I nod again. ‘No.’ For a moment I wish I could just step into the ocean and let the waves pull me under. I don’t feel strong enough to face this conversation. I don’t feel strong enough to face whatever is waiting for me at home.
‘So, you’re not a marine biologist?’
I shake my head again.
‘But you knew everything.’ It comes out as a question and a statement.
‘I studied it in college.’
‘But you’re good.’
‘Thank you,’ I whisper.
Hugh’s face crumples as the information continues to sink in. His eyes are dark and stormy, his mouth settles into a grim line. He’s created distance between us, scooting further from me on the bench, and our legs are no longer touching.
I open my mouth, but no words come out.
After a moment, Hugh lets out a sharp bark of a laugh. ‘And you were angry with me because I didn’t tell you about my paper,’ he says, in a tone dripping with disdain.
For the second time in two minutes, my heart completely shatters.
Chapter 27
True to his word, Aaron tells me a cab is idling at the end of the pier when we pull in.
Everyone’s been quiet since my bad news, Natalie’s outburst and Hugh’s revelation. Hugh stalked to the front of the boat shortly after he realised I was Andi. I couldn’t bring myself to go after him. My legs felt like jello. My heart was pounding, each beat thunderingMillie, Millie, Millie.
Pippa hustles me downstairs to grab my bags as the crew is docking the boat. I give her a tearful hug goodbye, promising to call.
‘Tell me how Millie is,’ she says, squeezing my arm one last time.
I promise that I will.
I am the first one off, scrambling to disembark with my luggage in tow. I wave and thank Aaron and Vanessa, Miguel pulls me in for a quick hug. He touches my cheek affectionately. ‘Good luck,’ he says, his accent thicker than usual.
I break apart from Miguel and look to Hugh, searching for forgiveness in his eyes, but he is at the front of the boat, unreadable and far away, all hard muscle and tanned skin.
I pull my suitcase down the rickety wooden dock, not even trying to avoid the little mounds of bird poop. Time is crucial – if I rush to the airport and there is space on the flight, I can get out of Cairns tonight. When Aaron called the taxi, Pippa had the wherewithal to ask about the bends, making sure that if I were to make the flight, I wouldn’t get sick. Vanessa and Aaron assured me that because yesterday we didn’t dive, and this morning we only dived once, I should be OK to make the trip even though I’ll be a couple hours short of the twelve-hour window. I hardly even care about nitrogen poisoning anymore, I just want to see my sister.
I’m yanking my luggage over a stuck-up wooden board when I hear flip-flops slapping the dock behind me.
‘Hey,’ Hugh breathes.
‘I really have got to go,’ I say. I can’t turn around. I can’t face him.
‘I’m coming with you.’
I keep walking. ‘You don’t have to do that,’ I say, but my steps falter.
‘Pippa told me I was being a bloody idiot and that I shouldn’t let you leave while we’re in the middle of a fight. Especially given what’s happening with your sister. And that you had good reasons for doing what you did.’
Despite all the emotions swirling in my head, a half-hearted chuckle forces its way out of my throat. ‘Of course she did.’
‘I don’t understand why you did what you did, but I don’t want to leave us this way. At least let me go with you to the airport. We can talk on the way.’ Hugh grabs my luggage and starts carrying it. I feel a weight lift from my shoulders.
‘OK,’ I manage to squeak out before I start to cry.
Hugh puts my stuff in the trunk, and we climb into the back seat of the taxi. I can’t get comfortable, I’m so nervous that there won’t be space on the plane. I’m leaning forward, willing the driver to go faster.
