Sunday

"Sara, wake up."

Sofia's voice got into Sara's sleep and made her open her eyes.

"Huh?" Did she have a nightmare? She couldn't remember. Not if she had or if she dreamed anything else.

"Time to get up, breakfast time."

"What time is it?"

"Quarter to seven."

"Why do I have to get up this early?"

"Because you want to see the dolphins. Or do you prefer to stay in the hammock and not see them?"

"Can I have a deal?"

"How would this deal look like?" Sofia laughed.

"We stay a little bit longer here, wake up slowly, take the breakfast with us, eat on the boat and we're back on our time schedule – the one I didn't know we have it."

"Okay."

"Thanks." Sara yawned and blinked. "I slept wonderful." What a great feeling to have real sleep after a few nights with bad no sleeps.

"You snored."

"I didn't."

"You did. Not loud but cute."

"Leave me alone." She tried to turn but it wasn't possible.

"You didn't snore the nights before if that makes you happy."

"I don't snore at all!"

"Then there had to be somebody else around last night. Maybe a snoring turtle? Or a coughing dolphin?"

"You're mean I don't like you anymore."

"Yes you do. And I like you."

Bang, the stupid stone was hot again. Sara grumbled, opened the knot and threw the stone in the sand.

"What are you doing?"

"I got rid off the stone."

"Why?"

"Because it's annoying."

"So am I you say all the time and you don't throw me away."

"I tried that last night but I fell with you. I'll throw you off the boat later."

"Little grumpy diver."

"Leave me alone!"

"All right." Sofia chuckled, left the hammock and picked up the stone. "I'll prepare our breakfast. You've ten minutes before the boat will leave, skipper."

"Whatever." Sara turned and closed her eyes. She didn't snore! Sofia must have dreamed that. Nobody ever told her she snored. And this stupid stone. Sara didn't want it anymore. She didn't want something that got hot around her neck anymore, she wanted to live like before. No voodoo. Not even non existing voodoo.

Because she was given a time she arrived two minutes too late at the boat. Something Sofia only noticed with a smile when she handed Sara a fresh coffee.

"Thanks." Sara grumbled.

"Oh Sara." Sofia laughed out loud. "Stop being grumpy, you'll swim with dolphins soon. And you're a diver."

"And I snore."

"I'm sorry but you did. Like a little teddy bear. Come on teddy, we leave." Sofia untied the knots and started the engine of her boat. It was two by five yards and had a ladder at the back to get easier on board when you were in the water. A roof gave them some shade and the little fridge showed Sara, she would get some cold drinks.

"How far is it to the dolphins?"

"Half an hour. We need to get to the other side of the main island and then a few miles south."

"And we can dive there too?"

"Yes. But we'll go half a mile further in the ocean to a small island you only see when the tide is low. It's visible for an hour and not bigger than ten by ten. The perfect place for a lunch too."

"Sounds good to me."

"Then lean back and enjoy the trip."

"Ready?"

"Yes." Sofia checked her gear again. "You?"

"Yes. Wanna check?"

"Would you like me to check?"

"Yes. Better safe than sorry."

"Okay. Crosscheck." They checked each other. "You're ready to dive."

"Thanks and bye." With a smile Sara put on her mask and let herself fall backwards into the water.

"I'll get you sooner or later, Sara." Sofia put on her mask and followed Sara.

"I hugged a dolphin!" Sara's face was one huge smile. She had spent an hour with the dolphins. Swimming, playing and snorkeling, watching them.

"Yes."

"And they pulled me through the water. I always knew they are friendly but I never thought they are this friendly. I think I'm in love with all of them."

"And they are all love you."

"Yes. They are soo cute." Sara sighed. That had been the best hour of her entire life. "Did you take a photo?"

"No."

"No?" What did Sofia mean with she didn't take a photo? There was no photo of Sara and these wonderful animals? No memory?

"I took around five dozen photo of you and the dolphins, another four dozen only with dolphins and some of you with the ocean, the island and God only knows what else."

"I need a computer and a printer or a photo shop."

"How about some lunch first?"

"Yes. Where's your island?"

"There!" Sofia pointed east.

"Where?"

"There. Look closely."

Sara squinted her eyes. There was something. That was a molehill. They could be happy when they were able to pull the boat on top so that it wouldn't swim away. For the boat and them wasn't enough space on the tiny beach.

"Are you serious?"

"Yes."

"It's…"

"Remember what I told you? About the tide?"

"Right, so when will we see the whole island?"

"In one hour. We stop there now when we're ready to eat we'll have enough space to sit next to the boat and leave it there for half an hour while we go diving."

"Okay." Sara got the anchor and threw it onto the sand when they were next to the island. With a big step she was next to the boat and with that the island was full.

"I'd offer you a seat but there is none."

"That's all right. I sit on your lap."

"Only in your dreams."

"Beauty, I had you in my arms the whole night, to sit on your lap isn't better than that."

"Well Golden Treasure, just because you're smug it doesn't mean you're right or special."

"Does that mean you sleep with everybody?"

"You're the blonde not me."

"You insult me Sara. I'm the one in the boat, you're on a tiny island that won't give you a dry ass for more than one hour. You might want to reconsider your words."

"Get your sexy ass out the boat and don't forget my lunch."

"Sexy ass?" Sofia smirked. That was better.

"Ugly personality."

"Take the box." Sofia handed Sara a box with their lunch.

"This will be cozy."

"You like it cozy."

"Depends on with whom it will be cozy."

"Your favorite blonde." Sofia jumped off the boat straight in Sara's arms. "I missed you too, Beauty."

"I'm not your Beauty, only Rhys is allowed to call me that, Golden Treasure."

"You're allowed to call me Golden Treasure. A golden treasure is special and precious I like to be that for you."

"You're annoying."

"And you're grumpy. Nevertheless we're stranded on a tiny island."

"The good thing about this island is I only have to stay with you for a short while. Then the island is gone and we'd be shark bites."

"The more you try to push me away, the more you try to insult me Sara, the more I know you mean the opposite of what you say."

"That's a rumor."

"Of course." Sofia opened the box. The island grew with every minute more and it was enough space now for both to sit, feet in water.

"When we're back from our dive will the island then still be here?"

"Depends on how much time we need for lunch. It can be that it's gone but it shouldn't be a problem with the anchor. We won't stay longer than half an hour away. You know I checked on you a few times and I spotted only little things you have to change."

"Why don't you tell or show the next time right away? I want to learn and get better. There are some more licenses I want."

"Okay, stay close to me when we're down and I point a few things out. If you want I can give you a new book, for the next license."

"Oh yes, that way I can see what will be in the next test. When do you think can I make my next license?"

"Soon. But first enjoy the license you have, don't make too many in a short time. You need to get used to the water and it's dangerous to overdo it."

"I'll have a dive free day tomorrow and go back to snorkeling."

"Very good." Sofia gave Sara the bottle with the cold water. They didn't pack a big lunch, only a few sandwiches, water and some fruits. Same like for breakfast. The main meal would be dinner. Before that they'd get a fruit salad at the bar and talk a little bit with Rhys. It wasn't possible to be a day away from that bar.

"Sofia?"

"Yes?"

"Can I have the stone back?"

"Sure." Sofia pulled the stone out of her pocket. She had carried it with her in case Sara wanted it back. "Want me to knot it back around your neck?"

"Yes please."

Sofia knotted the leather strap around Sara's neck. Immediately Sara felt the warmth of the stone again. She sighed. Maybe she had to get used to it. Maybe it would stop one day. But she could just not wear it, it was a present from Rhys and it was important for him that she had it around her neck. She didn't want to disappoint him.

"Why do you sigh?"

"Because the stone is warm again and I'm not talking about body heat. It's ridiculous but sometimes the stone feels warmer and right now it does it again."

"Hot like it burns?"

"No, only warm. Warmer than a usual stone. It's your fault, do you know that?"

"Mine?" Sofia looked perplexed at Sara. Why was it her fault? What did she do?

"Yes. It likes to get warmer when you're around. I think this stone likes you and if it wasn't that important for Rhys that I wear it I'd give it to you."

"He gave it to you there's a reason why he did that. He didn't give you my stone."

"You don't have one. How's that?"

"Because he gave me this." Sofia lifted her arm to held up her wristband. "It makes sure I'm always alert and take care of me and the people around me."

"For the detective."

"The diving instructor. I'm responsible for my students."

"You're doing a great job."

"And I hope it stays this way. If your stone reacts to me there'll be a reason. Maybe you don't hate me that much, Sara.."

"I don't hate you, never have."

"You'll figure out what the stone wants to tell you sooner or later."

"Until then I make sure it doesn't burn my skin."

"It will never injure you, it's for protection."

"Shall we give it something to do and get prepared for the dive?"

"Okay. You choose where we want to dive. I don't know this area, have never dove here so stay close and be alert. I want us both back healthy and happy."

"I'm safe, I've a protection stone and a great diving instructor. Can't get better than that." Sara smiled and took the box back in the boat. Time to get ready for the last dive of the day.