Both Veronika and her mother are said to be incredibly bitter all the time, and they always have something nasty or negative to say about everyone and everything, and this terrorizes Astrid, who fears to become as embittered as them. The reason behind Veronika's bitterness probably is her failed marriage with Lief Helgason and separation from the daughter she had with him, Karen. Now, she hates them both. Despite her bitterness, she has the friendly trait. Veronika might be related to the deceased Arnard Vinter who is buried in the nearby Cemetery, but this is purely speculative.