Gemotions

The salt spray stung Clara’s face as she stared out at the churning sea. Her hands were balled into fists at her side, every nerve in her body singing a high-pitched tune. Across the deck, Emily, carefree as ever, hummed a sea shanty. “Remember that gale, Clara? Bloody fantastic. The boat nearly capsized!”

Clara swallowed hard, the taste of fear still fresh on her tongue. “Gale? The boat didn’t nearly capsize, Emily. We were trapped. The engine failed. It was hell.” She saw the boat's mast lurching towards the black water in her memory and her stomach churned.

Emily tilted her head, a confused look spreading across her features. “No, no, you’ve got it wrong. The waves were enormous, yes, but we loved it! It was exhilarating, a proper adventure. I thought you would be delighted!”

Clara stepped back from her friend. "Delighted? We were terrified! I remember the silence, the sheer isolation of the sea, the growing horror of our situation..." She stopped, her voice catching. How could Emily see the same event so differently? She looked back at her friend, and felt a wave of confusion washing over her.