He pulled the line in, hand over hand. Something big and silver flashed and thrashed at the end of it. Their catch was putting up a fight. Mia felt she should go and help Bear, but she couldn’t let go of the tiller.

“A Pacific cod!” Bear sounded pleased. “Ten kilos, I’d say. There’s enough here to keep us going for a good while.”

Bear got the thrashing fish in a bucket and then disappeared down below. Mia concentrated hard on keeping the tiller in the right place. Between watching the sails, the waves and the compass, it was hard work and took all her concentration.

Bear was soon back up on deck with a couple of bowls in his hands. One was full of pinky white flesh.

“That was quick,” said Mia.

Bear laughed as he laid the strips of fresh fish out on the cabin roof, next to the solar still.

“The sun will dry these out, and we can eat them later. But this,” he said, holding the second bowl towards her, “we’ll use now.”

He pulled out a fleshy lump the size of a plum. Bear squeezed it into a cup, and oily, yellow liquid slowly dripped out between his fingers.

“Now, this is a bit whiffy, but cod liver oil makes an excellent sun block.” Bear smiled at Mia. “I’m tough and weather beaten, but your skin is fairer than mine and I’d say you’re starting to burn.”

Mia winced.

“You’re not rubbing that on me!” she exclaimed.

Bear grinned.

“You’re right, Mia. I’m not. You are. Sunburn is a killer. It dehydrates you and it harms your skin, which is your body’s first line of defence.”

Mia had to admit that her face was starting to feel hot and dry, and there was no point suffering painfully if it could be avoided. So, she reluctantly dipped a finger into the fish oil and smeared it over her face and nose. She tried to ignore the fish smell.

“And now …” Bear stretched. “I really do need that break. Can I leave you in charge for an hour? I’ll do the pumping, then rest.”

Mia felt she had the hang of Ursula’s ways now. She gripped the tiller confidently.

“I’m pretty sure I can,” she said.

“You’re doing really well, Mia. Give me a shout if you need me.”

Bear disappeared down below, and Mia was on her own.

Yeah, I can do this, she told herself.

Ursula was nudging off course again. Mia gently tweaked the tiller to get the compass back to 290 degrees.

The wind against her face seemed to shift slightly. Mia glanced at the cotton tell-tales. Sure enough, they were swinging round a bit.

Mia reached for the nearest winch. Then her hand paused. Did she really need to adjust the sails every time the wind bounced around a bit? Maybe she should save her energy.