Page 51 of Snug in Iceland
“Definitely. Do you know what flight you’re getting on Friday? I can come and meet you all, it’s not far to the airport from town.”
“We’re getting in early so that Julia will be in time for the Design Call. If you could organise the transfer for us, that would be great. Oh, by the way, Julia wanted a word. I’ll just put you through. And, well done Rachel, I can’t wait to see the store, and you, on Friday.”
The phone beeped while Luisa transferred the call, then Julia, the Managing Director and the founder of Snug, came on the line.
“Hi Rachel, it’s Julia. I hear from Luisa that everything is going smoothly?”
“Hi Julia, yes, it’s looking great. We’re looking forward to showing you on Friday.”
“Look, I’m expecting a visit from a business consultant while we’re over in Iceland. There’s a chance they may arrive before us and may even call into the shop for a look around. Just to give you a heads-up. I’m not sure who they’re going to send yet, but the company is called Finch Associates.
“No problem. I’ll make them welcome.”
“Great, and I’m sure I don’t need to say that discretion is of the utmost importance. Thanks, Rachel.” And she hung up.
Business consultant? What was that all about? And the request for discretion. It was highly odd. As far as she was aware, Rachel didn’t think Snug had ever used outside consultants before and what would they be consulting about?
“Everything alright?” asked Gudrun from her prone position at the opposite end of the sofa.
“Mmm,” Rachel said, still thinking about whether it was anything she needed to worry about. It was probably best forgotten and would all come out in the end when they met this consultant.
“I need to book a taxi to pick them all up from the airport on Friday.” Her phone beeped. “Luisa’s just texted me their flight details. God, it’s 7.15 am! I wish I hadn’t offered to go and meet them now.”
“Are you going to see if Jonas will take you?” asked Gudrun, predictably.
“No, it’s better to keep work and…other things separate.”
“Quite right. I try and stay well away from Olafur in similar situations.”
“You know what I mean, you twit. Come on, let’s get back to it.”
“Do we need to sort anything for the new staff coming in tomorrow?”
“I think we told them to come in at 1 pm, didn’t we? That’ll give us chance to do the displays in the morning and then in the afternoon, perhaps we’ll split them into two groups and one of us will show them the merchandising and one of us will train them on the till. But you should do the introduction and walk them around the store. After today I’m just your sidekick.”
“It’s about time I got to boss you around,” laughed Gudrun, throwing a cushion at Rachel who chucked it straight back.
“Oi! I’ve been a great boss!”
“It has been great working together. I hope the new people are as much fun because otherwise, I’ll really miss you.”
“You’ll miss me anyway.”
“You’re right. The constant ups and downs of your love life have been a highlight. I will miss hearing about all of that.”
“Well, there might be nothing to hear once I go back to London,” said Rachel glumly.
“No way! You and Jonas, neither of you are the types for a fling. I think you’ll work out a way to be together in the end. Now, come on, we’ve got loads to do.” Gudrun hauled herself off the sofa and ripped open the next box on the pile.
That evening, after they’d finished at the shop, Rachel went to the pool and Gudrun decided to tag along because Olafur was off on the tour with Jonas so she was at a bit of a loose end.
“I hardly ever do this,” said Gudrun as they lay on their backs in the saltwater pool, staring at the sky. “It’s so relaxing.”
“Have you ever seen the Northern Lights?” asked Rachel as she tipped her head back to stare at the sky.
“Yes, of course. But I’m not sure I’ve ever seen them in Reykjavik, not that I can remember anyway. Are you going to try and go on another Northern Lights tour before you leave?”
“I’d love to but I don’t think I’ll have the chance. I’m seeing Jonas tomorrow night and after that, I expect I’ll be too busy working.”
