Page 39 of In the Same Boat

‘He didn’t look very pleased to see us,’ I point out.

‘Well, it’s his dad’s boat, he’s probably used to the two of them having it to themselves, but Hank says he’s a good boy.’

I can’t help but laugh at the idea of Nico being a good boy – he’s in his thirties.

‘I cannot believe you’ve tricked me into staying on a yacht with you and your fancy man,’ I say.

‘He’s not my fancy man,’ she quickly insists. ‘He’s just a man, with a fancy yacht…’

‘And a dorky hat,’ I add.

‘I think it’s cute.’

She would have to, to be able to tolerate it.

‘You don’t have to hang out with him, darling.’

I stare at her.

‘Don’t I?’

‘No.’

‘Ah, fab, so you two will be having fun, and I’ll be Billy No-Mates,’ I reply.

‘You could hang out with Nico…’

‘Suddenly being alone doesn’t sound so bad,’ I joke.

She laughs.

‘You could read,’ she suggests.

‘I could have read at home. In my own bed. In peace…’

‘Darling, we both know that if you were at home, you would be working, so just suck it up, make the most of it, and try to enjoy yourself – you’re not allowed to whinge on a yacht.’

That sounds true, but she’s given me a lot to whinge about.

‘A yacht where I have to share a bed with my mum,’ I remind her.

‘You used to crawl into my bed every night when you were little,’ she says.

‘Yes, because I was four and scared of the dark,’ I reply. ‘It’s been like thirty years – my fears have changed.’

Again, she just laughs.

‘Come on, darling, I get to see Hank, you get a free holiday – it’s win-win.’

Sharing a house with my mum has been challenging enough. Now I’m sharing a room with her? And a bed too! I don’t think I’m great at sharing a bed with anyone, I like my own space too much.

I admire her optimism, calling this a win-win situation. But, for me, if this is win-win, then I’d hate to see what losing looks like.

9

NICO

The walls of my cabin have never seemed thinner.