She had no idea. Lilian’s journal had said the divers had dived from a raft, but they hadn’t been too far from shore. “Ten more metres.”
He nodded without arguing and continued. He wasn’t wearing any fins, so she was careful not to kick too hard so he could keep up with her. Despite her reluctance at having him here, it was comforting. A younger Georgie would have made up fantasies about him being there for her, and being her boyfriend, but this older Georgie knew the truth too well. He felt responsible for her, believed she’d get herself into trouble without him. And as a surrogate brother he had to look out for her.
Darcy and Brandon would have done no less. Ed was the only one who saw her as halfway capable, possibly because he was the closest in age to her.
They reached the designated turnaround spot and she took a moment to slowly scan the bottom, before turning back and moving across a few metres from where they had done their last pass.
Perhaps she should simply report this and leave it to the expert maritime archaeologists to deal with. Only problem was, first they needed some evidence the wreck was here; otherwise they would have to explain about the journal.
Georgie and Matt swam laps for almost an hour. Nothing but coral and fish with the occasional bit of rubbish. What a waste of time. Georgie was about to call it quits when she spotted an odd lump separate from the rest of the coral. She frowned. Something about it – the shape, the location – wasn’t quite right. She swam over. Kind of T-shaped. Unnatural. Instinct had her diving down to get a better look and she cautiously prodded the large object. The coral was rough on her fingers but even along the long cylindrical surface until it curved away on both sides. Definitely an anchor. She sucked in a breath, forgetting she was underwater and choked, kicking to the surface and spitting the water out. When her coughing fit was over she turned to Matt. “It’s an anchor!”
Matt grinned. “Good one, Freckles. You found it.”
With renewed energy, Georgie dived and spent some time examining it, Matt diving next to her. She wished she had a scuba tank and a waterproof camera, or had learnt free diving. When she surfaced, she took a bearing from some trees on Retribution Island and the other islands nearby.
“So what do we do now?” Matt asked.
She wasn’t entirely sure. “We should contact someone,” she said. “Maybe Parks and Wildlife?” She’d have to research where to report newly discovered shipwrecks.
“Are we heading back now?”
It was then Georgie realised how patiently he had explored with her without complaining. Was it any wonder she loved him?
She smiled. “Yeah, thanks for your patience.”
“Any time.”
Her heart squeezed as he swam back to the boat. When he stopped a few metres away and looked back, she hurriedly replaced her snorkel and followed.
Matt hauled himself up the ladder and then offered a hand to help Georgie up. She ducked her head and handed him her beach towel. It was the least she could do since he’d come with her. Matt stripped off his T-shirt and wrung it out over the side. Georgie stared at his muscled chest, his smooth dark skin making her itch to touch him.
“Take a picture.” Matt grinned. “It lasts longer.”
Heat rushed to Georgie’s cheeks. He’d caught her checking him out. It was mortifying. She shoved him hard and, caught off balance, he toppled over the side of the boat with a splash. Georgie sighed, glad to have a second to compose herself. How was she supposed to face him now? Maybe she could throw it back at him, tell him it was his ego talking.
She turned to do just that, but he wasn’t at the ladder.
Where was he? “Matt?”
She peered over the side, but he wasn’t there. She moved to the other side of the boat. Nothing. Panic filled her as visions of him unconscious and stuck under the hull appeared in her mind. No. She couldn’t bear it. She couldn’t lose someone else she loved. “Matt!”
Her heart racing, she jumped into the water expecting to see him somehow trapped underneath the boat and drowning. Arms circled her and shoved her further under the water. Georgie fought against them, and she surfaced spluttering. Matt was right next to her, laughing. “Got you.”
Fury obliterated her fear. “You idiot. I thought you’d drowned.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t push a man overboard then.”
His flippant attitude only fuelled her anger. She stroked back to the boat and hauled herself back on board, every fibre of her being seething. She trembled as she dragged in the anchor, not caring if he was on board yet or not. He could swim to the island for all she cared. Her vision blurred and her breath came in pants.
By the time the anchor was up, so was Matt. She ignored him as she started the engine.
“Hey, Georgie. It’s OK, I’m fine.” His gentle touch on her arm was too much. She whirled to him. “I thought you’d drowned,” she shouted. The tears came in earnest now, flooding down her face and she was helpless to stop them. Her whole body shook as she tried to take back control.
“Sorry, Georgie,” he said. “It was just a bit of fun.”
Fun? How could he even think pretending to drown was fun? She shoved the boat into gear, wanting to be away from him as fast as she could. He stumbled back and scowled. “Take it easy.”
“Take it easy?” she yelled. She slowed so he could hear her over the engine. “I thought you’d drowned,” she repeated. “Don’t tell me to take it easy.”
