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rushing through Georgia’s ears, drowning out the sounds of the pool. She knew Dim and Alice were waiting for them – she could see them in her peripheral vision – but everyone faded into the background, leaving only Nik. Georgia couldn’t take her eyes off his face. Should she tell him he had the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen? Probably not. Did he want to hear that his skin was glowing in the afternoon sun? Unlikely. So, what was he waiting for? What did he want to hear?
    ‘What do I do?’ Nik said finally.
    ‘Do?’ Georgia repeated.
    ‘For the fight,’ Nik said.
    She cringed. She had almost made a complete fool of herself. He wasn’t waiting for a compliment; he was waiting for instructions.
    ‘Are there any rules?’ he prompted.
    Georgia gave it a little thought. She’d never really considered the rules of shoulder wars. It was just a matter of knocking the opponent off his or her mount. Eye-gouging was discouraged, but nothing was actually banned.
    ‘Whatever it takes,’ Georgia said.
    On the side of the pool, Dim paraded around with Alice on his shoulders as the rest of the boys shouted, ‘Dim Simm! Dim Simm!’ Nik ducked under the water and Georgia slipped her legs over his shoulders. Once she was secure, he started to rise. As his head broke the water, she felt the muscles of his neck and shoulders bracing against her legs – his skin against hers. The forced intimacy made her light-headed. Her eyes drifted down to his smooth arms, his wet hands holding her calves. She realised, almost too late, she should have been thinking about balance. As Nik stood up, she almost toppled off.
    Alice shouted provocatively, ‘Cham-pi-ons! Cham-pi-ons!’
    But Georgia wriggled back into place as Nik powered into Dim with a shoulder charge. Georgia was surprised at his strength, as was Dim, who stumbled backwards. Alice wavered on top, her smug smile giving way to shock, as she almost lost her balance as well. Just when Alice was at her most vulnerable, Georgia tickled her.
    It was a dirty trick, but Georgia really wanted to beat her sister – to repay Alice for what she’d said to Nik. Alice squirmed to get away from Georgia’s fingers and lashed out with her nails. Georgia squealed. Dim and Nik both staggered. Alice nearly swung off, but her legs were locked on tight and she hauled herself upright again.
    ‘No tickling allowed,’ one of Ella’s brothers shouted from the side of the pool. Apparently there were rules, then.
    Georgia went at Alice again, pushing and pulling. Nik swiped at Dim’s legs under the water. Georgia could feel Nik beginning to struggle. She knew her weight would be getting the better of him, but she couldn’t dislodge her sister. Alice was a lot tougher than she looked. Georgia was beginning to think they’d be there all night.
    But then Dim just gave up. He’d been in the pool for most of the afternoon with someone on his shoulders, and his strength finally ran out. He let out a fatigued roar and then collapsed into the pool, taking Alice down with him. Ella and Mei let out a cheer. Georgia acknowledged them with a grin and gave the victory sign.
    Did Georgia look silly? Yes, probably. Did she have make-up all over her face? Absolutely. But did she care? Not at all. She was having the best day of her life.
    ‘You can get off now, Georgia,’ Ella called. ‘I think Nik’s about to die.’
    Georgia slid off, reluctantly releasing Nik’s shoulders. She immersed herself in the pool, still tingling all over from the time she’d spent with her legs wrapped around Nik’s body. She was aching to put her arms around him as well, but Nik was pulling himself up on the side of the pool.
    ‘Come and jump off the jetty,’ one of the Simm boys called to Nik.
    Ella’s brothers showered Nik with high-fives as he emerged from the pool. One of them boxed him playfully in the ribs. Dim slunk inside to lick his wounds, followed by Alice, who was no doubt hoping to play nurse. Georgia