Harbour Read Online Free Page A

room. What he saw didn’t appear to provide him with anything worth commenting on, and he said, ‘So. Any news?’
    Simon shook his head. ‘No. The usual aches and pains.’
    Sometimes he found it amusing, but today he wasn’t in the mood to stand there exchanging pleasantries with Elof until they got down to business, so he decided to flout convention. ‘Is it the drill you’re after?’ he asked.
    Elof’s eyes narrowed as if this was a completely unexpected question that needed some consideration, but after thinking for a couple of seconds he said, ‘The drill. Yes. I thought I might…’ he nodded in the direction of the ice, ‘…go out and see if I have any luck.’
    â€˜It’s under the steps as usual.’
    The last time they had had a really icy winter, three years ago, Elof had come to borrow Simon’s ice drill a couple of times a week. Simon had said Elof was welcome to come and fetch it whenever he needed it and just put it back when he was finished. Elof had made noises indicating agreement, and had continued to come in and ask every single time.
    On this occasion, his mission seemingly accomplished, Elof showed no signs of leaving. Perhaps he wanted to get warm before he set off. He nodded at the telescope in Simon’s hand.
    â€˜So what are you looking at?’
    Simon pointed towards the lighthouse. ‘The family’s out on the ice, I’m just…keeping an eye on them.’
    Elof looked out of the window, but of course he couldn’t see anything. ‘Whereabouts are they?’
    â€˜Out by the lighthouse.’
    â€˜Out by the lighthouse?’
    â€˜Yes.’
    Elof was still looking out of the window, his jaws working as if he were chewing on something invisible. Simon wanted an end to this before Elof caught the aroma of the coffee and invited himself to stay for a cup. He wanted to be left in peace. Elof pursed his lips and suddenly asked, ‘Has Anders got one of those…mobile phones?’
    â€˜Yes, why?’
    Elof was breathing heavily as he gazed out of the window, looking for something it was impossible to see. Simon couldn’t understand what he was getting at, so he asked again.
    â€˜Why do you want to know if he’s got a mobile?’
    There was silence for a few seconds. Simon could hear the last of the water bubbling through the coffee machine. Elof turned away from the window and gazed at the floor as he said, ‘I think you should ring him and tell him…he ought to come home now.’
    â€˜Why?’
    Silence fell once again, and Simon could smell the aroma of the coffee drifting from the kitchen. Elof didn’t seem to notice. He sighed and said, ‘The ice can be unsafe out there.’
    Simon snorted. ‘But it’s half a metre thick right across the bay!’
    Elof sighed even more deeply and studied the pattern on the carpet. Then he did something unexpected. He raised his head, looked Simon straight in the eye and said, ‘Do as I say. Ring the boy. And tell him to gather up his family. And go home.’
    Simon looked into Elof’s watery blue eyes. Their expression was deadly serious. Simon didn’t understand what this was all about, but he had never encountered this level of seriousness, this kind of authority from Elof before. Something passed between them that he couldn’t put his finger on, but it made him go over to the phone and key in the number of Anders’ mobile.
    â€˜Hi, this is Anders. Leave a message after the tone.’
    Simon hung up.
    â€˜He’s not answering. It’s probably switched off. What’s this all about?’
    Elof looked out across the bay once more. Then he pursed his lips and nodded, as if he’d come to a decision. ‘I expect it’ll be fine.’ He turned towards the hallway and said, ‘I’ll take the drill for a couple of hours, then.’
    Simon heard the outside door