Page 91 of The Version You Hide

Her expression turns to one of discontent when she sees the giant sign that adorns the top of the building in front.

“Dylan, what the fuck.” She combs her hair back from her face, her hand pausing on her forehead. Her mouth gapes open as realisation dawns on her. “Daisy and Cyrus are not people, are they?”

I can’t help but chuckle at her reaction to the bold block letters that spell out the name of a place I frequent often. The Watercrest Marine Research Centre. “Not exactly.”

“If you’ve brought me here to show me a pair of sharks, Dylan, I swear to God,” she threatens, but the hint of a smile that creeps across her face hinders any intimidation.

“Not sharks,” I tell her. “I learned my lesson the first time. But there are sharks here if you want to see them. Behind glass of course.”

“Of course.” She offers a dramatic eyeroll as she shoves open the car door.

The rain has stopped for the time being, but the ground is still wet underfoot. The sun pries its way through the clouds overhead as we walk toward the aquarium’s main doors.

Jim, one of the head marine biologists rounds the front counter to meet us as we enter. “Dylan, my man! What’s up?” He slaps his palm in mine and pulls me in for a hug. “It’s so good to see you!”

“Hey, Jim. You too,” I say. “This is Mackenzie.” I place my hand on the small of Mackenzie’s back as she gives an awkward wave in greeting.

“Hi,” Jim says. “So, what brings you two up here today? You here to see Daisy and Cyrus?”

“Yeah,” I reply. “I know it’s been a couple of weeks since I’ve been here. Busy with work and all, but I wanted to introduce Mackenzie to them, if that’s okay?”

“Of course, man,” he replies. “We love having you here. And you know those two. They’re always up for visitors.”

He lets out a laugh, lifting his baseball cap to rake a hand through his unruly hair underneath.

“Thanks, man.”

“No worries. It’s perfect timing actually,” Jim adds.

“Feeding time?” I ask, throwing a glance Mackenzie’s way.

She’s playing it cool, but I have no doubt she’s freaking out on the inside.

“Absolutely,” he answers. “You know where everything is.”

“Thanks.”

I steer Mackenzie down the hallway in the direction of the supply room. In there, I gather a bucket and the feeding supplies we need to take with us to the pool out the back - a mixture of squid, prawns and crab meat.

Mackenzie doesn’t speak as I move around the small room, though she does watch me with a keen interest. I look up to find her giving me serious side-eye, to which I laugh. “It’s okay, Kenz. You’re not the food this time.”

“Ha ha.” She deadpans.

I can’t help but laugh again as I throw my arm around her shoulder and lead her to where Daisy and Cyrus live.

“Why are there no other people here?” she asks. “Isn’t this place open to the public?”

“It is, but this is the one day of the week that it isn’t.”

“How do you know the staff so well. Why do they just let you in here?”

“I’ve been volunteering here since I left the city,” I explain. “I help out with random jobs. Help keep the tanks clean and maintained.”

“And with feeding time?” She aims a sceptical glance my way.

“Sometimes.”

We reach the end of the hallway, stepping out into the daylight once again. I turn to gage her reaction to the large outdoor pool before us.

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