‘Millie.’ Hugh’s hand is on my shoulder. It’s heavy and warm and stops me in my tracks. ‘Millie, turn around.’ His voice is gentle and commanding, and I find myself rotating to face him.

‘Oh,’ he says, when he sees my puffy, swollen face and bloodshot eyes. ‘But you saw them.’ He brings a thumb to my cheek and wipes away a tear. He sounds tired, but not angry.

‘But I didn’t get the photo.’ My voice breaks.

‘Millie,’ Hugh says with a sigh. ‘You just need a witness to corroborate that you saw them.’

‘I don’t see how that matters,’ I say, my eyes brimming with tears again, threatening to spill over, ‘when you are that witness.’

‘Yeah,’ says Hugh. He steadies himself against the railing and runs his other hand through his hair. ‘But I’m not going to do that to you.’ He sighs again.

‘But—’ I say.

‘No buts,’ he interrupts. ‘All you need is a signed dive log from the two of us that a species was sighted. And we both saw those fish.’

Could that be true? I wonder. Millie would know. ‘Are you sure?’ I ask Hugh.

He nods. ‘I’m sure. The witnesses have to be marine biologists, it can’t just be anyone, but I’ve done it before for a buddy I work with when we both saw a rare species of turtle.’

I gulp. ‘That’s a big sacrifice for you,’ I mumble.

‘It’s not a sacrifice when it’s the truth,’ he says simply, like it’s the easiest logic in the world. Although his voice is a little huskier than normal.

‘OK,’ I whisper. I place a hand on his forearm. ‘If you’re sure?’ I already feel my emotions clearing, my tears subsiding, making way for elated joy. I start to smile.

‘I’m sure,’ Hugh says, wrapping his arms around me in a hug. ‘I’m happy for you, Millie. And honestly, I’m happy those little suckers made it.’

‘Oh my God,’ I whisper. I’m not sure if I say it in relief or because being pressed up against Hugh’s chest feels terrifyingly right. I melt into his frame. He pulls away first and looks intently at my face. When he seems satisfied that I’m no longer at risk of falling into full sobs, he pulls me back into a hug.

The heat between us could sizzle the remaining water from our skin. His pecs press up against my chest and his forearms are heavy and strong around my shoulder blades. Even after being in the water, he still smells like Hugh. I breathe in deeply from the crook of his neck.

‘Did you see it?’ Pippa asks, poking her head from behind Hugh.

We break apart and I nod the affirmative to Pippa, my eyes still a little teary.

‘I knew you could do it!’ she cries, triumphant.