‘Earlier than you,’ she replied.
‘And did you bring the snacks?’ Gunnar asked.
Chloe gasped. She had completely forgotten about the liquorice.
‘I do not know if you can board the coach without this part-payment,’ Gunnar said, shaking his head.
‘It sounds like we should definitely be punished,’ Kat chipped in. ‘Halló. I’m Kat, Chloe’s best friend. Orkrutty midor whatever you called her that sounded mildly sexual in your accent.’
‘Kat!’ Chloe exclaimed, her eyes going to the young boy in their presence.
‘Magnús, please get the information from Erik inside.’
Gunnar had addressed the boy and, still looking like his world was about to end, the boy headed into the building.
‘Sorry,’ Chloe apologised. ‘Kat had strong coffee before we left the apartment and it makes her brain disconnect from her mouth.’
‘Ouch,’ Kat said. ‘I am here you know. Sooo, you’re the man who helped Chloe find a room at the inn.’
‘What?’ Gunnar asked.
‘That was an unnecessary Christmas joke. She means you helped me find somewhere to stay,’ Chloe said.
‘And helped her take not too bad photos of the Northern Lights,’ Kat added. ‘A miracle worker I’d say. It’s nice to meet you.’ She stuck out her hand.
‘It is nice to meet you too,’ he said, shaking her hand.
‘So, when do we get going and do I have time to go to the toilet?’ Kat asked.
‘Yes,’ Gunnar told her.
‘Great! Be back asap.’
And with that Kat headed into the bus station building.
‘Sorry to bother you with the phone call last night,’ Chloe said. ‘I should have just booked on the website and?—’
‘It is OK. I gave you my number for things like this,’ Gunnar answered. ‘And I am glad the call was not because the apartment had a problem.’
‘No, everything is great and I’m really looking forward to the tour today. It sounds amazing.’
‘It is amazing,’ Gunnar told her. ‘And the coach driver is exceptional. Five-star rating for Tripadvisor.’
Chloe laughed. ‘I will be the judge of that. And Kat. She’s a harder critic than me.’
‘I will try not to make either of you sick.’
‘Gunnar.’
It was the boy back, offering some paperwork that Gunnar rapidly took almost as rapidly as he spat out words of Icelandic that saw the boy leave again, heading towards one of the coaches.
‘So, is the boy your?—’
‘Magnús,’ Gunnar interrupted. ‘Is… on work experience today. I am doing a good deed for a friend.’
‘Oh, that’s nice,’ Chloe said. Itwasnice. ‘Will he be in charge of the puking or the driving?’
Gunnar smiled. ‘It takes a long time to work towards being in charge of something, no? This is a premium trip. The trip of all trips.’
