Ciesjan van Heerden, 31 (right)
Last summer, I entered a raffle to win my local bookshop, Bookends, in Cardigan. Not your typical prize, but the owner was retiring and, rather than sell it, wanted to give someone an opportunity.
When I won, I looked for someone to run it with. I’d known Sveinbjörn for nine years through gaming – mainly EVE Online – but we’d never met in real life. He’d shown an interest when I’d told him about the draw, and although I wasn’t sure he’d follow it through – it was a big move for him from Iceland – he was as good as his word.
It didn’t feel strange to move in together because we’d talked online practically every day for the best part of a decade. We share the same sense of humour: a bit awkward, a bit weird, very nerdy.
Sveinbjörn Stefán Einarsson, 23
Having the chance to pitch up in west Wales and run a bookshop is not an opportunity you get often, but I thought I’d go for it. I’d lived only in Reykjavik before. I’d come to the UK on holiday, but not to Wales. It’s great in Cardigan.
Living together keeps costs down and we have a flat a few minutes from the shop. We agree on stuff like how neat the place should be and how to divvy up the chores. We share a lot of hobbies – obviously the computer games, but we also like tinkering in the kitchen.
We work alternate days in the shop, which means we’re not on top of each other too much. It’s good to be able to discuss the business in the evening. If we have an idea for something, it’s perfect because the person to talk to about it with is right there.
If you have a story to tell about who you live with, email family@theguardian.com with Under one roof in the subject line
