Free Colder Than Ice by Helen MacPherson Page B

tugged on Michela’s sleeve. “Is everything alright?”
    Michela
turned and blinked at Sarah. “At the moment, yes. But I need to speak
privately with Alli and I’m not looking forward to it.”
    “Knowing
the signs and symptoms of hypothermia is essential.” The look the
instructor gave Michela alerted her that he wasn’t happy with the interruption.
    Michela
shrugged at Sarah and they returned their attention to the lesson.
    MICHELA
FLOPPED DOWN onto her bed. “My God, I don’t believe we’ve been going all
afternoon. We haven’t even done anything physical and I’m already tired.”
    Sarah
reached across the span of the two beds and softly patted Michela’s leg.
“It’s probably the jet lag. We’ve only got two hours time difference to
cope with. You’ve got a day or more. You’ll be right by tomorrow.”
    Michela
gently removed the hand from its resting-place on her thigh and sat up. “I
never did thank you for that lead regarding Charlotte Finlayson. Without
Charlotte’s funding, this expedition would never have gotten anywhere.”
    Sarah
dismissively waved her hand. “Don’t thank me, thank my ex-girlfriend. If I
hadn’t mentioned it to her then I wouldn’t have been able to suggest it to you
in the first place.”
    Michela’s
attention strayed to the recent events between her and Natalie and she nearly
missed Sarah’s words.
    “Michela,
are you alright? You look as if you’re off on another planet.”
    Michela
ruefully chuckled. “No, I’m fine. I was just thinking about you and your
ex. It must be nice to stay in contact with each other. I don’t think my
ex-girlfriend and I will be contacting each other in the near future.”
    “Sounds
bad. Is it recent?” Sarah asked.
    Michela
nodded. “Too recent to be talking about just yet. Besides that, my
lifestyle’s something I don’t want the rest of the group to know about.”
She stopped at the slightly offended look on Sarah’s face. “I’m sorry, it
must be the jet lag. That didn’t come out the right way. I mean, your e-mails
indicated that you’re open with your lifestyle, whereas I prefer my
privacy.”
    Sarah
held up her hand. “You don’t have to worry about me. I understand your
preference to keep it quiet.”
    “Don’t
get me wrong, plenty of my friends and work colleagues know I’m a lesbian, I
just don’t think everyone needs to know about it.” Michela rubbed the back
of her neck. “This conversation’s getting far too deep for me. I think
I’ll try and wash off some of this jet lag.”
    Sarah
laughed. “I better try and find something to wear to dinner among this
bloody great pile of clothes.” She plucked a pair of crumpled jeans off
the floor and placed them on the bed as Michela headed for the door.
“Michela.”
    “Yes?”
    “I
know we’ve only just met, but if you want to have a bit of a rant then I’m
happy to be a sounding board,” Sarah replied.
    Michela
smiled. “Thanks. I might just take you up on that.”
    ROB
SPRAWLED HIS large frame into a chair. “That was the best meal I’ve had in
ages. That venison was fantastic. And the Shiraz really topped it off. I wonder
if there’s another bottle around here somewhere.”
    Ewan
sipped his port, a contented look on his face. “I wouldn’t get too
comfortable if I were you. There’s still the washing up to be done.”
    “You’re
kidding aren’t you?” Dianne said.
    “He’s
only teasing,” Rick replied. “I’m sure there’s someone else here
who’s paid to do that stuff. And besides, I’m definitely not cut out to be a
bottle-washer.”
    John
Bryson laughed. “That may be the case, but in Antarctica you’re all going
to have to pull your weight. Obviously, you’ll be busy with the dig, but with a
group this size, you’re all going to have to help with the more mundane tasks,
such as washing up and emptying the toilet.”
    The
group groaned in protest.
    Rob
nodded. “John’s right. That’s how things are down in Antarctica.