‘And he didn’t communicate afterwards,’ Kat reminded her, tearing some bread from her bowl.
‘Neither did I,’ Chloe admitted.
‘But, Chloe, you found out you couldn’t have children. He only found out that he couldn’t have children with you. It’s a much bigger thing for you and he should have supported you through that.’
Chloe nodded, sipping some soup. ‘And if he felt the way he should have felt about me, if he had truly loved me, then he would have.’ She sighed. ‘But I don’t think either of us loved each other enough to get through the most difficult times. Maybe that was why the universe dealt me this situation, to let me know, to let us know that we weren’t meant to be.’
‘Exactly,’ Kat agreed. ‘Because otherwise, if you were a strong, solid partnership destined for a forever then you would have looked at other ways to have a family. Like adoption or fostering or whatever Angelina Jolie does.’
Chloe nodded. ‘I know and, if I want to have a family one day, I will definitely consider all the options. But, it definitely has to be with the right person. Because it’s one thing to be in a couple but it’s quite another to be the solid foundation of a family.’
‘Well,’ Kat said. ‘I think you will make a fantastic mum one day.’
‘Really?’
‘You mother me most of the time. Even my mother doesn’t know how to mother me.’
‘I’m going to take that as a compliment,’ Chloe stated.
‘It really is. And, if we’re being completely honest, you mother Michelle too. I don’t know how that woman created this business on her own but I know damn well that it wouldn’t be as successful as it is without you.’
Chloe nodded. She was beginning to realise that she should have more confidence in her career abilities. She was driven and focussed but her one fault was perhaps driving so hard she passed a few traffic lights at amber along the way. Her passion for projects was second to none but she had to remind herself that these were not events for her, they were events for others whose wants and needs sometimes didn’t want to be pushed in a direction she thought was better. Delivering what the customer wanted, not what you thought the customer should have, was paramount. And with that separation came a degree of released tension to some extent.
‘Thank you, Kat,’ Chloe said, reaching across the table for her friend’s hand.
‘What for? Being annoying? Turning up unexpectedly? Getting on your nerves talking about my mother’s festive requirements being greater than Mariah Carey’s tour rider?’
‘No,’ Chloe said, giving her hand a squeeze. ‘For always being here for me no matter what. For jumping on a plane because you wanted to be with me when I found out about Michael and his new life.’
‘That’s what family does, Chloe,’ Kat said, squeezing her hand back. ‘And that’s exactly what we are.’
The sentiment hit Chloe full force and she suddenly knew exactly what she was going to do.
49
REYKJAVIK BUS STATION
‘Please, Erik, I know I am late but there is good reason and?—’
It was the next morning and Gunnar hadn’t slept. Despite being the most tired he had been in so long due to the drama of the day before, sleep had not arrived and, instead, he had spent the whole evening churning over everything in relation to Magnús, to Hildur, to Chloe. And every time he had moved he had knocked into another Christmas decoration because, when they had got back from the hospital where Hildur was to stay for at least a few days, Magnús had been instructed by said elder to continue the festive decorating into the bedrooms…
‘Stop talking,’ Erik ordered, half a cinnamon roll hanging from his lips as they stood in front of the line of buses.
‘But, there really is a good reason, Erik, and I do apologise but?—’
‘I know your reasons, Gunnar,’ Erik interrupted again. ‘You do not need to apologise any further.’ He put a hand on Gunnar’s shoulder. ‘My sister-in-law works at the school, remember? I know what has been happening with Magnús and the Lundgrens and what happened with Hildur yesterday.’
‘You do?’ Gunnar asked, relief filling his gut.
‘I do,’ Erik affirmed. ‘How is Hildur?’
‘This morning she called me to say she does not like the nurse with silver hair and the bread is too dry,’ Gunnar said, shrugging.
‘She is healing,’ Erik remarked. ‘Good. And Magnús?’
‘The police will not be taking any matters further. There are no matters to take further with regard to Magnús after they reviewed the CCTV. And, as for Bernard Lundgren being on the roof of the school, he has claimed it was all his idea not Hildur’s.’ Gunnar sighed, knowing the truth but grateful for the outcome nonetheless. ‘Brigitta Lundgren was to be suspended for a week, along with three other children, but Magnús asked the principal not to do this. They are all in the Christmas play and Magnús wants the show to go on so…’
‘He is a good boy,’ Erik said, nodding.
