Chapter 53
Daniel
Near Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef
Suited up, they all splashed into the astonishingly clear water. When they’d gotten to a good spot, or rather where Mel wanted to stop, they headed below the surface. Daniel had to admit, although he’d been scuba diving and snorkelling a number of times, that it was an awesome sight under there. Schools of outrageously bright colours darting between strange and otherworldly towers of coral. Daniel found himself thinking that Carlos would have loved it.
After a short while, even Ore, who was apprehensive at first, seemed to be enjoying herself. It was hard not to be wowed by this underwater metropolis.
‘The thing is, once I can actually see what’s going on, the fear just evaporates,’ she explained to Daniel breathlessly before diving back under.
It brought Daniel a serene satisfaction to see Ore having fun. Time passed loosely and, very uncharacteristically for Daniel, he lost track of it. It was nearly 4 p.m. by the time he thought to check.
‘Ladies, I think we should head back. We’ve been out herefor hours,’ Daniel called. Both Mel and Ore were floating on the surface inanimately.
He swam over and gently lulled them out of their observation posts with a shake of the shoulder. They swam back to the boat, Ore a little faster than the other two. Back on the swimming platform, shedding their gear, all three were quiet, awed by what they had just seen.
Mel scrambled to her feet. ‘Well thanks, Mum and Dad, I actually had … a lot of fun,’ she conceded. ‘Also you two are kinda cute together you know …’ she added and before Ore or Daniel could mumble some unconvincing objection, Mel strode off.
Ore laughed nervously, turning to Daniel. ‘Thanks for well … letting me experience this with you; it was beautiful.’
Daniel felt something rise up inside him, settling tightly in his chest, in a way that was almost uncomfortable. It took a moment for him to register that it was joy, mixed with pride.
‘You are more than welcome Ore, I am … so happy you enjoyed yourself.’ They sat beaming at each other. A thought flew through Daniel’s mind:is this what true love feels like?He shook his head, as if to banish it.
‘Are you OK?’ Ore sounded concerned. Her brow furrowed endearingly.
‘Yeah, I just …’ Daniel had no idea what to say. It was new to him, this lightning-bolt feeling. With his ex it had taken months for them to build what he used to call ‘a loving connection’. But with Ore, it was all so heady, so immediate, he felt giddy. ‘I just, really like spending time with you.’
She smiled, and, to his surprise, reached for his hand, lacingher fingers between his. His pounding heart steadied and that lump in his chest softened into something warm.
‘I really like spending time with you too, Daniel.’ She laid her head on his shoulder and they looked out at the waves. It was a cliché, thought Daniel, but it really felt like they were the only two people on the entire planet at that moment.
