‘That you wanted to spend more time with me,’ I say. ‘Let’s go get ready, we’ll be fine, I think.’

‘I’m not so sure about that,’ Hugh groans, but he follows me upstairs anyway. Instead of thinking about the night dive, another thought is crowding my headspace – Hugh’s face when he’s worried how someone will react, like a little-boy version of himself, with his eyes wide and his nose scrunched, might be the most captivating thing I’ve seen yet.

Chapter 17

Our group gathers on the deck to watch the sunset. Everyone gets ready for the night dive quietly, as if spellbound by the glowing orange and red of dusk. It feels like the ocean creatures have fallen asleep and we need to respect them, like we would if we were camping in a deep secluded forest and didn’t want to wake the baby deer.

The only people who feel no need to lower their voices are Miguel and Vanessa as they bossily hand out flashlights, instructing us on how to turn them off and on. Only once everyone has demonstrated their flashlights work does Vanessa pull Derek to the side, instructing him under her breath that he cannot bring his camera.

‘What!’ he exclaims.

‘We need everyone to focus—’ Vanessa stays firm ‘—and that’s easier when there is no extra equipment.’

‘But—’ Derek starts to argue.

Vanessa cuts him off swiftly. ‘No buts. The rules are for your safety. Either you dive without your camera, or you don’t dive at all.’

Derek looks angrier than I’ve ever seen him, but he keeps his mouth shut.

Vanessa turns her attention back to the rest of us. We’re all seated at the rear of the boat, buzzing with nervous energy. ‘Never turn the flashlights off,’ she repeats, over and over again ‘not until we are back on the boat.’

I nod vigorously. Turning my flashlight off is the last thing I plan on doing. Miguel steps around Natalie, who is consoling Derek, to get closer to me.

‘Hey,’ he says, kneeling down with the bench so we are eye level. ‘You ready?’

I gulp. ‘Yep.’

Miguel smiles at me like we’re sharing a secret. ‘Everyone is always nervous for these, but you’ll be great down there. I’ve got your back.’

I let out a deep breath. ‘Thanks, Miguel. That makes me feel better.’