‘Breathe,’ I say, taking a deep breath in myself. ‘In… and… out. In and… out.’
The Islanders gather around us, and we all start inhaling and exhaling slowly together until Mimi gets her breathing under control.
‘I have killed poisonous snake. I think.’ The instructor walks towards us, holding out a flask of strong-smelling coffee. ‘Have this. Calm you down.’ He passes around six cups and gently pours a dark-coloured substance into each one. Steam rises with each pour, and we take it gratefully. We huddle together around a big torch that reflects off the rock to make the cavern even eerier than before. The slightest movement causes shadows to dance around the formations.
We sip the coffee. It’s very sour-tasting and bitter but it seems to have an immediate soothing effect on all of us.
Carlton copies Giovanni and puts his arm around Mimi. He gives her what looks like a genuine smile. He catches me looking, and to my surprise, smiles at me too. I’m pleased he has stopped being so angry with me. Maybe it was seeing Mimi in that ludicrously sexy negligée last night that has changed his mind about her propensity to moan on and her near-psychotic tendencies.
‘Ah,’ says the instructor, shining the light towards the cavern wall. ‘There it is.’
We gaze at the rock in awe. There are paintings and markings. They are thousands of years old.
‘That’s the best thing I’ve ever seen,’ whispers Amber.
We are quick to agree. They are magnificent.
‘It’s like those stick men are talking to me,’ adds Giovanni, his eyes like saucers. ‘Can you hear them?’
We listen to the breeze whispering to us. The images seem to be moving as the torchlight dances around.
I feel light-headed. I sniff the coffee. ‘What’s in this?’ I ask the instructor.
He shrugs.
‘Whatever it is, it’s got me as high as zee Eiffel Tower,’ says Henri, laughing, holding his cup out for a top-up.
Oh, my God. No wonder we’ve all calmed down.
‘I need a wee,’ Mimi says, sagging against Carlton. ‘I feel faint. I’m seeing things. I’m seeing ghosts all over the place. And those eggs are repeating on me. Where’s the nearest toilet?’ Her high-pitched squeak ricochets off every surface.
A voice comes from the darkness. ‘If you need the toilet, you’ll have to go back to the surface.’
My nerves are on edge because I could have sworn that was Cam’s voice. This drink is more potent than I thought. I nearly spit it out as he comes into view. He steps out from behind one of the camera crew who I’d totally forgotten were following stealthily behind us, in silence. My jaw is on the floor as they all start begging to go back to the surface with Mimi. Suddenly, all of the Islanders need the toilet.
Cam barks orders to the crew like a drill sergeant, instructing the guide to take us all back to the surface by the quickest route possible. There’s a huge cheer, which causes some rubble to fall around us.
‘Yes,’ says the guide, lowering his voice. ‘We go now. Before the ghosts return.’
* * *
As we make our way back along the pitch-black tunnels, I fall behind so that I can walk with Cam. He has instructed the crew to switch off the cameras, pack them into the bags and buddy up with the Islanders to make sure we get to the surface before the shaft falls down around our ears.
‘I can’t believe it’s you,’ I whisper, turning off my microphone. ‘I just can’t believe it.’ I’m so overwhelmed to see him, or possibly a bit high as only lame repetitions are forthcoming. ‘I just can’t believe it. I. Just. Can’t. Believe. IT.’
He looks sideways at me and, in the dim light, I see his eyes crinkle.
‘How are you?’ he whispers back. ‘As soon as I saw you hadn’t left the villa, I suspected Porscha had done something. She’s refusing to speak to me. I came to find out if you’re okay. And you’re not… not in some sort of hostage situation.’
I nod quickly. ‘You’ve come to rescue me?’
Cam puts a finger to his lips. One of the crew has turned round. ‘Okay back there, boss?’
‘Sure thing, buddy. We should be at the shaft entrance any minute now,’ Cam says in response. This has the bonus of causing much relief and excitement.
He leans over to whisper in my ear. ‘Do you still want to leave the villa?’
‘Yes. Definitely.’
