“So we’ll still be roomies?”she’d said.“I’ll best stock up on nail polish and face masks.”
He’d almost grinned.Hints of excitement had lifted that scowl around his dark eyes, and—wait?Hadn’t he made a joke just now about the pilots?
Libby studied him as he looked out of the window.When was the best time to ask him for an interview?The next time she wore her showbiz eyelashes and got her selfie stick out, he’d soon know what she did for a living—or was trying to do.She also had her press pass tucked into her bag, ready to give her some professional kudos when she was filming in public places or when she was interviewing local people about their daily life on the island.
Wouldn’t it be natural that she’d also ask to interview her famous roommate, too?
“Oh, look, sweet cheeks.”Libby pointed out of the window as they flew over tiny coral islands amidst the deep blue Pacific.Karim kicked his legs, babbling quietly to himself as he ran his truck over his knee.Libby leaned back in her seat and admired the crown of flowers that the old woman sitting in front of Dan wore on her head, the scent as intense as the petals were bright.
They flew over more tiny, tiny islands, ringed with white sandy beaches and clear, pale-blue water, and then the pilot announced that Atiu had come into view.
The island was a dark-green mass of vegetation, circled by the turquoise sea and a white rim of waves breaking on the surrounding reef.The plane vibrated and bumped in the air as it circled the island and then descended to a short runway that Libby could barely see from the window.She closed her eyes and held her breath.
“Mamma, look!Cluck-cluck.”
She opened her eyes.Karim was pointing out of the window to where three chickens walked across the runway.
Libby hooted.“We’ll never see that at JFK, honey.”
When it was time to get off, she unclipped Karim’s belt, then carried him down the flimsy aircraft steps to the solid tarmac.
A slender white lady approached and hung a garland of flowers over Libby’s head.
“Kia Orana!”she said, looping a second garland over Dan and handing a tiny one to Karim.“You must be the Joneses.I’m Andrea.”
“Kia Orana.”Libby shifted Karim in her arms so she could look at his garland of bright-red flowers.“You look gorgeous, honey.”
As did Dan.
The red flowers set off his dark skin and hazel eyes, making him look more handsome and rugged.
“Come.My truck is this way,” Andrea said.She was the manager of the hostel,Manui, where they’d be staying.When she led them to a dusty four-wheel drive, Karim cheered.
“Big truck!”
“Put your things in the back and jump in.”Andrea turned to Dan.“Are you okay sitting up top?”
“Sure.”The corners of his eyes creased as he pulled himself up into the trailer, but he managed it.
Libby sat in the front with Karim on her lap.
“It’s not far,” Andrea said.“Nothing is far away on Atiu, except other islands.I’ll give you a quick tour first so you can get your bearings.”The engine roared to life.“Where’re you from?”
“Northern California.And you?”
“Bonn, Germany.”
“How long have you lived here?”
“About ten years.”
Andrea certainly looked like she’d been here a while.Her dress was similar to the ones the Cook Islander women wore—loose and patterned with flowers—but she didn’t wear shoes.Her bare toes spread as she pressed the pedals.
“You’re the only tourists on the island right now,” Andrea said, turning down a dirt track.She began pointing out places of interest.“This forest is growing out of themakatea.Makateais an old coral reef, thousands of years old.There are also caves you can explore.”
Libby had read about the Manan Caves and the kopeka birds that nested in them.She’d love to see them, but she didn’t think caving would be safe for Karim.
As they drove along, people were scarce.“I read that the population here is about 400.”
