He bites down on his lip as colour rushes his cheeks. ‘Ah… I… uh, hadn’t noticed.’
We’re standing in a huddle as everyone checks they’ve got all their belongings when Gigi, the tall blonde with the cool smile, steps down from the train and turns, throwing a gold wedding band at Silas.
‘Gigi, wait! I’m sorry.’
She spins on her heel and walks away with all the grace and poise of a supermodel. It’s so cool, it’s like something out of a movie. The Unlucky in Love Travel Club exchange glances, but none of us dare speak – probably because it wouldn’t be polite to cheer a break-up, but that’s what I feel like doing. Silas slinks off, head down, trundling his suitcase behind.
‘Told you there’d be some casualties.’ Sabrina’s gaze lingers on Silas’s retreating form. ‘Thank God Gigi saw the light. That bauble-grabbing buzzard doesn’t deserve her.’
‘Let’s hope he goes home with his tail between his legs and not to the igloo stays.’
‘He’s not getting on the bus.’ Princess motions to a taxi Silas has hailed. ‘So that’s a good sign.’
I turn back to Sabrina, who wears a hint of sadness on her face – for the impending goodbyes? It feels like an ending, this kind of farewell, even though we’ll see her again once she finishes work. The air is heavy with the weight of it. ‘Thanks for the best winter wonderland holiday I’ve ever had,’ I say. ‘I’ll never forget it.’
She grins, and it lights up her pretty face. ‘You’re welcome, Aubrey. I hope we’ll see you back on board one day.’
‘I hope so too.’
‘I’ll see you at the lodge this evening.’
‘I can’t wait!’
‘You and me both!’
Once the Winter Wonderland Express is empty, the staff clean and prepare for the next load of passengers as they make the trip back in reverse. Luckily, Sabrina has a few days off after she finishes work this evening.
‘Group photo or it didn’t happen!’ Karen yells, and we all squish in together in front of the train. Then there’s much hugging and fanfare, almost like none of us want to leave. That’s the sign of a great holiday – the lingering.
I give Sabrina and George a wave and take one last look at the Winter Wonderland Express before following the group to the bus that will take us to the igloos that will be our home for the next three days.
On the bus, spirits are high as guests are excited for the next leg of the journey. The Unlucky in Love Travel Club choose seats together and soon we fall into conversation about all the sights we want to see in Lapland.
CJ’s keen for all those high-octane pursuits she’s been dreaming of, which Karen has reluctantly agreed to join in with. ‘But I refuse, absolutely refuse, to go naked in the sauna.’
My eyebrows shoot up. ‘You have to go naked?’
CJ shrugs. ‘It’s a personal choice but in Finland, it’s a cultural norm to sauna naked, allowing your body to breathe, soak up the steam. You can wear a towel or bathing suit though; your choice will be respected too.’
Princess smiles. ‘Karen, you have to try it naked! What’s stopping you? It’s not like if you were naked on the beach. Yeah, sure, that would get everyone’s attention. Here it’s more about relaxation. No one will be ogling you, and if they do, they’ll soon be removed from the sauna.’
‘Oh God, you’re all going to peer-pressure me and next minute I’ll have no body-image issues and then what? No, it’s best if I at least wear a towel. That I can do.’
‘What about you, Princess?’ I ask. ‘Are you going to do the ice swimming and sauna bathing?’
‘Absolutely! CJ says it keeps you young, and I have got a lot of living to do.’ With that she gives Barry a peck on the cheek, and his complexion soon pinkens.
‘I better try it out too then,’ he says, still blushing like a schoolkid.
‘Look,’ CJ says. ‘I hope you lot don’t mind but I’ve managed to book the husky sled lesson. Only issue is, I have to go now or I’ll miss out. The bus driver is happy to drop us there on the way and pick us up again later. What do you say?’ CJ gives us a tentative smile. ‘We can check in to the igloos after that. Warm up with some valhalla, Finnish herbal schnaps.’
‘Why not?’ Princess says. ‘We’ll happily watch you pursue one of your dreams. I’m sure there’s a nice little log cabin where we can warm up with some schnaps.’
* * *
‘We’re all going to die!’ What might be my very last words are whipped away by momentum as we scream across the icy forest with CJ at the helm of our husky-led sled. There’s no time to appreciate the beauty of the panting blue-eyed huskies or the view because it turns out I can’t appreciate those things and panic at the same time.
Karen frowns at me and then yelps when a heap of snow falls from an overhead branch. She coughs and splutters, being thrown this way and that, when CJ abruptly changes course. ‘Far out, maybe you’re right!’
