In an attempt to look cool, I slicked my wet hair back from my face and arched my back like I was in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition. I glanced at the shore to discover no one was even watching me. They all had their heads down in conversation or were reading. They had missed my fabulous recovery – I was okay with that. It meant they had also missed my epic fail.

*

That evening, Josh lightly clasped my hand in his as we walked down the pier away from the boat. I thought it was a terrific start to the date. Yes, it had only been a couple of minutes, but I already had a good feeling.

After our day at the beach, we’d all gone back to the boat and took turns showering to wash away the sand and sunscreen, because there wasn’t enough pressure for more than one shower at a time. I showered last – and quickly – but afterwards, I took my time with my hair and makeup. I pulled my hair back into a long, lose braid – pretty, elegant, and about as much as I could do with my limited products and no hair dryer. I applied some shimmering eye shadow, my ubiquitous mascara, some blush and a slick of lip gloss.

While I made myself up, I could hear the others’ laughter floating through the boat from the deck. As I slipped into a floral sundress, I wondered if Josh had mentioned to the rest of the group that we were going out. On our own. On a date.

I took a cute little fabric handbag out of my luggage and packed it with the essentials. It was the first time I’d used it, as it was far prettier than it was practical, and we hadn’t really had any ‘cute little handbag’ occasions. One last look in the mirror confirmed what I already knew. I was nervous. The good kind of nerves. First-date nerves.

‘It’s Josh,’ I said to myself quietly in the mirror. ‘You’ve spent twenty-four-seven with him for the past nine days. Get over yourself.’ I really know how to give myself a pep talk, huh?

And then I couldn’t put it off any longer. I picked up my sandals and with them dangling from my fingers, climbed up the little ladder onto the deck. I was surprised to see only Gerry, Duncan and Josh sitting there.

‘Wow, Sarah. You scrub up nice,’ said Duncan.

I looked down at my outfit as if to confirm his compliment.

‘Uh, thanks.’ Gerry was smiling at me in a knowing way, but whatever she knew, it was something I didn’t. ‘So, where are the others?’ I asked.

Gerry replied, as she stifled a yawn. ‘Gary and Marie went for dinner, and Hannah went off to meet the skipper. You know, from the other boat.’ I did know, yes.

‘Oh, cool.’