I’ve no idea what happened with the man in the hot tub – that would have been before my time. But I wish I’d thought to switch my phone on to record this conversation. It’s becoming less and less about Stuart and more and more about blame-apportioning and arse-covering as far as I can see.

Leo takes a deep breath. ‘As you well know, I have thirty years of experience and an exemplary record at sea. I assume it was for these reasons that Heracles, and, by extension, you, employed me. We don’t know for definite that anything untoward has happened to Stuart. Poor Lola, while the investigation is officially ongoing, almost definitely took her own life. And as for Rick – well, we don’t know for sure, but it sounds like that may have simply been a … game that got out of control. The head electrician was immediately sacked after the unfortunate hot tub incident, and new measures were put in place to prevent a similar accident ever occurring again.’ He pauses. ‘Which you approved and signed off, if I remember rightly.’

If the hot tub thing was an accident, why is Nico bringing this up now? What does it have to do with anything?

‘I thought we were here to talk about Stuart,’ I say pointedly. Both men ignore me.

‘If Stuart did go swimming, it’s probably because he found it too stressful and boring on board,’ Leo continues. ‘If that turns out to be the case, it could have been possibly avoided if all the pools hadn’t been furloughed to save Heracles a few pennies. If anything needs looking at here, it’s Heracles’ safety procedures and working conditions, not my leadership skills.’

71

Antonio

8 February 2022, 12:00

‘I think you were right about what you said the other day, Captain,’ I say to Leo. ‘I’m not coping with what happened with Lola, and every day I’m still on board is more and more of a reminder of what happened to her. I have decided that I would like to leave after all. If you’re still OK with me doing that.’

I twist my hands nervously in my lap. I’m wearing a hoodie which was quite clearly Lola’s – it’s too small, pink and says ‘Lola’ on the back – to add credence to my story that I am on the verge of a breakdown and need to leave the ship. With everything else that’s gone on lately, Leo surely can’t risk another person going missing in action. Better he lets me leave if I appear like I’m a risk to myself – he will know that. And I want us to leave as soon as possible. The longer Lola and I are on board, the higher the chance of us being found out. I’m sure of it.