After we got back, I showered and got changed into some clean clothes. I even shaved carefully. When I was as presentable as I could manage, I got a six-pack of Stella out of the fridge and headed over to Vanessa’s place.
The Siren was tied up at the jetty and there was a fresh set of washing out on her veranda. I dodged through the washing to get to her front door.
I had to knock twice before she answered. She looked surprised to see me.
“What is it?” she asked, a piece of toast in her hand.
I held out the six-pack of beer. “You were right. The big lobsters like pink ribbons. I tried it on one of Skipper’s pots last night and now he thinks I’m the luckiest deckie in the Abrolhos, if not the world. So, now I owe you some beer.”
She put the toast down and took the beers. She looked as if she was puzzled by them. “But I can’t drink all these by myself,” she said. “Come over tonight and share them with me.”
My heart soared and then sank, like a rotten lobster thrown over the side. “Skipper said we had to go to the club on Little Rat tonight. He wanted to buy me a beer.”
Her face fell. “Well, when you can. Afterwards, maybe, or another night.”
“I’ll get out of the club as early as possible and come over tonight, if I can,” I promised her eagerly. “Otherwise, tomorrow for sure.”
She smiled. “I’d like that.”