Page 23 of Sun, Sea and Spotted Squid

Wolfgang seemed horrified. “Your mother? I will never understand the English.”

“We’re all talk,” Sam admitted. “Honestly, I don’t really have Astrid or Maria’s confidence. I pretend well.”

After paying for the postcard, they escaped the packed market and stepped onto the pavement.

“I think you could get Ruben if you wanted,” Wolfgang said suddenly.

Sam blinked. Did he detect a hint of jealousy?

“I don’t think that would be a very good idea, do you?” Sam replied lightly. “He’s lovely though. Maybe in another life, I’d have gone for it.”

Wolfgang’s expression darkened instantly. “I think it’s inappropriate, the way he is around all of you,” he said sharply. “We’re here to learn, not to fall into bed.”

The bitterness in his voice surprised Sam. For once, Wolfgang had completely failed to hide his feelings.

Now Sam had to work out exactly what had caused that reaction: Ruben wanting him…or the possibility that Sam might want Ruben back.

NINE

The boat bumped along the surf as Miguel steered them through the waves toward the next set of coordinates. Sam and Wolfgang were becoming used to hanging on while the engine powered them across the water. What had once been a vague assignment now felt like a process of elimination, and despite his early concerns, Sam had become unexpectedly invested in finding the squid.

Even Wolfgang, who stretched out on the bench soaking up the sun, seemed more determined than ever. His pale skin had begun to take on a faint tan.

“The whole thing is a hoax, Miguel,” Sam shouted over the engine.

“What do you mean?”

“That you didn’t have anything else for us to do, so you sent us out here looking for a squid that’s probably in Costa Rica or something.”

Miguel threw his head back and laughed. “You are a funny guy, Sam,” he said, clapping him on the shoulder. “I released the first ones myself. Trust me. We need to hope they have been breeding.”

Wolfgang remained silent, eyes closed against the sun. Sam probably watched him for longer than he should have. Astrid’s voice echoed in his head, suggesting he “get out more,” but dating apps and bars had never appealed.

The engine cut and the boat drifted.

“Shall we forget the squid and catch some rays?” Sam joked.

Wolfgang immediately sat up, the boat rocking slightly. “We will find those squid if it’s the last thing we do.”

He began preparing the equipment. They had progressed to scuba gear, and Sam still found it surreal—this was exactly what he had studied for: real marine research in open water. Even more surreal was how much he enjoyed doing it alongside Wolfgang.

Miguel checked his watch. “Forty minutes below, then lunch.”

“Sounds good,” Sam said. “I’ll time it.”

With their masks on, they slipped into the sea.

The underwater world was silent and vast. Rock formations spread across the seabed, and fish of every colour darted between them. Wolfgang swam ahead, tapping Sam’s arm and pointing toward something in the distance.

An old fishing boat lay half-sunken against a rocky outcrop.

They moved toward it together. A jellyfish drifted upward nearby, its pale body edged in blue. Fish flurried through broken windows as they approached the wreck. Bright red sea stars clung to the hull, making the scene almost unreal.

They explored the interior and found nothing—only limpets and rusted equipment. Sam checked his watch. Thirty minutes already gone.

He signalled to Wolfgang, and together they began their ascent.

They broke the surface at the same time.