He stared.
My mouth felt dry. ‘You think it’s a rubbish idea?’
He leant forward and gave me a tight hug, Chatty clinging on for dear life and squeaking his huffiness. The hairs stood up on the back of my neck. Warmth radiated down my body. I glanced at Amy who watched with the biggest grin on her face.
‘I… I take it you approve then,’ I stuttered.
‘Sorry, yes…’ His eyes crinkled. ‘I’ve never even thought about doing something like that. Maybe this is what’s been missing. The success of this venture is so important, I think I’ve lost my sense of humour.’
‘I’m not sure about that,’ I said. ‘In the tent last night you wore orange socks covered in bananas.’
‘Thanks, Sarah. Thanks so much for this.’ His voice wavered. ‘The last couple of months I’ve felt as if I’ve been wading through marshland, trying to think of ways to boost Seagrass Conservation. Jackie’s been great but it’s a relief to have someone on board with a fresh pair of eyes. It could be just what’s needed.’
His appreciation felt warmer than sunshine and that was saying something, in the Virgin Islands.
It was soon nine o’clock and even though it was Saturday tomorrow, and we could lie in, everyone was shattered. I kissed Chatty on the head and Rick and Jackie headed off to take him back to his enclosure and to check on Wink the screech owl who had gone off her food. Laughter and singing carried across the night air as we headed towards the shacks, accompanied by harmonica playing. I still couldn’t believe how clear the sky was, away from city lights. The ivory moon, the sprinkling of glitter across the ebony sky… it gave Seagrass Island a touch of the magical. Spending time with Rick today – explaining why I was finding life here so difficult… me helping him out and once again feeling useful… all of that gave everything a shinier dimension.
Amy and Benedikt passed me by, murdering ‘Tonight’ fromWest Side Story, Helga behind them attempting to join in, pulling a face as they drowned her out. I caught up with Jonas and linked arms. Benedikt shot me a look as he went by and quickly masked it with a smile.
What did he disapprove of?
18
Throughout the night my legs continued to itch, aggravated by hot air trapped by the sheets I was determined to stay under. Despite making sure the shack’s door was closed, I still felt squeamish. I also had a nightmare about a giant moth landing on my face and woke up fighting the mosquito net. Thanks goodness it was Saturday and I could unwind. Helga sprung up at six and went off for a shower. Amy followed shortly after. Jackie had invited her to check on owl Wink, so they were meeting by the enclosure before breakfast – whereas I dozed until eight and then went to wash.
I took a glass that I’d borrowed from the canteen the previous night, to trap any adventurous tarantulas, annoyed with myself for feeling scared because I’d battled much bigger fears as an adult. My thoughts immediately turned to Mum, and how much I missed her, oh so much. Especially her hugs. I couldn’t lose myself in Anabelle’s arms, not in the same way. I had no memory of ever being physically close to Dad. Apart from my eighteenth birthday, nine months before I moved out; Anabelle had bought a ring bearing my birthstone. Dad had playfully given me a sideways hug. He’d squeezed just that bit too hard and said to look after it as it might be the only ring anyone ever gave me. Then he’d pinched what he called my choochie cheeks and insisted I eat only a thin slice of birthday cake.
Yet he didn’t like it when I lost weight after leaving home. It hadn’t been intentional, but working so hard at the hotel meant that pounds dropped off and I didn’t have much money for food back in those days.
It was obvious he preferred to feel superior wherever possible and my slimmer figure that he’d always told me I should aspire to, narrowed his range of insults.
Shower safely completed, I pulled on a pair of trousers that belonged to Amy, my pair that she’d secretly packed for me now beyond wearable. They were too short but luckily the waist was elasticated. I’d change into something smart later, when we went over to Tortola, after an early lunch as the shops started shutting at four o’clock. Today’s trip was just to get our bearings but I was determined to come back to Seagrass Island with a sensible wardrobe of my own.
‘Klopf, Klopf,’ said a deep voice.
I opened the door to the shack and grinned. ‘Knock, knock, to you too, Jonas.’
‘Breakfast?’
‘I can’t wait for tomorrow’s special Sunday one.’ We walked in the direction of the canteen. ‘Where’s Benedikt?’
‘He went with Amy to see Wink. I didn’t like to tag along. I didn’t want to… how do you say… play blackberry.’
‘Gooseberry,’ I corrected and punched his arm. ‘Amy and Benedikt? Nah. They’re just mates. I don’t see it.’
‘Really?’
‘Well… anything’s possible, I suppose. I’ll have to grill her later.’
‘That sounds barbaric,’ he said.
‘It means to question someone intensely, in English.’
He smiled. ‘I know. Okay. Tell me what you find out.’
I studied his features as he took out his harmonica and played it as we went to eat. Was Jonas jealous? Was it possible that he had a crush on my sister? I couldn’t see much common ground between them whereas Benedikt and Amy certainly lit up a room when they sang their favourite musical tunes.
I’d had heaps in common with Callum. Like me he worked in hospitality. Loved baking. Was estranged from his parents. But in the end that wasn’t enough without a physical pull.
