Page 111 of The Version You Hide

Her words catch me off guard. I don’t think anybody has ever said that to me before, and up until now, I would never have referred to myself as ‘lucky’.

My circumstances have never been the envy of anyone else, and maybe they still aren’t. But I’m starting to like this little life I’m building, and all of the people in it that make it what it is. For the first time, I can see a glimpse of what my future could look like. And I want Dylan to be a part of it.

“Yeah,” I agree. “I guess I am.”

“So do you think you’ll go and see Grace again?”

“Yeah. Definitely. I’m going to see her tomorrow.” I’ve put off another visit to the studio for too long. I need to see my grandmother. After having time and space to breathe, I’ve realised how important it is to me that I maintain a connection with her. “The exhibition night is this weekend and I’d planned to help her set up. At least I did before everything else happened.”

“I’d love to meet her someday.”

The thought of introducing Harper to Grace brings a smile to my face. Taking your friends to meet your grandmother just seems so normal. And I’ve never had normal. “I’m sure that can be arranged.”

A few short moments later, Cameron throws the anchor in place, securing the boat near the reef. We’re in a different location this time, anchored off a small island.

Dylan turns from the two women he’d been speaking with and much to their dismay, begins pulling up his wetsuit. He wanders toward Harper and I, calling for the rest of the group to join him.

“Okay, listen up guys,” he calls. “If you are snorkelling today, you will be over there with Jade. Scuba divers can follow me. We’ll have plenty of time to explore the reef and those that would like to can also head over to Coral Island over there. There’s a nice walking track up to a lookout at the top of the hill. Stay safe, guys. We’re all here to answer any questions you might have so don’t hesitate to ask.”

I love being able to watch him here in his natural habitat. This is where he belongs, not stuck behind some stuffy office desk. I can already imagine him taking people out on his own tour boat one day.

He steps forward, warmth shooting through me when he curls an arm around my waist. “I’ll catch up with you soon,” he whispers into my ear.

He aims a wink at me, before directing the small group of divers to the edge of the boat. His touch had only been fleeting but my heartbeat stays in overdrive long after he pulls away.

“See?” Harper says beside me. “Lucky.”

“Stop,” I scoff. “Come on. Let’s go find Jade.”

We join the rest of the snorkellers on the other side of the boat and one by one, we file into the water.

Just like she had the first time I came out on the boat, Jade gives us a guided snorkel tour, pointing out various species of fish and rambling off facts about the ecosystem. Harper seems to be having a great time and I’m so glad my friend is getting some much-needed rest and recovery.

About half an hour later Jade lets us know that we have another thirty minutes of free time to explore, and Harper and I decide to journey across to the island.

We make it to the shallows, wading to the shore before sliding off our snorkel masks. I follow Harper’s lead as she drops down onto the sand and we sit, catching our breaths as the sun pours warmth down on us from above.

“You having a good time?” I ask her.

“Yeah,” she replies. Her smile falters, the light falling from her eyes. “I am.”

“Why do you suddenly look like you’re about to burst into tears on me, then?”

She drops her head between her bent up knees and chuckles. “I’m not. I’m okay. I just miss him.”

“You’ve only been away from Noah for like two hours.”

“I know!” She laughs. “Isn’t that crazy?”

“No,” I say, my tone serious as my eyes meet hers. “You’re a good mum.”

Harper grins at me, then her smile falls and her eyes turn glassy. “I’m sorry about your mum, Mackenzie.”

I inhale a sharp breath, swallowing down the overwhelming emotions that still threaten to arise at the mention of my mother. “Thanks.”

“I guess we like to think of our mothers as some sort of amazing superheroes, when in reality, they’re only human. Just like the rest of us.” She picks up a shell from the sand beside her, smoothing out its sides. “The truth is parents like to think they know what’s best, but they aren’t always as put together as they like to seem. Trust me, I am one.”

I laugh softly. “I guess I’m slowly learning to let go of the anger. As hard as it is to understand, in her own twisted way, she thought she was saving me.”

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