10

Serpent of the Sea

THE OFFICE WAS AIR conditioned, Blair had his desk facing a wall, the window behind him. On one wall was a large map of the Great Barrier Reef. Next to it Blair had hung his favourite picture of a castle in Liechtenstein that was now a five-star hotel. Jennifer rested her head on her hand, holding the phone to her ear, glad the door was closed as her mother droned on and on, detailing weeks of minutiae, every trivial event in her life since Jennifer had driven away. Vi and Don were scarcely mentioned.

‘Mum . . . Mum, ’scuse me, but can I jump in? The calls from here are really expensive.’

‘Oh. I see. Well, if you don’t want to talk to me, I’ll get off now then.’

‘It’s just that I haven’t had a chance to do any talking,’ Jennifer said lightly. ‘Why don’t you ask Vi to get on the extension so I don’t have to repeat everything?’

‘Oh, I thought you’d called me. Very well, I’ll get her, though I could tell them what you say later.’

‘Whatever. It’s –’

There was a click as Vi, who’d been hovering, picked up the phone, anxious to hear the news, knowing that Christina wouldn’t share everything at all. She’d drop little snippets over the next few days in front of other people. Jennifer is doing this, told me that. Oh, didn’t you know that, Vi? Goodness, must have slipped my mind.

‘Hi, sweetheart, how’s everything?’ came Vi’s cheerful voice.

‘I was just about to tell Mum my news, so I want you to know too.’

‘We can’t chat, Vi, this is expensive for her.’

‘Mum, just let me get it out, will you! . . . I’m pregnant.’

There was an excited squeal from Vi, silence from Christina.

Then, ‘Are you sure? Could be a false alarm, you know. Don’t get so hysterical, Vi.’

‘Of course she’s sure, or she wouldn’t be ringing us up. Ooh, this is wonderful. When, when?’ gushed Vi.

‘Have you seen a doctor? Obviously you can’t stay on that island in the middle of nowhere. You need a good doctor. I’ll make arrangements down here with Dr Martin. Now, when are you coming back home?’ Christina was businesslike and efficient.

‘Why’s she have to go to a doctor down here, Tina? Aren’t there good doctors up there, Jenny? That place where you go shopping?’

‘Yes, Vi. Headland Bay. I’ve seen the doctor and there’s an excellent hospital here. All very handy.’

‘You can’t be serious. You can’t stay in the middle of the ocean and have a baby,’ snapped Christina.

‘Is Blair thrilled?’ asked Vi, trying to get Christina off this track.

‘Er, I think so. I mean, we’re both still getting used to the idea. It was a bit of a surprise.’

‘I hope he’s making arrangements to move back here as soon as possible. You need your family now,’ said Christina.

‘Let’s not rush things, Tina. So what are your plans, sweetie? Do you feel okay? Don will be thrilled . . .’

‘I’m fine, Vi. No morning sickness. Just eating a lot.’

‘Don’t you get fat, Jennifer. That flab is hard to lose after a baby.’ Christina’s authoritative tone cut across Vi’s weepy happiness.

‘Did you get the email pictures?’ asked Jennifer, now desperate to change the subject.

‘Ooh, yes, we looked at them on the computer screen. It’s a real tropical island, all right. Must be hot,’ said Vi.

‘Everything is fine. I’m back into work mode and in fact there’s a very interesting bunch of scientists and researchers here from a Queensland university.’

‘Fancy that. That’ll be interesting for you, luv.’

‘Typical. Those uni types playing around on some vague sort of research. For what? Sounds like a good excuse for a holiday to me.’

‘I knew you’d say that, Mum.’ Jennifer laughed. ‘I’d better go, I’m in Blair’s office. We send our love, give Don a hug and I’ll keep you posted after my next appointment with the doctor.’

‘You look after yourself, Jenny.’ Vi then added, ‘By the way, what do you want? Boy or girl?’

‘Vi, so long as the child is healthy, that’s all that matters. Next you’ll be asking her for names. And you haven’t even started to think about that yet, have you, Jennifer?’

‘Not really. Well, I hope you’re pleased for us.’

‘I’m just very worried about it all.’ Christina tut-tutted.

‘You said your living quarters were small, how on earth are you going to manage a baby in there?’ asked Vi suddenly.

‘Vi, she’s not going to stay in that place!’ Christina’s voice had that tinkling glass-breaking sound Jennifer recognised. ‘You leave everything to me, Jennifer. I’ll send you a letter soon.’

‘I’m fine, everything’s under control, Mum. Bye, Vi. Bye, Mum.’ She quickly hung up. The conversation had gone as she thought. She hoped Vi could keep a lid on Christina’s ideas of ‘helping’.

Jennifer passed Lloyd outside the boutique.

‘Your fish are in the staffie freezer. Tell the chef when you want one cooked for you and Blair. Or else ask Doyley to whack it on our hotplate.’

‘Great, thanks heaps.’ Maybe she and Blair could have dinner alone at their place, talk quietly, share a bottle of wine. Make love. It had been ages.

‘Thank Tony. Oh, and Mac said to call over tomorrow. Bring your stuff and move in!’

She went back to work with renewed enthusiasm knowing this was the last time she’d have to set up her laptop and work on a temporary table. Good on you, Mac.

It was even better than she hoped. Mac showed her to a small room that was air conditioned with empty floor-to-ceiling shelves and a long desk under the window.

‘It’s our storage lockup when we’re not here. Computers, diving equipment, all that kind of stuff gets put in here. So the following season it’s waiting for us. Saves carrying gear back and forth. Should suit you all right.’

‘Absolutely. This is fantastic. You’re sure I’m not throwing anyone out?’

‘No way. And if you need company, Rudi’s lab is next door, the canteen rec room is across the sandy square. My place is always open so use the kitchen, help yourself to tea, coffee, food, whatever.’

‘Mac, you’re so kind.’

‘No slacking off is all I ask. Get that book done. I’d be interested to talk to you later about maybe writing something for us. But finish what you’re doing first.’

‘You’ve never read anything I’ve written. Is it academic, esoteric, historical, scientific?’

‘Don’t worry about that for now. But do put some time aside for when Isobel is here. I think you’ll enjoy her. She’s an amazing woman. You might want to write about her. Though I think Lloyd got that journo Tony a bit interested.’

Jennifer spread her things around her, settled down to work and hardly noticed the time passing.

‘Want a coffee break?’ Rudi was smiling in the doorway. ‘I’m going to make a brew.’

‘I’d love one.’ Jennifer stretched.

‘Come next door. I have the makings in my lab.’

She followed him into the cluttered laboratory. ‘Where are you from originally, Rudi? Your name and your faint accent. I can’t place them.’

‘My family were from St Petersburg. I came here when I was ten. Went to the University of New South Wales. And don’t tell anyone, but my name is Rudolf. Now, how do you like your coffee?’

Jennifer walked around looking into the various glass tanks as he poured the coffee. ‘Milky, please. Why did you choose to study sea plants?’

‘I know they don’t look that important individually, but they’re a foundation of a food chain and have been part of the marine ecosystem for over two billion years. And gorgeous to see. Swimming through kelp forests off Tasmania or over the seagrass meadows near the reef is unreal.’

‘You make it sound like a day in the country,’ she said, laughing. ‘And are the forests filled with beasties?’

‘There is some weird and wonderful marine life down there, for sure. I’m interested in the chemical side of what’s in their tissues and fibres that protects them, stops fish eating them.’ Rudi drained his cup. ‘It could have applications in medicine, pharmaceuticals, genetics, or even chemical warfare . . . who knows?’

Jennifer was thoughtful. ‘The work, research, that’s being done here maybe isn’t so esoteric after all. So all you guys paddling around on the reef under the sea . . . what you find out could benefit humanity or mean big bucks?’

‘Possibly. We don’t often look at the whole picture. Scientifically it’s a step-by-step process on a small scale until there’s a breakthrough and you can move forward, if not in leaps then at least in the right direction. It’s just satisfying to get confirmation of a hunch or theory.’ He refilled their coffee cups. ‘Though I have to say, there has been interest in what I’m doing from some strange quarters. I leave all that stuff to Mac as he’s head of the program. Though I’m hoping Isobel might turn up some new specimens.’

‘So who is Isobel and how does she fit into the picture?’ asked Jennifer, intrigued.

‘Ah. Here, I’ll get on the net and you can read for yourself. She’s very famous in our world, but not so well known by anyone on the street I guess.’

Jennifer settled herself on a stool in front of Rudi’s computer as it downloaded a photograph of an attractive, cheerful-looking dark-haired woman in her fifties. She was wearing a colourful wetsuit and sitting at the edge of a reef in the Caribbean. ‘Queen of the Dark and Deep’ scrolled across the screen beneath her photo, followed by a string of links and websites. Jennifer chose one and clicked.

For the next hour she jumped from story to story, from photos to interviews with the astonishing Dr Isobel Belitas. Inspired by the legendary Sylvia Earle, the world’s leading aquanaut, Isobel had become fascinated with the world beneath the sea -‘where our future lies’.

Jennifer read how the Brazilian-born, American-educated Isobel had made dives deep into the Mariana Trench – a slash in the ocean floor one thousand eight hundred metres deeper than Mount Everest is tall. Here Jacques Cousteau had taken down his bathyscaphe in 1960 whereas Isobel, in a special diving suit, was strapped to a small submersible that took her more than three hundred and eighty metres below the surface where she released herself and walked on another part of the ocean floor for nearly three hours.

Looking at the pictures of the strange underwater vehicles developed over the past decades in which adventurers and scientists had tried to find what was in the darkest reaches of the sea, Jennifer was struck by their similarity to the odd winged machine she’d seen next to Gideon’s shack.

‘You coming up for air?’ asked Rudi, entering the lab. Jennifer hadn’t heard him leave and, glancing at her watch, hadn’t realised how absorbed she’d been.

‘It is fascinating. I can sort of understand why you get so . . . immersed in all this. She’s a brave and fearless person, or just crazy.’

‘You can decide for yourself on Friday night,’ said Mac, coming in the door. ‘She’ll be at Gideon’s. We’re having a welcome-back party for her.’

Jennifer returned to Professor Dawn’s notes on the history of the East Australian Current with an early observation of it from explorer Lieutenant James Cook in May 1770 as he charted the coast of Australia. It was off Cape Byron, the most eastern extremity, that he became aware of the surge of the surface stream, tens of metres deep, that travels down Australia along the Coral and Tasman seas.

Professor Dawn was only one of the many scientists who have studied the EAC for more than two centuries. But as he showed with modern technology, this travelling body of water can be mapped and observed from earth observation satellites, with ocean monitoring and measuring equipment and also from research vessels.

Professor Dawn’s dry descriptions took on new meaning for Jennifer as she imagined Dr Isobel Belitas inside, or strapped to, a small underwater machine chugging along beneath the sea, observing and sending back information from the sophisticated miniature equipment attached to the submersible. It was science fantasy, the wild tales of Jules Verne, space exploration upside down! Jennifer turned off her computer, overcome with feelings she couldn’t describe.

She waved to Mac. ‘Going home for lunch. See you later. And thanks again.’

Mac, sitting at a table in the shade with a graduate student, going through her papers, gave Jennifer a brief wave in return.

In the middle of the day the pisonia forest was still and hot. No breeze stirred the strange sticky fruit and leaves. Even the noddy terns were silent and less active. Instead of returning to the resort she turned down the track leading to Coral Point and when she came to the small headland she was surprised to see Blair in the distance, standing with two men, gesturing around and out to sea, admiring the view.

She called out, waved, and could tell by Blair’s body language he was uncomfortable.

‘I thought you were busy working,’ he greeted her.

‘I’m on a lunch break. Have you had lunch yet?’ She looked at the two men, recognising them from head office, and smiled. ‘Nice to see you again, Mr Fanzio, Mr Holding.’ She put out her hand, annoyed Blair hadn’t bothered to include her.

‘Hello. We were just talking about lunch too. Please call me Joe and this is Reg,’ said Fanzio.

Jennifer glanced at Blair, ‘Ah, you were on Kicking Back when we were at Sooty. Beautiful boat.’

Blair’s eyes had narrowed and he was sending her some signal but she had no idea what. ‘It’s the company boat. Reg and Joe are just here briefly to see how things are running,’ said Blair. ‘A flying visit.’

‘Oh, is Rosie hosting drinks or anything?’ asked Jennifer innocently.

‘No time, unfortunately, just a stopover visit to our outposts,’ said Holding, separating his lips and showing teeth, his eyes cold.

Joe, the fatter, redder and balder of the two, made a bit more of an effort. ‘So how are you enjoying being out here? Blair says you’re doing some writing. Very good to have a portable occupation when your husband is so . . . involved.’

Jennifer gave Blair a bright smile. ‘Oh, he’s definitely very involved with it all. The staff and guests love him.’

Signals were still flashing from Blair, who turned away from the view. ‘Well, shall we? Have that lunch?’

The men glanced around as they walked away from the headland. ‘Fabulous location. Spot on.’

‘Just got to make it work. Counting on you, Blair.’ Holding jabbed Blair in the arm.

Jennifer was walking slightly ahead as Blair came alongside. ‘We’re having lunch on the boat, it’s at the wharf. Sorry I can’t ask you, business. Rosie has a meeting with them too,’ he added for her benefit. Then as the men, talking in low voices, dropped further behind them, he said, ‘Don’t mention being pregnant. Might hurt my promotion.’

‘Already?’

‘Just talking future plans, you never know.’

‘So where do you plan to park me and the baby if we’re not included in your future plans?’

‘Don’t be silly, just play along,’ he hissed. As they reached the divide in the track he kissed her quickly on the cheek. ‘See you later on. I’m just taking them down to Boomerang Cove for a bit of a looksee.’

‘Nice to see you,’ called Jennifer and turned onto the resort path. The men gave a desultory acknowledgment. Jennifer had the distinct impression they couldn’t care less if they never saw her again or would they even recognise her if they did. ‘Jerks,’ she thought. ‘How did they get to be senior executives?’

She didn’t see Rosie for the next two days and Blair was vague about the meeting, but seemed cheerful and more loving than he’d been in a month. They started making love again, but he avoided what she thought of as real intimacy. No cuddling, talking or lazing in bed together in the afterglow of sex. He either fell asleep or leapt from bed, rushing to get ready for work, leaving Jennifer to her solitary morning walk.

On Friday morning Jennifer asked Blair to come with her that evening to Gideon’s Shark Bar.

‘That weird old guy that Lloyd and the uni people hang out with? I don’t think so.’

‘Have you ever met Gideon?’

‘Would I want to? You go if you want. I’m off to Sooty, we’re looking at some refurbishments. Maybe another tent. So I’ll stay over there. Will you be okay? How will you get back? No more dramas, please.’

‘I’m not sure. If you’re on Sooty is Rosie on duty here then?’ It struck her as odd that Blair would be looking after upgrades and refurbishments rather than the manager.

‘Yeah. But I don’t want you walking across the island at night after a few drinks. Take Rosie with you, someone can cover for her.’

‘I might come back by boat,’ said Jennifer with a cheeky air.

Blair gave her a look. ‘Don’t put Lloyd through that trip. You’re just not meant to go on boats.’

‘Speaking of boats, Kicking Back didn’t stay long. What’s going on with those two company boys? They’re not exactly impressive, are they?’

‘Just because they were dressed casually . . . those guys are worth heaps. And they run a squillion-dollar business. They have other connections as well as the resorts.’

‘Really? Like what?’

‘Nothing to do with hospitality. I’m not sure.’ Blair sounded evasive.

‘Blair, I don’t think you should suck up to those guys. If they’re only part of the board, corporation, whatever, who is the really big boss?’ she asked.

‘The chairman is Sir Giles Blake. A Brit. No one ever sees him. His family owned Reef Resorts before it went public. He’s probably some old geezer who goes to the board meetings and has no other involvement. Sends his rellies off on fancy holidays to the resorts they own. Who knows? It’s middle and senior management, guys like Fanzio and Holding, who are hands-on, running things.’

He went into the bathroom. Jennifer dropped the subject, deciding to quiz Rosie. She hoped she’d come along tonight.

‘You bet I’m going over there, I’ve already made arrangements,’ said Rosie when Jennifer stuck her head around her office door. ‘Isobel is a truly fabulous gal. You up to coming with Lloyd and me in his boat? He’s off duty too.’

‘I guess so. Sure, why not? Nothing could be worse than the first time. And I’m a member of the Shark Club now.’ Jennifer felt happy, liberated.

‘Good for you. See you down at the wharf at six.’

Lloyd and Carmel were on board waiting for them. Lloyd helped Jennifer into the boat and gave her hand a slight squeeze. Rosie sat beside Jennifer as they sped away from the wharf.

Rosie shaded her eyes. ‘I love looking back at the resort from the water. It’s tucked in there so discreetly, really blends in. What a relief it’s not a high-rise monstrosity.’

‘Where’s Blair?’ asked Carmel. ‘Is he holding the fort?’

‘He’s on Sooty Isle. Working over there. Just for today and tomorrow,’ said Jennifer. She caught Rosie’s eye and saw her discomfort. Was Blair upstaging his boss? She’d have to speak to him. Rosie was an understanding woman but if he was jeopardising her career everything could backfire on him. When the time was appropriate she’d talk to Rosie. And Blair.

But it was Lloyd who asked one of the questions Jennifer had been thinking about. ‘I saw Kicking Back was here for a bit, Rosie. Pretty quick inspection, wasn’t it?’

‘Only an informal visit. Not exactly social, though I had a quick drink with the slick boys – as I call them. They’re cruising around. Got some women on board and no wives. Not really serious business. Hardly came ashore.’

‘Oh, I saw them up at Coral Point. And Blair took them down to Boomerang Cove,’ blurted Jennifer without thinking.

Rosie looked stunned then shrugged. ‘I’m not going to worry about it. They had no complaints as far as I could tell, that’s the main thing. The board and chairman are in London, the slick boys are the Australian arm. Unfortunately I answer to them.’

‘Are you going to London for the next meeting?’ asked Jennifer cautiously.

‘No, that’s not my call.’

Carmel sensed Rosie’s tension and diverted the conversation. ‘I am so excited to meet Dr Belitas. How often is she here?’

‘She was here about eighteen months ago. She hadn’t been to Branch for a couple of years before that. It depends on her schedule, I s’pose. Mac will know more. If she has a project here she’ll spend weeks, maybe months. She sometimes stays at the resort for a break but mostly she’s at the research station. She’s a ball of energy, that’s for sure.’

‘She’s very down to earth for someone so famous,’ said Lloyd.

‘Yes, I looked her up on the net. Odd that some people can be so respected and known in their field and yet unknown to the general public,’ said Jennifer.

‘Depends what general public you refer to – the followers of the tabloid press and TV soaps, or people who take their news and reading a bit more seriously,’ said Rosie. ‘If you talk about the queen of the deep and extreme feats, some people will know of her.’

Jennifer kept quiet. I’m a country girl. Ask me about droughts, bushfires, flooded creeks, plagues of locusts. I haven’t had any interest in marine science.

Lloyd cut the engine as the day drifted into lilac twilight and the small boat slowed, heading for the shore of the little lagoon near Gideon’s shack. Carmel jumped out into the knee-deep water and pulled the boat until it stopped on the sand.

Rosie, holding her sandals, her long peasant skirt bunched up in the other hand, swung her legs over and dropped into the water. ‘It’s only ankledeep, Jenny.’

Lloyd threw the rope to Carmel, who trudged up the beach to secure the boat. ‘I’ll hop off and help you down, Jen.’

‘I’m fine.’ She swung her legs over and jumped almost straight onto the shore. She rolled down the legs of her cotton pants to cover as much skin as possible. Early evening was the midges’ favourite feasting time. Rosie handed her some repellent.

‘I hear revelry,’ said Lloyd, heading towards a glow through the trees.

Single file they approached the Shark Bar. The burst of music from an old ghettoblaster on the bar was heart starting. Rosie swung her hips. ‘Dig that beat.’

Jennifer laughed. ‘Salsa!’

Carmel danced past them. ‘No, calypso!’

Gideon had turned on the coloured party lights along the sagging thatch of the roof; outside, the flame torches burned with the tangy odour of citronella. Lanterns, candles and the electric light over the bar flickered with the shadows of moving figures. At first Jennifer thought everyone was dancing. But, like moths around the flame, the crowd hovered, swelling and receding around an unseen magnet in the centre.

Gideon, looking even more genial than usual, rose from his favourite chair to welcome them. The others were quickly swallowed in the throng except Rosie who headed for the bar and poured glasses of wine.

‘So, Jennifer, what’s your latest news?’ Gideon dropped his arm around her shoulder.

‘From Headland Bay? Nothing too exciting I’m afraid.’ She held back from sharing her news for some superstitious reason, or shyness, she wasn’t sure.

‘And have you been working on that book of the absent professor?’

‘I have, very much. Thanks to Mac. He gave me a cubby hole to work in at the research station.’

‘Do I hear my name? Glad you came.’ Mac had extricated himself from the group. ‘Everyone is talking at once and the music . . . let the excitement dissipate. Grab a seat outside.’

Jennifer glanced inside, disappointed she hadn’t yet met, or seen, the famous Isobel Belitas.

‘Don’t worry, I’ll introduce you to her shortly,’ said Mac.

Rosie handed Jennifer a glass. ‘Have a red wine. Medicinal purposes,’ she winked.

‘Do you come over here much? How well do you all know each other?’ Jennifer asked Rosie. Mac, Rosie, Gideon. Each came from a different world on the island, yet they seemed so comfortable, so compatible.

Jennifer watched the streaks of light change colour in the evening sky. She wondered for a moment what Blair was doing. But then there was a shuffling of seats. Mac stood up. And there was Isobel, being shown to the empty canvas chair next to Jennifer.

She was tiny! Jennifer was struck silent as Isobel Belitas held out both her hands. Wide, dark-brown eyes, short wavy dark hair. And a smile, a huge smile, that dominated her face. A diamond earring caught the light and twinkled. Her hands were small, soft but strong. She wore a rich musky perfume redolent of night flowers. She was in red. Was she fifteen or fifty? There seemed no difference. She radiated energy, warmth, delight.

‘A new recruit. How good to meet you. We have a lot to talk about, yes?’ Her voice was throaty, slightly accented though more musical than Carmel’s. Still holding one of Jennifer’s hands she sat beside her. Jennifer felt she was under some incredible spotlight as Isobel turned her gaze on her.

‘We do, I mean, I hope so. I’ve been reading about you on the net,’ said Jennifer shyly.

‘Hah. Don’t always believe everything that’s out there. But I hope you found some of it . . . interesting?’

‘Oh, yes. Very much so.’

Mac and Rosie moved to replenish drinks, pass food. Gideon leaned back, his arms behind his head, paying little attention it seemed.

‘And you are here because of your husband. Have you been here long enough to decide how important this place is?’ asked Isobel.

‘I’m not sure what you mean. You mean the work being done at the research station?’

‘What I am saying is . . . Are you happy he brought you here? Do you hate being away from this island, these waters, when you go?’ She cocked her head, the brilliant smile now faintly quizzical.

Jennifer sensed there was more to her question. She thought a moment before answering. ‘At first I hated it. I’m acclimatising. If it wasn’t for Mac, Gideon, everyone else, no, I wouldn’t like it here. Except . . .’ She turned away, looking at the tranquil sea in the distance.

‘You have, as they say, unfinished business,’ said Isobel gently. ‘I understand that.’ She patted Jennifer’s hand. ‘Even if you don’t.’

Gideon sat forward. ‘I’ve told Isobel what little I know about you, Jennifer. And what I feel. And about the book you’re doing for that professor.’

‘And what do you want to do? For you?’ asked Isobel, her eyes sparkling.

‘I wish I knew. I feel quite envious of you all . . . having such interesting projects and plans,’ began Jennifer.

‘What’s the book about?’

‘Oh, it’s a work by one of the professors from Sydney Uni, where I studied. He’s been looking at the East Australian Current . . .’

‘Oh, I know it! I have been in it. I call it the serpent,’ said Isobel. ‘It starts here in the Coral Sea, travels often around four knots and makes enormous eddies and flows,’ she waved her arm in a snaking motion, ‘like a serpent. It brings up nutrient-rich waters from deep below. And that makes fish happy.’

‘Talking of sea creatures, are there lots of whales?’ asked Jennifer.

‘More and more. When I first came here we hardly saw them, and the waters of the reef are their nursery, where they have their babies,’ Gideon explained. ‘Their numbers are way up now since we started watching them instead of killing them.’

‘Have you heard the whales sing?’ Isobel asked Jennifer.

She shook her head. ‘Maybe on a CD. Can you hear them under water?’

‘Oh yes. You can come and listen if you like.’

‘Under water? Near a whale? Not me!’ laughed Jennifer.

Isobel studied her for a moment. ‘One of Mac’s postgrad students is running a research project on DNA monitoring of the whales. A genetic study to find if they are family groups and how they relate to one another. The DNA samples will show that. We’ll take you out when we collect skin samples. They leave small pieces of skin on the surface each time they breach. We call it sloughed skin.’

‘Jennifer is not at home on or in the sea,’ commented Gideon.

‘Maybe that will change,’ said Isobel. ‘You strike me as a young woman about to make some big change in her life.’

‘Ah, Isobel, the clairvoyant. She is very perceptive,’ said Gideon.

‘She is indeed,’ said Jennifer. ‘I am definitely going to change. I’m having a baby.’

‘Wow, what news! Wonderful, wonderful!’ Isobel clapped her hands.

Gideon reached over and clasped Jennifer’s hands and called for Mac and Rosie. ‘Gather round, gather round. A toast.’

‘Please, please, Gideon, don’t make a fuss,’ said Jennifer, rather embarrassed.

‘This news deserves a big fuss.’

As attention turned to Gideon, Jennifer and Isobel, Rosie stepped forward and held her glass aloft. ‘Here’s to Jennifer’s baby . . . now known as baby Branch until he, or she, arrives.’

‘And may she make her first swim right here,’ declared Isobel, raising her glass towards the shimmering moonlit lagoon. There were more congratulations, the music was turned up, glasses were refilled and Jennifer was the centre of attention as Isobel sat beside her, watching and smiling.

Later, travelling back in the boat with Rosie, Lloyd and Carmel, Jennifer reflected on the happy evening. She was glad they’d made a fuss. The news was out and she’d enjoyed everyone celebrating. Blair probably wouldn’t be pleased now the whole island knew. But it wasn’t something that could be hidden forever. Jennifer patted her tummy and thought of Isobel. What a powerful personality, she certainly lived up to her reputation. She had promised that she would go and spend time with the diver and scientist the following afternoon. And Jennifer had an odd feeling that, as Isobel had predicted, her life really was about to change.