Page 34 of Adrift in Iceland
‘It’s very nice,’ said Leifur, leaving the case in the hallway and heading into the lounge to look at the view from thebalcony. You couldn’t quite see the sea, but nevertheless it overlooked some of the residential streets in the city where the houses and roofs were colourful, so it was a delightful view.
When Astrid tried the door to the balcony, it was unlocked, and she stepped outside. There was a wooden bench against the wall and a small wooden table.
‘Perfect spot for a morning coffee,’ she said to Gudrun, who had appeared next to her.
‘I’ll go and get the other case,’ Leifur called.
‘What do you think?’
‘I love it!’ Gudrun said. ‘It’s so you, and even with the high ceilings, it feels cosy.’
‘That’s what I thought,’ said Astrid, pleased to have her sister’s agreement that it was a great place, as well as her blessing for moving out.
‘Oh my god, As. The way he picked up that case. No wonder you’ve fallen for him.’
It was going to get tiring batting away Gudrun’s constant assumptions that something was going on between her and Leifur. And now that there was something, even if she wasn’t sure exactly what, perhaps it was time to give in.
‘He’s very fit,’ said Astrid. ‘It’s probably from being a fisherman, hauling nets and ropes around.’
Gudrun raised an eyebrow but said nothing, which was just as well because Leifur came back with the other case.
‘Shall I put these in the bedroom?’
‘I’ll help you,’ Astrid said, taking one case herself and leading him into the bedroom.
‘I should leave. Let you get settled in,’ he said.
‘Stay for a coffee?’
‘Do you have any coffee?’
‘No. But there’s a coffeemaker.’
‘I’ll go and get coffee for us.’
‘You don’t have to do that.’
‘I want to.’ He took her hand in his. Astrid thought she might never take another breath.
‘Oh, I love this room,’ said Gudrun, ruining the moment.
Astrid dropped Leifur’s hand, and he smiled and pointed to the door. She nodded and turned her attention to Gudrun.
‘The great thing about white walls is that you can make the place yours without much effort at all. You need to put one of your new lamps in here. The one with the glass base would be perfect for a bedside light,’ her sister said.
‘Okay. Leifur’s gone out for coffee. I think when he gets back, I’m going to go grocery shopping while you pick up the shopping from Snug. Then we can meet back here, set everything up and then open a bottle of wine.’
‘That’s perfect!’
Once the three of them had the coffees and pastries that Leifur returned with, they all trooped back down the stairs. Gudrun headed into the centre of town to collect the Snug haul, leaving Leifur and Astrid alone.
‘Thanks for helping today.’
‘No problem. Enjoy getting settled in. Your sister seems pretty excited about it.’
Astrid laughed. ‘I know. I think she secretly wishes she could cut me out and decide on everything herself.’
‘It’s nice that she wants to help.’
