Hell Fire by Karin Fossum Page A

have no money. And without money, there won’t be any Christmas.”
    He nodded.
    â€œNow go to sleep,” she said and went back out to Bonnie. She had put a Tupperware dish with stew in it on the countertop. Standing beside it was a bottle of good red wine. It brought tears to Bonnie’s eyes. Britt thought of everything; she meant so much to her. And she was so busy herself, with a husband and three children, and a full-time job with the air ambulance.
    They went into the living room while the food was heating, and Bonnie set the table. Britt noticed the plants arranged in a circle around the wild animals on the floor.
    â€œYou’re getting thinner,” Britt said, when they started to eat.
    â€œI’ve always been thin,” Bonnie retorted.
    â€œNot as thin as now—there’s nothing left of you.”
    They ate for a while in silence. Britt filled Bonnie’s glass as soon as it was empty. She only had one herself since she had to drive home.
    â€œTell me about the last job,” Bonnie said. “Was it dramatic?”
    â€œIt certainly was, but they always are. We had to pick up someone with burn injuries from Ringstad. A man, fifty-something; it was bad. Third-degree burns all over his body as a result of an explosion in his garage. He was conscious when we carried him out to the helicopter. He even had the strength to make a joke. I sat beside him on the way to the burn unit at Haukeland Hospital. The doctors can fix pretty much anything, he said, and put on a brave face. And I had to humor him and pretend nothing was wrong. I knew that he wouldn’t survive with all those burns.”
    â€œWhat?” Bonnie said, horrified. “Is he dead?”
    â€œHe only lived for a few hours. Left behind a wife, four children, and three grandchildren. There’s something about men, they’re always a bit lax when it comes to safety. We see it all the time at New Year’s with the fireworks—always a few fingers lost.”
    She topped up Bonnie’s glass. “Now, what about you? How much time are you getting off at Christmas?”
    â€œFourteen days,” Bonnie said happily. “Heaven! How about you?”
    â€œI’m going to work. It doesn’t bother me, though. Jens will sort everything out at home.”
    â€œYou’re so strong.”
    â€œYes,” Britt said, “I am, but so are you. And I know you hate it when I say this, but I think you should find yourself a man. Simon needs a father figure; all boys do.”
    â€œSo you think I should go out on the town, then?” Bonnie said. “And who’s going to look after Simon when I’m out there flirting?”
    Britt had to smile. “Don’t be silly, we’ve got the Internet now. Everyone seems to find their partners that way these days. There’s no shame in it.”
    â€œThat’s not what I mean; I just haven’t had a good experience. Remember?”
    â€œNot everyone is like Olav,” Britt said. “Maybe it’s time you got over him. I’m sorry for saying it, but there are good men out there. I found one.”
    â€œI know,” Bonnie assured her. “You’re lucky. You haven’t been through what I have.”
    She got up and cleared the table and put on some coffee. Then they sat on the sofa and chatted until midnight. There was a thin layer of fresh snow on the red Volvo when she followed Britt out to the car.
    â€œCall me if there’s anything,” Britt urged and gave her a hug. “I can look after Simon if you want to go out and flirt.”
    â€œYou’ve got three of your own. It would be better to avail of my mother.”
    â€œRemember what I said,” Britt insisted. “I’ve got a husband, and when I ask him to, he looks after the children. Because he always does what I say.”
    Bonnie tiptoed into the bedroom and switched off the light. Simon was sleeping deeply and had