Me and Them

by S G Read

  'No boffins interested in our volcano, no tourists, they are probably keeping away because of our volcano.' George complained. 'We just can’t win!'

  'I know what you mean George but one day we will look back on this moment and laugh.' I replied. 'We are probably surrounded by people looking for two princesses and none of them are coming here!'

  'I feel like crying,' Alex moaned, 'or ripping someone’s head off.'

  'I’ll settle for the second one.' Charley replied. 'Princesses aren’t supposed to cry. In fact we aren’t supposed to say aren’t either.' She laughed at her own joke. 'In fact my mother is going to have a fit when I walk in like this and talking like a commoner!'

  'She’ll wonder where the plum went.' Natasha said and she laughed.

  'A plumless princess that will never do,' George said in her best princess voice, 'cor blimey, where did that come from governor?'

  Two more girls started laughing.

  'I sounded like Del boy then.' She added returning to her best princess voice. 'You plonker your majesty.'

  In the end we were all laughing. I did not stop them, I could not stop them. I was powerless.

  It was a while before we resumed what we were supposed to be doing. We split up into two groups again and went out to see if there was anyone about. We were at the end where we had landed the first time we arrived here and I took my fishing rod just for something to do. As I caught fish, we stored them under wet grass to keep them fresh and keep the flies off them. When there was enough we took them to the cave, then walked back down to the beach to start again. Once again we saw of no one but when it was time to go back we did so with speed in case there was news from the horseshoe beach, the place I expected it to come from.

  We came through the back gate with our catch but put it down and scouted ahead in case there was trouble. There was no one about which was strange but then they might just be late back from the beach. We left the second lot of fish hanging and crept up to the house. The hairs on the back of my neck tingled but I did not know why. The house was empty as was the compound.

  'Now what?' Tammy asked.

  'Two of you deal with the fish while I scout around. I will not be out of earshot so if there is problem give me a yell. Tammy can watch my back.'

  We moved quietly along the track as far as the walled gate. The creepers we had planted had taken over now and when you lifted the gate a large amount of creeper went up with it but it still worked and as the creeper was planted in such a way that it could go up and down without upsetting it, the outcome was a well concealed gate. We had a spy hole along the wall, it was high up but there was a rock to stand on so that you could look through it.

  'Now what?' Tammy asked, her cheek pressed up against mine so that she could see what I could see.

  A cry from the house stopped me answering and we hurried back but made sure we did not run straight into something we would rather not run in to. I saw the other group there, they had come in from the other way and there was no one else to be seen but they were wearing jewelry. It was jewelry from their treasure that should have been buried with the rest.

  I walked up to them, I was angry and they could see it. Several tried to hide the jewelry but I had already seen enough.

  'Do you all want to be tortured? Believe me they will! Shall I torture you so you can find out just how quickly you would tell them where you have hidden it? They would have your treasure quite quickly believe me and then if you were too far gone to be of any use they would slit your throat after you have dug your own grave!' I turned on my heel and stormed off, I was still mad and I needed to get away from them.

  I threw the gate up and stormed through with Tammy and Tabby following. They closed the gate and followed, a discreet distance behind in case they caught some flack, although they had done nothing to earn it. As darkness fell I found myself at the old shelter and we hurriedly lit a fire while there was enough sun. We sat and talked about their stupid actions; the girls were both in agreement which pleased me. If no one ever came to this island then wearing some of their wealth did not matter but if they were seen in it, even normally law abiding people can be lead astray by treasure!

  I heard a noise and we all raised our weapons although Tammy only had the one bullet in her gun, for emergencies only.

  'Don’t shoot.' We heard a girl’s voice say and Natasha stepped into the light.

  She was followed by the rest, one by one. They no longer had their jewelry on and looked very contrite. We built the fire up to give more light and they all sat down. They did not say anything apart from Natasha who asked if they could sit. All they got from me was a barely visible nod. It was eerily quiet as we sat there and as the wood on the fire was slowly disappearing I went inside to sleep.

  Day 113 on the island.

  I woke to find them all in there, we had nothing to sleep on barring the leaves inside but at least they were dry. I stepped outside and breathed in the early morning air. It was competition day today and we were not having it but was I right to be angry? The door opened behind me and Tammy came out with Tabby. If I walked off they were ready to follow. The fire was still smoking but I ignored it and headed for the beach to see if anyone was about. It was still just as deserted and we could not see any footprints.

  We walked through to the beach next to the cave but again it was deserted. We cut across the island back to the old shelter to find it deserted; they were off to check the other end. We walked back to the house and started to cook the fish. I was planning another walk down to the beach during the day but it was low on my agenda.

  Inside the house was a pile of jewels and necklaces in one corner, they had obviously taken them off and dropped them there. At least they did not have them on when they were out and about and it gave me an idea.

  With the food cooking we had time to walk down and look at the other end again, I expected to see nothing and I was not disappointed. We sat on each beach for a while then walked back to the house. The girls were back now and they had seen nothing. The jewels were still where they had dropped them.

  We ate in silence until I was ready to address them.

  'The wearing of jewels is forbidden while you are out of this compound but I can understand you wanting to wear them while you are in here though and I will allow that! What I want to know is did you all go and dig up each others treasure or did just the two of you go each time?'

  Natasha stood up to be the spokesperson.

  'Some didn’t bury all their stuff but kept some to look at, they started wearing it so the rest wanted to wear some of theirs, so we all know where the treasure is really, except yours.'

  'That is as I thought! One being caught means most of the treasure will be found! Leaving no bargaining power to the rest of you only Andrea and I! Tomorrow you will go our in your pairs and find a new home for your treasure but you can keep some here to wear when you are here but not when your are out on patrol!'

  A murmured agreement ran through the bunch and Natasha put into words.

  'We agree and we are sorry to have let you down!'

  'You are young girls, I should have expected it. What we have accomplished together is amazing and to rest and dress up must be your reward. I am sorry I obviously expected too much from you this time!'

  'No it wasn’t too much!' Tammy declared. 'It was just some of you being silly!'

  'Little girls often do silly things.' I replied.

  'But silly things here can get us killed or worse, captured.' Tabby declared. She had been with me when the others decided to wear some of their jewels.

  Andrea, the other girl who had been with me said nothing. Both Tammy and Tabby’s jewels would have to be reburied as their partners had shown where their jewels were buried. I was glad Andrea had been with me as I did not want to move mine to a new home, had she been with the others she might have succumbed to temptation and shown them where ours were hidden. I stood up.

  'Now that episode is history, you know where I s
tand on the subject, I do everything I can do to protect you but you do have to think of yourselves sometime; it goes both ways!'

  We sunbathed on the beach near the back door that evening, the mood was sombre.

  Day 114 on the island.

  I watched the first pair go out in the morning and sent a patrol in the opposite direction with Andrea, Natasha, Charley and George in it. The second pair who went out was Tammy and Sarah and Tammy was bitching all the way. I was not surprised when Sarah complained when they returned that she had to do all the digging. The third lot went out soon after the patrol was back they were the threesome and I sent a four girl patrol out in the opposite direction. What I did not know, was that they were all putting it all in the hole and not keeping any to wear in the compound.

  It was midday when Charley, Natasha and George returned from reburying their treasure. I sent three out to bring in the other patrol; we were going to have the competition now that the affair was history. We waited until they all returned, some taking the chance to practice while they waited, then we started. We missed out on the skipping stone contest but we would still do it.

  We started, this time there were two umpires and they had to agree on the result. They shared the umpires chair and watched as we fought out the contest. We kept it at the same distance, the longer distance, to make it harder. After the first five shots there was one who went out, me! The shoot out began. Natasha fell on the first shoot out and tabby was next. The final shoot out left Charley the clear winner.

  'I have an announcement to make.' George said standing up in the umpire’s chair. 'I kept this back.' She lifted up her arm to display her diamond necklace. 'To be the winner’s trophy as the conch is beginning to smell a bit. Is that acceptable?'

  They all looked at me.

  'As long as it is not worn out of the compound and you don’t expect me to wear it when I win!' I replied.

  'I don’t think we have to worry about that!' George replied.

  'I might win one day!' I argued.

  The others laughed but I did not mind, at least we were happy again.

  Day 115 on the island.

  Patrols went out with strict instructions to be back by midday. We were going to have our skipping stone contest in the afternoon. Two patrols of three went out and I went out with Tammy and Tabby to collect suitable stones for skipping. We took two old saucepans with us to carry them in and trolled the beaches. We met the patrol who were at the end we were searching.

  'Halt who goes there?' Alex cried dramatically.

  'Someone who will put you over his knee if you are not careful.' I answered.

  Two more girls sprang up, one on each side of us.

  'Just you try it buster!' She hissed.

  'Okay it is I rich king Walter with his two handmaidens.' I declared.

  'We aren’t anyone’s hand maidens!' Tabby cried.

  'Well said.' Sarah said from one side.

  'Oh alright it is rich King Walter's patrol.' I declared.

  'We are that alright.' Tammy agreed. 'What is a handmaiden?'

  'We’ll ask George or Charley when we get back, they’ll know.' Alex said and lowered her crossbow. 'Pass friends.'

  We struggled back an hour later with two pans of stones and left them near the beach covered up. Everyone came back when the sun was at its' highest and we ate before we walked on to the beach. The iron pyrites was there as the prize and I showed them how to count the ripples, which was also the number of bounces and we began. There was a lot of squealing and cursing when skimming stones took a nosedive at the wrong time but we enjoyed it. I won easily but we all knew we had been in a competition as our arms felt like they were about to fall off. The moaning went on all evening and into the night, I sneaked a mouthful of my home made wine from the corner of the room downstairs and it nearly blew my head off. I slept after that.

  Day 116 on the island.

  Everyone was complaining about a sore arm this morning and I was one of them. No patrols went out as no one could lift the crossbows and fire them. I did suggest we make it the last such contest but I was shouted down, they all wanted to beat me!

  We sat around the fire with the food already cooking and the sun not halfway across the sky.

  'What’s a hand maiden Charley?' Tabby asked.

  'A servant, we have three each at home to help us dress and such.' She

  replied, as though everyone was the same.

  'Can’t you dress yourselves at home then?' Natasha asked.

  'We aren’t supposed to, we are supposed to let them do it, we get reprimanded if we do anything but exist back there.' George exclaimed.

  'Boy aren’t they in for a surprise.' Sarah said with a laugh.

  'Not arf.' George replied with a giggle. 'I can’t wait to see my mothers face when I say no to her!'

  'Me too.' Charley added.

  'Can you take a picture of her when you say it, for us?' Alex asked.

  'We’ll try but at the moment I don’t think I could hold a camera up!' George answered.

  'It will get easier and easier and then we will beat you know who!' Natasha replied, looking in my direction.

  'Dream on.' I retorted. 'That’s a bit like me saying I will win at crossbow shooting!'

  We did not stray far that day, the aching arms stopped us from going on patrol, we ate when the food was ready and had fruit during the rest of the day or cold meat. As the aching wore off the girls went to bed for some extra sleep and the rest joined them one by one. I was the last to go to bed.

  Day 117 on the island.

  The aching arms were no longer stopping us and we went out on patrol. We always expected something but we never saw anything. We spent the day keeping out of sight looking out to sea and then changing position to do the same again. The next two days were the same, we went out even though it was Sunday, knowing that Monday was competition day and we would not have to go out.

  Day 120 on the island.

  With no sign of anyone and no more sign of the boat we were ready to stop going out just to look for boats. Today was competition day and we were up for it.

  Everyone had a shower and put on clean clothes, their competition clothes and waited for their turn. We were still shooting from the greater distance to stop the competition going on too long, as most of them could now hit the gold from the close target! After five shots there were three left in, one of them not being me! Charley was on sparkling form as umpire and I was glad to see Natasha still in. Not as pleased as I would had been had it been me though. The shoot out was between Natasha, George, of course and Andrea, with a crossbow! We were all improving and all George could do was to keep hitting gold in hopes someone would miss. Natasha was usually the first to slip up but she was biting her lip and making sure all her shots were unhurried and accurate. No one wanted to lose. We could not move the target back and there was no room for us to move back without us trampling on my new garden so we had to make the gold smaller by adding an inner gold. Instead of a painted circle the inner gold was painted in completely. It was a two inch circle. To score and inner gold none of the bolt had to be in the next scoring area, the gold.

  It took an hour to make up the right colour out of the materials we had and we allowed another ten minutes for it to dry before we continued with the competition.

  All three shot and hit gold, some touching inner gold but not fully in. Finally Natasha hit the inner gold with her go and as she was first it set the standard. George shot and hit the inner gold but it was just out. Charley walked up and looked carefully.

  'Only a gold sis.' She said sympathetically.

  'I did my best sis.' George answered.

  Andrea fired and hit the inner gold.

  Charley walked up and spent some time looking, 'inner gold,' She decided,

  'it is another shoot off between Andrea and Natasha!'

  George was relegated to third place!

  'It seems I am never going to wear my necklace until we are rescued.' She
quipped.

  Natasha repeated her inner gold and Andrea stared at it.

  'Good shot Tasha.' She said and walked back to shoot again.

  She hit the inner gold but it was crossing the line.

  Charley walked up. 'Tash wins. Well done Tasha.'

  She gave her the necklace and she put it on straight away.

  We sat round the fire and ate.

  'What happens now?' Charley asked. 'Are we going out to look again?'

  'Sort of.' I answered. 'We thought we knew the island but when I found the cave I also saw there is a bit of land we have not explored. I saw it from the top of the rocks, there is more island on the other side of the fallen forest. We never did go to the end and round behind that hill. So tomorrow that is where we are going but as it is in the open a lot we will have to camouflage ourselves. The competition for the rest of the day is to be unseen. I will go out with my two hand maidens-'

  'We are not handmaidens!' Tabby cried.

  'I’ll be your handmaiden king Walter of Horseshoe Island.' Alex offered.

  'Rich king Walter of Horseshoe Island!' the rest chorused.

  'Thank you handmaiden Alex.'

  'So will I!' Charley added.

  'Trying all jobs are we?' I asked.

  'I hope not, they were supposed to wipe my you know what, as well!' Charley retorted.

  'All I need is two with me so I don’t break my own laws, you don’t have to wipe anything of mine, all the time I can manage it Charley!'

  'How will it work?' George asked.

  'I will walk through with my bodyguards-'

  'Hang on, just now we were handmaidens!' Tabby cried. 'If you’d had said bodyguards I would have been there straight away!'

  'You can be my second bodyguards. I will walk through and if we can see you we will walk over and touch you. If I get to the next gate without seeing you and have passed you, without you hiding in the house, you are through to the next round. If not you are dead!'