“Look, there’s Skip!” Donna tugged at Kelsey’s sleeve, and they stopped beside his tower. “Hey, lifeguard! How’s the weather up there?”

“Hey, ladies!” Skip grinned down at them, perfect white teeth flashing in his perfectly tanned face. “Just the usual routine. Let’s see…oh, I’d say I’ve saved about two hundred lives in the last hour.”

“And broken how many hearts?” Donna flung back.

“You cut me to the quick,” Skip tried to look wounded. “Can I help it if they all lust after me? Can I even blame them?”

“Dreamer.” Donna aimed a punch, but he dodged.

“And where are you two headed?”

“Thought I’d take her on a tour of the island.”

“How grand. That should take all of ten fascinating minutes.” He bent over and winked at Kelsey. “You understand, of course, that seeing me was the highlight of the tour. Everything from now on is simply—”

“Garbage,” Donna finished smugly. “Don’t pay any attention to him—he’s a perfect example of what too much sun can do to the brain.”

“Is that any way to talk to someone who might one day save your—” Skip broke off, and gave a sharp blast on his whistle. “I said come back!”

“They really respect you, Skip,” Donna said, straightfaced. “I’m very impressed.” She started to pull Kelsey away, but Skip aimed his megaphone down over their heads.

“Now hear this! Are you coming over tonight?”

“Why would we want to do that?” Donna clamped her hands over her ears, and Skip grinned.

“Because the servants are away, and I want to play. Come on, be a sport. We need some bright moments in our lives. Happiness. Joy. Laughter.”

“Sounds pretty boring,” Donna faked a huge yawn.

“You’ll have me all to yourself,” Skip reminded her. “Without all these jealous females around.”

Donna tried to hide it, but Kelsey saw the quick flush on her cheeks. “Skip, you really are too much. And why would I ever want you to myself—you know I don’t like used merchandise.”

“But I’m like fine leather,” he deadpanned. “The more I’m handled, the better I get.”

“The more stuck on yourself you get,” Donna retorted.

“Donna, Donna,” Skip said, his tone patronizing. “Now you know you don’t mean that. You know how boring tonight will be anyway, all alone in your house with nothing to do.”

“So what?”

“So I think you’ll come.” Skip looked as if he had won a secret battle. “And anyway, you didn’t let me finish. I want to get Justin over there. Get his mind off all this horror-movie stuff.”

“Oh, Skip,” Donna looked uncertain. “I mean, I think it’s really nice of you trying to cheer him up, but do you really think he’ll feel like coming? And what about Neale?”

Skip heaved a martyred sigh. I’ll even ask Neale. Out of the goodness of my heart.” He stared down at them for a moment, his expression turning serious. “I’m worried about Justin, Donna. He just won’t let himself believe that she’s gone.”