However the treacherous wind immediately snatched the unprotected hat from her head and dashed it into the river. Or would have executed, if the protecting bumpers mounted to the decrease aspect of the boat hadn’t bought in the best way, leaving the hat hooked near the lapping water.

With a shriek of horror, Maeve made an computerized seize for it, leaning precariously over the rail as she cried out, ‘My hat… Oh no, my pretty hat!’

‘Maeve, no, depart it,’ Leo warned her.

A startled crew member darted ahead at the very same time as Leo.

However neither of them might attain her in time to forestall the inevitable from occurring.

By some means majestic, Maeve tumbled over the railing, pale legs waving within the air, and disappeared with a splash and a despairing wail into the filthy waters beneath.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Maeve couldn’t fairly imagine the stupidity of what she’d executed. One second, she’d been stretching on tiptoe for her hat, certain she might most likely attain it with a bit assist… The subsequent she’d been plunged headfirst into chill water within the shadow of the boat, the speedy change in temperature a heart-wrenching shock after the new sunshine on deck.

Sinking quickly, she’d kicked and flailed about wildly, struggling to return to the floor and much-needed oxygen. It wasn’t simple. The Seine was surprisingly deep and uneven, nearly just like the open sea…

She emerged with a violent consumption of breath that additionally included some river water. E. coli, she thought with horror. This disgusting, oily fluid she spat out directly, working her legs and arms to maintain afloat as she put apart embarrassment and targeted on survival.

Up above, she noticed Leo staring down at her.

Oh God.

She heard her thought echoed in a deep voice from the deck. ‘Mon Dieu,’ one of many crew exclaimed, tossing an orange lifebuoy ring after her. ‘Les anglaises!’

The lifebuoy ring bobbed about a couple of toes away. Preserving her chin above the filthy water, mouth clamped shut, Maeve doggy-paddled in the direction of it, acutely aware of the looming bulk of the boat like a sheer wall above her. The ring evaded her, skittering away on a bobbing crest as she approached, however with an almighty effort she grabbed it with one hand and dragged it in the direction of her.

‘Maeve?’ Leo was leaning over the aspect, peering at her. She stared up in dismay, hoping he wouldn’t make the identical mistake she had. However in fact he didn’t. ‘Are you all proper?’

Am I all proper?

Good grief.

‘What… does it… blearh… seem like?’ she spluttered crossly.

‘Dangle on,’ he informed her. ‘We’re going to rescue you.’

‘Don’t you strive climbing down!’ she cried, fearful for his security.

However she needn’t have anxious. ‘Not an opportunity.’ There was laughter in his voice, she was certain. ‘I’ll depart this one to the consultants. Attempt to keep heat by treading water, okay?’

Vacationers had additionally gathered to stare over the aspect of the boat, some even forgetting to disembark. There have been extra on the river financial institution behind her, she realised, risking a fast look that approach. Various had been holding up cameras, little question taking photos or really filming her humiliation. She pretended to not have seen them, nevertheless it was fairly exhausting. Particularly when a crew member climbed over the aspect of the boat, hooked up to a rope looped about his center, to rescue her, and a buzz went up amongst these watching.

Like feeding time on the zoo, she thought furiously.

It took some fifteen minutes earlier than she was safely again on board and being tended by a paramedic, who had arrived on a bike with sirens and lights, drawing but extra consideration.

Dripping moist and shivering, Maeve was taken right into a small internal cabin, wrapped in a foil blanket for heat, whereas a feminine crew member dabbed ineffectually at her sodden hair and garments with a towel. Her face, neck, arms and arms had been totally cleaned and disinfected, and recommendation given about doable E. coli an infection, although apparently the chance was low.

The boat steward stood over her, arms folded, complaining in a voluble vogue about her ‘reckless behaviour’. Apparently, a few of the vacationers had been asking for his or her a reimbursement as a result of prolonged delay. He additionally requested if she wanted the police to be known as, which was apparently what they had been imagined to do within the occasion of somebody going overboard. An incident report was already being drawn up by a crew member, and it was clear they needed her to confess full legal responsibility.

‘Did you not see the protection notices?’ the steward stored demanding. ‘They’re posted at intervals all alongside the railing in French and English. Hazard. No leaning over.’

‘I used to be attempting to succeed in my hat,’ she mentioned in a small voice.

‘Not even to succeed in a hat.’ The steward made an indignant noise below his breath, shaking his head. ‘What did you assume was going to occur, hein?’

‘Go simple on her,’ Leo exclaimed at one level in growling French, obvious on the steward from below taut brows. ‘Can’t you see she’s in shock?’

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