‘This is supposed to be a tech-free retreat. She won’t get the benefit if she’s on her phone the whole time.’
‘We are not here to judge.’
‘True, but it spoils it for everyone else! Rules are rules.’
‘Well, don’t worry, lads, I won’t be ruining the vibe for much longer – I’ve changed my flight home to Monday. Can I book the dinghy to take me to Bergen harbour at 1p.m.?’
‘Consider it booked,’ Henrik said with a nod. ‘But it’s a shame we couldn’t convince you to stay.’
‘Couldn’t handle it, huh?’ Jonas said. ‘Not everyone can. Transformation is painful.’ This guy really had it out for me.
‘But then so is staying the same,’ Henrik said. ‘You have to choose your pain.’
‘It’s not that at all – I’m just looking for something a little moreluxurious. With a pool and beauty treatments. And… er… cocktails.’
‘Numbing your feelings with alcohol isn’t the answer,’ Jonas replied piously.
‘Don’t be so superior,’ Henrik said, rolling his eyes. ‘You numb your feelings plenty. Sara, I’m not sure if it’s classed as a beauty treatment, but Greta does reiki and Hopi ear candles.’
‘And reflexology now, as well,’ Jonas added. ‘She passed her qualification a few weeks ago.’
‘Really? Why hasn’t anyone mentioned it? How do I book?’
‘The system is quite archaic,’ Henrik said, eyeing his brother.
‘We’re supposed to line up the appointments,’ Jonas said ruefully. ‘She’s only here at the weekends and hasn’t done the last two because of the weather. I couldn’t risk the Spa Hut flying off into a cyclone with Greta inside – we’re getting married in a couple of months.’
‘OK, well, that all sounds good. Have you got a treatment list I can take with me?’
Jonas and Henrik looked at each other, then Henrik spoke. ‘Not printed out, but I can write it down for you if you like. It’s reiki, Hopi ear candles…’
‘…and reflexology,’ I finished. ‘Right. OK, well book me in for all three. At least I can get my feet done.’
‘Sure,’ Jonas said, checking the schedule on his phone. ‘Sunday afternoon?’
I nodded.
No wonder Greta was struggling for customers if this was the sales patter. I turned to go, and Henrik put his coat on and followed me down the path.
‘Will you keep going with the activities until Monday, then?’ he asked.
‘One hundred per cent. It’s not a question of it being too challenging for me here, believe me.’
‘Great! In that case, we can walk to the morning session together.’
‘Is there something on right now?’
‘Yup. Are you coming?’
Ah.I was being coerced into more woo-woo and I wasn’t sure what. I should have studied the timetable more carefully instead of staying up all night reading.
‘Try and stop me! Are you running it?’ I was hoping a couple of vague questions might get it out of him.
‘As much as it needs running, yes. Normally we do it every day, but it’s best in the sunshine.’
‘Makes sense.’What could it be? Yoga? Bike riding? Weightlifting?What’s better in the sunshine? Well, everything.
I followed him into a forest nook, where Will, Celeste, Ethel, and the rest of the guests were already waiting.
