‘Oh, really?’ Chloe said. ‘I mean that sounds like quite the promise. Does it come with some kind of money-back guarantee?’
‘No,’ Gunnar said. ‘But, if you do not enjoy the day I will… take you to the Blue Lagoon.’
She’d read about the Blue Lagoon. It was on her visit list. But Gunnar saying it, imagining thermal springs and steam rising into the freezing air as everyone enjoyed drinks and detox face masks, was making her a little bit flustered. Was this intention on his part? An almost ‘date’ scenario?
‘And your friend, of course,’ Gunnar added.
Chloe felt her deflation but was quick to cover it up. ‘Challenge accepted.’
‘OK,krúttio mitt. I will prepare the coach now.’ He smiled. ‘And, just so you know, they do sell liquorice at the first place we stop.’
She smiled. ‘I can’t wait for this premium trip to start.’
23
ON BOARD GUNNAR’S COACH
‘…you will see, if you look out to the left, that there are many horses in Iceland. These horses are unique to our country. Brought here in the ninth and tenth century by Norse settlors, they remain pure bred after more than a thousand years.’
Gunnar waited for the murmured comments of his passengers; a few he could see in the mirror were taking photos. Then he continued.
‘No horses are ever imported. And if an Icelandic horse ever leaves the island, it can never, ever return.’ He paused for a beat. ‘I know this is what we all wished with Donald Trump but here in Iceland with the horses, there are stricter rules than in the American White House.’
The laughs arrived as always.
‘So, relax and take in the views of moss-covered lava fields as we continue towards our next stop.’
Satisfied, he focussed on the driving. It was a little misty here but the sun was trying to break the clouds.
‘Why am I here and not at school?’
It was Magnús from the jump seat just behind him. He had been going to wait until lunchtime before he talked to the boy but, as Magnús had started conversation perhaps he should just roll with it.
‘You were going to really go to school today?’ Gunnar asked.
Silence for a time and then:
‘So, my punishment is to come on the coach all day?’ Magnús asked.
Gunnar thought for a moment before making his reply. ‘This is not a punishment, Magnús. People on this trip have paid to be here, to see the wonderful sights of our great country.’
Magnús sighed. ‘I would rather be at school. Just tell me my punishment. I can do it and then we do not have to do whatever this is.’
Gunnar sighed, eyes firmly on the road, mind wondering how this boy had as much smarts as he did. There was only one way forward. He switched on his indicator.
‘Why don’t you tell me why you hit a girl.’
Gunnar wasn’t sure what he heard first. His voice coming over the speaker system and being broadcast to the whole coach or the gasps from his passengers.
‘Skítur! Shit!’
He had no idea why he had translated the Icelandic into English but all his passengers had heard that too as he desperately tried to turn off the microphone and keep his eyes on the road.
‘Listen, everyone! Sshh, listen very carefully!’
Gunnar looked in the rear-view mirror and could see Chloe up from her seat and standing in the centre of the aisle, voice clear, hands beckoning for attention. What was she doing?
Everything got quiet though and all eyes were on her.
