Page 62 of Adrift in Iceland
‘Do you think your brother can find a job on another fishing boat?’
Leifur had been hoping that Isak could be left behind for the rest of the day, but he didn’t want to be short with Astrid and refuse to talk about it. Anyway, he got the feeling that she was on his side, which made him feel less defensive.
‘He could.’
‘What do you think happened?’
‘I expect he got too comfortable and thought he could get away without pulling his weight.’
‘That’s the voice of experience.’
‘I wish I was closer to him, honestly. I wish we had what you and Gudrun have, something more like a friendship but Irealised a long time ago it wasn’t going to be like that between us. It was hard to come to terms with, and I’m not sure our mother will ever accept it, but that’s how it is.’
It hurt that Isak didn’t seem to place any value on the concept of being a family. He kept in touch with their mother, popped in every so often, usually when he wanted food or money, and Leifur was grateful for that for Peta’s sake.
‘Was it hard being his boss?’
‘It was impossible.’
‘Because he was angry that you had the company, and he didn’t?’
‘It was just as much his as it was mine. He could have been captain ofBrimfaxi, but he didn’t want to be. It wasn’t anything to do with me being the oldest. I was the one who carried everything on after our father died, and Isak dropped in and out when it suited him. When he needed money. If it’d been anyone else, I would have fired them, but Mamma is very good at pleading his case, so I gave him a hundred second chances.’
‘And I understand why you can’t do that anymore. Aside from it being heartbreaking to give someone chance after chance when all they do is take advantage of your good nature, you worked hard to make this happen with Jonas and you don’t want to jeopardise that.’
Leifur felt a lump in his throat and took a slug of his beer to clear it. He coughed and looked out of the window, willing his eyes to dry up before he had to look at Astrid again. No one had ever understood the relationship he had with Isak. But Astrid did. She’d listened to his version of how things are with his brother rather than taking Isak on face value. And it meant everything to him.
He reached across the table for Astrid’s hand. How incredible was it that she had his back?
‘Thank you for being on my side.’
She smiled, the warmth in her face making the lump in his throat threaten to return again.
‘It’s the best side, Leifur, and you don’t need to wonder whether I’m there. I always will be.’
He couldn’t let himself believe that she actually meant always. It was easy to say, but they weren’t there yet. Talking about Isak, something he’d never done with anyone before, helped him feel confident about sticking to his guns and not helping Isak get a job at Iceland Adventures.
‘I’m not going to help Isak get a job, but I could talk to some fishing friends who might have something. If I don’t help, it feels as if I’m letting my mother down.’
‘That’s a good idea. He needs a job, and it doesn’t have to be with you.’
Their fish and chips arrived, and Leifur realised how hungry he was. They hadn’t eaten anything except a couple of pieces of toast and the cake at his mother’s.
‘Oh god, this fish is incredible,’ said Astrid. ‘I want to savour it but also shove it in as fast as I can, I’m so hungry.’
Leifur laughed, feeling lighter and finally able to shake the day off. ‘I think we should go for ice cream after.’
‘Oh, can we go to Valdis, the pink place back along the harbour?’
‘Sure. I’ve had the odd rye bread ice cream from there. It’s good.’
‘Rye bread ice cream?’
‘Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.’
‘I’ll have some of yours. I’m a salted caramel girl.’
After the ice cream, or half an ice cream, since Astrid liked the rye bread flavour so much she ate most of his, they wandered back into town in search of somewhere to have a beer before heading back to her apartment.
