They all considered this hair — raising manoeuvre. Vince tried to imagine the effect of gravity in the drops, the power of the water. Perhaps it was possible. Is this the hardest bit, then? Tom enquired. To look down with more safety, Amelia had put an arm round his strong waist. It was curious how she was both the gawky schoolgirl and the society snob. Louise, Vince thought, has a coarser, franker energy. Let’s go and look, Michela said. She seemed to have cheered up. The sheer energy of the river was a source of pleasure.
They worked their way down a further hundred yards, scrabbling on stones and mud, occasionally pushing through the wet grass to the edge of the gully from which a soft spray drifted upward with the impact of water falling onto stone below. Immediately you looked down, the eye was captured by a kaleidoscopic shifting of dark — green and brown rock, white foam and blue transparent pools.
Fun to be had with the log there, Adam said. He was shaking his head. Life hath many exits, quoted Max. You just don’t have to hit the bloody thing, do you, Phil said boldly. Hard to avoid, Amal thought. A thick tree trunk was wedged between boulders right below a pour — over. Unless you’re mad enough to run river — left, that is. They were all relishing this contemplation of dangers they would never undertake. The water boomed. Almost belligerently, Mark again demanded: But nobody’s ever done it, have they? Sure they have, Clive replied. He had a smile on his face. There’s almost nothing people haven’t done. The boy wasn’t satisfied. He pushed back the hair that fell on his eyes. But, like, someone you know, you’ve seen them?
I’ve done it, Clive said.
Wow! The announcement caused excited reaction. Michela looked at her man sharply. I mean Wow, wow, and triple wow! Louise said. When you went to visit your mother, Clive whispered quickly. Michela couldn’t take it in. Why would he lie like this?
How many of you? Adam asked. The kids were all shaking their heads. Respect! Re — spect!
Two local guys, Clive said. From the rafting centre.
But you don’t know any local guys, Michela thought.
In the Pyranha? Amal enquired. Wouldn’t you need something with more volume?
And you fixed throw — lines and things? Adam asked.
No, no support on the bank, Clive said. They told me the line to follow and we went for it. River — left to avoid the log. The gap is just big enough.
You’re mad, Mark declared.
I could do it, Phil said. Bet you I could do it, if someone would let me.
And you never capsized?
Everybody was looking at Clive’s bearded face, the pioneer ponytail. She loves him, Vince thought again, catching Michela’s gaze.
Sure I did. Three times, Clive said. See that rock there? Downstream of the pour — over, it’s invisible as you approach. I came crashing over the ledge, see, and speared it. Bang on. Boat went vertical and I was down. Vince asked: How on earth did you come up? They were looking at a storming torrent of water plunging through boulders.
I’ve no idea, Clive told him.
The Slobs had cooked curry. Everybody had picked up a bit of colour in the afternoon sun up on the mountain. If you never eat what’s on your plate, Mandy asked Phil, whence do you draw your sustenance, my boy? My what? Supply of Mars bars in his tent, Brian said. He must have about a hundred. Caroline kept setting off the hamster to general groans. It worries me to say, that I’ve never felt this way. Was that what you were saying to yourself, Max asked Mandy, when you were pinned underwater on the slalom course? The hamster never tired of his song. He beat his drum and waved his microphone. I was saying to myself, Mandy laughed: I think I love life, but this is what death is made of. Oh, it wasn’t even a close shave, Keith protested. You could have taken a photo or two, under water. Wally had been ceremoniously handed over to Amelia, who had dropped a shoe coming down on the ski — lift. It’s his fault, the girl cried, poking Tom. The young man grinned with embarrassment. She did it on purpose, Caroline scoffed, so’s she’d have to lean on him, like, walking back to the car park. Slander! Amelia shrieked. She hung the red — scarfed little effigy round her neck and pushed it down inside her T — shirt between the small breasts. Let’s see if anyone dares to steal it there! I consider that an invitation, Brian cried. Please, Adam said. Kids!
Keith was looking relaxed. Perhaps it was a relief not to have to paddle. Debrief, he shouted. Tomorrow’s the last day. Some of you are going to run a very serious river, let’s hear from the river leaders who the chosen victims will be. The others will be rerunning the stretch from the campsite down to Geiss and getting in some much — needed practice. After which we’ll eat in a restaurant since it’s the last night.
The last announcement caused much excitement. Shush everyone! Adam’s got the list, Clive said quietly. We decided it together. Standing up by the door of the kitchen tent, Adam announced: First, I want to thank Amal, who has offered to play river leader for those who won’t be going on the upper Aurino. Chicken! Phil yelled. He’s scared! Shut up, idiot. So, if we can be serious a moment, folks, the participants will be— and Adam read: Clive, leader. Myself deputy. Then: Vince, Amelia, Michela, Max, Brian, Mark and Phil. Max, Brian and Phil will be assessed for their four — star paddler.
There was a surprised silence. Vince tried to catch his daughter’s eye. It wasn’t clear to him why she had been excluded. They were in the clearing between the tents. The girl had her head bent knotting a red scarf round her neck. What about me? Tom asked. I’m sorry, Adam said, but we can’t take people who don’t get their roll at least ninety per cent of the time. But I never turn over, Tom said. Keith cut in brightly. We have to accept the river leader’s decisions. Mark’s going and Tom isn’t? Amelia protested. That’s crazy. Clive said, Mark rolled up twice this morning in white water. If Tom doesn’t go, then neither do I, Amelia said. Adjourn to the bar, Max was already shouting. Drinks! With Brian’s foot still killing him, the lame boy had to lean on his friend as they made off between the guy — lines.
In their cabin, Michela was determined to get things straight. Why did you tell that story? Clive was cross — legged on his sleeping bag, rolling himself a cigarette. It wasn’t a story. Want a smoke? You don’t know anyone from the rafting centre. He admitted this was true. I went alone, he said. He tossed the tobacco to her. But I couldn’t tell them that, because of all their strict rules. I mustn’t seem irresponsible. Otherwise we’ll have people like Phil chucking himself down there.
You’re lying, she said. You just wanted to show off after making a fool of yourself in this thing with Adam. You’re weird, she went on quickly. Really weird. It’s not normal just to tell me we’re not making love, then imagine we can go on as before. You’re crazy sleeping on the floor. It’s stupid. And I meant it today, you know, when I said I couldn’t go on like this. I meant it.
Clive lit his cigarette. He seemed to be waiting until she had finished. The tobacco was damp and didn’t draw well. I wasn’t lying, Micky. He puffed. He seemed calm. Before Milan, remember when you went ahead to ask your mother if she could lend us something? That’s when I did it. I ran it alone. Three times actually on three consecutive days. It’s not that difficult. I did worse in New Zealand.