Just before noon, Astrid hopped on her hoverbike and flew to Main Street. Her sturdy little orange aircraft had been the prototype and was much more retro looking, far less sleek than the production models. It was speedy though, and she set down next to the Maxxim City Malt Shop in almost no time at all. Though vehicle theft was very uncommon in Maxxim City, Astrid nevertheless locked the little scooter to the end of the bike rack with a cable and padlock.

Inside, she sat down on one of the round bar stools next to Toby.

“I ordered us a couple of chocolate sodas,” he said.

The Maxxim City Malt Shop was justly famous for its traditional chocolate sodas, made with soda water mixed with chocolate syrup, containing two scoops of chocolate ice cream, and topped with whipped cream and a cherry. No sooner had Toby spoken, than soda jerk Irving Witzel set the two frosty treats on the counter.

“Anything else?”

“Do you want to share an order of fries?”

“Sure,” said Astrid, and Toby held up a finger to Irving.

“One order of special fries,” he confirmed, dutifully heading for the kitchen.

Special fries were another item unique to the Malt Shop— double dipped fries served with piccalilli relish.

“Looking forward to Joyland Saturday?” asked Astrid.

“Of course,” said Toby. “It’s been weeks since I rode the Screaming Pterodactyl.”

Astrid laughed, remembering the excitement of riding the giant roller coaster that was the best ride at Maxxim City’s local amusement park.

“You know what I’m not looking forward to?” he asked.

“What?”

“I’m not looking forward to an entire month of not seeing you.”

Astrid blushed.

“Thirty-nine days,” she said, and then blushed again, even more furiously. “Um… well, you could still come.”

“No I can’t. I have to be in Belgium on the second.”

“I guess a chance to intern at the EU headquarters is just too much to pass up,” said Astrid.

“Technically there is no headquarters of the EU. I’m interning at the second seat of the European Parliament…” He stopped and looked at her. “But then of course, you knew that. You’re making fun of me.”

“I am not,” said Astrid, sticking her straw into her soda. “I just like it when you talk.”

She took a sip of her soda. Toby poked a straw into his. Suddenly liquid shot out of the straw like a fountain into his lap.

“Hey!” Several people around started laughing. “Irving booby-trapped me!” he growled, grabbing handfuls of napkins from the dispenser to clean up the mess.

“It happens,” said Astrid. “The ice cream formed a barrier and the soda built up pressure. When your straw pierced the barrier, the liquid escaped the only way it could.”

“And with enthusiasm,” said Irving, arriving with their fries. He handed Toby a small towel.

“Wow, that’s cold,” said Toby, doing his best to clean off his trousers.

“See, now you don’t have to go to Antarctica,” laughed Astrid. “You know just how I’m going to feel the whole time I’m there.”

“The point I was trying to make, Astrid, was that I’m really going to miss you.”

“I’m going to miss you too,” she said. “But we’ve still got a few days left to enjoy. Let’s go for a drive tomorrow. And remember, we’re all going to Joyland Saturday.”

“I can’t wait.”