The Reef (34 page)

The little boat with three aboard was low to the water and Isobel stretched out and peered beneath the surface, then sat up and pulled from a small locker two sets of fins and facemasks with snorkels attached.

Jennifer recoiled. ‘Oh no. No way!'

‘Couldn't be calmer. It's perfect. No current to speak of either,' said Gideon.

‘I'm not a good swimmer. I really didn't swim till I was a teenager and then just in a pool.'

‘It's very shallow here, perfectly safe. Jenny, all I am asking you to do . . . is look from here, like this.' Isobel spat in her facemask, swilled around some seawater, shook the mask and held it to the surface of the sea. ‘See the clarity, a little magnification but it is a window to a magic world.' She put the mask on her head, pulled on the flippers, swung her legs over the side and slipped into the water.

Holding on to the side of the hull, Isobel smiled up at Jennifer. ‘I want you to follow. Gideon will give you a line to hold on to. Just to get the feel of this.'

Jennifer desperately didn't want to disappoint Isobel, who smiled cheerfully as she bobbed beside the boat. But this was asking too much of her.

Gideon showed Jennifer the white nylon rope with a loop on the end. ‘You can hang on to this or put your arm through it. You saw how she treated the facemask, but first the feet.'

‘Gideon, I can't do this . . .'

‘You can. You're ready. Isobel would not bring you out here if she didn't believe you are. Trust her, Jennifer.'

Her hands were shaking as she pulled the plastic flippers onto her feet. ‘I can't move in these things. I'll trip, they feel so awkward.'

‘Sit on the side of the boat, hang your legs over
the side, let go and slide in. Try to move your legs as if you are walking and the flippers will keep your head above water. It's called treading water. Remember to spit into the facemask to stop it fogging up.'

I'm not going to do this.
But she copied what she'd seen Isobel do, pushed the facemask on her head and immediately opened her mouth, gasping for air as her nasal passages were blocked.

‘You can try the snorkel later. Just get a sense of this. I can haul you back in a flash.' He held up the rope reassuringly.

‘Don't go far, this won't take a minute. I'm in and then I'm out,' said Jennifer.

‘Push yourself out from the boat and just let go,' instructed Isobel. ‘I'm right here beside you.' She held out a hand.

There was nowhere to go. Jennifer closed her eyes, gulped a mouthful of air, shoved herself away from the boat and fell, clumsily, splashily, into the water. She bobbed below the surface but before she opened her eyes her head was out of the water and Isobel had her arm. The water was refreshing, it felt silky on her skin.

‘See how effortless you feel with the fins? Now, put your face to the surface, look through the mask.' Isobel still held her arm, her body close to Jennifer who had the rope from the boat looped around her wrist.

Jennifer stuck her face into the water. It was like opening a dirty window and seeing clearly what was outside. She saw her fins waving as she
trod in watery space. She saw the clearness of the water. And then – a ledge of coral, bright yellow-orange and olive green. It looked close enough to stand on. She pointed her toe but the flipper didn't reach. She lifted her head and gulped a mouthful of air.

‘It's not as close as it looks. Now come with me, do as I do. Trust me, Jenny.' Isobel took her hand and stretched out horizontally, ‘Swim with me, just kick one, two, three, slowlyyy . . .'

Jennifer instinctively kicked and felt her body surge forward with the power from the fins. Isobel kept pace then stopped.

‘Watch me, then we'll do it together.'

Before Jennifer could answer, Isobel took a breath, flipped down, her fins flashing out of the water as she did several strokes down towards the coral, then angled her body up, breaking the surface.

‘Ready?' She took Jennifer's hand and drew a breath as Jennifer did the same, and then they were both kicking down towards the colourful ledge. Jennifer felt her facemask press against her face but her initial sense of suffocating passed as the clear brilliance of the scene mesmerised her. The coral appeared to glow it was so bright. Small, dazzling-coloured fish darted in cheeky hide and seek. Seagrasses swayed like artful landscaping. Then she was being pulled up and was treading water again. Isobel grinned at her.

‘Ready to go down again?'

‘How long was I down there? It seemed ages.'

‘Seconds. We'll get the snorkels. If we swim a few metres over there the reef is higher and you can float and breathe and study it more closely.' She put the snorkel in place beneath the strap of Jennifer's facemask and showed her the mouth piece.

‘Bite on this, just breathe normally.' She adjusted her snorkel, put her face in the water and Jennifer heard her rasping breathing through the short plastic pipe. Isobel took out the mouthpiece and explained, ‘If you take in any water just blow it out – like a whale. Follow me.' She swam off and Jennifer followed, unsure but trusting, the rope held by Gideon floating behind her.

She wasn't sure when it happened, but Jennifer felt like she was lying on top of a waterbed, supported and safe, watching a movie, face-down. Occasionally she glimpsed Isobel's red swimsuit as she dived down below to look at something more closely. Jennifer was content to float on her front, gazing at the oceanic garden beneath.

Maybe it was because she was above and not below the sea, and it was calm and beautiful, that no ghosts or fears came to haunt her. She also felt she was only seeing the superficial picture, that to dive or be in the submersible would give her more of a sense of the excitement Tony had felt. She lifted her head and glanced around. She couldn't see Isobel, or the boat. Instantly she felt her throat constrict. A dozen horrific scenarios flashed into her mind – from the movie
Jaws,
to the report of divers abandoned by a dive boat, to her own
childhood nightmares. She pushed the mouthpiece away and started to swim, flailing with no thought to direction, and found she was crying out but her mouth was full of water. She had a sense of waves closing over her, as if night had fallen, that she was being pulled down into a dark and fearful place where bones and bodies lay.

She struggled, then a firm arm came from behind, across her chest and grabbed her under the armpit. ‘It's all right. Calm, Jenny . . . you're having a panic attack, take deep breaths . . .' Isobel's voice was strong, insistent. Isobel side-stroked, pulling Jennifer along until she caught her breath and freed herself.

Panting, she trod water and saw the boat behind Isobel. ‘God, what happened! I thought I was drowning, going down, something.'

‘It's not unusual. Stay still, reorient yourself.'

‘I want to get out.'

‘No! Stay here. Just a few moments. See, the water is calm, blue. The boat and Gideon are there. And down there . . . you can still see the colours. How lovely they are . . .' Isobel's voice was steady and soothing.

Gradually Jennifer caught her breath, her heart stopped racing and she was able to look down into the water once more.

By the time they swam to the boat and Jennifer handed Gideon her mask, snorkel and flippers while she was still in the water holding on to the life ring, she'd regained her confidence. Isobel pulled herself into the boat, then she and
Gideon reached over and both helped Jennifer on board.

‘I feel so clumsy with this bulging tummy,' laughed Jennifer.

‘She's laughing, this is good,' grinned Gideon. ‘Well done, girl. Well done.'

Isobel pulled up the anchor, Gideon set the sail and they tacked about.

They glided into the lagoon. ‘As soon as we're ashore someone put the billy on,' said Gideon.

‘I could definitely eat something,' sighed Jennifer.

‘Help yourselves. There're eggs, fruit, goats' cheese, good goats' milk too,' said Gideon.

This time Jennifer jumped over the side and waded ashore, carrying the bag that held the snorkelling gear. Isobel followed and they went to Gideon's house. As Jennifer dumped the soggy bag outside, Isobel hugged her.

‘I am very proud of you. You know what you did this morning?'

‘Something I never thought I would!'

‘There is no going back now, Jenny. You've crossed a line.' She tapped her head. ‘In here, you've made up your mind. And, if you wish, I can help you really start to uncover and use all that potential I know is inside. Use your brain, your heart, your life, to
do
something. Having a baby is wonderful and it will fulfil you in many ways as nothing else can. But, Jenny, children grow up and they leave. And you have to let them go. And then, then, you must have your life too. So start now.'

‘I wish my mother knew that.'

‘Eventually your mother will be your child, and you will be the mother. Live your life, explore, learn, love.' She smiled. ‘Now, let's have a real breakfast!'

Jennifer was concentrating at her computer, notes and tapes scattered around her. At first she didn't hear the tap at the door. Then she looked up, surprised to see Blair standing there.

‘So this is where you hang out?'

‘Sorry, I didn't hear you, come in. What's up?' Jennifer looked concerned.

‘Ah, nothing too important. Thought I'd stroll over and pass on a message from your mother.'

‘Oh no, what's up? Do you want a coffee? Come next door to Rudi's.'

He followed her next door to the lab. ‘Christina was quite perky. She wanted you to know she has a volunteer job, up at the hospital. Be handy for you, won't it?' He smiled and looked around the lab. ‘God, what goes on in here? All the aquarium tanks are empty.'

‘Not really. Rudi is studying the plants. Toxins, pollutants, genetics.'

‘Fascinating,' said Blair dryly. ‘Are you comfortable? Doyley reckons they rough it over here.'

‘Nice of you to worry. I'm fine. Tony, Isobel and I have what's called the VIP digs. I'll show you round if you like.'
Thank God I tidied up after my sail.
‘Hey, know what I did this morning? I went
for a sail, jumped overboard and snorkelled over the reef.'

‘You did! Whose boat? Not on
Kicking Back?
' He looked alarmed and Jennifer had the impression he was mad he might have missed out.

Deflated, she stirred the instant coffee. ‘No, Blair. I was out on the reef with scientists, not starlets.'

‘I didn't think you were into water sports. Thanks.' He took the mug of coffee from her. ‘Can I see around?'

‘Sure.'
Just dismiss the fact I jumped into the sea like it was no big deal.
‘I've got my honours research subject defined, which is great. A lot more observation and interviews to do.' She paused and, when he didn't ask, she explained, ‘I'm studying the breeding success of the green turtles on Branch Island.'

‘Oh, really. Listen, your mother also asked me to tell you that Vi and Don have let the house.'

‘Whatever for?'

‘Doing the nomad trek. Got a caravan and have hit the road. I think the plan is they get up here in time for the baby's arrival. When is it again?'

‘Oh Blair,' she sighed and almost smiled, ‘you're so interested, aren't you? The doctor tells me I'm four months gone. Do the sums. But how can Vi and Don just leave? What about his precious birds? Is the tenant looking after them?'

‘Ah, no. Seems someone pinched them. Don was a bit upset.'

‘Oh God, that's dreadful. He loved those birds. Who'd do that?'

Blair shrugged. ‘Dunno. They've let the house to pay for their trip. S'pose Vi thought it'd take his mind off it. So, show me round then.'

Jennifer led him outside. ‘That's the main lab, and that's Mac's house over there – he shares it with three of the postgrads.'

They kept walking, but Blair didn't seem interested in his surroundings. ‘So you could travel, move, in say seven months?'

‘Move? Where? I thought you were on a contract to stay here for a full eighteen months?' said Jennifer, feeling suddenly disturbed.

He shrugged. ‘I'm working on a promotion. I thought you'd be pleased. You weren't exactly crazy about this place.'

‘Blair, if you think those people – Fanzio and Holding – are going to jump you up the queue, I think you're mistaken. And I think you underestimate Rosie's capabilities.'

‘Listen, you be careful what you say to her. She's my boss, remember.'

‘She's my friend!'

‘So who's more important?' He stopped in the middle of the track and glared at her.

Jennifer bit back her angry retort and drew a long breath.
‘We
are supposed to be. You and me. We're going to be parents. We have a commitment together for life – no matter what happens.'

‘What's
that
supposed to mean?'

‘I don't know. I don't feel very settled, do you?
Please, let's not argue in the middle of the path.' She saw Kirsty and Rudi coming towards them and she turned away from the canteen to the end of the sandy road where the two double-storey units faced each other.

‘I'm up there. Do you want to see?'

‘I guess so. I'm here.' He followed her up the outside stairs. ‘So who else is in here?'

‘Tony has the place below and Isobel is across the street. At the moment she has both floors. The bottom is her office.'

Blair stuck his head in the door. ‘God, you've got less room than at our place.'

‘There's enough. I have the work space next to Rudi, we share meals at Mac's or the canteen, or I can eat at the resort. How are you managing?'

‘Oh, fine. At least our place gets serviced. This is going backwards, for God's sake. You lived better at uni in Sydney. You can't stay here with a baby.'