‘Make sure you hold on,’ Tommy called out to us. ‘Always have one hand on the boat. You too, Minh.’
‘Aye, aye, Skipper,’ I replied loudly. ‘And maybe a little heads up the next time you tack – or jibe – or whatever,’ I muttered under my breath.
And poor Minh – how was he supposed to take photos while holding on to the boat with one hand? Thankfully, it seemed to have levelled out, gently rising and falling on a slight swell as we cut through the water.
Minh wedged himself into the bow pulpit – think Kate and Leo and that King-of-the-World moment – and Niki surveyed the scenery, then the deck, before her eyes settled on me.
‘How about reclining here,’ she said, pointing to the sun pad, ‘and we’ll get some pics with the island in the background.’
I carefully made my way to the sun pad, now faced with the next dilemma. How was I supposed to get onto it gracefully? Niki had already seen most of me, but I doubted poor Minh had signed up forthattype of photoshoot. I opted for a clumsy-but-modest manoeuvre – as in, falling onto my arse, then swinging my legs around until I was reclined.
Having done this sort of photoshoot once before, I moved into position, adopting a pose that showed off (what there was of) the Solari bikini. Minh abandoned the safety of his perch, stepping around me to capture shots while Niki gave directions.
‘Let’s get some with you turned towards the view, Ally,’ she said.
I rolled onto my side, knowing full well that my arse was on display – but by that stage not caring – and took in the scenery. Properly this time.
Bloody hell, Aetheria was even more beautiful from the water than it was from the air. We’d just rounded a point and were heading towards the white sandy cove I’d seen yesterday, the cliff rising steeply towards a glorious, cloudless sky.
I propped myself up on my elbow to get a better view.
‘That’sperfect, Ally!’ Niki called out. ‘Just one more there, then we’ll get some of you standing.’
I rolled onto my front, my legs bent and toes pointed. Minh moved around to my left.
‘Got it,’ he said.
Niki offered her hand to help me stand and I took it gratefully.
‘We’re going to drop anchor in this cove,’ Tommy shouted from the stern.
A moment later, Elsa bustled towards us, wearing her sucked-on-a-lemon expression. ‘Excuse me,’ she said in that surly tone that’s ruder than saying nothing. Niki and I stepped back to let her pass, then exchanged a glance.
As Tommy lowered the mainsail, the boat started to slow, and on his signal, Elsa activated the anchor, which clanked loudly to the sea floor. Soon we were bobbing in place.
Tommy called out from where he was securing the mainsail. ‘We’ll anchor here for a couple of hours. You should get some great photographs.Andit’s calm – no risk of you being pitched into the sea,’ he told me with a cheeky glint in his eye.
I wasn’t sure how to take that. Was he just being helpful or trying to be charming? Either way, he was a distraction that I didn’t need –orwant. I wasworking. Or trying to.
‘Excuse me,’ said Elsa, shoving past us again.
‘That was rather rude,’ said Niki quietly.
‘Maybe she’s here on a trial basis,’ I said.
‘I doubt it. She’s been here longer than me.’
‘Oh?’ I replied, unable to keep the amazement from my voice.
Perhaps Elsa was one of those people who interviewed well but turned out to be a nightmare. Julian probably had no idea she was such a sour-faced cow. But with Aetheria being high-end –lux, even – guests would expect nothing less than eager-to-please, approachable, and overly pleasant staff.
Maybe I should mention it, I thought, watching Elsa coil rope through slitted eyes.
‘Should we get those standing shots?’ Minh prompted.
‘Oh, sorry!’ I replied. ‘Lost in thought. So, where do you want me?’
* * *
