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She took a sip of the hot tea, loaded with sugar, that had been thrust into her hands.
‘I’m sorry,’ she said, when she was finally able to speak without stuttering. ‘I was following this pod of whales and I didn’t realize how far I’d gone …’
‘Thank Christ Melissa was keeping an eye out for you. The Hugheses were at each other’s throats and I thought it was going to be Cutler who ended up in the water, they were rocking their boat so much. You really are trying to get me sacked, aren’t you?’
‘I think you’re doing a pretty good job of that yourself.’ She pulled the towel closer around her body. Her hair was dripping on to the black plastic floor, making a tiny ticking sound. The locker room stank of seawater and sweat. All she wanted was to go back to the room, shower, get herself back into some fresh clothes. She wondered if her camera had survived the dip. It was supposed to be waterproof, but who knew.
The shock of the cold had stolen any logical thought from her brain and her eyes were squeezed tightly shut. Luckily her body had remembered how to wet exit the kayak, and because of the drysuit she wasn’t soaked to the bone. She’d surfaced, gasping and flailing in the water. Melissa had held out her oar, shouting clear andcalm instructions, and Olivia had managed to grab hold of it and they were able to get her into a Zodiac.
‘I’ve been guiding for over a decade and never had a single capsize,’ said Liam, still shaking his head in disbelief. ‘Look, that’s it. No more kayaking trips for you.’
‘I deserve that.’ She took another sip of the drink, wrapping her fingers tightly around the cup.
‘Here, this might help more.’ He reached under the bench and removed a small bottle of whisky from the floor. She nodded. He poured a small measure into her tea. When she sipped it this time, she felt the whisky warm through her fingers and bring colour back to her cheeks. She actually audibly sighed, which made Liam smile.
‘Better?’ He took a swig as well.
‘Much, thank you. And … I am sorry. I don’t know what got into me.’
‘Trust me, not even a breaching whale is worth a dip in Antarctic waters. If you had been closer to the cliffs when that glacier calved, or if an iceberg had tipped … we might have lost you.’
‘I really appreciate your concern.’ She paused. ‘How were things after … what happened last night?’
Liam shrugged. ‘They can’t get rid of me right now; I’m the most qualified exped. leader and Cutler wants to keep everything running smoothly. I got a bollocking from the captain but it’s OK. He’s all mouth and no trousers.’
‘And Sergei?’
‘He’s pretty miserable, yeah. Still claims he had nothing to do with it. Says it will all become clear when we get into port. Well, now he doesn’t say much at all. Clammed up completely.’
‘I’m glad he’s locked up until then. And there’s been no more news about that couple?’
Liam’s expression turned dark. ‘Nothing yet. I keep pestering Dr Ranj. He’ll tell me as soon as he hears anything.’
‘Let me know.’ She stood up, then almost immediately sat back down again, her head falling into her hands.
‘Maybeyoushould go see Dr Ranj.’
‘No! No, I really don’t want to go back there.’
‘OK, if you’re sure. Even though you can’t kayak, you’re welcome to go on shore with the others in a Zodiac later.’
‘Thanks, but I think I’ll stay on the ship for the rest of today. I need to go and speak to Stefan – find out how the auction went.’
Just outside the locker room, Janine was waiting. ‘I didn’t want to leave you alone. You know – our pact?’
Olivia smiled at her. ‘Thank you. Although I feel much better now that guy is locked up.’
‘I guess my little almost-hook-up had some benefits. What was Liam talking to you about?’
‘Oh, just telling me off for not listening to him out on the water.’
Janine grimaced. ‘As if he can tell anyone off for not obeying rules.’
Back in the cabin, Olivia dried her hair and changed into warmer clothes. Janine was flipping through the pictures she’d taken while out on the kayak.
‘So did you get a picture of that whale after all?’ Janine asked, when Olivia emerged from the bathroom.
‘I’m not sure. Let’s take a look, shall we? See if that polar plunge was worth it.’ She grimaced. She flippedover the camera’s viewscreen, playing the last video on the memory stick.