Page 35 of The Summer Island Swap
‘It sounds like I’m giving you a sob story – but this isn’t one. During that time I’ve really been able to focus on my career, but that’s why Amy was thrilled to be able to afford to take me abroad. I don’t want to spoil things for her.’
‘Seagrass Island must be quite a let-down for you.’ He gave a rueful smile.
There was something about Rick that made me want to open up, in a way I didn’t with other people.
‘Frivolous as it sounds, for once I wanted to be the one waited on hand and foot; to escape into some sort of fantasy life away from the stresses of reality.’
‘I get it. Sometimes I feel like running away from it all.’ He cleared his throat and swung those long legs off the bed and stood up. ‘Maybe a positive can come out of all this. You can say no but I’d hugely appreciate it if you would look at the website. I’ve assumed it spells out plainly what life here is like but I’m clearly going wrong somehow, if people are leaving early, and it’s really important to me… to my family… and to the island, that Seagrass Conservation is a success; that as many people as possible post photos and talk about us positively on social media and tell friends about us when they get back home.’
He wanted me to help? Having done nothing but criticise me since I’d arrived? Yet his earnestness was appealing and I noticed the tired lines around his eyes – lines I often saw reflected back whenIlooked in the mirror.
‘It’s a business I need to grow… and I forget that not everyone coming here will have studied the environment or have a formal interest in conservation or climate change.’
I followed him downstairs feeling more like myself every minute – and wondering, why, when it came to Seagrass Conservation, Rick exuded such a sense of urgency.
‘The staff who used to work in our home don’t start back for a couple of weeks. They’ll get the place ready for my gran who’s visiting in September.’
‘Was everyone okay after the hurricane?’
We sat down on the sofa. ‘Yes. This place has a strong cellar under the kitchen. Thank God everyone was able to take refuge in there. In fact, I’ll just fetch us a couple of cold drinks. The kitchen equipment was unpacked and plugged in yesterday. I’ve stocked it with a few things from the canteen. Then I’ll get my laptop…’ He gazed at a large round clock, the hands set against a tropical beach scene. It was positioned on the far left-hand wall, next to an old-fashioned barometer. He palmed his forehead. ‘What am I thinking? You must be exhausted. Thanks to those sand crickets you hardly slept last night. And thanks to you jumping around almost as much as them, neither did I.’
Tentatively we smiled at each other. I could tell he was as unsure as me about this friendlier atmosphere between us.
But it felt good to feel more like his equal, instead of a nuisance.
‘It’s okay. This cool, relaxing lounge has revived me.’
Rick came back first carrying a bandage and some antibiotic cream. He jerked his head towards my hands and sat down.
‘May I? Those blisters need re-dressing.’ Carefully he applied the ointment and wrapped bandages around my fingers. I hoped he couldn’t hear my loud heartbeat. He disappeared again, this time bringing back two juices and his laptop, and turned on a radio that played cheerful steel band Caribbean calypso music. As he sat down and started to tap his feet, all I could focus on was him.
It was something I’d fought against, for years. If I felt my body responding to a man, I always took that as a warning, to remind me that a strong physical attraction sped things up, when time should be taken to really get to know someone – to spot a partner’s potential faults before taking things further.
Because I was determined never to fall under the spell of someone like my father.
17
I wasn’t expecting to meet the man of my dreams on Seagrass Island.
But now I realised it was true.
I absolutely had.
He wasn’t my usual type. A bit hairier. Very talkative. I didn’t understand what he said half the time – well,allthe time, in fact – but actions spoke louder than words and he really was the cheekiest…
… monkey.
I smiled at Chatty, even though he couldn’t see. He was next to me, in the Games Room, on Rick’s shoulder, tickling his ear. Every time Rick groaned and pulled his paw away, it shot right back, as if Chatty knew that if he did it often enough, Rick would lift him onto his lap for a cuddle.
‘I wish I had your energy,’ I said to Chatty and stroked his head. His paws both clutched my hand and affectionately bared his teeth on my skin, not leaving marks, nor hurting me. I whistled his favourite tune. He froze and cocked his head, body swaying slightly. Everyone chuckled. It had become our thing.
‘It’s great, at last, to have someone appreciate my unmelodic whistles.’
‘You are definitely two of a kind, on that score,’ said Rick.
‘It’s a good thing Chatty can’t understand you!’
The Games Room was busy. Amy and Benedikt sat in front of a chess board – Jonas watched them, playing a pensive tune on his harmonica. I was glad he’d managed to at least pack one instrument. Helga chatted to Jackie and the permanent staff. A couple of Italian volunteers played snooker. There was a queue for the darts board. Calypso music tinkled in the background, from a radio. It was already dark outside. A couple of moths had snuck in. One was as big as Chatty’s head and pale purple with black patterns. I’d almost knocked my glass of water over when it flew near my face. Malik called it the black witch moth.
