Page 63 of Adrift in Iceland
‘Hey! Astrid!’
Gudrun was on the other side of the street. She crossedover and gave Astrid a hug, smiling at Leifur over her sister’s shoulder.
‘I haven’t seen you for ages. How’re the tours going? Olafur said they’ve been full.’
‘It’s been brilliant so far,’ Astrid said, taking his hand. Gudrun clocked it straight away, and shot her sister a look he couldn’t quite understand the meaning of.
‘Great. So, will you both come for dinner tomorrow night? We’re never going to see you otherwise.’
Astrid looked at him, and he smiled, letting her know it was fine with him.
‘Okay, we’re on,’ said Gudrun. ‘See you tomorrow. Is seven too early?’
‘Eight is better,’ he said. ‘We won’t be back until seven, and we need to prep for the next day.’
‘To save us having to get up too early,’ Astrid explained.
‘Right…’ Gudrun gave them a wicked smile, and Astrid rolled her eyes and laughed.
‘See you tomorrow.’
26
THE FOLLOWING EVENING, after a successful day of tours with plenty of whales watched, Leifur and Astrid called into her apartment to change before they headed to Gudrun and Olafur’s. On the way back out, Sol stuck her head out of her apartment.
‘Astrid! I’m so glad I caught you both.’ Astrid’s heart sank, wondering what she might want this time.
‘What can we do for you?’
‘I’m so grateful to you for helping with the flood the other day, I wanted to invite you to Thor’s bar on Thursday night. Drinks are on us to say thank you.’
‘Oh, that sounds great. We’re working every day this week, though, so I’m not sure —’
‘No, you have to come,’ Sol insisted. ‘Thursday’s the best night because it’s open mic night. It’s always great. You’ll really enjoy it.’
‘We’d love to,’ Leifur said, taking Astrid by surprise.
‘Fabulous! You know the place? Down by the harbour?’
‘I know it,’ Leifur said. ‘Thank you, we’ll see you on Thursday.’
‘You actually want to go to the open mic night?’ Astrid said once they were out of the building and walking towardsGudrun’s.
Leifur shrugged. ‘It’s supposed to be good. Remember, I told you Ned Nokes has played there. Isn’t he friends with your sister?’
She remembered the conversation at her housewarming party. And Gudrun had mentioned an open mic night a few times, but Astrid hadn’t put two and two together.
‘Yes, he and Brun play together.’
‘Have you met him?’
‘No. Are you a secret Ned Nokes fan?’
Leifur looked sheepish. ‘I like the stuff he’s done since he went solo. I’m not a fan of The Rush.’
‘I’d be worried if you were.’
Gudrun answered the door and ushered them into the kitchen. ‘We’re eating straight away since you three need to be up early.’
