‘Yes, I mean, there are certain aspects of your strategy that need some careful moulding, but I thought this was something we could work through together in time and?—’
‘Michelle,’ Chloe interrupted. ‘Please think about what you’re saying. Really think about it.’
‘I have thought about it, Chloe. I thought about it all night long when I couldn’t sleep because the creature I am growing inside me is hitting my bladder every five seconds like it’s a fairground punchball game. I thought about how completely embarrassed I was about your behaviour in front of the chamber of commerce and?—’
‘Well, do you want to know what I’m embarrassed about? I don’t expect you really do but, as this is my meeting, I am going to tell you anyway.’ She took a breath and looked Michelle in the eyes. ‘I am embarrassed that I actually thought you were more than just my boss. I’m embarrassed that I considered you to be my friend. Because I have worked so, so hard for you from the moment I started at the company. I have dedicated my every minute, no, more than that, my every second, not just to the company but to you personally. I have answered every call, every email, every late-night WhatsApp message about ridiculous things sometimes and I have never ever questioned anything you’ve asked me to do. I’ve just been there for you, dedicated, professionally and personally. And most of that isn’t in my job contract, it’s simply in my nature to be a nice person, to help, to support even when I was going through the most difficult of times myself.’
‘Well, I?—’
‘And that’s what hurts the most now,’ Chloe carried on. ‘To hear you bringing down my abilities when I have held you and this company up, created new opportunities, helped you build this business into the success it is today and you never even asked me why I was going in and out of hospital.’
There was quiet. No immediate response. Michelle sitting still just looking into the camera. Was she going to say anything? Was there any point to this anyway? Some people just couldn’t see how their behaviour impacted others even if you tried to explain it.
‘Chloe, why you were in and out of hospital is none of my business,’ Michelle stated matter-of-factly. ‘You made sure it never impacted on your work, I will give you that.’
Chloe sighed. It wasn’t the response she had hoped for. ‘As an employer, the full details aren’t always necessary but, as my friend? As someone who has shared so much time with you and Milo. As someone who organised your mother’s birthday presents every year?’ She took a deep breath. ‘Michelle, I was in and out of hospital because Michael and I were trying for a baby and it wasn’t happening. And, what happened instead was I found out I can never have children. Yet, somehow, I don’t even know how, I have been there for you and your family from the moment I bought you the pregnancy test.’
Emotion ballooned in her chest now and she looked past her laptop screen momentarily, sought solace in the sea again.
‘Michelle, I am absolutely overjoyed for you and Milo that you’re having this baby. But, I won’t lie, it’s been hard watching every second of your pregnancy – the sickness, the cravings, the seeing your bump grow and your skin glow and feeling those little feet strike out and kick. And it’s been exhausting hiding my pain from you which is why I couldn’t do it any more.’
‘Chloe—’
‘No, don’t say anything now, Michelle. I know that I lied on my CV, that was stupid and unnecessary and I never thought it would ever come back to haunt me the way it has. And I also know I had plenty of opportunity to tell you the truth before I ever got on the plane to come here but, well, I chose not to. I also apologise for the robot voice stuff. That was Kat’s idea. She was trying to get me out of a hole with the whole not speaking Icelandic thing and she made a bad choice. I will speak to whoever I need to speak to at the chamber of commerce and set matters straight, tell them my behaviour is not a reflection of you or Celebratey and?—’
‘Chloe, let me?—’
‘I am going to email you my presentation for Sinclairz Chairs. I think it’s sensational. I think, if they go with us, they are going to have an anniversary celebration to remember with the theme being “family – we grow together”. It encompasses the idea that traditional values can support new future visions, so it is very much being thankful for the very beginnings, but also preparing to get excited for all the success that is to come.’ She took a restorative breath, but she was so positive that her idea for what the Sinclairz Chairs event should be was going to hit the remit and go even further. There was just one more thing to add. ‘And the other attachment to the email is going to be my resignation.’
‘Chloe, please, stop talking now and?—’
‘Now isn’t the time for more talking, Michelle. I know this is an incredibly difficult period for you and it’s not my way to leave someone in the lurch which is why I am going to work longer than my notice period, if you need me to. But, I need a break. I’ve not stopped to take stock of my life since Michael left. I just tried to work my way through it. And that can only work temporarily; after that you have to address things, or they just lie dormant waiting to crush you all over again when you least expect it. So, that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to take some time out for me.’
And, with those words said, she looked out at those rays of sunshine bursting through the clouds and knew, without doubt, she was making the right decision.
58
MAGNÚS’S SCHOOL, REYKJAVIK
Gunnar stood outside the school hall, looking through the small window in the door. Everything was dressed for Christmas now – a large tree by the stage, glittering in silver and white, tinsel and garlands hanging from the ceiling. It brought back memories of his childhood, but not only that one terrible night when he’d found out his father had died; now it evoked good thoughts, the remembered joy in simple pleasures. And there was Magnús on stage, in a puffin costume, flapping his arms and strutting in quite an accurate representation of how the bird moved.
‘Mr Eriksson.’
Gunnar turned around and there was Mr Almr. ‘Halló,’ he greeted. ‘Is everything OK?’
‘Please,’ Mr Almr said. ‘I think that is what I should be asking of you. How is Hildur?’
‘Hildur is a force of nature stronger than an Icelandic storm,’ Gunnar told him. ‘Keeping her still to rest is not a job for those faint of heart.’
‘I understand,’ Mr Almr said. ‘I have a mother exactly the same.’ He smiled, tucking the files of paperwork he was holding under his arm. ‘I just wanted to let you know that Brigitta Lundgren will be leaving the school.’
‘Oh?’ Gunnar said, surprised.
‘Her parents have decided she would be better suited to a private education.’
‘Mr Almr, whatever has happened with Magnús, it was not our intention for her to feel excluded,’ Gunnar said. ‘Only for people to understand that everybody deserves to come to school and feel safe and an equal part of the community.’
‘I know,’ Mr Almr stated quickly. ‘I am sure recent events have steered the Lundgrens into making this decision now, but I feel this was something they had considered before.’
