When you wake up, you're still in the backseat of the care.
And, you're alone.
There's a brief moment of fear before you realise that you're not completely on your own. In the car, sure, but you can see, just through the window, Elsa standing outside. She seems to be talking on the phone. The driver is still in the front, too.
"Miss Ackerman. You're awake," he says, and you immediately feel absolutely ridiculous about falling asleep. You're here to work, not nap!
But, that's not entirely fair. You're not even sure what you're supposed to be doing here. Hopefully Elsa will give you a better indication soon.
Nodding to yourself, you take a closer look at your surroundings. You seem to be in a parking lot of some kind, perhaps a restaurant?
You don't have long to think about it because Elsa returns soon after. She's looking at her phone and doesn't even notice that you're awake at first.
"Oh, Anna!" she says when she finally glances up. "I'm sorry, I thought you were still sleeping."
Your lips twitch. She sounds a little perkier, a little happier. More upbeat, or something. That coffee really must have done wonders. She's still typing something on her phone, which is fine because really you shouldn't have fallen asleep to begin with, and the least you can do is wait for her to be done.
She looks up just as your phone goes off, face all serious once again.
"I've just sent you some details. I would like you to make a reservation for two at the supplied restaurant, thank you. Outside, preferably, though if they only have indoor seats available, somewhere in the corner is also acceptable."
You nod and pull your phone out. You're a little curious because thus far, Elsa has organised all the things for this little adventure. You're also a little nervous because what if they don't speak English.
It doesn't take long for you to realise that the idea is ridiculous, because doesn't everyone speak English? Except Bente, of course.
Reading through the email, you take in the details. Elsa wants a reservation for two at a place called... Hos Thea? You're not sure how you're supposed to pronounce it. It looks pretty swank, you think as you pull up the website for the contact number. Right in the centre of town, and it seems to be a little more on the expensive side. Given that she's the CEO, you suppose Elsa can do pretty much whatever she wants so long as she keeps pleasing the shareholders.
A young girl picks it up, and she probably starts with Norwegian but switches to English when you start speaking. "Hello" and "hallo" sound very similar, after all.
"Oh, uh, hi. I would like to make a reservation for two for tonight, if possible."
The girl on the end of the line gives a little hum. "For two? We have only one spot at five-thirty, and one spot at nine in the evening. How is these?"
Putting your hand over the speaker, you lean forward. "They only have openings at five-thirty or nine. Do you have a preference?"
Elsa bites her lip, fingers still tapping out a steady rhythm on her phone. "Go nine. It will be better."
Nodding, you return to the call. "Hi, yes, um, could we do the nine o'clock one? And, uh, is it possible to sit outside?"
"Outside? Yes, that will be okay. What is the name for the reservation?"
"Oh, uh, go Arendelle." You spell it out, just so she doesn't get it wrong, and then give your number because they asked for it, and hang up not long afterwards. It doesn't take long to get the confirmation text.
It's in Norwegian, but it has the time and the name of the restaurant on it, so it's probably fine.
"Okay, tonight at nine. All booked," you say, feeling a little, stupidly, proud. You finally did something instead of be a nuisance to Elsa!
She glances up and, seeing you looking at her, shoots you a brief smile.
"Thank you, Anna. We're headed back to the room now, by the way. I have some work to do, but would rather do that while comfortable." You nod. You kind of wish you had some snack food – you wonder briefly what Norwegian chocolate tasted like. Or, even better, Norwegian hot chocolate. The very idea has you salivating a little, and you ride out the rest of the drive imagining more little things you could try while you're here.
Maybe the restaurant will have something really interesting to try. Who knows.
