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Finn O’Meara pulled out his phone to text his mates. He was already behind schedule, but there was nothing he could do when he was still waiting for the last straggler.

There was always one on every bus tour.

Finn

Wish me luck, mates. Another tour starts this morning. If these folks are more boring than the last, I might just leave them stranded at Giant’s Causeway.

His last tour had been abysmally, mind-numbingly dull. Not a single soul on the bus had laughed at his jokes or responded to his stories. What was the point of doing these things if none of them—himself included—enjoyed it?

Matthew

Maybe you should be less boring, then.

Finn almost laughed out loud at his friend’s joke. He did like a good tease.

Matthew

Winnie tells me to apologize for that. I suppose I should.

But no apology came. Finn smiled all the brighter.

Finn

Tell Winnie thanks for the support. She’s some yoke.

Matthew

She says you’re welcome but wanted me to tell you that you spelt yolk wrong.

Finn smiled again, about to send another quick text before footsteps sounded up the bus.

“I’m so sorry I’m late,” an airy voice said.

A flash of a blue dress and waves of blonde curls passed him by before he even had the chance to look up at the woman who’d just entered his bus, dropped her ticket on his lap, and scurried to the seats behind them.

He turned off his phone, tucking it away in the slot to the right of his seat as he glanced at the ticket. This was the straggler he’d been waiting for, the girl from the States—Maisie King. He could only hope her late arrival wasn’t a forecast for how she’d be throughout the duration of the tour. Americans were usually his favorites to travel with, being the most fun and the most vocal. Would she turn out like that, too?

He ticked her name off on his now-finalized list, then stood to greet the new group who would be his closest companions over the next few weeks.

“’Bout ye,” he greeted with a friendly smile, tipping his flat cap to them as he scanned the group.

A few of them responded, most of them nodding. Maisie King had her head ducked as she situated her belongings beside her, obviously unaware that he was even speaking.

It was no matter. He didn’t need one hundred percent attention from every single person on the bus.

At least, not all the time.

He clapped his hands, then rubbed them together. “Right, now that we’re all here, I think we should head out, aye?”

More nods, but the blonde still didn’t look up.

“First, we have a few wee rules to go over,” he said, swiftly going through them as the small group nodded their understanding.

They may prove boring yet, but at least they all seemed attentive. Except for the one, of course.

Setting aside the lack of attention he was receiving from her once more, he turned around and started the bus.

“Let’s get on our way, then, aye?” he said through the intercom. “We’re going to have quite the craic over the next few weeks, so I hope you’re ready.”