Daniel’s hands were still clasping her. ‘Ore, look at me.’ She did. ‘Take a deep breath.’ She did. ‘And another one.’I won’t let anyone hurt you.Soon her breathing had slowed and he watched as the anguish melted from her face. Her arms slid around his waist, and as naturally as if they had embraced a thousand times before, his arms enveloped her.
Daniel felt himself descend into a deep sense of calm. Standing there, in the shallows, holding her, with the heat of her breath rippling over his chest, it was impossible to imagine that the rest of the world was turning.
He had no idea how long they stood like this, and at a certain point he became aware that they were just within sight of the marquee. Maybe from a distance it wouldn’t be clear what was happening, but they had surely melded into one singular figure, no longer distinctly two.
Daniel pulled away first, and then wished he hadn’t. Ore looked bewildered and a little ashamed. ‘Sorry that was … inappropriate of me,’ she began.
‘It wasn’t … I didn’t … It was nice.’ A burning heat rose into his cheeks as he spoke.
‘Yeah, it was nice.’ Ore looked at him, and before they knew it, they’d both burst into a fit of giggles.
‘God, is it always this intense? Boating, yachting, I mean? Maybe it’s something to do with being out at sea. Don’t they say it makes people go crazy?’ Ore was smiling. She seemed happier, lighter than she had done. The realisation made Daniel glow with something like pride.
‘I’ve heard it is yes, but usually I like to stay out of “the crazy”,’ Daniel replied.
‘Doesn’t look like there’s much chance of that this time, I’m afraid.’ Ore chuckled.
Once upon a time, not so long ago, Daniel would have been dismayed to hear that. Now though, he was almost excited by the prospect.
‘I better head back anyway; they’ll be wondering what’s going on …’ Ore turned to look back at the beach. ‘They can probably see us from there, can’t they …’
She reached into the boat and pulled out a bottle of water. ‘Well I guess there’s nothing to be done about it now. I have well and truly revealed my unprofessional colours.’ She shrugged and began wading back to shore.
‘You coming?’ she called over her shoulder.
I think I would follow you anywhere.The thought popped into Daniel’s head with such force and clarity that it alarmed him, but he hitched up his trousers and caught up with her anyway.
