Page 42 of In the Same Boat

‘Maybe a little.’

‘A lot, actually.’

‘But is it working?’

I look at him. Annoyingly, yes. Because despite everything, despite the ambush, and the confined space and the very real possibility that this trip ends with someone going overboard, he does look happy. More than happy, actually. Excited. Nervous underneath it too, though he’s trying his best to hide that part.

I haven’t seen him like this in years – maybe ever.

‘Fine,’ I say eventually. ‘I’ll play nice.’

Dad brightens immediately.

‘Good man.’

‘For now,’ I add. ‘Or I could just go home.’

‘No,’ he says, quick as a shot.

‘Dad—’

‘Seriously, I need you here.’

I narrow my eyes slightly.

‘Why?’

He hesitates for about half a second.

‘Because Chrissy will think it’s her fault that you’ve left,’ he admits. ‘Then Sammie will think it’s her fault, and then they’ll both go home, and I’ll be here all alone.’

Honestly, he’s probably right. Sammie already seems like she’s permanently one inconvenience away from bailing. If I disappear after twenty minutes on board, and either she or her mum thinks it’s because of them, it won’t help Dad’s case.

‘Please?’ Dad asks – he practically pouts.

I sigh.

‘Okay. Okay, fine.’

His whole body visibly relaxes.

‘Thank you.’

‘But I’m telling you now, this is not going to be fun.’

Dad stands up, clearly satisfied that the crisis has been averted.

‘You never know…’

‘I do know.’

‘You might end up enjoying yourself.’

‘That doesn’t sound like me…’

‘Maybe it should,’ he suggests, laughing as he heads for the door. ‘Sometimes it seems like you’re the boring old man.’

Before he leaves, he pauses and glances back at me.