘Stop!’
‘Come on,’ Chloe urged, glad the air had been cleared. ‘Before they think we’re not coming back.’
19
GUNNAR’S HOME, THE OUTSKIRTS OF REYKJAVIK
‘So, how was your tour today?’ Hildur asked Gunnar as they sat down to eat later that evening.
The last thing he really wanted was conversation. The south coast tour was one of the longest day trips the company he worked for did and it had been a gruelling one today. His eyes were tired from driving and his ears were ringing from the fault there had been in the coach speaker system that had hummed and buzzed through some of his commentary.
‘It was fine,’ he replied, pushing spiced green beans into his mouth. He knew these weren’t from the freezer. He also knew that it meant while he had been in the shower, Hildur had not been resting but had prepared them to go with the chicken he had put in the oven for them both. Apparently full from a homecooked meal made by his friend’s mother, Magnús had skulked to his bedroom the second Gunnar had asked if he had done his homework while he was there.
‘Was anyone sick?’ Hildur asked.
‘Hildur! We are eating!’
‘I do not know why I ask the question. Every trip someone is sick.’
He swallowed a mouthful of green beans and took a sip of his water. ‘How was the community centre?’
‘No one died,’ Hildur announced. ‘Although I very much wanted to when they decided to play Christmas bingo.’
‘You like bingo.’
‘Not when I am forced to wear a hat likeJolasveiner.’
Gunnar couldn’t help but laugh. It had nothing to do with Hildur not wanting to be festive and don the attire of the Icelandic Yule Lads, Hildur didn’t like hats in any shape or form.
‘And everyone there is so very old. It is a wonder there are not as many deaths as you have passengers being sick into carrier bags.’
‘Hildur! We are still eating!’
