‘Andi, I’ve looked into it. I’ve done all the research. I’m going to have to do it eventually, and the longer I wait, the more likely it is something will get worse. I’m going to get it over with.’ Her words are firm, but her voice wavers slightly. ‘I won’t have a good trip with this in the back of my mind.’

‘So . . .’ words fail me again. We both know what Millie has come over to ask.

She takes her eyes off Murphy and meets my gaze. ‘So?’ she asks.

‘OK,’ I say in a small voice. Just as my heart starts to soar at the possibility of going to Australia, a thought comes crashing into my brain. ‘But wait, I’m not going to go to Australia while you’re here having a major operation.’ I don’t voice what I’m thinking – she’ll need me – won’t she?

‘Come on, An. I have Mom and Dad.’ Millie shrugs her shoulders. ‘Please? I have to find the butterfly wrasse. All my work from the last year hinges on it. I’m convinced it’s out there. I have this feeling – I just know it.’

‘Can’t you go once you’ve recovered? Just call and reschedule. They’ll understand!’

‘It’ll be too late in the season. If the wrasse are out there, the warmer weather is when they’re most likely to be spotted. And I don’t have the money to throw at another trip.’

‘I’ll pay for it.’

‘That is so dumb. It’ll be winter there anyways. It’s now or never. I can’t wait another year. We have to look before they’re certified extinct for real.’

‘I can’t pretend to be you, Mill. I don’t have the training. Can’t you send someone from the lab? Send Bianca!’

‘I can’t send Bianca. I’m not even telling work I can’t go. If you find something we can use, I don’t want them second-guessing the validity because it’s from you and not me. Plus, I can get the tickets transferred to your name really easily. It’s not like I’m asking you to use my passport!’ Millie glares at me, daring me to challenge her.

I groan. Murphy trots along happily, oblivious to the plans hatching behind him.

‘There’s just one snag.’ Millie glances at me.

My lips form a thin line.

‘A snag?’ I ask.

‘Well, the boat I booked, the small one, it’s expensive and non-refundable and I can’t change the reservation, I’ve already called. All they check is my dive certification, and the picture is grainy. We look enough alike. So . . . you’ll have to be me on the boat. I know it’ll work.’

‘I . . .’ I falter and stop speaking. I don’t know what to say.