Flame in Fiji

by Gloria Bevan

  Music poured out into the night as he took her arm and they joined in with the groups moving into the foyer. Inside Noeline was standing at the entrance to a reception room, beside her an alert-looking older man and a short plump woman with elaborately arranged silver hair. Linda ran forward to meet them, calling over her shoulder, "Johnny! It's Robyn and David!" Robyn wondered at the gleam of excitement that flickered in the pebbly-green eyes, then she was acknowledging introductions, moving with David into a crowded area where couples were dancing to the strains of a group of Fijian musicians.

  Almost at once she found Johnny at her side. He whirled her amongst the dancers as they moved to the insistent beat. She had to shout to make herself heard over the music. "You're looking very pleased with yourself tonight."

  "With reason! It's a special night for me, Rob: That's why I wanted to make sure you'd be here, to hear the big news !"

  "What big news? Don't tell me you're —" But a laughing couple whirling between them separated her from Johnny and it was a few moments before he rejoined her. Now she had an opportunity to look squarely into his face she sensed about him an air of suppressed excitement. He was wildly elated. There was no doubt this was his night. "You might give me a hint," she complained.

  "And spoil the fun of it all? Nothing doing, Sis ! You can wait patiently for a while like everyone else. It won't be for long."

  Still following the foot-tapping rhythm, she looked up at him laughingly. "Can't I even guess?"

  "You can, but it won't do you any good. I'm not telling !" "David seems to think —"

  Johnny raised a tanned hand in protest. "Don't think. Wait and see." And with that she had to be content.

  She forgot Johnny almost at once, for how could she dwell on anyone else, even her brother and his mysterious announcement, when David seemed content to partner her through every dance? She was only half aware of the crowded floor, the strange faces moving around her. Nothing else mattered but David and the soft intimacy of his gaze. Let Johnny keep his secret, whatever it might be. This was her night with the man she loved, a few precious hours filched from fate.

  On only one occasion did David dance with anyone else, and that was when he partnered Noeline. As the other two moved towards the dance floor Robyn caught the other girl's excited tones. "I knew you'd come, that you wouldn't let me down!" The music of the Fijian group drowned out their voices as the other two moved away.

  If only time didn't go by so swiftly. It seemed incredible that two hours had flown past already. All at once there was a roll of drums from the stage and the crowd gathered at the bar glanced around expectantly. In the sudden hush the dancers paused, looking towards the small family party grouped at the end of the big room. Of course, the special announcement Johnny had hinted at. How could she have forgotten? No wonder Noeline appeared so strung-up, two spots of vivid colour burning on the high cheekbones, her pale eyes alight with excitement. Robyn's glance slid towards Johnny. Even from a distance there was no mistaking his tense air of expectancy.

  The older man had risen to his feet. "Folks, I've got a surprise for you, one of the reasons we invited you here tonight! It makes my wife and me very happy to welcome into our family a new son-in-law — Champagne, please —" he gestured to a waiter and corks popped. "I give you Mark Sutherland, who I hope will make as good a husband as he does a business partner ! " The dark thick-set young man standing a short distance away stepped forward and smilingly acknowledged the thunder of congratulations.

  Robyn saw Johnny's face crumple as the varying emotions followed one another across his features — disbelief, shock, bewilderment. Her glance slid to Noeline and across the length of the big room the other girl sustained her gaze, a malicious smile of triumph curving the thin lips. So Noeline had won after all!

  Robyn was only vaguely aware of the confusion of sounds around her, of David's hand, strong and comforting, on her arm. All her thoughts were for Johnny. His face deathly pale, he had flung around and was blindly pushing his way through the milling throng. "Johnny! Wait !" She tried to follow, but Fijian waiters carrying trays of drinks blocked her way and the surging crowd pushing forward to offer their congratulations to the newly-engaged couple hemmed her in. When at last she reached the door he had left the building. He couldn't have gone far. She glanced wildly around her, then became aware of David at her side.

  "Let him go, Rob." His voice was very gentle. "He's got to work this out for himself."

  She turned, towards him grey eyes wide with fear. "But did you see how he looked? Like someone in a state of shock! He looked — desperate. In that mood he could do anything!" She scarcely knew what she was saying as the words tumbled wildly from her lips. "He's been counting on this for weeks. Don't you see, that's why he wanted us to come? Noeline must have led him along to believe all the time that the engagement announcement would be for her and him, and then he just couldn't believe it. Oh, David, did you see his face at that moment when he heard the announcement? I don't think he knows what he's doing just now, and if he's taken off in the car —" She stopped short as a vehicle screamed away from the line of cars and shot past them. For a second in the gleam of an overhead light, she caught a glimpse of Johnny's tense white face. Scarcely knowing what she did, Robyn tugged at David's arm. "Follow him, David ! You've got to ! In that mood he could do anything!"

  With a swift glance at her distraught face, he turned. "Come on, then, Rob, let's go ! "

  Quickly they moved to the red car. Robyn threw herself inside and David slammed the doors, then they were taking off at speed up the main street. There was little traffic on the highway, but on the dark hill ahead a red light was fast disappearing into the distance.

  David put his foot down on the accelerator and they flew up the hill.

  "Do you think we can catch him?" Robyn's distraught gaze was fixed on the wavering needle of the speedometer. The other car was out of sight now around a bend on the winding road.

  His eyes were on the highway. "I doubt it. With the hairpin bends at the top of the hill he's on a collision course. With luck we'll get there in time to pick up the pieces !"

  He had put into words her own terrifying conclusions and as they sped up the bush-lined slope her anguished gaze was on the fragment of road illuminated in the twin arcs of the headlamps.

  They were almost past the .wreck when they glimpsed the shattered vehicle lying at the side of the road. Obviously travelling at speed, it had failed to negotiate the sharp bend. With a squeal of brakes David pulled up alongside and in a moment he was running towards the car lying on its side amongst the crushed palm trees. Robyn hurried after him. Just at first she didn't see the crumpled figure lying amongst the twisted trunks of coconut palms. Then David, kneeling beside the inert form, switched on his flashlight and she peered down over his shoulder. Johnny's eyes were closed, he lay so peacefully, almost as though he were asleep. Asleep! She caught her breath at the terrible fear that filled her.

  "He's breathing all right." David's quiet tones were infinitely reassuring. "As far as I can see, there are no 'broken bones. Just concussion. Stay here with him, will you, Rob, while I go and call an ambulance."

  It seemed an age, kneeling beside the still figure On the grass. There were times when she wondered if he were breathing, if David had merely been trying to allay her fears when he had spoken so reassuringly. At last car lights swept the ground as an ambulance braked to a stop nearby. Soon expert hands were lifting the unconscious man into the vehicle. David and Robyn followed in the car as the ambulance turned and sped back in the direction of the city.

  Later, from the casualty ward of the hospital, a young doctor confirmed David's opinion as to Johnny's injuries. "He'll be fine in a day or two. Concussion, that's all, he was lucky! Just to be on the safe side, though, we'll keep him for a day or two to make certain there's no delayed concussion. After that you can come and collect him and take him home. Keep him quiet for a few days, that's all. He should come back to consciousness b
efore long. Would you care to wait until then?"

  "Oh, please!" Robyn raised a colourless face to David. "But there's no need for you to stay."

  "Nevertheless, I'm staying." She thought, it's only because he's sorry for me. He's like that. But she couldn't help the warmth stealing around her heart.

  It was only an hour later when Johnny's eyelids fluttered open. He tried to struggle up, then lay back on the pillows. Eyes wide with surprise, he stared at Robyn, seated by the bed. "Where ... how ...?"

  What a pity he has to know, she thought, but already she could see that remembrance was flooding back. "Last night I made a fool of myself."

  "No, no, you didn't ! It was Noeline who tried to do that."

  "It's all coming back now." Dazedly he put a hand to his head. "I rushed outside and burned off in the car and then . .." a look of bewilderment crossed the pale face. "The bend. I crashed, didn't I?"

  "That's what happened," Robyn said gently. "The car looks as though it's a write-off, but as long as you're all right, that's all that matters."

  "Who . . . found me, picked me up?"

  "David and I. We followed you."

  "I see. David. Why did it have to be —"

  "You weren't capable of having much say in it, mate," David had come to stand by the bed. "Don't think of anything except getting on your feet again. The doctor says you'll be out of here in a day or so. Leave all the thinking until then, hmm? Meanwhile I'm taking Robyn home. She's been worrying herself sick about you and now that you're clear-of the danger zone she can relax and catch up with some sleep."

  "Good idea." But she could see that Johnny's thoughts were elsewhere. "David, there's something . . ." She was aware of the struggle going on in his mind. Johnny always hated to admit defeat, to apologise. "I guess," he said gruffly, "things'll be a bit different from now on. At the Islander, I mean."

  David shrugged broad shoulders. "It's up to you, mate. If you feel like taking over the running of the place, it's all yours. Go right ahead. Maria only came along to get the project off the ground. She's quite happy to move on somewhere else the moment you decide to take over the reins."

  Robyn saw Johnny swallow, clear his throat. Johnny, who was never nervous, or if he were he never allowed it to show. "I wouldn't mind giving it a go." He moistened dry lips. "Last night's little show taught me a lesson, got it into my thick skull that there are some things that are a heck of a lot more important than money, debts, whatever. I mean, a guy can pay too high a price for a way out. Could be," he grinned his rakish, lopsided grin, "that things will work out after all ..." His voice trailed away, his expression lighting up. "Especially," he added slowly, "if a guy had the right girl to help him along !"

  As Robyn followed his gaze she saw a slim dark girl standing motionless in the opening, her gaze clinging to Johnny's face.

  "If she's still interested," he added meaningfully.

  "She is!" Pam, trim and attractive in her air hostess uniform, hurried to the bedside and clasped Johnny's outstretched hand. "I heard about the accident just after I got in on the flight this morning. One of the pilots had passed your car lying on the side of the road on his way to the airport. I came as soon as I could. How are you, Johnny?"

  "Fine — now." His tone was threaded with happiness. "More than all right. Want me to prove it to you?"

  His ardent glance brought the colour to her cheeks. Laughingly Pam turned away and seemed for the first time to be-come aware of the other two. "David, and Robyn! But of course you were at the party last night too —"

  "You know about that?" Johnny's voice held a plea for understanding.

  "Couldn't help it. A hostess friend of mine happened to be there too and," Pam's voice softened, "she told me all about it!

  "Bet she didn't let you in on the main thing, though." All at once Johnny's voice was strong and decisive. "And that's the part I want you to know, Pam. I could have bought myself a load of trouble if Noeline hadn't had other ideas about the two of us teaming up together. Talk about a narrow escape! It's just coming to me how lucky I've been. A girl who'd do a thing like that to a guy ... but I guess it took something like that to open my eyes! You know something, Pam? With the right girl beside me I can tackle anything !"

  To Robyn it appeared as though a terrific pressure had been lifted from his mind. It was wonderful to see the happiness in his face.

  "Come along, Rob," David's voice was gentle, "I'll take you home." Swiftly they made their farewells and as they went along the quiet corridor she said ruefully, "I doubt if they even notice we've gone."

  He threw her a grin. "That's love."

  Love. She turned away, suddenly weary. It was almost over, the little time she'd had with him on the evening that was to be worth remembering, only it hadn't turned out like that. All she could remember now was Noeline's glance of triumph, Johnny's shocked expression. After the events of tonight she couldn't blame David were he to say "I told you so".

  "Don't look so sad, Robyn !" He saw her seated in the car and they sped through the dark city with its lighted craft rocking at the harbour's edge. "He'll be as good as new tomorrow."

  "Yes."

  He threw his arm around her shoulders and she told herself that she was too discouraged to argue over it. But why not admit that in the comfort of his nearness her problems were magicked away and there was only the two of them, and the long drive back to the Coral Coast.

  There was silence between them as they took the smooth road out of Suva and turned into the rough metal of the winding coast highway. Then Robyn, speaking her thoughts aloud, whispered, "You were right about Noeline. All the time it was revenge. She never cared a thing about Johnny, not really. She just couldn't forgive him for letting her down. He thought she'd forgotten, but a girl doesn't forget a thing like that, being thrown over just before a wedding. She must have gone to all the trouble of asking us to the party, making sure we'd be there when she made that surprise announcement. The bit about it I can't understand is —" She broke off.

  "What can't you make out, Rob?" His voice was very gentle.

  "Oh, just," he was in love with Maria so it didn't matter what she asked him, "why you said you'd come with me tonight."

  "Can't you guess? I thought something like this might happen. I didn't want you to have to face it on your own."

  "Nice of you." Oh, he could be kind, but what was kindness when you craved for love, all his thoughts, now, tomorrow, always. She summoned a wavering smile. "At least you didn't say 'I told you so'."

  Lost in her thoughts, she scarcely realised they had left the main coast road and were turning down a rough track leading down to the beach. The sound of the surf was very loud as he ran the car down to the sand, drew to a stop and switched off the headlamps. Now there was only the moon-silvered sea and those incredible stars. Robyn felt her heart begin its heavy throb, throb. It was no use. She loved him so, she always would, even though she meant nothing to him.

  Suddenly she was in his arms, very close, very happy.

  "I love you, Robyn." He said it very quietly and for a moment she couldn't take it in for the wild sweet excitement that was surging through her. He said, very low, "I can't get you out of my mind. Rob —" She didn't hear any more as his seeking lips found her own and the booming of the surf in her ears was majestic organ music drowning out everything else but ecstasy.

  At last he released her gently. He traced the line of the small square jaw with his finger. "You do care?"

  Flushed and tremulous, she met his steady gaze. "I always have, right from the beginning. I was so afraid you'd guess." As naturally as breathing, she snuggled into his arms. "You know, David, I always thought that you and Maria —"

  "Maria?" There was no doubting the sincerity of his tones. "Believe me, Robyn my sweet, there was never anything like that between us! I was her husband's friend, that's all. She'd be the first to tell you the same."

  Robyn was glad his kiss stopped her from having to make an answer. Privately sh
e thought there were things that women knew about each other without having to spell them out. Things like Maria's coolness towards her that had nothing to do with matters at the Islander, the way she looked at David, the warmth in her tones when she spoke to him. Oh no, David my darling, it's not the way you think. With you, maybe, but not with Maria.

  "It was just," she murmured against his bronzed cheek, "that you were always with her. That night of the fire in the bures, and when the firewalkers were performing —"

  "Oh, now I get you! My darling, it wasn't like you thought. Maria wanted to keep the past out of it and I agreed to play along with that. There was a lot you didn't know about, sweet." His mouth brushed her lips. "You see, Rob, she had this thing about fire. You couldn't blame her when you knew the circumstances. I was there at the time it happened a year ago. Her husband Keith was a hotelier and he was killed by falling timbers when he was trying to rescue her from a blazing building. Ever wonder why Maria always wears long sleeves in her frocks, even in the heat of Fiji?"

  "I have, sometimes."

  "That's because she collected some shocking burns in the tragedy. The scars are still there, though they'll fade away in time. She spent months in hospital afterwards. The shock of Keith's death, her own narrow escape, it all did something to her. Oh, I know on the surface she was cool and calm and frighteningly efficient, but underneath it all ... friends wrote me from Europe telling me that Maria was heading straight for a breakdown, her nerves were in a bad state still, and could I do something about it? That's when I arranged for her to come out here. I thought a new venture might take her mind off what had happened. The Islander, I figured, was just what she needed, a challenge, and a complete change of climate, surroundings, everything, might get the whole thing out of her system. Then what happens? The bures go up in flames the first night she arrives. I was afraid it would put her right back where she was six months earlier."