Hugh plops down next to me and runs a hand through his damp hair, causing it to stick out in all directions. When it’s wet it’s noticeably darker, and he looks more brooding than normal. But his eyes are playful when he turns to me and says, ‘That was fun.’

I nod. ‘I didn’t know how much I needed that.’

Both of us turn to look at the rest of the group: Vanessa, Miguel, Derek, Natalie, Andrew, and Pippa, who are all still rocking out to ‘All Star’ by Smash Mouth.

‘We must have eaten a lotta beans last night, don’t you think?’

It takes me a minute to process what he’s saying. His eyes are glinting with mischief, and he nods his head ever so slightly in Andrew’s direction. He’s still dancing with Pippa, and we catch him in a moment where he’s wiggling his butt. Then I remember the stream of air escaping his stinger suit on our dive earlier. I burst out laughing, so hard that I snort and then immediately clap my hand over my mouth.

‘What’s so funny?’ Pippa asks, she and Andrew losing steam and collapsing down next to us. I blush harder.

Hugh claps his hand over my knee and gently squeezes, a warning for me to be quiet, which makes trying not to laugh even harder

‘Nothing,’ Hugh says, his face impassive. Tears are springing into my eyes from holding giggles back.

‘OK,’ says Pippa, but she gives me a questioning look. Her eyes dart to where Hugh’s large hand is resting on my thigh and suddenly it feels like my leg is aflame.

I tense up and Hugh takes his hand off my knee and stretches it across the top of the seats. I can feel the heat coming off his skin, but we aren’t touching. I wonder what it would feel like if he relaxed his arm over my shoulders and pulled me in close, but he doesn’t. He remains stretched and comfortable. My thoughts flit to my dream world, just Hugh and I in our miniscule room, doing whatever it is we want to do.

We jostle over a big wave and his arms falls. I place a hand on his thigh to steady myself. I feel as if I’ve been electrocuted in the best way. I glance at him through the tumble of movement and he’s staring at me, eyes blazing. For a moment, it feels like we’re the only two people in the world. As the boat rights itself, we stop touching each other. I fold my hands in my lap and Hugh does the same. We scoot a centimetre apart. I feel like neither of us are breathing. Hugh clears his throat.