Now Chuck’s smile loosened into something broader and more genuine – she’d tickled his ego. ‘Of course. That’s a lovely idea. Actually, why don’t you both come along on our little excursion tomorrow?’
‘Excursion?’ Ore wasn’t sure she could stomach any more island trips.
‘Well I was going to take Mel to the reef. She’s been wantingto go for ages. Some of the other guests might tag along too, but it’ll be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the Barrier Reef up close. We’ll have scuba equipment on hand if you want it?’
Ore couldn’t actually think of anything worse than being underwater, weighed down by a tank of oxygen on her back, but if this was her only chance for that interview she supposed she’d have to endure another boat trip. She couldn’t imagine that they’d actually cajole her into the water.
‘I’d be delighted, thank you, Chuck.’ Ore knew that Chuck would not take kindly to having his ‘generosity’ refused twice this morning.
‘Right, well that’s settled then, and I’m sure the captain wouldn’t want to miss another opportunity to see you in your bathing suit.’
Daniel choked on the mouthful of water he’d just sipped and Chuck seemed to find the whole thing hilarious. Ore thought she could spy a subtle reddening of Daniel’s cheeks, but she understood men like Chuck; he got off on power trips, of all different sizes, from $50,001 cheques all the way down to making a grown man blush.
Chuck slapped Daniel on the back gleefully. ‘Now now, Captain, I’m only joking, but you will come, won’t you? Suffice to say you’ve put in a pretty decent shift to get us there – time to enjoy the spoils.’
‘I need to man the ship, sir.’ Daniel’s voice was raspy and even to Ore’s ears it was an unconvincing rebuttal.
‘Nonsense, what the hell do I employ Dudley for if not to be able to treat my favourite captain to a day off …?’ Chuck’s eyes were twinkling. He was back in control and wielding his power freely, exactly as he liked it.
