‘Mr Eriksson, I can assure you, if I had known this was ocurring I would have been able to stop the matter escalating and getting us into the position we are in now. I think that?—’
‘So what next?’ Gunnar interrupted. ‘You will speak to these bullies and ensure that Magnús does not have to put up with this any more?’
‘I am afraid it is not as simple as that,’ Mr Almr said, a heavy sigh leaving his mouth.
‘Why not?’
‘Because a physical assault has been reported, I have to follow certain procedures and I also have to respect the wishes of the parents of the student with regard to those procedures.’
‘Talk straight to me,’ Gunnar ordered. ‘Stop with the procedures. And when did this reporting of a physical assault happen? It was not what you told me in our phone call.’
‘Well,’ Mr Almr continued. ‘I have tried to de-escalate things, but, the girl’s parents, they now wish to take the matter to the police.’
‘What? Why? I did not hit her!’
The words had come from Magnús and Gunnar saw the absolute fear in the boy’s eyes. This was not going to happen. But Gunnar had to maintain calm. He put a hand on Magnús’s shoulder, firm, consoling mixed with solidarity. ‘It is OK, Magnús.’
‘I am a little surprised that the officer has not contacted you already today. I think?—’
‘You know what I think?’ Gunnar interrupted. ‘I think that your school is not the kind of place that Magnús needs to be right now. And that I understand why he has felt he cannot come to you for help and has instead decided to be absent.’ He got to his feet.
‘Mr Eriksson, Magnús must come to school. It is the law.’
‘And, Mr Almr, to feel safe at that school is a matter of human rights.’
The teacher stood too. ‘Mr Eriksson, I can?—’
‘We are leaving now,’ Gunnar stated. ‘But this is not the end of the discussion. Come on, Magnús.’
‘Mr Eriksson, please, we can?—’
The teacher’s words were lost in the closing of the door and Gunnar’s heart was thrumming in his chest as they got out into the slightly less cloying scent of the corridor. He took a breath, could see Magnús shaking next to him.
‘What… are we… going to do?’ Magnús asked, words juddering, expression speaking of his terror.
‘We are going to think,’ Gunnar stated, a lot more confidently than he felt. ‘And find the solution.’
‘I… do not want… to be in trouble… with the police,’ Magnús said. ‘Brigitta is lying. I have said that I pushed her but I did not do more than that, I swear!’
‘Magnús, I will not let anything happen, OK?’ His mind was working overtime now. How did they prove the bullying when it would be Magnús’s word against the bullies? How did they prove that Magnús pushed and did not hit? And then it came to him. ‘Magnús, did anyone see what happened with Brigitta? Does anyone know about the bullying? One of your friends? Anyone else?’
Gunnar looked directly at him, saw his eyes were tearing up with the stress of the situation. He drew the boy closer, put one arm around him. ‘Do not worry, Magnús, OK? We will fix this.’
34
THE SUN VOYAGER SCULPTURE, REYKJAVIK
This gleaming sculpture that resembled a Viking long ship was something Chloe was definitely putting on the list for the Sinclairz Chairs event. With its sleek, long metal body and prongs reaching for the sky it was even more beautiful against a fresh, cold, clear mountain backdrop at the waterfront. It was apparently an ode to the sun representing a dream of hope, progress and discovery. And that was exactly what Chloe was aiming to get from this request. When she had the guts to call Gunnar’s number. What was she waiting for? A cosmic sign? Thehuldufólkto tell her it was OK? She pressed dial and eventually…
‘Halló.’
‘Oh, Gunnar, it’s Chloe.’
‘I know,’ Gunnar answered. ‘Your name comes up on the screen of my phone.’
She was stupid. ‘Oh, yes, of course.’ She cringed at her own voice sounding so pathetic. But she was desperate for his help.
‘You are OK?’ he asked. ‘It sounds like you are by the sea.’
