‘No, we’re getting off the boat before you make me count the lifejackets again.’ She pulled his hand until he stood up. ‘Come on, it’ll do you good to have a break so you’re fresh when everyone gets here.’
‘Okay, you win,’ he said, thinking that over the past two weeks he’d also learned that he’d do almost anything for Astrid. She was easy company and, aside from today whenhis anxiety levels were so high that nothing could touch them, a very soothing presence.
They walked to Rust, one of the restaurants that sat along the harbour side, ordered coffees and sat on a bench overlooking the sea.
‘Feel better?’
‘I’ll feel better when today is over.’
‘Oh, come on.’ She leant into him. ‘Aren’t you excited to show off the boat to everyone?’
‘I’m worried about what my mother will think of the changes.’ He had his mother’s blessing, but it still mattered that she thought he’d done justice toBrimfaxiand his father’s legacy. But talking about it wasn’t helping. ‘Are you looking forward to seeing your parents?’
‘Yes,’ she said emphatically. ‘I haven’t seen them since I’ve been back, and it’s the first time I’ve been home since they moved out of the city. It’s strange not having them around. They’re staying with Gudrun and Olafur tonight. I was going to ask, would you like to come out to dinner with us?’
‘You don’t want to wait and see how today goes? You might be glad to see the back of me.’
‘What do you think is going to happen today, Leifur?’ She sounded impatient. ‘It sounds like you’re expecting a disaster of some sort.’
He shrugged. It felt like impending doom, but he wasn’t sure why.
‘Look.’ Astrid pulled on his arm and he swivelled slightly. ‘All we have to do today is take some people who already like us on a boat ride. You just have to drive your boat out there.’ She jabbed her finger at the sea. ‘And if we don’t find a whale, no one will mind.’
‘They will when we start for real.’
‘Let’s concentrate on today. It’s not about the whales today, okay? It’s about seeing if we can entertain people on the boatwithout killing them.’
He couldn’t help but laugh. ‘I think we can manage that.’
‘Of course we can.’
‘Thank you.’ He reached for her hand and squeezed it. ‘And thank you for the dinner invitation, but perhaps another time. I’ll have to drop my mother home afterwards, anyway.’ He already knew that even if things went well today, he wouldn’t be in the mood to charm Astrid’s parents. He’d be tired and would need to be alone to overthink every aspect of the day in peace.
‘Okay. Another time. Come on then, we’d better get back. I want to get the boiler going so I can make hot drinks to welcome everyone on board.’
They were both on deck ready to greet their guests just as Gudrun and Olafur arrived with Astrid and Gudrun’s parents.
‘Hæ, Mamma, Pabbi!’ Astrid called, waving at them with a huge grin on her face.
‘Astrid, you look wonderful,’ said her mother. ‘Look at the colour in your cheeks.’
‘Oh, Mamma,’ Astrid said, hugging her parents. ‘This is Leifur, captain of theBrimfaxi.’
‘And Astrid’s boyfriend,’ Gudrun chipped in.
‘Gudrun!’
‘Oh, don’t mind your sister,’ her mother said. ‘It’s nice to meet you Leifur.’
‘Welcome on board. It’s a pleasure to meet you both.’ He shook their hands and stood aside while Astrid instructed them on what to do next.
‘Well, this is exciting,’ said Jonas, who was the next to arrive with Rachel. Leifur shook hands with Jonas as they both climbed on board.
‘Welcome. Astrid will show you what to do to get ready.’
‘It all looks amazing, Leifur. Congratulations.’
The praise from Jonas was heartfelt and a salve to Leifur’s nerves. ‘Thank you.’
