But he didn’t need to know today.He had plenty of time while he was here.
Oliver climbed into the bus and smiled at Sam.“Let’s go.”
Chapter 3
Oliver yawned and did his best to keep quiet as he moved around the share house.It had been after one by the time they’d arrived in Retribution Bay, but that hadn’t stopped him from waking at first light.He wandered into the kitchen and spotted the coffee machine on the bench, with a jar of coffee pods next to it.The plastic pods weren’t the best for the environment, but right now, they would do in a pinch.He’d see if there was somewhere in town where he could buy reusable capsules.He switched it on and checked the fridge.
Bless Lindsay.She’d delivered the groceries he’d ordered and had put them away.The fridge contained milk, butter and various vegetables, and the non-perishables were in the cupboards.He was a little surprised Lindsay hadn’t been more antagonistic towards him, considering Dot’s attitude.She had been a surrogate mother to Dot and he thought if Dot disliked him, Lindsay would too.But perhaps she hadn’t remembered him.He’d have to buy her flowers to show his appreciation.
Maybe he should buy Dot some as well.She’d been partial to bright, cheerful gerberas when they’d been dating.
Had she stayed up to do paperwork after she’d got back last night, or finally got the sleep she so obviously needed?
He headed outside onto the patio, which contained a small wooden outdoor table with half a dozen chairs around it.He settled in and glanced around the pretty courtyard garden that featured native grevilleas and wattles.Water wise and low maintenance.Smart.
He yawned again and sipped his coffee as the wind rustled the bushes.Today was all about preparation.His students were under instructions to go through their notes and come up with a plan of action for tomorrow.Then they were to orientate themselves with the town.Conditions were still dismal after the storm a couple of days ago, and visibility was low.No point in them all going out to the site.
He wanted to do the first dive by himself, without the students peppering him with questions or being disappointed by the murky water.Perhaps it was selfish, but there was something special about the first dive, and he didn’t want to be in teacher mode for it.
He flicked through his emails, noting one from a publisher expressing an interest in him writing a memoir about his shipwreck experiences.
He leaned back and frowned.It wasn’t something he’d ever considered, but he had enough journals that he could probably cobble something together.And the work at the museum hadn’t given him the satisfaction he’d hoped it would.He missed being part of his team more than he’d expected.Perhaps writing a book would help.
Oliver checked his watch and then worked out how long it would take him to walk to the marina.All the gear was still on the bus which Sam had locked up for the night, with the promise to bring it with him this morning.
Easy-going.
Oliver appreciated that.He’d worked with other boat skippers who thought they were doing Oliver a favour allowing him to even be on the boat.Oliver needed someone who could take instructions and offer feedback on the site conditions.
If last night was any indication, Sam should be easy to work with.
His thoughts drifted to Dot.
Capable, efficient, smart.Gone was the warmth and vulnerability he remembered, and the sweetness which appeared when he’d least expected it.
She had shown her softer side with the joey, so maybe it was still in there somewhere.
He wasn’t sure what he’d expected.They’d both changed in a decade.
His finger slipped through the emerald ring he kept on a chain around his neck.His good luck charm, the one piece he’d been allowed to keep from that first expedition.The colour had reminded him of Dot’s favourite fluffy jumper.He’d spent many an hour snuggling her on the couch while she wore that jumper.Good times.
He sighed.He’d never regret taking the role which launched his career as a maritime archaeologist, but he regretted the end of their relationship.He’d thought they could make long distance work for the time he was away, but Dot stopped answering his calls and texts, totally ghosting him.This was Oliver’s chance to find out why.He’d thought they loved each other.
His relationships since then had been sporadic because of the nature of his work, but he wanted to settle down.Which meant he needed to excise the ghost of Dot.See who she had become so he could stop comparing every woman to her.
Put her into the past where she belonged.
The discovery of a new shipwreck in Retribution Bay had come at the perfect time.He’d been about to apply for a grant to catalogue the wreck when a shipping magnate named Lucas Fitton had called the museum, saying he was happy to pay for the expedition as long as his son was part of it.
Oliver sipped his coffee, grimacing.He hated having conditions attached to the funds, but it was part of the process.And at least Andrew was studying maritime archaeology.
The expedition meant Oliver could get back to diving and move on from Dot at the same time.
He hadn’t expected to miss the diving so much.
The expeditions had become a circus with the reality TV crew following them, and during his last expedition he’d never had the chance to relax without a camera on him.They didn’t give him the opportunity to do the research or take his time.It was all about the story they needed for the episode.
He’d thought lecturing and working at the museum would allow him to do what he loved.
