‘So should you,’ the woman replied.
‘After that phone call?’ Gunnar exclaimed. ‘Did you know that?—’
‘I heard enough to figure things out.’
‘Then you know I have to speak to Magnús and find out what the hell is going on!’
‘Yes,’ Hildur agreed, back still pressed against the door. ‘Speak to him. Not shout at him.’
‘Hildur! He hit a girl!’
‘We do not know that yet.’
‘He did something that was not right.’
‘Maybe.’
Gunnar shook his head. ‘He has been absent from school.’
‘Weren’t we all at one time or another? I know you were. And, me too.’
‘Hildur, let me through the door,’ Gunnar ordered.
‘Not like this,’ Hildur told him, voice full of determination. ‘Not angry and wanting to shout. What good will that do?’
‘It will show Magnús that his behaviour is unacceptable!’
‘Will it?’ Hildur asked, one eyebrow rising. ‘Or will it frighten the boy and make him immediately think that you do not understand and retreat into himself more so that he never opens up to you about what he thinks or how he feels?’
‘Hildur.’
‘What?’
‘If he does not go to school, they will say I cannot cope looking after him and the authorities will look for another family. And… maybe they will be right.’
Gunnar put his hands to his head in exasperation, anger quickly dissipating into frustration.
‘Do not say that,’ Hildur said. ‘That boy clung to you when you rescued him. He did not speak for days. He would not talk to anyone but you. Look how far he has come. And that is down to you.’
Gunnar swallowed, shoulders dropping. He remembered the rescue like it was yesterday, but only when he was made to or it infiltrated his sleep, his subconscious demanding that he process. Moving forward was his choice in dealing with crises. Problem-solve. Don’t dwell on the negative. But was that the kind of nurture that was best for Magnús? He had to work to pay for the house, the food, the ice skates; there were not enough hours in the day for any kind of emotional support.
‘Whatever has happened,’ Hildur continued. ‘You must make small steps to uncover it. It is like pulling back many layers of wrapping paper in the game where the parcel is passed. One sheet at a time.’
‘Maybe I am not the right person for that,’ Gunnar said.
‘Gunnar Eriksson,’ Hildur admonished. ‘You are the only person for that. You were chosen for this.’
He shook his head. ‘Please, Hildur, do not make this about thehuldufólk.’
‘I am not talking about thehuldufólkchoosing, Gunnar. I am talking about Magnús. He chose you.’
He had no immediate answer for that. His insides flooded with so many emotions as he realised that, for now, in this moment, Hildur was right.
‘What do I do?’ It took a second for him to realise that he had said the words aloud. It wasn’t Hildur’s responsibility. He had taken on the care of Magnús.
‘Nothing tonight,’ Hildur said, finally stepping away from the door and putting a hand on his shoulder. ‘Tomorrow will be a new day. Begin again with a clear head, yes?’
He nodded. ‘Yes.’
