‘Oh, set me free, set me free.’ Martha cries.
Linen Shirt holds out his hand, clutching the golden feather which glints in the sun.
Sadie Jones dances across the deck, kicking and spinning as she does so. Martha stops laughing, stumbling behind.
‘Ye have gifted me the golden feather,’ Sadie Jones says. ‘Ye are free.’
The boat comes to land, alongside all the other, more civilised ones. But none of us care. Our cheers ring out as pirate music blasts from the speakers, and I hand a generous tip to the pirates and Sadie as I disembark.
Sam’s hand rests on my shoulder. ‘That was fun.’
Is that sea legs I’ve got or is Sam making me weak? ‘So fun.’
We catch the tram back into the city, and once we’re back in familiar terrain we head towards the coffee shop. Sam falls into step beside me, his fingers brushing mine lightly enough to be almost accidental.
‘Have you texted Ollie?’
‘About the double date?’
‘Yeah.’
‘I wasn’t sure if that was just a whim decision we’d made.’
This morning feels like so long ago. Sitting in the coffee shop, talking about couple pet names and fake double dates like they meant something. Before we felt each other in the sea.
Or felt a fish.
Undecided on that front.
‘I don’t mind,’ Sam says. ‘Truly.’
Cars with their roofs down cruise by, music playing and filling the streets. We weave around people milling in shops, the scents of coffee, wine, beer and sweet treats enticing us. Sweatprickles across my forehead, as businesses wrap up for the day. But it’s not just from the heat.
Double-dating with Ollie was a good idea this morning. Now, I’m not so sure. Do I want to involve myself in his wedding more than I have to? Is it fair to drag Sam into my mess? Mess that I’m creating for myself?
Perhaps it’s the holiday clarity, the type you get only when you go somewhere new and realise you want to change your whole life, but trying to impress Ollie seems so… juvenile.
And yet, I’m here now. He wants to be friends. Is it a wasted trip if I don’t see him?
With shaking hands, I text Ollie.
Hey. Do you and Alec want to double date? No worries if not, just thought I’d ask.
Ellipses type, and I chew my lip, feet slowing down. Until finally he replies.
Sure. Pretty busy with wedding prep, but sure.
He’s sure.
‘He said yes, not sure when, but yes. Is that okay?’
Sam nods, but doesn’t smile, and it literally feels like standing on a dog’s tail by accident.
‘Are you okay with doing this?’
‘Absolutely.’
‘It’s not weird?’
