Midnight Sun Read Free

me.’
    â€˜From whom?’ her voice called. She was walking back towards the altar rail.
    â€˜Ulf.’ I was starting to get used to the name.
    â€˜And what are you doing here in KÃ¥sund, Ulf?’ She wrung out a cloth above the bucket.
    â€˜Hunting.’ I thought it was best to stick to one and the same story in such a small community.
    She fixed the cloth to the end of the broom. ‘What for?’
    â€˜Grouse,’ I chanced. Did they have grouse this far north? ‘Or anything with a pulse, really,’ I added.
    â€˜It’s been a bad year for mice and lemmings this year,’ she said.
    I hummed. ‘Well, I was thinking something a
bit
bigger than that.’
    She raised an eyebrow. ‘I just meant that there aren’t many grouse.’
    There was a pause.
    In the end Knut broke it. ‘When predators can’t get enough mice and lemmings, they take grouse eggs.’
    â€˜Of course,’ I said with a nod, and realised my back was sweating. I could do with a wash. My shirt and money belt could do with a wash. My suit jacket could do with a wash. ‘I daresay I’ll find something to shoot. It’s more of a problem that I’m a week early. After all, hunting season doesn’t start until next week. I’ll just have to practise until then.’ I hoped the Sámi had given me accurate information.
    â€˜I don’t know about a season,’ the woman said, pushing the broom across the floor where I had slept so hard that the broom head squeaked. ‘You southerners are the ones who came up with that idea. Here we go hunting when we have to. And don’t bother when there’s no need.’
    â€˜Speaking of needs,’ I said. ‘You don’t know of anywhere in the village where I could stay?’
    She stopped cleaning and leaned on the broom. ‘You just have to knock on a door and they’ll give you a bed.’
    â€˜Anywhere?’
    â€˜Yes, I’d say so. But of course there aren’t that many people at home right now.’
    â€˜Of course.’ I nodded towards Knut. ‘Summer holidays?’
    She smiled and tilted her head. ‘Summer work. Anyone who’s got reindeer is sleeping in tents and caravans at the pastures down by the coast. A few have gone fishing for pollock. And a lot of people have gone off to the fair in Kautokeino.’
    â€˜I see. Any chance I could rent a bed from you?’ When she hesitated I quickly added: ‘I’ll pay well. Very well.’
    â€˜No one here would let you pay much. But my husband isn’t at home, so it’s really not befitting.’
    Befitting? I looked at her skirt. Her long hair.
    â€˜I see. Is there anywhere that isn’t so . . . er, central? Where you can get some peace and quiet. With a view.’ By which I meant, where you can see if anyone’s coming.
    â€˜Well,’ she said. ‘Seeing as you’re going to be hunting, I suppose you could always stay in the hunting cabin. Everyone uses it. It’s fairly remote, and a bit cramped and ramshackle, but you’d certainly get your peace and quiet. And a fine view in all directions, that much is certain.’
    â€˜Sounds perfect.’
    â€˜Knut can show you the way.’
    â€˜There’s no need for him to do that. I’m sure I can—’
    â€˜No!’ Knut said. ‘Please!’
    I looked down at him again. Summer holidays. Everyone away. Bored having to follow his mum to do her cleaning. Finally, something happening.
    â€˜Sure,’ I said. ‘Shall we go, then?’
    â€˜Yes!’
    â€˜What’s bothering me,’ the dark-haired woman said, dipping the broom in the bucket, ‘is what you’re going to shoot with. You’ve hardly got a shotgun in that case.’
    I stared down at my case. As if I were measuring it to see if I agreed with her.
    â€˜I left it on the train,’ I said. ‘I called them,