2012
It’s like an old summer cabin, only bigger, was Helgi’s immediate reaction when he first set foot in Kaffivagninn.
He instinctively felt at home there and had no difficulty understanding why Lovísa and Elín had chosen this café for their regular meet-ups.
The place had a timeless air. It stood right on the harbour, almost at the end of the jetty, as if it might slide off any minute and sail out to sea.
Helgi took in the rustic wood panelling and the lingering smell of food in the air. He studied the menu and saw that it offered a number of fish dishes, as you’d expect, but at this hour they were serving breakfast.
Two of the tables were occupied. In a corner by the window, a young man sat with a laptop, absorbed in some task, perhaps writing a story, like Elín.
In the middle of the room, there was a table full of men in late middle age, who Helgi thought looked like old fishermen meeting for their morning coffee, as close to the sea as they could get without leaving dry land.
Helgi hadn’t come here with any particular purpose in mind. Mostly he just wanted to see the two women’s meeting place for himself and to make a few inquiries while he was on the premises.
The young woman behind the counter smiled at him when he approached.
‘What can I offer you?’
He took a closer look at the menu and the pastries on offer, lingering over the pancake rolls. They reminded him of his grandmother up north, who had been a dab hand at making them, though somehow her skill hadn’t been passed down to the next generation, let alone to his.
‘Maybe I’ll have a couple of those pancakes,’ he said, ‘and a cup of coffee.’
He paid for the refreshments, but didn’t immediately move away.
‘Sorry, but I’m from the police. I couldn’t ask you a few questions, could I?’ he asked in a low voice.
‘What?’
‘It’s nothing serious, but we’re looking into an incident involving two older women who are regulars here.’
‘Oh? Well, I don’t know…’
‘They meet here every Tuesday at two. Do you work on Tuesdays?’
‘Yes, actually, Monday to Thursday, here behind the counter. There’s always someone in the kitchen too.’
Helgi hurriedly trawled through his memory for the dates.
‘I gather they were last here on 23 October. Were you working that day?’
The girl thought.
‘Er, yes, that’s quite recent. I haven’t taken any time off since the beginning of September.’
‘Their names are Lovísa and Elín. Do you remember them?’
‘Hard to say; there are a lot of regulars here.’
‘Hang on a sec…’
Helgi pulled out his phone and showed her photos, first of Lovísa, then of Elín.
‘They seem like they might be familiar, but I’m not very good with faces.’
‘This woman is called Elín S. Jónsdóttir.’ He showed her the photo again. ‘She’s a well-known author.’
‘Oh yes, I recognize the name. Dad reads her books, but I didn’t know what she looked like. As I said, I feel as if I recognize them, but I couldn’t tell you when they meet here or how often. I don’t mix with the customers much.’ She smiled again. ‘You can top up your coffee yourself, if you like.’
‘Thanks.’
‘Just take a seat anywhere. There’s plenty of room. You can sit outside too, if it’s not too cold for you.’
Helgi decided to risk the cold and stepped outside, where he took in the view of the sea and the boats, and noticed that for once the sun was peeping out from behind the clouds.
He gave thanks for the bright morning.
He could do with a bit of energy and fresh air to help him start the day.