“Ensure the vessel is stored and meet me at the airport with the vehicle. We will hide our clothes on board the vehicle and take to the water from a nearby beach. By this time tomorrow, we will be swimming home.” Vanessa sounded wistful at the prospect.
“You could still accompany us,” Maria suggested. “You need not fly in a small human aircraft.”
Vanessa smiled. “I do not like the aircraft, but I would like one more day on land at these islands before I return home. I will risk a flight for the additional time, to ensure the house here is properly packed up to remain unoccupied until it is next required.”
I said the words as I thought them. “And also to spend time with the young human fisherman.”
Vanessa’s voice held a warning. “I enjoy the human’s company and we still owe him for the favours he has done for us. The least I can offer is a proper farewell.”
I tried to explain. “You have permitted the human to use your body without restraint. Surely this is payment enough for any services he has rendered to us?”
Vanessa’s laughter rang out across the anchorage. “Belinda, I make far freer use of his body than he does of mine. It is more likely that I owe him a personal favour for the joy he gives to me. I wish you a good voyage and I will see you at the airport tomorrow.”
She stepped from the vessel to the jetty and assisted us in casting off the ropes. She waved as we moved the Siren into the anchorage channel.
“And he does have a damn fine arse!” she called across the water. The sound of her laughter followed us as she proceeded back down the jetty to her house.
Despite myself, I smiled. She was an elder among our people, but today she sounded as silly as the sixteen-year-old child who dared to defy the entire Elder Council.