‘Mm?’
‘Is that you?’
‘Is that me, what?’
She rolled over in bed. ‘Making all that noise.’
‘No. I thought it was you.’
With difficulty, I pried my eyes open to look at her. Her hair was spread all over the pillow as she blinked at me with sleepy eyes.
‘What time is it?’ she mumbled.
I checked my watch. ‘Seven.’
She groaned. ‘Too early.’
Knock knock.
‘I think someone’s at the door,’ I told her, going to prop myself up on my elbows, a jolt of pain reminding me that my shoulder was still tender.
She lifted her head and frowned. ‘Who?’
‘No idea. But if it’s Santa, he’s a day early.’
She leaned over and playfully bit me. ‘Go and see who it is then.’
‘It’s your house. Whoever it is, they’re not here to see me.’
‘Fine,’ she sighed. ‘I’ll go. But only because you’ve been injured.’
She threw on some track pants and a sweater and disappeared. I heard the murmur of voices, and then the sound of the door shutting.
‘Who was it?’ I called.
She came back into the bedroom carrying a parcel, her eyes reading the label. ‘Courier. Someone sent me a parcel.’
I sat bolt upright. ‘It’s not your birthday, is it?’
‘Relax, that’s in November.’
‘Oh good. I was worried then.’ I stuffed a few pillows behind me and sat back, propped upright, just as my phone rang. I fumbled for my jeans on the bedroom floor and fished the phone from the pocket. The nameJimflashed on the screen. ‘Do you mind if I get this?’
Her attention was transfixed on the package. ‘Go for it.’
‘Hey Jim, what’s up?’
‘How’s your shoulder?’
‘It’s fine. I have an expert taking great care of me.’
‘Good. Hey, I just got word about the other boat, theGolden Pearl.’
I stiffened, bracing myself. ‘Yeah?’
‘They’re on their way home. Ended up sheltering somewhere up the coast. Boat took a bit of damage, but the guys are OK.’
I exhaled, feeling the tension drain out of me. ‘Thank God.’
