“Well, I do,” Ben says. “You were. And even after he died I still wasn’t good enough for you.”

“Ben,” I say, pained. It hurts to hear him talk like this, especially when it couldn’t be further from the truth. I do have feelings for Ben, I just don’t fully understand them.

“You have a type,” Ben adds. “Strong. Confident. Accomplished.”

“You’re all those things,” I reply, a little exasperated.

He just shakes his head. “It doesn’t matter. I know my place now, Brooke. Because you see, I tried to let you go and it didn’t work. I came running straight after you. My place is beside you. Whether you want me there or not.”

“I do want you there,” I say. “Always.”

Ben turns his face from me and looks out over the sparkling water. He doesn’t believe me and my heart deflates. I wish I was better with words, and that I could make him see how much it means to me that he’s here. But I don’t get the chance because Molly stirs.

“Brooke,” she whispers. “Why don’t I take this shift?”

It occurs to me then that she’s heard everything, that she hasn’t slept a wink. Like a good friend, she’s trying to protect me from my pain.

“Thanks,” I say. “I could do with the sleep.”

As we swap places, she squeezes my arm, as if to tell me that everything will be all right.

“Good night, Ben,” I say.

He doesn’t say anything back.

*

I’m woken by a jolt. I sit up sharply, and realize it’s morning. I must have slept all night. No one woke me to take another shift.

I drag myself to sitting and look around. The boat is lurching violently.

“What’s happening?” I shout.

Above me, Zeke, Molly, and Ryan are fighting with the sail.

“Storm!” Zeke shouts down.

I finally make it to my feet. The water is dark, churning violently. Waves several meters high rise up, dragging our little boat helplessly along with them. My stomach turns as we plummet down the side of a wave.

“I’m scared!” Bree cries.

I look back at her clutching the sides of the boat. She looks terrified, as does Charlie.

“It’s going to be okay,” I tell them hurriedly. “We can handle it.”

I help the others with the ropes and sails. There’s very little we can do, though, other than sit it out. We’re at the mercy of the water and can only pray that it doesn’t capsize us.

The sensation is horrible, like being on a terrifying rollercoaster or an airplane in turbulence. Molly loses her footing and gets catapulted across the boat. Zeke grabs her just in time to stop her falling overboard.

“Everyone hold on tight!” I cry, reaching for my friends.