Jonas surprised everyone by pulling a harmonica out of his shorts pocket although the notes he played sounded nothing like calypso.
‘There are sailing trips,’ continued Rick. ‘Plus we run fun events – a sports day is coming up. There’s the beach here, of course. Swimming. Cricket and boules. On Sunday mornings Chef lays on a special brunch.’
There was hope.
Rick got to his feet again and yawned. ‘Tomorrow morning I’ll break you all in with a trail clearing session. We need to meet here at six. It gets too hot otherwise, as it’s hard physical work. Bring your water bottles. You can fill them up in the kitchen and take a piece of fruit and bread roll. Chef won’t have made breakfast but you’ll need something to fill you up. Make sure you wear trousers and long-sleeve tops along with insect repellent on visible skin. We’ll work until ten – as a team. And we stick together.’
He gave me a pointed look.
‘Then come back here for a proper late breakfast. Right. Time for me to take Chatty back to his bed.’ He pointed to a table by the door. ‘Help yourself to one of those torches each. The electricity will be going off in about an hour. People are starting to head off to the Games Room. I’d highly recommend that.’
‘Just don’t play cards when Rick does. He’s very competitive,’ said Jackie as she walked past.
Rick went over to get the monkey. He said hello and touched its head. Chatty sniffed and immediately climbed up Rick’s arm and sat on his shoulder, showing total trust. Jonas stacked our plates and took them over to the trolleys, which were brimming with dirty crockery. Amy went over to see the monkey. Rick encouraged her to talk to him. She stroked Chatty and told him about her job at the vet’s. Rick asked her a few questions and her voice bolder, she explained about Paws & Claws. He listened intently. She looked as happy as a child on Christmas morning.
If only Dad had paid that much attention, she might have had more confidence when it came to her abilities.
I sank into thoughts about how my time here couldn’t have had a worse start. At least the weekends sounded… normal. So what if I’d got lost? I found my way to the others, in the end. That was probably the worst experience I was going to have during this month.
‘It’s not all doom and gloom,’ I said to Jonas as we both picked up torches. ‘There’s shopping.’
‘And music,’ he said.
‘And moonlight. Don’t forget romance.’
He grinned. ‘Love that song by Nat King Cole song about there being trouble ahead.’
‘Hmm, well let’s hope not. I do like the sound of Sunday brunch.’
Jonas switched his torch on, lifted it up and cast a spotlight on his face. ‘You heard it here first, viewers,’ he said in a TV presenter’s voice. ‘Maybe one month on Seagrass Island isn’t going to be so bad after all.’
12
I’d set my alarm for half past five, just as the sun was beginning to rise. That would give us time to throw on clothes before getting to the meeting point for trail clearing. Helga was already awake and sat crossed-legged in her bed, meditating. Amy snored from the bunk below. I’d opted for the top one, away from any insects but last night questioned my decision due to hot air rising.
Optimistically I’d collapsed into bed after phoning home to check up on Nelly. However, I hadn’t slept a wink. Every inch of my skin had never been so hot and sticky. The humidity had felt like an overzealous lover wrapped around me all night. I’d worn my skimpiest nightie but that made no difference so I’d pushed my mosquito net to one side, seeing as the windows were protected anyway.
A cacophony of humming, buzzing and chirping from afar and near didn’t help my restlessness. I worried moths had found their way into the shack due to the close sound of fluttering wings. The most I heard back in London was the occasional car driving past or plane overhead, or the whirr of the central heating and fridge – identifiable sounds that felt safe.
I scratched my legs and got out from under the covers. I climbed down the bunk bed ladder. The sun hadn’t risen enough for me to be able to spot spiders on the floor and so I landed on my tiptoes. I crouched down, pulled away Amy’s mosquito net and gently pushed her shoulder. The sweaty hair and dribble running from her mouth reminded me of childhood sleepovers. She’d creep into my bed whenever Dad had upset her.
‘Where am I?’ muttered Amy.
‘In a five-star hotel, waking up to waiter service,’ I said with longing.
‘Very funny,’ she said. Helga’s eyes were open now. She’d already made her bed. I scratched my legs again and went over to the front door to examine them under better light. It had been left ajar. I’d need to have a word with the others about that. I’d suffered dubious bed partners in the past but never a snake or scorpion.
‘Oh my God – look at this rash,’ I said. My legs were covered in itchy red mounds. ‘I must be allergic to something. Or perhaps I’ve caught a tropical disease…’ Helga marched over, took my elbow and nudged me down the outside ladder. We stood on the grass. Hurriedly Amy followed.
‘No wonder I couldn’t sleep,’ I said and moaned.
Helga bent over. ‘Didn’t you use your mosquito net?’
I frowned. ‘No. The windows are so protected. Why, are these all bites?’
Her cheeks flushed. ‘It looks like it. Sorry, Sarah – I left the door open a bit, to allow in cool air. I didn’t think to mention it.’
I pursed my lips tight, like I did when I was trying to stop myself snapping back at Prue.
