The Glacier Guide – Part 2: Warm Cabin

"I would like to kiss you," said Sigrun. "That is the something else."

"Here?" breathed Hanna, looking around at the glittering ice.

"Here. Or later. Or not at all. You choose."

Hanna took a step towards her, crampons squeaking on the ice. "Here," she said, and kissed her.

It was a cold-nosed, warm-mouthed kiss, in an ice cave full of blue light, and it was perfect. When it ended they were both laughing and both blushing under the cold.

"We should go back," said Sigrun, "before my group sends a search party."

"They'll wonder."

"They'll guess." She grinned. "Fifteen winters. They always guess."

That evening, at the guides' cabin at the foot of the glacier, a wood stove burned in the corner and the windows steamed against the cold. Sigrun ladled out lamb soup. Hanna warmed her hands around the bowl. They talked for hours about ice, rock, mothers, home. Outside, a wind rose and snow began to fall.

"The road will be closed by morning," said Sigrun, at the window.

"Will it?"

"Very likely."

"Then I suppose I'm stuck."

"I'll make up the other bed," said Sigrun, and then blushed. "Or. There is only one other bed. It's in my room. It is not the same room as the rest of the cabin."

"Sigrun." Hanna crossed the room, took her hands, and smiled. "I'd like to share yours."

The little room was snug under the roof with a window full of snow and a heavy wool blanket. They undressed in the glow of the stove, laughing at thermals and layers, until at last there was only warmth. Sigrun was careful and steady, as on the ice. Hanna was bold and sure. The blizzard whistled, the cabin creaked, and for a long time nothing existed but breath, touch and the slow rhythm of two people who had found something rare.

In the morning the glacier shone under a blue-white sky. Hanna stood at the window with a mug of coffee.

"I have another three weeks of leave," she said.

"The ice cave changes every week," said Sigrun, behind her, wrapping her arms around her waist. "I'd like to show you each one."

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