by Carol Wyer
‘Go on,’ urged Mercedes. ‘When what? You’re hiding something.’
‘No. It’s nothing,’ said Charlie, attempting to avoid Mercedes’ intense gaze.
‘Tell me immediately, or I vill set zee dog on you!’ she said.
‘It’s nothing.’
‘I can tell by your face it’s not nothing. Do you want me to shine a light on you and torture you, or are you going to tell your best friend what happened?’
Charlie took a deep breath. ‘I was a bit frightened about doing the open dive and he managed to take my mind off it. He coaxed me down. That’s all.’
Mercedes stared at her friend. ‘There’s something else. Spill the beans. You don’t keep stuff from me. We trust each other.’
Mercedes was right. Over the last few years they had become very close. Mercedes knew all about her life with Gavin and Amy and had done so much to help her find her way again.
‘You’ll laugh when I tell you,’ Charlie paused. ‘I had a bad experience with a shark when I was very young and I’m a bit scared of sharks. In fact, I’m pretty terrified of them. I also hate swimming or water.’
‘Oh my goodness! Why didn’t you tell me about this? I’d never have made you go through with the challenge. Oh Lord! I’ve been making jokes too about sharks. What happened to make you so scared of them?’
Charlie explained the incident in the dinghy. It was the first time she had voiced the events that occurred when she was a child to anyone, even Alistair didn’t know what had happened.
Mercedes sat in silence. When Charlie finished, she drew up to her and patted her on the hand. ‘You should’ve told me. I would’ve understood. We’ll pull the challenge. It’s no big deal. I can come up with something else.’
‘No, don’t pull the challenge. If I’ve learned one thing from you, it’s to face up to seemingly insurmountable challenges. You’re the bravest person in the world. Not only have you overcome your physical problems but also the mental ones that accompanied your injuries. I can remember the frightened woman who’d given up on life – the one who blubbed in hospital, with good reason – the one whose life had been destroyed. She picked herself up and not only learned to lead a normal life again but stayed amazingly cheerful. You laugh at everything and never let what happened to you get you down. If you can deal with all the shit that was thrown your way, I can get over some daft incident that happened years ago.’
Mercedes looked down. ‘Some days I’m not brave or funny. Recently I keep wanting to cry and scream at the same time. I threw a saucepan across the kitchen the other day for no good reason other than I felt like it. I scared Bentley and then I felt horrible. I get fed up always having to make an effort. Everything is difficult and some days it can be frustrating, but as you know, life is short – sometimes much shorter than you’d like, so we should grab every opportunity. There are days when I loathe this wheelchair with every fibre of my being but it’s been thanks to you, Ryan, my family, friends and dear little Bentley that I’ve come to terms with it all. This is who I am. For whatever reason, I ended up like this and I can cope. When it gets hard, I think of all the people in my life. I’m blessed to know them and I have lots to look forward to. So do you. I don’t want you to do something that will petrify you or harm you, but if you can overcome this, you’ll feel fantastic. I do, every time I achieve something. However, if you want change your mind about doing the challenge, I’ll understand.’
Charlie held her friend’s hand tightly. ‘I’ll do it and we’ll save the radio station. It’s not for me. It’s for everyone who enjoys working there and for all of those who feel better for listening while they’re in hospital. If it hadn’t been for that station, we’d never have met.’
‘Enough of this sloppy stuff. Shall I break open the wine?’
Charlie giggled. ‘Tea’s fine. I don’t want to get too blotto. I need a clear head for the dive tomorrow.’
Mercedes manoeuvred her chair so she could fetch the milk from the fridge. Bentley was asleep, tired from playing ball in the park. His legs suddenly shot out and he made whimpering noises.
‘Oh bless him,’ said Mercedes. ‘He’s having a little doggy dream. I wonder what he dreams about. Maybe he’s chasing his ball, or a cat.’
‘Or chasing after you in your chair. No wonder he’s pooped. I’ve never seen a small dog run so fast trying to keep up with its owner.’
‘It gives us both a workout,’ replied Mercedes, looking down at Bentley. ‘Got to live up to my name. I’m thinking of getting a Mercedes-AMG C 63 badge for my wheelchair.’ She laughed. ‘Isn’t he adorable?’
Bentley snuffled and turned over in his bed where he continued to snore gently.
‘So, do you think Gordon’s a goer or do you think he has a large supply of Viagra?’
‘Mercedes! I don’t even want to think about that,’ Charlie replied, a smile playing on her face in spite of her comment.
‘You know,’ scoffed Mercedes, pouring the tea, ‘you should really consider joining a convent.’
Fifty
Charlie arrived in plenty of time for her dive. It was taking place after the aquarium shut to the general public and only the divers and their friends would be allowed in. Mercedes had arranged for Charlie to meet Heather Lock, the journalist from the Evening Gazette for an interview ahead of the dive.
They waited by the entrance to the aquarium. Charlie spent the time trying to stop her hands from shaking. Mercedes was attempting to do a wheelie in her chair and take Charlie’s mind off the event. Charlie had barely spoken all trip, in spite of Mercedes’ best efforts.
‘What time is it?’ asked Charlie.
‘This is the fifth time you’ve asked me,’ said Mercedes, giving up on her wheelie. ‘It’s a minute later than the last time you asked me. Hang on, there’s a car pulling into the car park right now. I bet that’s her. I’ll go off and powder my nose inside while she conducts the interview. I also need to phone Sean. Good luck. Hope she’s nice.’
Charlie read the notice by the entrance for the twentieth time. She still had no idea what it said. ‘Breathe,’ she told herself.
A man strode towards her from the car park. He carried a notepad. Charlie groaned.
‘Before you say a word. I didn’t plan this. I didn’t even know I was going to do this story until a few hours ago. Heather had to go off last minute to interview a politician who’s suspected of having an affair, and I was called in. I didn’t want to come and I knew it would annoy you, but they had no one else. Besides, I figured if I didn’t come, no one else would write about it and then you wouldn’t get the publicity you need. And deserve,’ he added.
Charlie glared at Jake. ‘Okay. I’ll speak to you but let’s keep this professional.’
‘Of course,’ replied Jake. ‘I had no intention of doing otherwise. You okay?’
‘I’m fine,’ she said.
‘You look pretty nervous. I can’t blame you. I’d be nervous,’ he said checking his pockets for a pen. ‘Ah, here it is. Shall we start, Miss Blundell?’ He grinned at her. She felt a flicker of warmth in her stomach. Traitor. She ignored her body’s responses instead adopting an icy attitude.
‘So, let’s go through the whole Challenge Charlie idea. Maybe you could tell me how it all started.’
Charlie gave him the facts, aware that he kept looking into her eyes while still managing to take notes. She reminded herself that he was a cad and, gritting her teeth, she answered his questions.
‘One last thing, I received some background information for this interview,’ he said, putting his pad into his jacket pocket and running his hand through his hair. ‘Was your maiden name Asquith by any chance?’
‘Yes, it was,’ said Charlie, suddenly wary of this line of questioning.
‘Ah,’ he said and nodded knowingly. ‘Then, that’s perfect.’
‘Why? What are you up to?’
‘Nothing untoward. It’s just that Heather was Googling about sharks and discovered some o
ld news items. One was about a small girl called Charlotte Asquith who almost drowned when a shark leapt into a dinghy and I put two and two together.’
Charlie froze. There was a cough beside her.
‘Hi. I’m Mercedes. I’m the reason Charlie is here. You must be Heather. Funny, I had you down as a blonde in a tight black skirt.’
Jake laughed. ‘Yes, I’m Heather but you can call me by my nickname, Jake, and I’m afraid my legs let me down as far as skirts go. Hairy knees.’
‘I hear waxing can fix that,’ Mercedes responded with an ever-widening smile. ‘We’ve met before, haven’t we?’
‘You were gorging on ants and trying to make yourselves go blind by drinking absinthe, as I recall.’
‘I thought I recognised you. You were at Alton Towers, too. You were wearing that very same leather jacket and sat next to Charlie on the roller coaster ride. In fact, now I come to think about it, I think I’ve even noticed you in my local post office. Now, I must tell you, I’m sorry, but I’m a married woman. As gorgeous as you are, I have promised to stand by my man.’
Jake laughed. ‘I was visiting an ex-colleague from bygone days. It was his suggestion that we dined at Archipelago. Recently, I moved into a new house to be closer to my son’s school. I guess it’s in your neighbourhood if you’ve seen me about. I’m heart-broken that you won’t consider me as potential sugar daddy material but I quite understand.’ He waggled his eyebrows at Mercedes.
Charlie interrupted their conversation. ‘You know about the shark episode?’
Jake turned back to her. ‘Yes, but I haven’t said anything to anyone. I expect it was traumatic for you. But it gives this story a whole new angle. It should make it more front page than back. I hope you don’t mind if I include it.’
‘Do you?’ asked Mercedes.
‘I don’t know. Do I want people to know I’m scared witless of sharks? That I tremble, shake, can’t breathe and almost wet myself with fear?’
‘You won’t feel that way after today. You’re about to prove that anyone can face a fear, no matter how big it is, and get over it,’ Jake explained. ‘You’re an example for others.’
‘Exactly my thoughts,’ said Mercedes, looking up at Jake, a smile on her face.
‘Okay. I s’pose so. I don’t know. I just want to get this over with.’ Charlie shook her head to try and get some coherent thoughts in place. She was too worked up to even argue with him or tell him what a jerk he was. ‘Do it. I can’t think about it at the moment. I’ve got to go to a meeting and get ready. I need to prepare myself.’
‘Of course you do. Go ahead. You’ll be fine. Honestly, you will. I’ll watch, if I may. There’s a terrific wall-to-ceiling glass window. We can see everything from there. So we can both be with you, in a sense. Is that all right with you, Charlie?’
Mercedes was making strange faces and nodding like mad. She seemed to have taken a shine to Jake in spite of everything she knew about him.
‘Whatever,’ mumbled Charlie.
Charlie left Mercedes talking to Jake in animated tones. She had no time to consider Jake, or the story he wanted to run. It was time to dive with the monsters.
Fifty-One
There were several people in the briefing room. Charlie was surprised at the number. Were they all mad? Young and old were sitting listening attentively to the instructor, some looking wary and others with excited expressions plastered over their eager faces. Charlie was drawn to the woman and young girl seated next to her. The girl was little more than twelve. Her mother was petite with dark hair. She smiled the entire time and occasionally patted her daughter’s hand with affection. Thoughts of Amy surfaced and Charlie wondered if Amy would ever have fancied taking on such a challenge herself. Her inner voice told her Amy most certainly would. It was a pity she never had the chance to.
Charlie barely heard the safety briefing. All she picked up was that the sharks got fed every few days and that this was not one of those days.
She had been chosen to go in the first team of four with the young girl, her mother and a man who seemed confident. He talked non-stop about a group of barracuda he had eyeballed during a dive. They were told to go backstage to get kitted up.
‘Hi, I’m Mandi. This is my daughter, Melissa.’
‘Hi. Charlie. Nice to meet you both.’
The girl acknowledged her. She was bright-eyed with excitement.
‘Nerve-wracking isn’t it? I don’t know why Melissa isn’t more scared. I’m so proud of her. She’s only thirteen. She only became PADI certified this year. I wish I’d been more adventurous when I was her age. The most exciting thing I used to do was go roller-skating or hang upside down on the climbing frame in the park. Kids today. So different.’
Charlie nodded dumbly. Melissa was busy putting on her suit. Mandi squeezed into her suit too, chatting all the while. Charlie was grateful. It helped to focus on something other than her nerves.
‘So, I guess you’ve not done this before?’ Mandi asked.
‘No. It’s a challenge. I’m doing it for charity.’
‘Good on you. I hope you raise lots of money. At least it’s not as tiring as running a marathon, eh?’
They were requested to leave their fins off; only the safety divers would be wearing them. Instead they were weighted to ensure that they stayed down in the water. Three safety divers, equipped with spears, dropped into the tank.
‘I hope we don’t need those chaps,’ said Mandi. ‘Still, better they’re there. I wouldn’t go in alone.’
They made their way to the tank. The man was first to go in. He descended quickly. He was followed closely by Mandi.
‘If she doesn’t come in by herself, throw her in!’ she told the instructor. But having given Charlie a big smile, Melissa donned her regulator and jumped in right behind her mother.
Charlie’s heart thumped wildly in her chest. She gave herself no time to think and, following Melissa, she jumped in, sinking immediately down into the huge tank. She landed at the bottom.
Charlie was acutely aware of an urgent drumming in her ears. The noise threatened to deafen her. She couldn’t move. Even if she had the wherewithal to make an emergency ascent she was unable to. Her feet were weighted down, rendering her immobile. The bubbles of air that had been floating above her head like silver balloons ceased as she held her breath, transfixed by the sinister grey shape that was now focusing on her. If she weren’t so terrified she might have admired the enormous shark. However, it had fixed its glassy stare on her and was headed towards her, not at speed, but at a teasing, leisurely pace, biding its time before deciding to rip into her flesh. She didn’t take in the sparkling white underbelly of the creature or the power of the muscular tail as it effortlessly guided it through the water. All she could see were row upon row of razor-sharp teeth all grinning at her.
Breathe, Charlie, she thought, willing every muscle in her body to relax. Her vice-like grip on her regulator was making her jaw ache. Remember, stay calm. Don’t show it fear. The voice in her head continued to attempt to placate her in vain as Charlie suddenly and uncontrollably began to shake. The shark picked up its pace. Why, oh why, did I allow myself to get into this situation?
More sharks appeared. They arrived from nowhere. They circled the group. Charlie saw teeth – hundreds and hundreds of teeth. Her mind screamed silently at her to escape, then she noticed Melissa. The girl appeared transfixed by the beauty of the creatures. She was admiring them, trying to attract her mother’s attention to share the experience with her. The sharks swam above them yet the duo were unperturbed. As if a magic hand had pressed an invisible button, so the sharks were unaware of the divers. They drifted off into the water in search of more interesting sights. Other fish came into view, all different shapes, sizes and colours. She noticed the flashes of colours on the smaller fish as light reflected from them and marvelled at how nature could succeed in painting the small creatures with such rich hues. Charlie felt a serenity she had not experienced before
. She was aware of her breathing. It was no longer ragged. It came in relaxed intakes and lengthy exhalations, making her feel more relaxed than she had in years.
The sharks continued to swim overhead. They seemed completely at ease with the intruders in their world. They did not advance on the group and no longer seemed threatening. Their ever-present grins were no longer terrifying. In fact, they seemed no more frightening than the other curious fish that darted about. They were not going to attack. Charlie knew it. She could sense it. This underwater world was harmonious.
Mandi and Melissa sat together on the floor of the tank, searching for something. Charlie found she had regained feeling in her limbs and joined them. She saw what they were looking for. It would make a fantastic memento for the young girl. She picked up the object from the floor. It was a white shark’s tooth. She handed it to Melissa. As she did so, a large shark hovered overhead as if watching them, then with a powerful flick of its tail swam away.
The dive over, the group exited the tank. The euphoria was palpable. Charlie hugged Mandi, Melissa and Darren, the man who had made up their little group, and all the team, safety divers and all. Babbling at the same time, they discussed the sharks they had spotted before returning their equipment and heading to the changing rooms to shower. As they left the shark-diving area, each was awarded a certificate and photographs of the experience and then one by one they proudly exited to join those who had come to watch them.
Fifty-Two
Back at the entrance hall, Charlie discovered Mercedes in conversation with a man holding a microphone. A television camera was set up and manned. They noticed her as she came in. Mercedes backed away. The man lifted his microphone.
‘And so, this is Charlie Blundell. The lady who was once attacked by a shark, lived to tell the tale and has now overcome a lifelong fear to take up a challenge to save a hospital radio station,’ said the man.
