Something’s pulling me down it’s–no–fuck–my own weight, I have to kick against, if I just double on the effort to shove Hope above the surface, and her stupid mermaid Barbie, then I can work my legs and–BREATH! Ocean spray!
‘—MAMAANDYOULEFTMEDROWNYTHIRSTY–’
‘I’m sorry, I’m sorry, hey.’ I kiss Hopey’s wet cheek, like a cold sloppy piece of chicken breast pulled from a bucket of water. I give a couple hard kicks. We’re in danger of bashing against the boat. The swell is wilder than I expected. It’s not a gradual rise, onto this island. The rocks just emerge out of the harbour depths.
‘—MAMAASAIDGRANNYMUMSHINETAKEMETOMCDONALDSANDSHEDIDN’T AND–’
‘Vent, girl, vent. It’s all good. Here.’ I swim around her, grab her right arm, force her to grab me around the neck from behind. ‘I’ll do the swi
