Chapter 13 #2
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Lockie’s face. There’s a flicker of surprise, maybe even disappointment? Probably just because I’m not sticking to the plan.
Before anyone can say another word, Honey sidles up to Lockie, twirling a strand of hair.
‘We could be partners?’ she says, batting her eyes. ‘I’m, like, really bad at, like, building things. Or… most things. But I’ll try?’
Surely no one could say no to that smile, even if she sounds like she’ll be more of a hindrance than a help.
Lockie wraps an arm around her to reassure her.
‘Don’t worry. You’ll do great,’ he says.
The voice booms again. ‘Today, you’ll be building camp beds. The first two couples to finish get to keep their beds. The couple who comes last will return their materials and sleep on the sand.’
‘Oh, brilliant,’ Tony mutters, rolling his eyes. ‘So I’ll mess up my hands building, or my back sleeping on the sand again.’
Camilla glares at him – I think she’s just realised they’re going to have to work together.
‘But, if we’re a team, and you’re going to need to do the work, and you won’t…’
Wow, she’s so entitled.
‘I’ll try,’ Tony says. ‘We both have to try…’
‘But they both have an alpha,’ she replies. ‘It just seems unfair, that I’m the only one who doesn’t get an alpha.’
‘Who’s Ann Alpha?’ Honey asks, looking around.
Camilla gives her a look like she’s just asked if that big light in the sky was a big lamp. ‘No, darling, alpha male,’ Camilla tells her. ‘Like… the strongest, most dominant male.’
‘Ohhh.’ Honey’s mouth forms a perfect O shape. ‘Yeah, ’kay, I don’t know what that is.’
Lockie reaches forward to get some water from the pan over the fire and Honey quickly grabs his hand.
‘That handle gets hot,’ she warns him. ‘Be careful.’
Lockie smiles.
‘Aww, you’ve got my back already,’ he tells her.
‘Okay, well, pineapple and water for everyone,’ Ozzy says. ‘Then we can get started.’
We have to boil our water, that we get from a nearby stream, before we can drink it. It’s weird, if you drink it before it’s properly cooled, it feels more drying than hydrating.
Then it’s time to take our positions for the challenge.
There are three stations on the beach with materials stacked up ready to be used.
We’re assembling wooden camping beds, but not like IKEA flat-pack; it’s just cut wood that you hammer together.
At least the part we lie on is a stretchy, elasticated sheet that is held in place – well, if you do a good job.
We’re making two single beds each and, like I said, all being well, I won’t be here later tonight.
But… good to bag myself a bed, just in case.
Ozzy instantly takes charge of ours, his muscles flexing as he hits pieces of wood together with a casual expertise. I mostly just hand him things. He barely needs me, to be honest, but we’re a team.
Looking over, I can see that Lockie and Honey are floundering, though he’s doing his best to take the lead. Honey stands beside him with a hammer, squinting at the wood like she’s not sure which end is which.
Meanwhile, Tony has sat down on a pile of planks.
‘I don’t do manual labour,’ he announces.
‘For God’s sake, do something,’ Camilla shrieks at him, but he’s too busy inspecting his nails to see if he’s dinged his manicure.
I almost feel bad for her. And for him. Almost.
Ozzy is halfway through tying off our second corner when Lockie glances over.
‘Looking good, mate,’ Lockie calls. ‘Especially with that spider on your neck.’
Ozzy freezes.
‘What?’
‘There.’ Lockie points vaguely. ‘Oof, it’s a big one. Do they bite here?’
Ozzy jerks sideways so fast he nearly topples the whole bed frame. His hammer slips and lands on his toe. I swear I hear the crack.
I wince.
‘Are you okay?’ I check.
His jaw tightens and his eyes bulge. For a second, I think he’s going to explode. But then I watch him visibly shove the pain somewhere deep inside, forcing a smile back on to his face.
‘Jokes like that aren’t funny in the wild,’ he tells Lockie. Then he turns to me. ‘I’m all good, barely felt a thing.’
Lockie’s smirk falters. Just slightly.
Ozzy gets right back to it, finishing our bed like nothing happened, and sure enough, we’re the first couple to finish.
‘Congratulations, Ozzy and Cleo! You’ve won your beds.’
Ozzy takes me by the waist and lifts me clean off the ground with ease, spinning me in a victory twirl. I squeal before I can stop myself, heat rushing to my cheeks.
I notice Lockie’s eyes are on us. Unamused.
Second place goes to Lockie and Honey, whose half-crooked beds somehow hold together well enough.
Tony and Camilla… well, they’re still sitting on a pile of wood, glaring at each other.
‘Sorry, Tony and Camilla,’ the booming voice declares. ‘You’ll be returning your materials to the hatch. No bed for you tonight.’
Camilla looks like she’s mulling over the idea of rage-quitting the show. Tony shrugs and mutters something about a combination of sand and sunburn exfoliating his skin.
‘Let’s try them out,’ Ozzy suggests.
Currently the beds are side by side. What usually happens, when people couple off, is that they push their beds together to make a double. Ozzy gives them a nudge closer together, but not quite touching, before we lie down.
‘See? We make a good team,’ he says. ‘We should stick together.’
He’s sweet. He’s handy, as my gran would say. He’s objectively gorgeous. But as he beams at me, all I can think is: I’m not here to take part. I’m not here to find someone. I’m a prop, an understudy drafted into the mix before the real stars arrive.
Still. I can’t deny it. That was… fun, for me at least. I’m not sure Lockie is having as much fun, the look on his face speaks volumes. What is it saying, though? I have no idea.