Brian looked at Milne for a moment. ‘All right,’ he nodded. ‘I’ll give it some thought.’
Milne smiled and raised his bottle. ‘Think of it as coming to a fork in the road, Brian,’ he said, indicating with one hand. ‘One road leads back to Bondi. And whatever you normally do. The other road leads to the greatest adventure of your life. Just remember, though. If you take the alternative road, there’s no turning back. You have to go all the way.’
‘I’m in for the long haul,’ said Brian.
‘Exactly.’
‘And how long’s the long haul?’
Milne shrugged. ‘A couple of weeks. Maybe longer. I don’t know.’
‘Or a body bag.’
Milne threw back his head and laughed. ‘I told you, Brian. It’s not like that. I don’t expect you to die for Lan Laroi.’ Milne stopped laughing and looked directly at Brian. ‘But I expect a lot of other people to die for it. Hello. A couple of good sorts just walked in. You think we should make a move?’
Brian turned around to see Keleu and Airu at the bar. Keleu was wearing a blue hemp midriff top over a red wihros. Airu was wearing a green top with a white wihros. They waved from the bar, got two rum punches and came over to the VIP area.
‘Hello, Airu. My little artichoke heart,’ said President Milne.
‘Hello, Sawi darling,’ she replied, fluttering her eyelids. ‘Hello, Takatau.’
‘Hello, Airu,’ said Brian, getting to his feet. ‘Hello, Keleu.’
‘Hi Brian.’
Airu sat down next to Milne, Keleu sat alongside Brian. Keleu had washed her hair so that it shone like silk and dabbed herself with perfumed oil. The scent was lovely and she looked even better. Brian was a little tongue-tied. Besides that, Milne’s offer was still bouncing around in his head like a tennis ball. It was inviting, intriguing and somewhat disconcerting, all at the same time.
‘How are you, Brian?’ asked Keleu.
‘Good. Good, thanks, Keleu,’ answered Brian. He clinked his bottle against her glass.
‘How’s things with you?’
‘Fine, thank you.’
‘Sorry I didn’t call round. Ron … Sawi and I, were discussing something. I meant to.’
‘That is all right.’
‘What are you drinking?’
‘Apricot punch.’
‘It’s got a lovely fragrance. So have you. You look great, too.’
‘Thank you, Brian. You look very nice yourself.’
Brian made a dismissive gesture. ‘What? This old thing?’
‘I took Takatau out to the factories today,’ said Milne. ‘I’m giving him a job.’
‘What as?’ asked Airu.
‘Test pilot,’ said Milne. He started laughing and so did the two girls.
‘What’s the joke?’ asked Brian. ‘What’s a test pilot?’
‘Well,’ said Milne. ‘If we grow what we think is some extra, extra good dacca. We get someone to test it. If they fly right up there, and don’t crash land, we know it’s all right.’
‘Thanks,’ said Brian. ‘I’ll settle for the dole.’
‘Dole? What is dole?’ asked Keleu.
‘Don’t you have the jam roll here?’ Brian asked Milne.
The President shook his head. ‘Sorry, Takatau. No dole. We got zero unemployment on Lan Laroi.’
‘No wonder there’s no other board riders,’ said Brian.
‘Hey, talking about test pilots,’ said Airu. ‘Why don’t we see what this is like?’ She pulled a spliff from her handbag as big as a turkey drumstick. ‘Mum grew it down the backyard from those Jamaican seeds.’
‘Your mother grew this?’ said Brian. ‘Lengi?’
‘Sure,’ replied Airu. ‘Why? Is that a crime on Lan Laroi?’
‘I don’t know,’ answered Brian, pointing to Milne. ‘Ask the head of the Drug Squad.’
Milne took a thoughtful sip of beer. ‘I would bust her,’ he said. ‘And drag her up before the Chief Magistrate. Which also be me, mon. And trow de ’oman in de slam. But who going to do the cooking? I’m say. Not de bloody daughter. Daht’s for sure, mon.’
‘Up yours, Sawi darling.’
‘Ooohh,’ Milne held his hands up and turned his head away. ‘Talk to de fingers, ’oman. Cause de ears ain’t listening.’
Airu fired up the joint, the barman came over with two fresh beers and had a toke, and after that the night went like clockwork. A cuckoo clock. But still clockwork. Brian was glad Airu showed up. She and Ron were funny together. Their company also saved him having to play questions and answers with Keleu on his own all night. The other people left, Milne sent the barman home and they had the place to themselves. They laughed and joked all night while they helped themselves to beers and plenty of different flavoured rum punches. Airu fired up another hot one and the music never sounded so good. Dwight Yokum came on singing a country version of ‘Crazy Little Thing Called Love’ when they were on the dancefloor and they finished up doing some weird island line dancing. Around eleven they were sitting at the table, when Milne yawned and put his arm around Airu.
‘Well, Takkers me old,’ he said. ‘I might get going, and leave you pair of love birds to it.’
‘You racking your cue, Sawi?’ asked Brian.
‘For tonight,’ nodded Milne. ‘I got things to do tomorrow.’ He and Airu got to their feet. ‘Don’t worry about the lights and the music. It’ll cut out on its own. Goodnight, Keleu.’ Milne looked directly at Brian. ‘I guess I’ll see you in the morning, Brian,’ he said evenly.
‘Yes, Ron,’ nodded Brian, looking directly back at Milne. ‘I guess I will. Goodnight, Airu.’
They left leaving Brian and Keleu alone in the VIP area with Aretha Franklin warbling ‘Take Me to the River’. Keleu was snuggled up next to Brian. Brian looked at her fondly and couldn’t help himself. He bent his head and kissed her. Keleu didn’t mind one bit and kissed him back. Brian kissed the softness of her neck and got lost somewhere between the beautiful scent of Keleu’s body oil and the silky dark sheen of her hair. After a while Brian stopped and looked at her.
‘You know what I’d like to do now, Keleu?’ he said.
‘No,’ smiled Keleu. ‘But I think I have an idea.’
‘Now don’t be like that, you little devil,’ said Brian. ‘No. I’d like to take our drinks across to the jetty. Just smell the ocean and look at the stars for a while.’
‘Oh Brian. That would be lovely,’ said Keleu. ‘It is such a beautiful night.’
They picked up their drinks and walked over to the jetty, where a single lamppost on one of the piers carved a white vee out of the darkness as they leant against the railing. The music and the lights from the bar were soft in the background and the waves gently lapping round the jetty sent the sweet smell of the sea drifting up from the harbour. Above them, the soft light from a three-quarter moon bathed the water with silver, turning the distant mountains into mysterious silhouettes. Behind the moon, the night sky was that thick with stars, it looked as if someone had splashed a bucket of diamonds across the heavens. Here and there, shooting stars zipped between the diamonds for a heartbeat before disappearing into the endless black void.
‘What a night,’ said Brian. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many stars.’
‘Yes. The great spirit has been gathering, too,’ said Keleu.
‘How do you mean?’ asked Brian, turning to her.
Keleu pointed above them. ‘See. He has taken a piece from the moon.’
‘That’s certainly one way of putting it,’ smiled Brian. He sipped his drink and stared out across the harbour. Keleu put her arm in Brian’s.
‘Do you have something on your mind, Brian?’ she asked.
‘Huh?’ replied Brian. ‘Why? What makes you say that?’
‘You have suddenly gone very quiet.’
Brian looked at Keleu for a moment then placed his drink on the railing next to hers and nodded towards the channel. ‘Keleu. What do you know about the prisoners
?’
‘They were caught with the bad powder,’ answered Keleu. ‘The woman swore at the chiefs in the courthouse. Now they are to die.’
‘Is that all you know?’
‘They say the American and French soldiers are coming to take them. And they are going to take Sawi, too. And bring their law to our island. But Sawi will not let this happen. He will protect his people.’
Keleu’s childlike innocence left a lump in Brian’s throat. ‘Keleu, have you ever left Lan Laroi?’
‘Yes. Sawi sent me and Airu to New Zealand for three months to study computers. In Hamilton. I did not like it. It frightened me. Airu did not like it either.’
‘Keleu,’ hesitated Brian. ‘Sawi has asked me to help him. And I must make a decision. A very big decision. To leave the island or to stay. And I’m not sure what to do.’
‘I can only hope you will stay, Brian,’ said Keleu, lowering her eyes.
‘Thanks, Keleu. I want to stay, too. I like it here. But I also have a home and a family in Australia. And I don’t know what Sawi has in mind.’
‘Sawi is good. And even though you are Takatau, he will protect you, too.’
‘Yes. I guess he will,’ smiled Brian ‘He’s been Sawi for a long time.’
‘Oh no,’ said Keleu. ‘Not that long. Only a few years.’
‘A few years?’ said Brian. ‘How do you mean?’
‘He was always President. But he has only been Sawi since the spirit journey.’
‘Spirit journey?’ queried Brian. ‘What’s …?’
‘Sawi was once very sick. And very old and grey. Then he went to the ruins and didn’t come back. We thought we had lost him and our hearts were broken. But before long he came back …’ Keleu studied Brian for a moment. ‘He came back looking like you. Like a young man. That was when we worshipped him as Sawi.’
‘He came back a young man?’ said Brian slowly.
‘Yes,’ nodded Keleu. ‘And the people knew he was part of the legend.’
‘Legend? Spirit journey?’ Brian remembered Milne’s offhand remark driving out to Windmills. Takatau would also be expected to know these things. ‘Oh yes. The legend. Tell me more about the legend, Keleu. I like the way you put things.’
Keleu gave a tiny shrug of her shoulders. ‘Even though the missionaries burnt the old tablets, it is handed down that one day the children of the Safe Place would be threatened by an evil one from across the ocean. And a Sawi and his helper would take a silver circle and save them. And the world.’
‘Of course.’ Brian nodded slowly. ‘The silver circle. Tell me some more, Keleu.’
Keleu shook her head then pointed to the ocean. ‘There is not much I can tell you. Everything was burnt. But the old ones say it will come from the sea.’
‘Yes, right,’ said Brian, gazing out across the harbour. ‘From the sea.’ He smiled at Keleu. ‘Then you and your people have nothing to fear.’
‘I know,’ smiled Keleu. ‘We are safe with Sawi.’ She put her arms around Brian. ‘And I know I am safe with you, Brian. Not only because you are Takatau. But because you are … who you are.’
Brian put his arms around Keleu. ‘Yes, Keleu. I am what I am. And I’ll do everything I can to see that you’re always safe with me.’
‘Thank you, Brian.’ Keleu’s smile shone brighter than the diamonds in the sky. ‘That is why I think so much of you.’
Brian smiled back at her. ‘Think so much of me? Honestly, Keleu! I’ve only been here a few days. And half the time I’ve been roaring drunk and out of my tree.’
‘So?’
Brian thought for a moment. ‘Yeah,’ he agreed. ‘You’re right. So … so bloody so?’
They looked into each other’s eyes, then things started to get a little romantic on the jetty. The stars shone brighter, the air smelled sweeter, the moon got bigger and Brian got an uncontrollable urge to kiss Keleu. Keleu got the exact same urge for Brian to kiss her. She put her arms around Brian’s neck and drew him to her. Brian went with the flow and kissed Keleu long and passionately. They pushed against the railing and Brian kissed the sweetness of Keleu’s neck. Keleu slipped her hot spicy tongue in Brian’s ear then, when he kissed her again, slipped it in his mouth, sending tremors through Brian’s body. He ran his hands under Keleu’s top and along her ribcage, then around her breasts, feeling the nipples harden under his fingers. Keleu put her hand between Brian’s legs and started rubbing the bulge in his groin, then began undoing his belt as Brian kept kissing her. He took his hands away from her breasts and lifted her wihros up around her waist. He placed his hands on her small, firm backside, hooked his thumbs under her lacy white knickers and started easing them down. Keleu brought her knees together then, when Brian had her knickers near her ankles, she stepped out of them.
By now Keleu had Brian’s fly undone and his throbbing old boy out, stroking it lovingly with both hands. Brian’s jeans slid to his knees, he slipped his jox down and eased Keleu back against the railing. There was a splash and their drinks fell into the harbour. Keleu spread her legs and put her hands on Brian’s shoulders. Brian got between Keleu’s legs, pushed up and slipped his knob in. Keleu gave a moan as Brian gripped the cheeks of her backside and pushed himself further inside. Keleu didn’t weigh much. She put her arms around Brian’s neck, Brian let go of her backside, got his arms behind her knees then lifted her off the jetty and shoved. Keleu screwed her face up and gave a squeal of delight as Brian pushed himself in as far as he could, then started working away.
Brian couldn’t remember anything feeling so good in his arms. Keleu was warm and tight and beautifully wet. Brian kept pumping away, thrusting up as Keleu came down. Keleu spread her legs as wide as she could, held Brian round the neck and tongue kissed his ear, nearly driving Brian insane. Then the urge hit Brian and the railing started creaking to a steady beat behind them as he pushed harder and faster. Keleu moaned and cried and Brian’s head began to spin as he felt himself letting go. Feeling like it was never going to end, Brian finally emptied himself out into Keleu; it was that good, tears were squeezing out the corners of his eyes. Eventually, Brian pulled out and lowered Keleu gently to the ground before his legs went on him. Keleu’s wihros fell back down and Brian looked at her while his heart stopped pounding and his breathing slowly returned to normal. Besides being a complete little sweetheart, Keleu was the best lovemaking Brian had ever had. He was certain of it.
‘Are you all right, Keleu?’ Brian asked her.
‘Yes. I am fine. What about you, Brian?’ she replied.
‘Yeah. I’m okay,’ breathed Brian. ‘But Christ! I think I deserve the yellow jersey for that effort.’
Keleu shook her head. ‘I don’t know quite what you mean, Brian,’ she said. ‘But I have never done anything like that before.’
‘No. Neither have I,’ said Brian. ‘But there’s always a first time for everything.’ He bent down and picked up Keleu’s knickers. ‘I think these are yours.’
‘Yes. They are. Thank you.’ Keleu began putting them on.
Brian got into his jox and zipped himself into his jeans. ‘My God, Keleu,’ he said. ‘Somebody’s stolen our drinks.’
‘No. I heard them fall into the water.’
‘And you didn’t try to save them. Fair dinkum, Keleu. What kind of woman are you?’
‘I don’t know, Brian. But it is a little hard to do anything when you are suspended in mid-air.’
Brian looked at Keleu and started laughing. Keleu smiled up at him. Then Brian grabbed her round the waist. ‘Come here, you,’ he said, and gave her a long, loving kiss before letting her go. ‘Well, I suppose I’d better walk you home, young lady. While my legs are still working.’
‘You can do it, Brian,’ smiled Keleu. ‘You are Takatau.’
‘Yeah. Takatau with a hernia and curvature of the spine. But he can still smile.’
The music had stopped in the bar. But the lights were still on. Milne had told him it would all cut out eventually, so Brian le
ft it. Arm in arm, he and Keleu walked across the road and round the side passage to the backyard. There was a short trail in front of the house. Keleu stopped where it started and turned to Brian.
‘You do not have to walk me any further, Brian,’ she said.
‘You sure?’ said Brian. ‘That path looks pretty treacherous. Anything could be lurking down there.’
‘It is all right,’ smiled Keleu. ‘The boogeyman will not get me.’
‘The boogeyman?’ said Brian.
‘Yes. Sawi always says, if Ebonee and I are naughty, and we don’t watch out, the boogeyman will get us. He has not got us so far. And I don’t think he will tonight.’
‘The boogeyman,’ laughed Brian. He placed his hands on Keleu’s shoulders. ‘Listen Keleu. There’s only one boogeyman you got to worry about getting you from now on. And he’s got blond hair and lives on Key Street. And he doesn’t ride a boogey board.’
Brian kissed Keleu goodnight for what seemed like ages. It wasn’t long before he was starting to feel very much that way again. Pressed up close to him, Keleu could feel it too.
‘I think it is best I go,’ she said. ‘I have work to do tomorrow.’
‘That might be a good idea,’ said Brian. ‘Or you could be taking a sickie.’ He gave Keleu a last, quick kiss. ‘Goodnight, Keleu. I’ll see you tomorrow.’
‘Goodnight, Brian,’ she said, letting go of his hand. ‘It was a wonderful night.’
‘Yes. It sure was.’ Brian watched her lovely little behind vanish down the trail, then he turned, and walked slowly up the stairs to his room.
Once inside, Brian got out of his clothes, cleaned his teeth, then turned out the lights and climbed straight into bed. He didn’t bother about the ghetto blaster. He didn’t bother about anything. As well as still being a bit drunk and stoned, he was dog tired and almost asleep before his head hit the pillows. The early nights were getting to be a killer. Part of what Keleu told him was still bouncing around inside his head. But Brian’s last thoughts before he drifted off swirled around Milne’s fork in the road and the trail leading to Keleu’s house. Watch out for the boogeyman. Brian yawned and pushed his head into the pillows. Seconds later he was out like the proverbial light.
The Ultimate Aphrodisiac Page 20