“So,” I begin, trying desperately to dilute the concentrated tension swimming around us. “Are you ready to go? I’m taking my notepad in case we run into someone. I’ll say we’re touring the ship again or something.”
Nodding, River takes a small step towards me. “Before we go, I wanted to give you this.”
Reaching into her trouser pocket, she retrieves a small white object. Taking my hand, she turns it palm up and opens it. I watch her place the object in my hand, and it takes me a second to comprehend what I’m seeing.
“It’s origami. Um, I learned it ages ago and…I wanted to bring you flowers, but…it’s a rose…an origami rose. Sorry, it’s lame, isn’t it?”
I’m still staring at the perfectly folded paper rose. It’s exquisite, and I’m lost for words. It was only moments ago Ismiled at the thought of River turning up with flowers, and here she is, yet again, pulling out the stops in such a unique and River kind of way.
Swallowing, I look up. “This is the most beautiful thing I think I’ve ever been given.”
Her face transforms from consternation to open relief. I place the rose on the bedside table and step into her personal space.
“Thank you,” I breathe softly against her lips before closing the last few millimetres.
There is no frenzy of tongues clashing, just our lips pillowing against each other. My hand travels to the side of her face as we continue to connect. I love the feel of her skin beneath my fingers.
We lazily pull apart and I see the look in River’s eyes. The look that tells me she’s feeling something more, something I don’t think she’s felt before. I know, because I’m giving her the same look.
“I…um…”
“Let’s go for a walk,” I say, saving her from having to find the words.
I step back to give us both some breathing space. River touches her lips momentarily before remembering I’m there watching her.
“After you,” she says, reaching up to straighten her already perfectly placed beret.
We walk through the ship at a leisurely pace. Neither of us wants to rush tonight, and personally, I’m really enjoying the brief touches of her arm against mine as we step through the hatches.
The night sky unveils itself before us as we step onto the flight deck. Living in London doesn’t lend itself to stargazing, not with the air pollution. I’ve travelled all over the world and had the privilege of witnessing star-filled nights like tonight. None of them compare, though. Not when I feel River’s presence close behind me as we look up. I’d love for her to wrap an arm around my waist and lean her head on my shoulder, but in a way this feels more intimate.
A few more moments pass before I feel a hand at the bottom of my back. “This way,” she purrs.
The flight deck only has a skeleton crew operating, so we’re relatively alone. I look up and see Cheddar on the upper balcony. She’s walking back and forth with a rifle held in her arms.
“Ched’s on watch tonight,” River says after following my eyes up to her friend. “She absolutely hates it.” She laughs.
“Poor Cheddar.” I chuckle.
“Ah, don’t feel too bad for her. We all have to do it.”
“What’s the worst watch you’ve ever been on?”
She blows a breath out. “I’ve had a few to be honest. I’d say the worst was in the Baltic Sea. It was absolutely freezing. I ended up buying one of those faux fur hats, like the Russians wear. I thought my bloody ears and fingers were going to fall off.”
“Oh, that doesn’t sound fun at all!”
“What about you. What’s the worst story you’ve been on?”
“In terms of subject or outcome?”
“Outcome.”
I’ve worked on some major stories over the years, each as hard to comprehend as the next. I’ve seen humanity at its worst, and every time I think it took something from me.
“A sex trafficking ring was exposed in southern America. I was on the story, following the national police. They were hours away from raiding a place known to house children who were ready to be sold. We were too late. The traffickers got wind of the raid and killed everyone. I’ve never seen carnage like it. I had nightmares for months.”
“Jesus Christ, Cleo. That’s awful…fucking hell, forget me moaning about some frozen extremities.”
