Page 85 of Midnight
Then she could rest.
‘I spotted this car weaving its way down the road, driving erratically. I don’t know, maybe the driver was running late …
‘I wasn’t thinking straight. I stepped out. I actually did it. I prepared for the pain. But immediately I realized how stupid I was being. I jumped back between two parked cars and up on to the pavement. A cyclist yelled at me – I’m pretty sure he gave me the finger. But I was safe. Unharmed.
‘I knew then that something had to change, that I’d hit rock bottom. It was like all my senses switched back to normal at once. I managed to make my way to the auction after that – late, but I made it. I confessed to Aaron that I needed actual professional help. I was signed off with burnout and anxiety by my GP the same week and I took an official leave of absence from work.’
‘My God. What a story.’
‘I know. I can’t believe how close I came to a seriouslybad decision. But it was the wake-up call that I needed. This cruise was supposed to be our fresh start, but it’s just been a nightmare. Starting with what happened to poor Christa and Jay.’
‘I know,’ murmured Janine. ‘That was awful.’
‘Even worse, they know it was a poisoned champagne bottle.’ She leaned closer, lowering her voice. ‘Liam told me he was paid to bring it on board, so he’s terrified he’ll be accused of killing them.’
‘Jesus. Did he say who paid him?’
Olivia shook her head. ‘No. All he said was that it was a woman. But when I get back to Ushuaia, I have to go to the police.’
‘Good plan,’ said Janine. ‘I’ll be there to back you up – whatever you need.’
‘I appreciate it.’ Olivia looked up at the sky, clouds encroaching on the deep indigo sky.
She looked over at Janine, who seemed lost in thought. She’d sucked her bottom lip into her mouth and was chewing on it. She looked so young in that moment. Olivia was about to ask how she was feeling, when Janine reached forward to grab her shovel again. Her feet almost touched the end; she’d need more space to get really comfortable.
The crunch of boots on the snow and the bleep of a radio made them both jump. She didn’t want to escape her warm bubble, but there was a shiver down her spine that she didn’t think had anything to do with the cold. There was something in the tone of voice that carried towards her on the wind.
‘Olivia? Can you come with me?’ It was Melissa, standing at the foot of her makeshift ice bed.
‘Me?’ Olivia was surprised.
‘Where are you going?’ said Janine, standing up in her bivvy sack.
‘I just need Olivia for now. We’ll be back soon.’
‘OK,’ Janine said, hesitating, before settling back down.
Melissa led her down towards the pulk, which was loaded with emergency supplies. She indicated for Olivia to grab one of the ropes and help to drag it around to the back of where everyone was camping for the night. It was surprisingly easy to pull with the two of them, and they walked in companionable silence until Olivia couldn’t hold it in much longer.
‘Look, I wanted to say I’m sorry about the kayaking. For getting too close to the glacier. You saved my life.’
‘Don’t mention it. Since you helped unload earlier, do you know where the first-aid supplies are?’
‘Oh, sure. They’re in the third box from the bottom.’
Melissa kneeled down and began rooting through the pulk to the bright red first-aid box. ‘It’s not really protocol to take passengers on shore outside of the excursion hours.’
‘Liam was doing me a favour.’
‘Lots of non-protocol things happening. Crew changing ships halfway through a voyage? Unthinkable.’
Olivia tensed. ‘What are you talking about?’
‘The captain asked me to bring some luggage on shore that belonged to a former crew member for him to collect. Can you believe that? Aha! Here it is. Now I can give these to Mr Hughes and hope he stops complaining about his headache.’ She waved a packet of paracetamol at Olivia.
‘Wait, Melissa. Did the captain say when the gear was being collected? Tonight or …?’
Melissa grimaced. ‘I don’t know. If you want answers, ask Liam – it was his roommate.’
