The events of the previous day came back to me in a collection of thoughts, emotions, and images.
The raucous noise from the jungle had changed with the daylight.Not quieter, particularly, only different.I hadn’t noticed the animal noises until we had tried to sleep, although I must have been aware of them as we sat with Francis by the fire.
I pointed up at the slanted ceiling.“Do you suppose they have to lay fresh branches every few days?The leaves are green.”
“Yes, they do.I recall the locals doing so, at least, when I was here before.”
I turned onto my side so I could look at Dinesh, who turned his head to gaze at me.
“I like Francis.”
“Good.I’m quite fond of him.”
“Did you two ever…you know…” I waved my hand in the air.
“Me and Francis?Oh God, no.He’s quite fond of the female figure.And I never had that sort of interest in him.But we are great mates.”
That knowledge relieved me more than I had expected.I wouldn’t have been able to criticize an earlier entanglement.I certainly had had my share.However, Captain Martin would never have to meet any of them.And I wasn’t friends with them.
Captain Martin gave me a slow, lazy smile as he tracked me with his gaze.
“Speaking of…” he waved his hand in the air as I had a moment ago.
And then someone knocked on our door.
“Eh, are you blokes decent?”Martinéz inquired.
Captain Martin shut his eyes.“Blast,” he whispered.
“Never,” I responded to Martinez’s inquiry.“Go away.”
“Well…I would, but your good friend Mr Bell has asked me to fetch you, as his wife and children have arrived.”
“Truly?”Dinesh asked, more loudly.“Already?”
There was a pause.“It’s half eleven,” Martinez informed us.
“Is it really?”Dinesh asked, scrambling up as I did the same.
“Aye.I’ll tell him you’re on your way?”
“Yes, please.Thank you,” Dinesh said, as we attempted to put ourselves to rights and pull on pants.
“I suppose we’ll have to wait until this evening,” he said.“Or perhaps we can beg off this afternoon for a quick fuck.”
I evinced a shocked expression.“My good sir, I won’t be happy with a grab and tussle.Best wait until we retire and don’t have to answer to anyone.”
“Yes, yes.All right then.Of course.”
“Shall we?”I said, gesturing to the door.
“We shall.I see you’ve given up on shoes again.”
“For fuck’s sake, we’re on the bloody beach.”
“Quite right, quite right,” Dinesh said, tossing the boot he’d grabbed and following me out of the hut.
We came out into such brightness that I had to shield my eyes.Even amongst the trees at the edge of the beach, the sun accosted us.A monkey screamed from close by and a raucous hooting commenced.
