He scoffed but didn’t reply; his eyes locked on the water-filled metal. “We’ll wait for it to boil then put the clams in. It would be better with fresh water, and I dread to think how salty they’ll be, but beggars can’t be choosers.”

Warnings of raw shellfish and food poisoning ran through my mind. “How do we know we can eat these?”

“They’re fresh so that shouldn’t be a problem.” Galloway’s forehead furrowed. “My plan was to boil them like mussels and only eat the ones that open.”

“Sounds reasonable.”

“Once it starts to boil, toss them in. Conner and I will be back.” Galloway made his way laboriously to the treeline.

Nerves fluttered. “Wait. Where are you going?”

Conner chased after him. “Yeah, where are we going? I’m starving. I’m going to pass out if I don’t eat something soon.”

Galloway bent over and picked up a piece of fuselage. “You’ll see. I need your help.” Passing the piece to Conner, he grabbed another and entered the forest.

I let them go.

I didn’t really have a choice but curiosity niggled. It wasn’t like me to want to be with someone. Normally, if a person left, I was glad. I willingly let them go as it meant I could regroup and find peace that I couldn’t find in company.

But Galloway was different.

The moment he’d disappeared, I wanted him to return. I felt better when he was around. More alive. More certain. More awake to every sensation.

My tummy clenched as I relived the kiss we’d shared.

His challenge of making me fall in love with him might not be as big a feat as he thought.

And that terrified me.

Pippa tugged my hand. “The water is bubbling.”

Pushing Galloway from my mind, I beamed. “Excellent. Want to help me put the clams in?”

She bit her lip, nodding with utmost seriousness.

“Be careful, it’s very hot.” I was wrong to let a child tend to an open fire with boiling water. But this wasn’t an ordinary kitchen in an ordinary world. This was survival, and everyone had to grow up fast.

Together, we ladled handfuls of the white and orange shells into the boiling water. A few hot splashes singed my knuckles and my legs burned from being so close to the flames.

A strange banging came from the forest, over and over.

What the hell are they doing?

Once the last of Galloway’s haul was tucked nicely in the water, I sat on my haunches and high-fived Pippa. “Great job.”

She grinned.

“Did you really find all of those?”

She grinned wider. “Yep.”

“All forty-two of them?”

“Yep!”

I exaggerated my awe. “Wow, that’s amazing!”

She swivelled her foot in the sand with sudden shyness. “Will it be enough?” Worry etched her young skin. “I’m so hungry. I want them all.”

“It will be enough for tonight. But tomorrow, we can all go and find lots more. How about that?”

Along with an armful of coconuts so we have additional liquid.

She pondered for a moment. “Can I find them with G?”

G.

My heart turned into a tambourine, shivering with a happy tune. “Of course. We’ll team up. You and G against Conner and me. We’ll have a race.”

“I’ll win.”

“Oh, I have no doubt.” I tickled her tiny chest. “You’re the wonder gatherer. Clam extraordinaire.”

She giggled.

“Don’t tell her that.” Conner appeared with the two pieces of fuselage. They were almost as big as him. How he managed to cart them when running on dregs of energy and protecting his broken wrist, I didn’t know. “It will only go to her head.”

Pippa stuck out her tongue. “You’ll see. I’ll win. I’ll find all the clams and you won’t have any.”

Conner blew a kiss at his temperamental sister. “But you’ll share with me, right?”

She crossed her arms. “Nope.”

“Oh, come on, Pip. You have to.” He waggled his eyebrows. “You love me. You wouldn’t let me starve, would you?”

Galloway chuckled, following Conner with a lot less grace than he left with. His forehead glistened with sweat, his back rolled, and he hopped with a wince.

What the hell had he been doing?

Galloway muttered, “She won’t let you starve. Will you, Pippi?”

“Hey. You said you wouldn’t tell!” Pippa’s eyes glowed with indignation.

Galloway didn’t look well as he forced himself to act shocked and contrite. “Whoops, sorry. Oh well, your secret is out. But it’s safe with Estelle and Conner. Isn't it, guys?”

We all nodded. “Of course. Cross our hearts.”

Conner and I laughed as we both drew a cross on our chests at the same time.

Galloway attempted to chuckle but everything about him echoed agony. He looked worse than when I’d found him leaning against the palm tree with his broken ankle swollen and useless.

Leaving my post by the boiling clams, I moved toward him. “Are you okay?”

He didn’t make eye contact. “I’m fine.”

“Oh, my God.” I snagged his free hand. “You’re bleeding.” Cuts marked his strong fingers. A nasty gash split his palm. “What were you doing?”

“Making something.”

“I doubt it was important enough to kill yourself over.” I counted five cuts on his left hand alone. “We’ll have to look after these.”