“Excellent.You’ll be able to read the descriptions in the exhibits.They explain each display.You might like to explore that while I’m busy in the gift shop.Carolyn mentioned a cruise ship is arriving in around an hour.You should find plenty to keep you amused.”
“Nyree.”A woman appeared from another room.She glanced left and right.“Who were you talking to?”
“Myself,” Nyree said without hesitation.“I get better answers that way, Carolyn.”
Carolyn blinked as Tawera moved to stand beside Nyree.For an instant, he wondered if the woman saw him, but she laughed and stared right through him.
Tawera puffed out a harsh breath, his chest growing tight.It had been too much to hope others might see him.He was lucky he had Nyree to speak with and to show him the modern ways.
“Did you have something specific you wanted me to do today?I was going to double-check the stock levels in the store, then do a walk-through of the museum to make certain everything is ready for our next visitors.”
Carolyn laughed.“I don’t know why I bother checking on you.You do everything I need to do without being asked.”She turned to return before pausing.“The other temp worker scheduled to arrive in two weeks rang this morning.She can’t come since her mother has cancer.Suzie needs to remain at home to look after her mother.”
“Oh, I’m very sorry,” Nyree said.
“They’re going to find a replacement, but I told Brett, the organizer, we were doing fine at present.”
While Nyree chatted with the woman, Tawera wandered around the building’s interior and studied everything with interest.
Pictures covered the walls, and everything appeared tidy and smelled inoffensive.Machines sat on desks and in corners, and Tawera marveled at the things these people used to make their lives easier.
“I’ll check in with you later, once the passengers come ashore, in case you need help.”
“I’ll be fine,” Nyree said.“It’s easy and nothing compared to working in a busy pub.”
“If you’re sure,” Carolyn said.“Would you like to take control of a tour this afternoon?”
“I’d love to,” Nyree said.
“Right.I’ll let you know the time.”
Tawera waited until the woman left before speaking to Nyree.“She didn’t see me.”
“No, but I wonder if she can hear you.The shop is this way, near to the museum.We sell books, T-shirts, postcards, stamps, and a few other things.The visitors like to send cards and letters home to their families.”
To Tawera, this was a mystery, but he figured he’d learn.“Can I help you?”
“Sure, you can carry the heavier boxes for me, so I don’t need to make lots of trips.”She grinned at him, an impish grin that shouted mischief.
She hadn’t looked this way when she’d received the message about the Ari-man.His nostrils flared, and his muscles tensed.
“What’s wrong?I’ve seen you carry the plates and cutlery.Are you worried this won’t work?No matter what, we’ll help you get home.No one should have to suffer a curse like this and especially one because of plain jealousy.”
Her concern and reassurance wiped away his stormy thoughts.“Sorry.Sometimes I slip and feel miserable and angry about my situation.My apologies.”There was no way he’d confess he was furious on her behalf.He’d known warriors who spoke with their fists, especially after drinking the white man’s stinking water.
“That’s understandable.”She unlocked a door and led the way into a long, low building with a flat roof.“This is our wee shop.Mostly, it’s the T-shirts and postcards I need to restock.”She reached down and lifted a brown box before walking toward Tawera.“See the empty gaps in this rack?”
The words she used were unfamiliar, but Tawera soon understood what she wanted of him after she’d demonstrated the task.
“Oh.One thing.”She flashed another impish grin.“You’d better watch for people walking past.It will shock them to see postcards floating through the air.”
“I can do that.”Tawera spent an enjoyable ten minutes studying the bright pictures and filling the gaps.“I’m finished.”
“Perfect timing,” Nyree said, glancing out their windows.“It looks as if the first load of passengers has arrived.”
“What should I do?”
“Wander around and explore.Listen to the passengers.Try talking to one of them to work out if they can hear you.”She wrinkled her nose.“Don’t scare anyone too much.”
