Flame in Fiji

by Gloria Bevan

  "Right." He was regarding her with unconcealed delight. "Mum told us that the new owner of the old place had turned up out of the blue. She didn't say the important things, though." His appreciative glance swept over the serious grey eyes, the fall of shining hair. "Or believe me, I'd have been out there ages before this ! Mum said you would drop in at the house to see us some time —"

  "Well, I've dropped ! You haven't a drink of water to spare for a thirsty traveller, have you?" They laughed together, then he hurried towards a cocktail cabinet and she heard the clink of ice.

  "You can stay to lunch? I was just going to rustle up something."

  "Well ... if you let me help you with it." It was amazing how easy she found it to talk with this stranger, yet with David ... was it because she loved him that she always seemed so stilted and stupid? Oh, why think of David anyway? He wouldn't be wasting time thinking of her, that was for sure !

  Kevin was sweeping up armfuls of books and papers and throwing them on a shabby armchair. "There's cold chicken in the fridge, pickles —" He seemed pathetically anxious to please her. "I'll put coffee on to perk, it won't take any time !"

  Something about the young boyish face reminded her of Johnny. Or was it Johnny as she had imagined him to be? The brother she knew was a stranger, someone she felt she didn't know at all.

  "But what about all your studying?"

  "Forget it ! I can get back to that any time."

  She sent him a teasing glance as she passed him on the way to the fridge. "I've got a message for you from your mother about that —"

  "Oh, Mum ! She's always yakking on about me going out too much. I keep telling her that I manage better this way, leaving all the swot until the last couple of weeks, then cramming it in night and day until I've got it. Pickles coming up ! And cole-slaw. You like cole-slaw?"

  She set the cold chicken on the table. "You didn't mention interruptions in your programme, you know."

  "You think I mind!" He sent her an incredulous, laughing look, as though, Robyn thought, the day was something special to him. David had never treated her like that. Once she had imagined he had felt that way about her, but now she knew it had been just an illusion. He was pleasant and smiling to everyone, it was just his way.

  Kevin crossed the room, touched the switch of a record-player and the next moment pop music flooded around them.

  "Penny for them?" She jerked herself back to awareness. `Oh, I was just thinking of your mother, and how indispensable she is out at the Islander. All that cooking, and the way she manages the native girls."

  "She likes people, that's why, and they like her. She told me on the phone the other day that the old place has had a face-lift and there'll soon be a continental chef in charge of, the cooking arrangements."

  "She didn't mind?"

  "Not a bit. She's quite happy to look after the staff, see that the place is clean and tidy. Any job at the Islander would do her. It would take a bomb to dislodge her, she's so attached to the old place. I guess she's just about part of the scenery by now." He eyed her over the rim of his beaker of coffee. "Say, that fire must have been a shocker. Lucky the place didn't all go up in flames! "

  "It was rather, but it didn't matter so much about the old bures. David said they were due to be demolished anyway."

  "David? Oh, you mean the architect guy who got the job of drawing up the plans and renovating the old place?"

  "That's right." Robyn sipped her coffee, fearful that she might betray her interest in the "architect guy." "Do you know him?"

  "No. Heard about him though, who hasn't? He's got a terrific name around Suva. They tell me he's got an international reputation in acoustic design. Mum says the old Islander is going to be changed into one of the show places along the coast. You and your brother must be proud of it."

  Nice Mum, not to have told anyone, even her own family, the real circumstances that had necessitated the change. Perhaps even Mrs. Daley was unaware of the true position. Come to think of it, she had never discussed with the older woman any business matters regarding ownership or the matter of loans.

  When the meal was over he lighted her cigarette, explained the particular subjects he was studying, then took her to the window and they stood looking out to the busy harbour below.

  "Look," he ran a hand through springy waves of fair hair and turned towards her, an appeal in his eyes, "I just hate having to tear myself away, but I promised the crowd I'd meet them down at the wharf. Seems there's an Australian girl arriving here today, someone's sister — or something — and they want to take her out on one of the harbour cruises. Why don't you make the trip with us? It's just a couple of hours on the water with a stop-off at Mosquito Island for a swim."

  "Mosquito?"

  "Don't worry, it's just a name," he assured her.

  "Why not?" She had her newly-purchased bikini with her. Besides, she liked this friendly young man with tousled fair hair and an engaging expression, and the outing would fill in the empty hours that stretched ahead; help to combat the feeling of restlessness that possessed her.

  Presently she was leaving the house with Kevin and they took the steep winding path leading down to the main street. As they crossed the road to reach the wharves she could see a motor boat moored close by, a wide craft with decks sheltered from the sun by blue canvas awnings. Flags fluttered from the rigging. A group of young people lined the lower deck and as they neared the cruiser voices and laughter reached them.

  Almost immediately Robyn was drawn into the group of students, all much of her own age group. Light hearted and friendly, they welcomed her, treated her as though they had always known and liked her. So why did she feel apart, have to force herself to counter the banter and teasing remarks that fell around her and the tall young man at her side. Fortunately Kevin proved to be gay and talkative so that no one appeared to notice her lack of response. All you need do, she found, was to keep the silly smile glued to her face and the others would do the rest.

  The cruiser cast off the ropes and glided over green depths as she nosed her way amongst the varied craft anchored around them. In the babble of voices, the endless talk of 'varsity affairs, no one troubled to enquire who Robyn was or where she came from. Presently the singing crew took up gui-

  tars and handsome island boys provided service with a smile as they carried around trays of cool iced drinks and wedges of sweet cake.

  Out on the shimmering waters of the harbour, Robyn was aware of a hypnotic feeling that eased for a time the terrible heartache that descended on her without warning. She supposed she answered rationally, laughed and talked with the others as the boat moved on, for somehow the hour went by, then they were turning course and heading towards a tiny, palm-fringed island. A few minutes later the engines cut and the cruiser glided in to the calm waters of a white sandy beach. Passengers with swimsuits and bikinis swinging from their hands began moving down the gangplank.

  Robyn went with the others and soon they were taking a sandy path winding amongst the clusters of coconut palms that led towards the changing huts.

  The swim in the water so warm it was unbelievable was refreshing and when she returned with the laughing group she felt a slight easing of the tense misery of the endless day.

  The cruiser turned and moved in the direction of the wharves and the crew took up guitars. Soon passengers were dancing on the wide decks and Robyn too got to her feet, performing the familiar movements mechanically.

  As they neared the clustered craft in the harbour, voices were raised in a chorus of the latest pop song, and passengers moving in time with the lilting guitars formed a long line. Soon others were joining the moving chain that circled the deck and was winding its way up the stairway. Robyn, her hands resting on the waist of a man ahead, went with the others. Singing with the rest, as the stamping line reached the bows of the upper deck, she felt rather than saw that she was being observed, and raised her heavy gaze to David's glance. He was smiling at her, the warm smile that pierced
her with a poignancy she could scarcely bear. The next moment a trill of laughter broke the spell and she met Maria's look of amused recognition. Robyn could imagine exactly what she would be saying to David. "Silly kids ! "

  Then she was out of sight of the two standing by the rail, moving with the others as the chain wound its way around the deck and down the stairway.

  As the cruiser moved in at the wharf the laughing group broke up but continued to sing in chorus as they moved up the gangplank. Feverishly Robyn tugged at Kevin's arm. "Let's go, shall we?"

  "Good idea, get out before the mob. You're coming back to the house, aren't you?"

  "Yes, yes !" All she wanted was to get away quickly, before David and Maria could catch up with her. Not that they might have any such intention, but she would take no risks. She couldn't bear to be with them, not today when she was sick with misery and humiliation. She would be certain to make a fool of herself one way or another. And what if he guessed how she felt about him? Or if Maria did? That cool glance missed little. No, she must escape quickly before they could find her in the crowd.

  "What's the rush?" Kevin hurried along at her side as she threaded her way through the groups gathered at the water's edge.

  "Nothing. Just a habit I haven't got rid of yet !" She flung a backward glance over her shoulder and found to her relief that the other two were amongst the crowd still milling around the deck.

  "Hi, Kevin! Robyn! Wait for us !" They found themselves surrounded by a group of students as they crossed the road and made their way up the steep tree-lined slope leading to the white house above.

  Afterwards Robyn could never recall with any clarity the details of the remainder of the afternoon. She retained a confused impression of a big room filled with students, of voices raised above the continuous blaring of the record-player and of Kevin always close at hand. Miraculously he appeared to find her company pleasant enough, so she supposed that the answers she gave to his light banter must have made sense.

  She gathered that there was to be a party at someone's fiat this evening, but feeling in no mood for festivities, she made an excuse of having to catch the bus back to the Coral Coast. As everyone was aware that to miss the vehicle meant having to stay until the following evening, she managed to get her point across without difficulty.

  When the time came to leave the house, a crowd of students insisted on accompanying her to the main street. Before the arrival of the bus, however, someone remembered other friends who must be invited to the evening's entertainment and the group moved away, calling farewells and leaving only Kevin.

  As the others moved up the darkening street, he turned to her. "Don't think you're getting away this easily ! I'm coming down to the Islander. Can't think why I didn't zip down there before ... if only I'd known. Will you be around at the weekend?"

  "Yes — no — I'm not sure." Robyn was scarcely aware of her reply, her attention caught by a red car bearing down in their direction. Of course Suva would have countless cars of a similar make, but if it were David and Maria What if David, guessing she would be at the bus stop, had come to take her back with them to the Coral Coast? At that moment the car, halted at an intersection by a red traffic light, drew to a stop. In a panic she snatched up her bulging zip bags and moved to the edge of the pavement. The bus was lumbering towards her from another direction. If only it arrived first !

  The vehicle had barely paused at the passenger stop before she was leaping aboard. Luckily she was the only person waiting there and the next moment they were moving away. On the pavement Kevin still waited, but she wasn't aware of his hand lifted in a gesture of farewell. She was eyeing the car now speeding down the traffic-lined street. If it was David he was too late to catch her, luckily ! The car swung into a side street, but not before she had caught a glimpse of David and Maria. She had escaped a meeting with them tonight, but

  there would be no avoiding them both at the official opening night at the Islander. One more ordeal she must force herself to endure.

  The vehicle turned from the smooth bitumen of the main Suva road and took the rough metal surface of the highway winding around the coast. Ahead lush rain forests were a black mass against the night sky and in her ears was the ceaseless booming of breakers pounding on the coral reef. She leaned back against the seat, tears pricking her eyelids.

  She loved him, loved him. No use denying it even to herself. From the first she had been attracted to him, more than attracted, and in some sneaky way her feelings had grown and grown until now he filled her world, her thoughts whether waking or sleeping. And each turn of the wheels was bringing her back to the Islander where before long she would have to meet him, talk and laugh and smile and somehow make him think she didn't care!

  CHAPTER VIII

  ROBYN was moving along the path towards the house after a "dip in the pool when David's red car drew alongside. For a second her heart flipped, then settled again, for it was Maria who was at the wheel. The other girl slowed the car to a stop, leaving the engine running.

  "Hi !" She leaned from the window, tossing her gay empty smile towards Robyn. "David was going to run me down here, but something came up, something important that he had to r see to, so he lent me the transport."

  Looking as perfectly dressed as before, though now she wore a simple Island shift, Maria tossed a curl back from her face. Robyn thought she looked rested, happy. Well, wouldn't anyone? There was no trace of the near-hysterical girl of a few nights previously.

  Robyn forced a smile. If that was the way she wanted it, to blithely ignore the events of the night of the fire and act as though no wild allegations had been hurled against her, she would go along with it.

  "David sent you a message —" Robyn was aware of the cool, noticing glance that flickered over her face, realised too late she was tense, eyes alight with expectancy.

  "Oh, nothing personal," Maria said with her mocking smile, "he just wanted me to warn you to get ready for the tourist invasion! He's contacted all the local tourist agencies letting them know the Islander is now in business, so the crowd should be heading this way any day now. Is that what you wanted to hear?"

  Robyn tried to force her features into an expression of polite interest. "Yes, of course. I'll come along with you and show you to your unit —"

  "Don't trouble." Maria slid the car into gear. "David told me to take whichever one I fancy ! " A peal of laughter and

  the car moved away, leaving Robyn with lips pressed tightly together in angry frustration. To be treated with careless condescension by this stranger, her in her own home — well, it was near enough to her own home ! Were it not for certain obligations that kept her at the Islander and her promise to David that she would help in the craft shop ... David; once again the black tide of misery swept over her spirit.

  The following day found the newly-completed motel hidden amongst the coconut palms to be crowded with guests. Taxis, buses and private cars continued to draw up at the wide concrete parking area at the rear of the building. There was a babel of varying accents as tourists from Canada, England, America, Australia, moved through the foyer and lingered in the boutique on their way to the native-style restaurant. Throughout the day the tortoise-shaped pool was never empty. Afterwards guests lazed on the springy green grass, their bodies glistened with oil and faces upturned to the blue sky as they sought a hurry-up tan. Others hired the specially thick-soled shoes from a thatched but near the beach and strolled out at low tide to the coral reef.

  The newly-painted Katrina, now manned by Selani's handsome boy-friend Lesi, was packed with passengers on every trip and stragglers arriving from the neighbouring hotel around the bay were forced to await a second viewing.

  It was all working out perfectly, Robyn thought, just as David had planned it — except for her own wayward heart! If only she could get him out of her mind ! As day followed day the longing to see him once more intensified. She found herself endlessly longing, looking for him. She had been so certain he would have
come back to the Islander before this, if only to finalise arrangements for the opening night. But he , hadn't arrived; why should he? With Maria in charge of everything he could be confident that matters would be in hand for the approaching celebration. Oh no, there wouldn't be the slightest hitch, she mused bleakly. The other two no doubt would be on the telephone daily to make arrangements, and to keep in touch with each other. That was the hurt.

  Would it ever lessen? The pain, the aching longing, the dreary sense of despair? She couldn't forget David's attitude towards her on the night of the fire. If anything were needed to underline the directions in which his feelings lay, it was the curt way in which he had brushed past her, all his thoughts centred on the girl in the adjoining bure.

  In the days that followed she had to admit that the other girl was proving herself to be an outstanding asset to anyone engaged in the tourist trade. Now apparently fully recovered from the effects of shock suffered on the night of the fire in the bures, Maria appeared to be on duty both day and night. Trim and neat in her short-short black linen frock, her flashing smile welcomed guests and she was quick to see to their comfort. To add to the pleasure of the holiday she arranged daily launch trips to one of the outlying islands, and for shopping in Suva, short air flights travelling in the little blue and white plane leaving daily from the grassy airstrip over the hill from the main building. It was clear that Maria was careful to sustain as far as possible the unspoiled island atmosphere David had envisaged as one of the main attractions of the new Islander. But of course she would want to please him. Robyn hated herself for the thought. They would work in together, they were two of a kind. It was she who was the outsider, naive, young, inexperienced. In some indefinable way Maria contrived to remind her of the fact whenever they met, which wasn't often, not if she could help it!

  It wasn't difficult, for Maria was fully occupied with her duties in the motel and Robyn herself was busier than ever, something for which she was grateful, she told herself, as she threw herself into selling the local curios and native clothing in the small store. For part of the time she was relieved by Selani and for the rest, apart from swimming in the tepid waters or in the pool and strolling at low tide along the reef, she spent her time with canvas and paints in her own modem unit. She tried to concentrate only on matters of the moment as gradually she fulfilled the art orders for hangings, pictures and murals that had continued to arrive from various new