I clambered aboard with Gruff’s help – what a change had taken place in him, that which I had sensed underneath his stern exterior was now shining through and I do mean shining – he had a completeness to him that was not apparent before.

In my absence he had erected a makeshift screen for me to change behind – it seems he is a man who required proof of intent before affording any respect. I gratefully slipped behind the screen, peeled off the wetsuit which was as difficult, if not more so, as getting the thing on in the first place! This is not something I ever intended doing again. Whilst separating rubber from skin something fell out and dropped to the floor, I continued my struggle to peel, whatever it was could wait. Once clothed and comfortable again I stooped to pick up, well, what I thought at first look was a shell – Gruff appeared at my side:

“You are indeed honoured”.

I jumped – it was the first sound he had made and what a beautifully sonorous voice he had, such a shame he used it so sparingly. I turned the shell over and over in my hands, it had the iridescence of abolone but not the texture, this was pliable with an almost leathery quality.

“It is a scale – a gift from Triton”.

I looked to Gruff questioningly.

“A scale………..from his tail”.

I didn’t know what to say so remained quiet. I was hoping that once on the island I would have the time and space to meditate upon the gifts I had been given. For the moment though I had no ideas let alone answers – I was, after all, at the beginning of my journey.

Gruff set to and made for the island. I, for once in my life, was feeling relaxed and at peace, content to allow what was to be, be and not try to control or second guess events.

I put the scale in my bag. In doing so my hand fell upon the stone which the vendor women had given me. A voice in my head told me this was meant for Gruff, unsure why this was so I decided to go with my instinct and removed it from my bag.

It took no time at all to reach the island.

“I will be leaving you here”, that delicious voice again.

I felt a true pang of sadness on hearing this – I was quite sure this was an extraordinary man and I would have liked to get to know him better. With such mixed emotions, excitement and curiosity for the oncoming venture, disappointment at leaving this man behind, I picked up my bag and slung it over my shoulder. With the stone in my hand I approached Gruff. He clasped my hand in his conveying such warmth and such gentle strength I almost cried. There was that look again – all the people I had met so far had this way of looking right into me, or so it seemed, but with no discomfort on my part, in fact if felt perfectly natural. I held out my other hand to him, the stone laying in the palm, offering it to him. He looked at the stone and then up to my eyes again – I thought I saw tears in his eyes now – a huge smile spread across his face as he took the stone and held it firstly to his chest and then to his brow. I felt an inkling of understanding pass through me……..connection!

Time to go. I looked at him, smiled and stepped out of his boat into the shallow waters. I stopped once to look over my shoulder and wave to him then continued to walk slowly up to the empty beach.