‘You’re back!’ Lars’s eyes light up and his wide smile spreads across his face like the rising sun, something that is noticeably absent around here, although at least at the moment it is actually light. He opens his arms like I’m an old friend, or a family member returning home, welcoming me back to the Tallfors Hotel. And I can’t help but smile in return. I’m exhausted, and it feels really nice to see a friendly, familiar face. ‘I knew you’d come back!’ he says. ‘It’s fate. My grandmother was right. She told me my perfect match would turn up if I wished on a star!’ He beams even wider.
‘Hi, Lars,’ I say, too weary even to wave my wedding ring at him by way of telling him I’m unavailable.
‘Did you miss me?’ he asks, still holding his arms wide, and I’m wondering if he’s actually expecting me to hug him. I don’t take him up on the offer. If I did, I might just put my head on his chest and fall asleep there and then in the middle of reception. Instead, I turn away and lean against the desk to support my tired limbs.
‘Well?’ he asks, and I realise that despite his joking manner, there’s a hint of seriousness there. I decide to laugh it off.
‘Of course, Lars! You’re the best concierge I’ve ever met.’ I smile as I undo my coat and peel it off. He drops his arms and then looks down at my jumper.
‘Interesting choice of clothing,’ he says. ‘I see you have fallen in love with our country.’
I look down at the souvenir sweatshirt I bought in the airport on my way through and changed into in the ladies’ loos. Thankfully the computer glitch seemed to have sorted itself and I was able to get a flight. ‘It was all I could find,’ I admit. ‘You should see the underwear.’
‘I’d like that, thank you.’ He grins and nods.
‘No! I don’t mean . . .’ I wave a hand and don’t bother digging myself into a deeper hole. What is it with this man? But honestly, the underwear is punishing. A bit tight and frankly rather scratchy. Like nothing I’ve worn in a long time.
‘Sorry,’ he points to my neck, ‘can I . . . ?’ and I wonder what he’s talking about. He points again and smiles. Maybe it’s some kind of Lappish custom I don’t know about. I hope he’s not going to try and kiss me. I lean back cautiously. He reaches forward. ‘You have the tag still on,’ he says quietly. He gives it a tug and it snaps off.
‘Thank you, Lars.’ I blush with a mixture of tiredness and embarrassment as he deposits the tag in the bin, and make a mental note to check the rest of my purchases – the T-shirt and especially the spare pants in the plastic bag swinging by my side – before putting them on. It could account for the scratchiness. ‘You’re very kind,’ I tell him, and he is.
He lowers his voice. ‘I could be kind to you forever, if you let me. It’s written in the stars!’
‘Lars, it’s a lovely offer. But no. Thank you.’ I laugh, and he does too, staring at me dreamily as if this is just part of the courtship he is convinced is going to happen.
‘So, how are the wedding party doing?’ I quickly change the subject when I realise I’m blushing, my cheeks glowing. His face falls.
‘Not so good. I’m afraid the path of true love is not so smooth there. Let’s just say, I’m not sure this idea of a getting-to-know-you holiday with the families before the ceremony was such a good one.’
‘Oh, that is a shame.’ I think of the two brides, obviously very much in love. ‘I thought it sounded a great idea!’
‘It could have been, but sadly, the bride’s mother is still very unhappy about her daughter’s choice of partner.’
‘In other words, you think she would have preferred a groom.’ I read between the lines.
‘Exactly,’ he confirms.
‘That is sad. Love is love wherever you find it. They’re lucky to have each other.’
I think about the letter in my bag from Camilla and double-check that it’s still there. When I look up again, Lars is staring at me, his head slightly to one side, smiling his wide smile again. I get the feeling he is trying to send me some kind of silent signal, a declaration of his intention. He’ll have a job. I’m not open to offers. This shop has long since pulled down its shutters, and nothing will get through the barriers I have around me and my heart. There’s still only one person in there for me.
‘Is that an ice bar out there? In an igloo!’ cries a loud voice, and Lars’s smile freezes.
‘The bride’s nan. I think she has a liking for me,’ he whispers, then readjusts his expression as the older woman appears in the foyer.
‘So, Lars,’ she says. ‘What’s the plan for the rest of the day? And is that really an ice bar, with all those flashing lights?’
‘We hope you will enjoy the hotel and the vantage points for stargazing later this evening, and who knows, when the snow finally stops, maybe the Northern Lights too.’
I glance outside. There doesn’t seem to be any sign of a let-up in the snow, which is falling like shards of glass, layer upon layer on the ground.
‘Meanwhile, lunch is ready for you in the restaurant. Hot soup and smörgåstårta. A Swedish sandwich cake, layered with different fillings – sliced vegetables, egg, chicken, salmon, with cream cheese.’ Lars beams proudly. ‘Then I hope you’ll enjoy the rest of the day relaxing in the sauna and spa. And yes, our ice bar afterwards!’
‘Oh, lovely. Will there be rolling in the snow?’
I shudder. I can’t think of anything worse than taking off your clothes and rolling in freezing-cold snow. I pull my padded coat further around me.
I really need to speak to Lars and ask if he can help me find this Daniel bloke’s family farm. The sooner I can track him down, the quicker I can deliver the rings and leave. I stand and listen as patiently as possible.
‘Tomorrow will be an excursion for your whole party out into the countryside. We will go in a coach and show you the beautiful forests and frozen lakes in these parts.’
‘So, jet skis?’ Nan grins.
‘Not tomorrow. It is a gentler day. Take a camera. Capture the wildlife. Later in the week there will be a jet-ski tour, dog sledding too, some cross-country skiing and a trip to see the Northern Lights.’
Griff and I went skiing once, with a group of friends, just after we were married. I fell over on the first day, broke my ankle and swore I’d never do it again. Give me a beach and a book any day. And that’s exactly what I’m hoping my next job will be. Long-haul, somewhere hot and sunny! But first I have to make sure this one actually works out.
‘Um, Lars?’ I try and politely get his attention as the foyer begins to fill with members of the wedding party and before he gets absorbed with looking after his guests, which he does seem really good at.
‘Yes!’ He spins back round to me, seemingly delighted, with an even broader smile and widening eyes.
‘Lars, I need your help.’ I try and get him to focus on the matter in hand instead of what I think he might be imagining is going on here.
‘Name it! Anything!’
‘I need to find someone.’
‘Still? I told you. I am here! It’s fate!’ He holds his arms out, making me laugh again, and it feels surprisingly good even if I am panicking inside about the wedding party and the missing rings.
‘It’s my bag. I still haven’t found it,’ I say.
His face drops, concerned. ‘And the rings?’ He looks around at the wedding party. I shake my head.
‘I found the restaurant in Stockholm, but apparently the owner’s disappeared. Probably visiting his family up here. That’s where the bags must have been swapped,’ I add, suddenly feeling very cross with myself for wasting so much time, ‘on the flight rather than at the airport like I thought. So, can you help me?’
‘Of course I can help. I can get done anything in these parts. You name it, Lars can do it. What’s his name?’
I pull out the envelope Camilla gave me. ‘Daniel Nuhtte,’ I read, and look up at him.
His eyes widen. ‘What, the Daniel Nuhtte? The chef? The one who makes all the super-cool fancy food, like a mad scientist? The one with the Michelin star?’
I nod slowly, and a warm feeling of optimism starts to wrap itself around me. ‘You know him?’
‘No,’ he says flatly, and my rising spirits dip again. ‘I don’t know him personally. He was out of school as I was starting. But I know people who will know. I know everyone. It’s my job! I am a super-concierge!’
And my spirits suddenly shoot upwards like a plane taking off.
‘He went to Stockholm as a kitchen apprentice. Now look at him!’ I can tell Lars feels a tiny bit envious of Daniel Nuhtte’s success as he looks around at his own position behind the hotel desk. ‘But he was always . . . well, a bit different. He didn’t really fit in at school. He didn’t join in. He would spend his time with his family and the reindeer – no one knew much about him. And then suddenly, woof! He was a big chef in the city, known all over the world.’
‘Except by me.’ I grimace. But I can’t say I’m one for high-end restaurants or cookery shows. I’m never home long enough for a night in front of the TV. And if I have got time on my hands, I’ve usually got my head in a travel guide or am attempting to learn a new language. I like to keep my mind busy. And talking of staying busy . . . ‘What I’m hoping is that someone will know where he is now. Because he’s not in Stockholm, not at his restaurant anyway. Someone said they thought he might be at his parents’ place.’
‘I’ll ask around,’ says Lars. ‘In the meantime, have a seat.’ He indicates the high-backed cushioned chairs in the lobby. ‘The fire’s lit. Sit there and watch the birds. The Siberian tits are out today,’ he adds.
I don’t need asking twice, and move my weary body towards the seats by the big window looking out onto the birds’ feeding station.
‘And Hayley?’
‘It’s Halley,’ I correct with a friendly smile.
‘Of course.’ He nods. ‘Hot chocolate?’ he asks with a cheeky wink. I mouth thank you and he instructs one of the barmen to whip up my drink whilst he greets the wedding party and ushers them to the dining room, then steps back around the reception desk to make some calls.
The hot chocolate with thick cream and marshmallows hits the spot and, no sooner have I finished it, I sit back in the chair and watch Lars as he talks on the phone. My eyes feel heavy and I can’t help but let sleep in.
‘Hayley, hello?’
Slowly I open my eyes, wondering where on earth I am and who’s waking me up. It takes me a while to realise that it’s Lars, shaking me gently out of a dream where Griff and I are skiing again, and I’m clinging tightly to him so as not to fall.
‘Oh, hi. Sorry, I dropped off.’ I run the back of my hand across my dry mouth. God, I hope I wasn’t snoring. Or dribbling, even!
Lars is smiling like he’s been watching a baby sleep.
‘Have you found him?’ I ask, suddenly remembering why I’m here.
He rolls his head from side to side. ‘Yes and no.’
‘Yes and no? What do you mean?’
‘Well, his family have a farm not far from here.’
‘And Daniel?’ My panic starts to rise.
‘No one knows. But it’s the reindeer migration. All the Sami families will be herding up their animals and moving them to winter grazing.’
‘Have you got his number?’
He shakes his head. ‘There will be no one at the farm. But I know where the family’s reindeer are. I could take you there. Someone will be able to help you.’
‘Brilliant! Thank you, Lars. You’re a star!’ I stand up unsteadily, still woozy from my deep nap, and gather my coat. Outside it is dark despite it being only about four o’clock.
He laughs and holds me by the elbow. ‘But not tonight. Tonight I am Lars the concierge. Tomorrow I am Lars the tour guide. I’m taking the wedding party on their photography safari, and I can take you to where you’ll find Daniel.’
Once again my rising spirits plummet. I give myself a shake. I only have to wait until tomorrow. Then I’ll find this reindeer herd and find out where Daniel is. Someone’s bound to know his whereabouts.
‘Okay, Lars, thank you. That would be great. Could you find me a room for tonight? I think I need to go to bed.’
‘My thoughts exactly!’ he pronounces, his grin now wider than ever.
‘On my own, Lars, on my own!’ Clearly his skin is as thick as my protective armour, and once again I find myself laughing, despite the stressful situation I’m in.
‘And Lars, remind me when exactly this wedding is?’
‘Next Saturday, a week today. You have plenty of time, don’t worry. And when do you leave for home?’
‘Next Sunday. I was due to spend some time in Stockholm before flying back. But I have to find my bag and deliver the rings first. Looks like I may be here longer than I expected.’
‘Excellent!’ he says, and I’m not sure he understands my dilemma. ‘We have plenty of time to get to know each other!’
I sigh. He’s persistent, I’ll give him that.