The Last Resort(29)

Brenda nods. ‘I just need to sit down for a minute.’

Scott has opened his eyes and pulled himself upright. ‘You need to come and join invalids’ corner, by the look of you. Care for a drink?’ He offers his water, although there is barely a sip left.

Brenda shakes her head but sits down next to him.

It looks to Tiggy like she might have hurt her leg. She seems a little fragile in her movements.

‘There was a small incident with a snake in a picnic basket,’ James says. He grins, and it’s clear he’s trying to lighten the mood. ‘It’s fine though, I used an incredible technique I saw on TV. Distract, grab and toss. I think I might patent the terminology.’

‘Jeez,’ Scott says, turning to inspect Brenda. ‘Was it poisonous? It didn’t bite you, did it?’

Brenda shakes her head, but it’s odd – she won’t look him in the eye. ‘Let’s get down to the beach. I could really do with a drink.’





Amelia

T - 14

‘Brenda’s right. We’re wasting time.’ Amelia taps her watch. It’s already T minus 14. ‘We’ve wasted hours sitting around here. We’re meant to be at the beach!’ She gathers the bones from the ground and shoves them into her bag. ‘We’ll look at these again down at the bar. Maybe Harvey can tell us where they came from. He’s surely due to check in on us again soon? He might already be there, and I’m sure he has medical supplies’ – she looks at Scott and Brenda, who are leaning against each other, still propped up against a rock – ‘for anyone who needs them.’

‘Yes, let’s go.’ James offers a hand to Scott. ‘Ready?’

‘Ready.’

He pulls Scott up, while Lucy does the same with Brenda. Tiggy picks up everyone’s backpacks and hands them around, helping Brenda on with hers. For a moment, no one is bickering. No one is complaining. They’ve become the group that they are supposed to be. Six strangers on an island – none of them with any real clue what they are doing there, but all ready and willing to accept the challenge.

The fact that there are seven of them has not escaped Amelia, but she’s certain Giles will be joining them soon, once he’s finished licking his wounds. She glances over at Tiggy and gives her a smile, and to her relief Tiggy smiles back. They haven’t quite clashed as such, but she hasn’t found a way to bond with her yet.

Hopefully a few drinks will help.

Lucy has taken the role of supporting Scott, who, after wincing a bit and a few muttered grumbles, is managing to walk down the uneven path – albeit slowly. Tiggy has linked arms with Brenda, and they both seem happy enough for the time being. Amelia takes the lead, with James following close behind, and as she looks down at the rocks, the waves gently lapping, leaving a slow trickle of foam, she can’t help but wonder if this is the calm before the storm. She hasn’t forgotten Tiggy’s words from earlier, about this all being some sort of reality TV thing. Because if it is, there will surely be another curveball for them to deal with soon.

James taps her on the elbow. ‘Let’s walk a little faster,’ he says, keeping his voice low.

Intrigued, Amelia picks up the pace and they walk together. ‘What’s on your mind?’

‘That snake,’ James says, still talking quietly. ‘I know I made a thing of it with Brenda, telling her it wasn’t poisonous and all. But I think it was. That documentary I mentioned? It was about the Florida cottonmouth. Not the most venomous snake in the world, but if its bite is left untreated, depending on the amount of venom released, and the size of the victim . . .’ He pauses. ‘Well, let’s just say it can have pretty nasty consequences.’

Amelia frowns. ‘But it didn’t bite her, right?’

‘So she says. But I don’t believe her. I know she’s in shock from it all, but she’s been acting weird since we brought her away from that place. Did you notice how she sat down next to Scott? She didn’t look comfortable.’

‘Why would she lie though? If she has been bitten, we need to call for help.’

‘I don’t know. Either she doesn’t want to make a fuss, or else she thinks it’s not a big deal – if it wasn’t a dangerous venom, maybe she thinks it’ll just itch a bit then go away.’

‘And it won’t?’

‘Not if it’s a cottonmouth bite, no.’

‘What would a snake like that be doing here, though?’

‘The only way it could be here is if someone put it here. On purpose.’

‘Oh God . . . and put it near where Brenda was having her little relaxation time. Hoping it would—’

‘Yeah. You don’t need to say it. I get the feeling that someone is messing with us.’

‘But it doesn’t make sense. We’re meant to be here for fun, not some sort of test, aren’t we? But Tiggy and Giles think it’s a game, don’t they? Maybe they’re right.’

James reaches up and pushes away an overhanging branch from a bent, withered tree. ‘I don’t know about that. I’m starting to think that some sort of test is exactly why we’re here. You know, there’s something else I didn’t tell you.’

Amelia turns, making sure the others are still far enough away. They are making progress, seemingly oblivious to her and James’s whispered conversation in front. ‘Go on,’ she says.