‘Only if you disobey the captain’s orders.’ Drew chuckled as Caro shot him an exasperated look. ‘We can borrow a wetsuit from the diving centre, and if the weather’s good I’ll show you how to snorkel. There are lots of things going on down there that you’ve never imagined...’
He was deliberately pushing all of Caro’s buttons. The idea of things going on that she couldn’t imagine was irresistible to her. Drew had done plenty of swimming and water exercises as part of his rehab, but he hadn’t been in the sea since his accident. It was about time he reacquainted himself with the capricious mistress that he’d loved ever since he could walk.
‘I’d like that. Can we go down deep?’
He should have known that Caro didn’t do anything by halves. ‘Not unless you can hold your breath for half an hour. You want to scuba dive?’
She shifted awkwardly from one foot to the other. ‘I don’t know...’
Drew wasn’t quite sure about that either. Since Luna had died, he’d judiciously avoided being responsible for anyone while diving, and had given up his teaching sessions at the diving centre. Maybe it was about time he reacquainted himself with that part of his life, too.
‘I’ll tell you what. We’ll pop down to the centre tomorrow and sign you up for some lessons. They do short courses that last a week and just teach you the basics. If you like it, then you can come out with us the Saturday after next.’
Caro thought for a moment. ‘Okay. Thanks. I’ll see what’s involved tomorrow, and I might just do that.’
Drew nodded. He’d tempted Caro into this, but now that it was a reality his throat seemed a little dry. Maybe he’d prefer it after all if she stayed safely on the boat, but now that Caro had the idea in her head there wasn’t going to be any stopping her.
‘All right. One thing, though...’
‘Yes?’ She tipped her head up towards him, and in the shade of the cavern, her eyes seemed to glisten, full of unknown possibilities.
‘If you’ve been up all night, working, you don’t get to dive. Ever. Safety’s always the number one consideration.’
He heard the sudden blunt assertiveness in his own tone and saw Caro’s face soften. Maybe she understood... Drew fought back the temptation to smile. She needed to understand this.
‘Okay, I hear you. No going into the water unless I’ve had a solid night’s sleep. I promise.’
‘Thanks.’ Drew could smile now. And that brought with it a new temptation, to kiss her goodbye. It seemed that there was no getting away from wanting just that little bit more with Caro. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow?’
‘Yes.’ She bent down, giving Phoenix a hug and a kiss. ‘Safe journey back, sweetie. Perhaps you can persuade the old grouch to send me a text when you get home.’
‘I’ll remind her to remind me.’ Drew pushed the small craft down into the water and then stepped into it. Now that his legs didn’t need to hold him up, he felt strong again. And if he needed to be a grouch to keep Caro safe, he’d had plenty of practice over the last few months.
She stood watching them as he manoeuvred the boat around and started to row. Ten yards. Twenty... Her figure was becoming smaller, standing in the mouth of the cavern like a sweet, golden-haired lover, standing at the water’s edge to watch the boats go out. His grandfather had told him that his grandmother had done that every time when he put to sea, and Drew had never really understood the impact of the statement.
Then she waved. Drew raised his hand in reply, and then started to row again, pulling hard on the oars. He was the one who needed a good night’s sleep, to regain some much-needed perspective.
* * *
Caro had decided not to mention diving to Drew. She’d been carried away by the thought of exploring new worlds with him, and she’d probably gone too far. His attitude had become suddenly authoritative, and Caro had been reminded that Drew had conflicting feelings about the sea, and diving in particular. He clearly loved both, but they’d taken his fiancée from him.
This morning it was as if he’d pushed their conversation of last night to the back of his mind and was pretending that it had never happened. That was fair enough. Caro was disappointed, she’d gone to sleep last night thinking about drifting mermaid-like under the sea, finding new and unimagined wonders. But she’d do it with someone else, in another place. There would always be new places, and Drew’s peace of mind was far more important.
‘So.’ They’d eaten their lunch and he leaned back in his seat. ‘Are you still up for the diving centre this afternoon?’
‘Yes!’ She couldn’t help replying too quickly and maybe a little too enthusiastically. ‘If you are, that is.’
He gave her that gorgeous lazy grin of his. The one that said he’d finished work now, and he was going with the flow. He had a built-in off switch that he seemed to be able to flip at will, and Caro wondered what that might be like.
‘Yes, I’m up for it. I’m looking forward to getting back to diving.’
That was that, then. There was no resisting him now, no telling herself that Drew probably wasn’t ready for this. He wanted to do it and holding him back was the one thing that Drew really didn’t need at the moment.
‘Okay. Where’s the diving centre?’
‘Down there.’ He jerked his thumb towards the window, and Caro saw a low, stone building, nestling in the sheltered curve of the beach next to a small jetty.
‘There’s a diving centre here? Is there anything that you don’t have?’