Something in the Water(54)

His demeanor changes instantly at the sound of the voice on the other end of the line. He relaxes.

“Oh, hello, you.” It’s his mum. Susan. I can tell by the way he says “you,” drawn out and playful. They’re sweet together.

I try to dig back into my research while he tells Susan all about the honeymoon. She knows we came back a bit early because of my “food poisoning,” but this is the first real chat they’ve had about our trip. I catch snippets. Sharks, massive rays, empty beaches, the helicopter trip, tans and relaxation. I don’t know how long the conversation goes on for, but I snap back to attention at a sudden change in Mark’s tone.

“They what?” He stands tense, transfixed in silence, his face tight, as her muffled voice repeats. He lifts his eyes to me. Something is up. Something is wrong.

He waves me over and I join him by the phone.

“Mum, here’s Erin. I’m going to put her on; tell her what you just told me? No, just tell her what you just said. Please, Mum, just—” He hands me the phone. I take it, confused, and raise it to my ear.

“Susan?”

“Oh, hello, love.” Her voice is mild and slightly confused by the situation. “I don’t know what Mark’s annoyed about. I was just saying about your honeymoon…”

“Oh?” I look back to Mark, leaning against the sofa now, as he nods me on.

“Yes, I was saying it’s lucky you got ill, really, because of the news yesterday—” She breaks off like I might know what on earth she is talking about.

“What news, Susan?”

“In the paper. What happened.” She pokes me toward understanding but I have no idea what she’s—

Shit. What news? I look at Mark. Is it the plane crash? Have they found the plane? Is it in the paper?

“Sorry, Susan. What’s in the paper?” I try to keep my voice steady.

“The accident. That poor young couple. I was saying it’s lucky you weren’t still out there, because I know you had an accident diving yourself a while ago and it’s such a dangerous sport. It’s lucky you weren’t out there too.”

Oh God. A couple. Are they okay?

“What exactly happened, Susan?” I signal to Mark to Google it.

“Er, let me think. Well, it was on Saturday the accident. I think I read it in The Mail on Sunday this morning. I’ve got it somewhere around here. I didn’t know you’d both be so interested. I mean, it’s terribly sad, of course. It is. Here, let me find it.” I hear her rustle around her paper-laden kitchen table as I look to Mark, his eyes now glued to the laptop screen.

He looks up at me—he’s got it, he’s found the story. He gestures to wrap it up with Susan. I hear her rustling and tutting at herself on the other end of the line. A muffled call of, “Graham, have you seen the Mail anywhere?”

I can’t wait for this. “Susan, Susan? It’s okay, don’t worry about it. I can look it up later.”

“Oh. Oh, okay, love. Sorry about that. It’s awful, isn’t it? I forget you might have met them. I can’t recall the names but a young couple. Very sweet looking. There was a picture. Sad for the family. Yes, I was saying to Mark it’s so lucky you weren’t out there then. Very sad. But I don’t want to spoil your nice memories, it sounds like you both had such a lovely time. Bring up the photos at Christmas, will you? I’d love to see them all.”

“Yes, definitely. Will do.” There’s a natural pause and I grab it. “Look, Susan, I should go. Sorry, it’s just I’ve left some pasta on and Mark’s left the kitchen. Can Mark call you tomorrow?”

Mark raises an eyebrow regarding the pasta. I shrug, What else can I say?

“Of course, love, don’t let me keep you. Yes, tell him I’m around in the evening tomorrow. I’ve got bridge in the morning, so late afternoon. Lovely. Bye then, love.”

“Bye.” I hang up and explode. “Fuck!”

“Come and take a look.”

I plop down next to him on the sofa and we scan the articles in horror.

BRITISH COUPLE KILLED IN SCUBA-DIVING INCIDENT IN BORA BORA, The Guardian. DEATH IN PARADISE, The Mail on Sunday. BRITS’ SCUBA DEATH TRAGEDY, the Sun.

It’s not front-page stuff but most of the papers have covered it.





BRITS’ SCUBA DEATH TRAGEDY


     A British couple drowns while scuba diving together in Bora Bora after panicking underwater and removing their breathing gear


A BRITISH couple has died in a tragic scuba-diving accident while on holiday in the French Polynesian island of Bora Bora this week.

Daniel, 35, & Sally Sharpe, 32, died after the accident off the luxury resort island of Bora Bora. The couple were diving together along with their hotel resort dive instructor in a world-renowned scuba spot in the South Pacific when the incident occurred.

According to eyewitnesses the couple panicked, removing their breathing gear while eighteen meters underwater at the Four Seasons dive site.

A police spokesperson for the island said the couple had swallowed mouthfuls of seawater, while an autopsy later showed their lungs were also filled with water.

There were no signs of foul play, a local news website reported.

The Medical Examiner’s Office examined the equipment worn by the couple and experts concluded there were no problems with any of the dive equipment but that both of the Brits’ primary air tanks were empty.