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He stifled a sigh and pulled out his phone to text his friends. He was already behind schedule. He may as well do something semi-productive while waiting for the straggler.

Finn

Wish me luck, mates. Another tour starts this morning. If these folks are as boring as the last, I might just leave ’em stranded in Carnlough this time.

The tour just before this one had been abysmally, mind-numbingly dull. Not a single soul on the bus had laughed at his jokes, joined in with his singing, or responded to his stories. What was the point of doing these things if none of them—himself included—enjoyed it? Usually, he did. But the passengers could make or break a tour.

Especially people who were late.

Cedric

Good luck!

Graham

Best wishes, mate.

Matthew

Maybe YOU should be less boring, Finn.

A laugh pulled out from the back of Finn’s throat. He did enjoy a good joke at his expense.

Matthew

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

No apology came, and Finn smiled all the brighter.

Finn

Thanks, lads. And Matthew, tell Winnie thanks for the support. She’s some yoke.

Matthew

She says you’re welcome but doesn’t know how she likes being compared to an egg.

Finn

Does she know how yolk is spelt? There is a difference between yoke and yolk, you know…

Matthew

This is Winnie. I don’t appreciate that, Finn O’Meara. Especially after I came to your defense.

Finn grinned. Matthew had only just started dating Winnie—an American who worked at Matthew’s medieval festival—but already, Finn liked her. She wasn’t afraid of standing up for herself, and that was definitely needed with someone as stubborn as Matthew.

She also got along well with his other mates in the group, Cedric and Graham. The four boys had known each other since their early teens and were kind enough to outsiders, but Winnie had been welcomed with open arms due to how greatly Matthew had fallen for her.

Finn

I’ll apologize to you in person this weekend, Winnie.

Matthew

She’s going to hold you to that. Believe me. She’s as stubborn as a mu…She’s reading over my shoulder. No, I wasn’t going to say “mule.” I was going to say as stubborn as a “much-loved woman.” Which she is. Because I love Winnie. So much.

Cedric