Page 45 of Dublin's Danger Dancer

As we ascend the ramp. I hear the click clack of stilettos and see Tanya’s long blonde hair flitting about in the wind, creating a cascade over her face.

“Ciara,” she calls, doing her best to run towards me in her four-inch neon pink stilettos carrying a mason jar of what appears to be an ombre blue and red cocktail.

I drop Liam’s hand and walk towards Tanya in my much simpler white and blue striped espadrilles tied up at the ankles.

“You look great,” she says. “I’m feeling the very nautical vibe.” She kisses me on the cheek and I can already smell the scent of gin on her breath.

“How long have you been here?” I ask.

“Oh, we arrived yesterday. Freddie wanted to show me around the town. It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” she says, fanning her arms around the bay of Estepona. ‘Did you know Cilla Black used to live here?"

I’m surprised she knows who Cilla Black is. The Blind Date game show was way before her time.

“I mean, I didn’t know who that was before Freddie told me. But then he showed me a photo. And she looked so cute, like a little squirrel.”

I imagine Cilla Black turning in her grave.

“I’m going to see Freddie,” Liam interjects, waving hello to Tanya. Liam ascends the stairs, leaving Tanya and I.

“See, there’s nothing to worry about! Freddie’s been the perfect gentleman. He only asked me for a hand job last night.”

I repress the need to dole out advice to Tanya while suppressing a cough building in the back of my throat.

My hands reach around the railing of the boat as the cough builds, threatening to cut off my air supply. Tanya asks if I’m okay.

Seagulls are sweeping above and I’m trying desperately to catch my breath, but it’s not working. I bought my medication but couldn’t remember if I took it correctly.

“Liam!” Tanya screams, “Liam! Liam, Ciara is choking!” Liam dashes up to the deck of the yacht before I know what’s happening, his gripping me under the ribs in the Heimlich manoeuvrer.

“I’m okay,’’ I say, gasping. “I just swallowed some sea air or something,” I say, getting my breath back.

“You scared me,’’ he says, turning my head towards him with both hands. In his eyes, I see genuine affection. This is the first time I feel a bit sorry for toying with his emotions.

“Oh my god,’’ says Tanya. “I really thought you were going to die.”

Freddie emerges from steps below with a martini glass, munching on a pimento stuffed olive.

“Are you okay there?” he asks with no sincerity in his voice.

“I’m fine.” I say.

“Well, that’s good, ‘’ he says, laughing. “Now everyone is here. I can tell the captain we are ready to set sail.”

“Ah!’’ Tanya screams. “We are going to Morocco!”

“Come,” says Liam “let me show you down to our room,” Liam pulls me by the hand as we cast off. The capped green shell shaped mountain behind us.

I follow him down a galley of stairs to a whitewash corridor with butternut wood planks.

“You’re not seasick, are you?” he asks.

“Maybe. I‌ don’t think I’ve ever been on a boat.”

“Never been on a boat and call yourself Irish. Impossible.”

He opens the door to a room. There’s a huge king-size bed in the centre, surrounded by enough space for another bed on either side. The walls are painted white with flecks of gold. I step inside, breathing in the smell of fresh lemon.

“Are you sure you’re okay? After your cough?”

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