There was no need to do anything more. Drew supported her back to the boat and together he and Jake boosted her up onto the deck.
‘I’m all right...’ Jake sat her down and took her goggles off. Then Drew elbowed him away. Apparently this was his job.
He leaned her forward, making sure that she could breathe properly. ‘Did you swallow any water?’
‘No... I don’t think so.’
‘Okay. Where were you hit?’
‘On the side of my chest. My shoulder hurts a bit. What happened?’
‘The mother caught you with her tail as she swam away. She lifted you right out of the water.’
‘Uh...’ Caro put her hand to her shoulder, flexing it. It didn’t feel too bad... ‘Are they okay?’
‘Yeah, they’re fine.’ Jake had been watching the progress of the pair, and he indicated their curved wake. They seemed to be circling the boats, keeping their distance in case anyone decided to try to capture them again.
‘Good. That’s good.’
Drew had stripped his drysuit down to his waist, and she felt the brush of his skin against her cheek as he reached around to undo the zip that ran across the back of her shoulders. Actually, she was feeling a little shaky. She could do with a hug right now, but she didn’t dare ask.
Drew carefully eased the headpiece over her head, rolling the drysuit down. As he did so, Peter wrapped a blanket around her shoulders.
‘I’m okay.’
‘So you said. Take a deep breath for me.’ Drew’s voice was gentle, and she felt his fingers on her ribs, feeling for any injury. Her ribs felt fine. His hands...a lot better.
She let him gently test her arms and shoulders, feeling warmth flow through her. It was probably about time she called a halt to this; she was enjoying it far too much.
‘Any headache or stiffness in your neck? Do you feel sick?’
‘I’ve no symptoms of a concussion. It’s just my shoulder, Drew. And I can move it okay, I think it’s just bruised.’
He nodded, wrapping the blanket around her. His eyes were gentle but his mouth formed a tense line.
‘I’m so sorry, Caro...’ He turned to Peter. ‘Dad, we should go back.’
‘No! I don’t want to go back.’ Caro frowned at him. ‘And it’s not your fault
, she could have hit any one of us. I told you that I wanted to come and help.’
‘The lady has a point.’ Jake was leaning against the side of the helm, his arms folded. He held up his hand in a gesture of surrender when Drew turned and glared at him.
Peter stepped in to settle the matter. ‘Let’s get you down into the cabin, Caro, and out of that suit. Drew, you can bring some hot chocolate. Jake, take the helm for me.’
‘Aye-aye, Cap’n.’ Jake grinned. Drew hesitated and then nodded, helping Caro to her feet and allowing his father to guide her down into the cabin.
* * *
Drew stripped off his drysuit, putting on jeans and deck shoes, and then grabbed the flask of hot chocolate. His father appeared from the cabin, bringing Caro’s dripping drysuit with him and signalling to him that he could go down to see her now.
He should get a grip. Caro was all right, but she’d had a shock and she needed him to be calm. She was sitting on the bunk, the blanket wrapped around her shoulders and legs, a small puddle still on the floor where his father had helped her out of the drysuit.
‘I won’t fuss.’ He poured the hot chocolate and handed it to her.
‘That’s okay. You can fuss a bit.’ She gave him an intoxicating smile. ‘And I reckon you’ve still got your training wheels on.’
As usual, she’d managed to divine exactly what he was thinking. Luna’s death and his own injuries had made him acutely aware of the senseless accidents that could happen and their consequences. He’d do anything...anything...to stop Caro from being hurt.