Page 77 of In the Same Boat

Then Hank whoops from the other side of the swim platform.

‘Looking good, you two!’ he calls out.

We spring apart so quickly that a splash of water goes up my nose, making me cough.

‘Get a room,’ Hank adds – original.

I look over and see Mum smiling too.

‘They’re not appalled, they’re happy, we’re practically shagging in the sea and they’re happy,’ I blurt.

Nico laughs, which isn’t helpful.

‘Don’t.’

‘I didn’t say anything.’

‘Your face did,’ I reply.

‘Try to relax,’ he says again.

Nico pulls me through the water by both hands, spinning me in a slow circle. I wrap my arms loosely around his neck again.

‘Give it time, they’ll come around…’

‘Do you think?’ I reply.

From a distance, it probably looks romantic. Kind of raunchy maybe but not in a way that bothers them.

Weirdly it seems like the only person getting rattled here is me. Our parents are having a lovely time, Nico finds it funny, and then there’s me, getting my bikini in a twist. The only person I’m having on is myself.

Eventually we drift back towards the yacht, where Mum and Hank are sitting on the swim platform looking so pleased with themselves that I immediately know we’ve failed.

‘You two seemed to enjoy yourselves finally,’ Mum says.

I climb the ladder with as much dignity as a wet woman can manage and accept a towel from her.

‘You look like you’re having a great time too,’ I counter.

‘Very much,’ Hank says, grinning.

We spend the rest of the afternoon on the deck, drying in the sun while Hank makes some sandwiches. He’s inside with Mum who is reading a paperback she can’t be all that into, because it seems like she’s looking at him more than she is the pages. It would be cute were I not in my own personal hell.

Nico and I end up on loungers a few feet apart, sunglasses on, pretending to relax while acknowledging our tactical failures.

‘So that didn’t work.’

‘No,’ I reply.

‘If anything, I think they liked it,’ Nico says, stating the obvious.

‘Hmm, I got that too,’ I reply. ‘Disturbing really…’

He laughs. Then…

‘Look at them,’ he says quietly.

I do. Hank is pointing something out ahead. Mum is smiling as she follows his finger. They look so easy together. Maybe too easy for two people who have known each other such a short time, but then again, what do I know? I’ve spent years trying to figure out what I want. Maybe I’ll know when I find it too?