I grab onto the railing to steady myself. I didn’t realise how much tension and fear I was holding onto until it was gone. I feel free.

‘I can’t wait to tell my sister.’ I take a deep breath of the ocean air.

‘She’ll be excited for you?’ Hugh asks.

‘You have no idea.’

The boat ride back to Cairns takes upwards of three hours. I am blissed out, lying on the platform. Pippa sways in the hammock above me, chatting excitedly about the waterfall tour. I have yet to invite Hugh because I haven’t had the talk with him. After finding the wrasse, my impersonation felt even more explicit. I also wanted to give him space to come to terms with whatever this means for his paper and his promotion. If he’s disappointed or upset with me because of what I found, he hasn’t let it show.

I watch Miguel dismantle the oxygen tanks for the last time, cracking up with Vanessa as he does it. His brown hair gleams in the sun and his smile is bigger than ever, like he’s excited to be done with the trip too. If Hugh hadn’t been on this trip, there’s no denying that Miguel could have been fun.

Andrew is pacing the deck and talking animatedly to Derek about how excited he is to be on dry land. Every now and then I crack my eyes open and gaze at Hugh, who is lounging on the platform within reach of my fingertips. His eyes are closed, and his mouth is slightly open, his full bottom lip sticking out. I watch the rise and fall of his strong, tanned chest. I resist the urge to touch him, although with finding the butterfly wrasse off my plate, it’s all I can think about.

Will I have to be honest with him tonight? Or should I let us just enjoy our last night together . . .

Pippa catches me staring at Hugh and snickers loud enough to disturb him. He mumbles something incoherent, raising his eyebrows at her. I glare at Pippa. She laughs and flips over in the hammock.

‘We’re nearing the harbour,’ Aaron announces, prompting everyone to congregate, once again, in the captain’s room. Hugh wakes up and trudges inside, following Pippa and me. One by one, we filter in and out of the downstairs cabins, repacking our stuff and preparing our exit.

Finally, we see Cairns.

I take a deep breath when the first building comes into view.