Ruby and Joe are back in her room after their swim. They’re lying on the single bed, her skin fizzing with pleasure. She’s forgotten about duty for the time being, but Joe’s eyes are full of questions.
‘What was your childhood like?’
‘Perfect till I hit thirteen. How about you?’
‘My parents divorced when I was six, but Mum’s been great. I don’t see much of my father. He’s a teacher, on the mainland, with a new family.’
‘But it must have been peaceful growing up here.’
‘Those defences of yours are still way high, aren’t they?’
‘What do you want to know?’
‘Tell me about your dad. He matters to you big time, doesn’t he?’
‘He was my world as a kid. I’d love to be with him now.’
‘I’ll go with you, if it helps.’
She gives him a smile of gratitude. ‘Thanks, but I have to stay here for now. I think my ex is keeping an eye on the hospital.’
‘Is your dad very ill?’
‘It’s stage four pancreatic cancer. I hate seeing him in pain.’ She shuts her eyes, real emotions flooding her mind for once. Joe makes a hushing sound as she cries on his shoulder.
‘It’s okay, Chloe,’ he whispers. ‘I’ll help you, I promise.’
‘I may have to drop everything to go to him.’
‘We can take the boat, I promise.’ He kisses her forehead. ‘I’d better go and tell Mum about you, before someone else does. Be warned, she’ll want to meet you soon. I’ll be back tonight, okay?’
He gives her a long kiss before leaving. Ruby can hear her dad’s voice, reminding her that emotional ties only cause trouble, but she’s dangerously close to riding that roller coaster for the first time. It’s a relief when Joe’s gone, even though she misses him straight after the door closes.
She checks for news of her father on her phone, but there’s no signal. The vital connection between them has been severed like an umbilical cord. Panic rises in her throat, but she forces it back under control. Her happiness is already drifting away, like steam evaporating.