by Jane Corrie
Sonia did not think this was a good idea. Not that she didn't want Kirk to take her out to dinner, but she felt he was in enough trouble as it was. 'Don't you think you ought to go back to Soya Sands?' she asked him, giving him a sombre look. 'What I mean is, your father does want that contract, doesn't he ?' she added meaningly.
`Oh, sure,' shrugged Kirk, then gave her a grin. 'I've got my story worked out, it's okay. I'll tell Dad I thought it was a good idea to keep the opposition's heavy artillery occupied.' He gave her a sideways look. 'Give Babs a bit more leeway,' he grinned.
Sonia tried to look indignant, but failed. 'So that's why you asked me out, was it?' she said.
He accelerated the egine and Sonia could only just get his reply. 'Hell, no, I sorta get a kick out of annoying Maragal. You should have seen his expression when George and Chloe turned up without you! You know what, honey? I kinda feel sorry for that guy—George, I mean, he's sure blotted his copybook.' He shot Sonia a quick look. 'Guess you've resigned, huh? Why not join our set-up? We could use a hostess with your looks. What do you say?'
She was lost for words. If only George could have heard that invitation! 'It's very nice of you, Kirk,' she said quickly, 'but I'm perfectly happy where I am. I do happen to be George's sister, you know. It's a bit complicated, but my mother married George's father when I was seven, and I really do happen to be here purely ou
Kirk's eyebrows raised. 'Straight up?' he asked.
Sonia nodded.
`Then all that spiel about being a hostess was eyewash?' he queried.
She grinned. 'Well, I was provoked, you know.'
`Well, well,' he drawled, grinning. 'Guess he gets you as much as he gets me, huh?'
Sonia's expression confirmed this statement.
He chuckled. 'You've just made my day, sweetheart,' he said. 'Now I can really go to town.'
Sonia was not too sure how to interpret this, but she was not really worried. Kirk she could handle, Rory Maragal she couldn't. It was as simple as that.
CHAPTER FOUR
KIRK took Sonia back just after midnight. They had dined and danced the evening away, and Sonia had enjoyed every moment. Kirk was an amusing companion. He had only stepped out of line once, and Sonia without meaning to had given the incentive. It happened after they had arrived back at George's house. As Kirk escorted her to the door, Sonia noted that only the porch light was on, and knew Chloe and George were not yet back from Soya Sands. Considering George's attitude to her friendship with Kirk, she thought it might be a good idea if they did not meet; the explanations as to why she was hobnobbing with the enemy camp could come later.
She held her hand out to Kirk when they reached the door. 'Thank you for a lovely day,' she smiled. 'I've really enjoyed it.'
Kirk looked at her offered hand and grinned. `Is that all I get, honey?' he queried.
'Well,' she said, answering his grin, 'I suppose a handshake is a bit formal.' She held her face up to him. 'You may kiss my cheek,' she said primly.
He caught her to him. `Cheek be damned,' he said, and gave the surprised Sonia a quick hard kiss full on the mouth. It was not unpleasant, but she had no intention of letting things get out of hand. She gently tried to extricate herself from his arms. 'I must go now, Kirk,' she said.
He did not release her, but bending his head once more, he murmured, 'Just one for the road, then,' and kissed her again. This time the kiss was longer and more possessive. When he finally lifted his head, he gazed at her with slightly lifted brows, then said softly, 'You know, baby, I could really go for you. I'm not sure I haven't already gone overboard.'
He made as if to pull her to him again, but Sonia, taking advantage of his relaxed hold pulled herself free. 'Now, Kirk,' she said in a determined voice, 'don't spoil the evening. Behave yourself !'
This produced another grin, much to Sonia's relief. He lifted one arm up in mock surrender. `Okay, whatever you say, sweetheart. See you Friday, huh?'
Sonia nodded. She felt rather mean, and for a brief instant pondered on telling him her plan to leave the island. But she decided against this He would no doubt offer to take her and after what had just happened she would be stepping
from one complication to another. The holiday she had so looked forward to, she thought with exasperation as she finally closed the door behind her, was proving more like an assault course for the marines !
After a quick shower she went to bed. About to put out her light, she heard the car come up the drive. Hastily she switched off and snuggled down; Chloe could tell her about the garden party tomorrow.
Chloe, however, thought differently. Within a few minutes of their arrival Sonia's light was switched on and Chloe was demanding to know if she was awake. Sonia sat up wearily. 'I was almost asleep,' she complained.
Giving her a sardonic look, Chloe retorted, `You must be tired, then,' adding dryly. 'We passed Kirk down the road. I suppose he'd just dropped you off ?'
Sonia sighed, then nodded. She then gave Chloe a hopeful look. Did you fix things for tomorrow?' she asked.
Somewhat grimly Chloe replied, 'I did—after today I'd even consider rowing you across, all seven miles of it! Neither George nor I are very popular at the moment.' She stared at Sonia. `Did you have to go careering round the place with Kirk, today of all days? I thought you were going to take it easy and rest,' she said
accusingly.
Sonia's brows rose. It was not like Chloe to get mad. It didn't sound as if she had enjoyed her day out one bit. 'I didn't know Kirk would call,' she said mildly, 'honestly, Chloe. He asked me if I'd like to see the crystal caves, and I said yes.' She added bitterly, 'Thanks to Rory Maragal my sightseeing tours have been non-existent.'
Chloe sighed heavily and sat down on the bed, giving Sonia a half apologetic smile. 'Forgive me, dear, it's not your fault.' She sighed again. 'It's just that we've had a perfectly ghastly afternoon—and come to that, evening as well. I wanted to come away, but George would stick it out.' She frowned. 'It's a bit odd really. He knows he's not going to get the contract, yet he won't give in. I can't make it out.'
Sonia could. She did not enlighten Chloe; instead she asked a question that had been puzzling her. 'How did you know I went out with Kirk anyway ?'
Kicking off her shoes, Chloe sighed with relief, and wriggling her toes, freed now of their restriction, answered, 'It's a very small island, dear. No doubt Rory would have known tomorrow anyway. I only wish he hadn't known today. Not after George's earlier apology for your absence on the plea of tiredness,' she said dryly. 'Dear old Mrs Cape proved our undoing. It was sheer
bad luck that she chose that day to show some visitors over the caves before attending the garden party.' She waved her hands in the air in exasperation. 'She's just a silly woman—didn't mean to make trouble, but she's got such a strident voice. Rory was only a few yards away when she told me she'd just bumped into you and Kirk in the caves, and made things worse by hinting that you were more or less canoodling in there.' She stared at Sonia. 'Were you ?' she asked.
Sonia looked indignant. 'Of course not ! I was frozen and Kirk loaned me his blazer, and then we shared it.' She grinned suddenly. 'You know, I suppose it would have looked a bit like canoodling, but it wasn't.'
`Well,' went on Chloe, 'any hope that Rory hadn't heard was soon dispelled. George and I were given the cold shoulder treatment with a vengeance ! We weren't the only ones out in the cold. Kirk's father came in for a fair share of it too.' She got up and smoothed her dress down. `You know what?' she said. 'After today's showing, George has as much chance of success as the Dilsons have. I thought he'd shout and rave about your behaviour after we'd left, but he didn't say a word. In fact he seemed mighty pleased with himself.'
Sonia slid down between the sheets. 'Good-
night, Chloe,' she said in a determined way. As Chloe reached the door, she emerged in time to ask, 'What time tomorrow? For the off, I mean,' she added.
`Ten-thirty,' said Chloe. 'And I haven't told George yet:
Sonia had a sudden premonition. 'Don't tell him, Chloe. Not until after I've left. I've got a nasty feeling he might make things difficult.'
Chloe sighed. 'I've a feeling I might have to come with you,' she said dolefully, and left.
By ten o'clock the following morning Sonia was packed. At fifteen minutes past the hour Chloe, having taken George to the office, was waiting for her in the car. As Sonia got in, Chloe remarked, 'George wanted to know why I wanted the car.' She pulled a face at Sonia. 'Honestly, a few more weeks of this, and I believe I'd become an accomplished liar ! I told him I was taking you sightseeing.' She switched on the ignition. 'I only want to forget to go and fetch him back and I'll really be in trouble,' she sighed.
`Never mind,' said Sonia consolingly. 'After today, you can get back to normal.'
`Thank you for those kind words,' said Chloe dryly, as she swept the car down the drive. `Sammy said he'd pick you up at Sawyers Beach,' she informed Sonia. 'He does the trip several
times a week—acts as a sort of courier. Does well at it by all accounts.'
`Do I pay him before we leave,' asked Sonia, `or when we get to Hamilton?'
`That's all taken care of,' said Chloe. 'George will settle with him later.'
`When he's calmed down?' grinned Sonia, then seeing Chloe frown, she felt contrite. 'I do wish you were coming with me, Chloe,' she said.
Chloe sighed. 'So do I. But with all this uncertainty about that wretched project, I simply can't just take off. If—and my goodness, what an if ! —George by some miracle does pull it off, he'll have to go back to London for a week or so to start the ball rolling their end, so I have to stay put for the time being.'
Watching the passing scenery, Sonia felt sorry she was leaving. The island had captured her after all. In the distance she saw fields of lilies, and figures moving up and down the lines, their bright-patterned shirts giving a splash of colour in that expanse of white.
Soon Chloe was pulling off the road and taking a well-beaten track that eventually led down to a small beach. Ahead of them lay the sea, sparkling in the bright sunlight, looking like blue trefoil. Sonia smothered a sigh. The Bahamas, she told herself stoutly, would be just as wonderful.
The car stopped beside a shanty-looking erec-
tion. Chloe looked up and down the beach and frowned. 'He should be here,' she said. 'I can't see his boat either. That's odd.'
A stout native woman emerged from the hut and strode towards them, a beaming smile on her face.
`Howdy, Missus Denby. Sammy left about ten minutes ago. Did you want something?' she asked jovially.
Chloe stared at her. But I asked him to take Miss Wells to the mainland. Are you sure he's gone, Tess, and not just out for a spell while he waited for us?'
The woman shook her black hair decisively. `He's gone. I know 'cos I helped him load.' She stared unblinking at them. 'Didn't say anything about taking anyone over.'
Chloe thought for a moment, then asked abruptly, 'Did he go to the big house this morning?'
Tess nodded.
Chloe's brows were raised. She turned to Sonia. 'Come on, dear. It's no use waiting.'
As the car moved forward, Sonia asked, 'Do you think he forgot?'
Looking thoughtful, Chloe replied non-committally, 'Maybe, but I don't think so. We'll try Jimmy Hanks. That is,' she looked at Sonia, 'if you're still determined to go today.'
It was phrased as a hopeful question. Sonia
pursed her lips together; she hadn't forgotten her last meeting with Rory Maragal. 'I'm determined,' she said quietly.
Chloe sighed and turned her attention to the road again. This time they went in the opposite direction from where they had come. Within ten minutes they were once more swishing along a sandy track towards another inlet. As they neared the beach a boat could be seen drawn up on the sand, and what was better, a man busy piling boxes stacked up beside the boat into the craft.
When the car stopped he straightened up and gave the usual grin of welcome. He was tanned almost black, and his bright red shirt made Sonia blink. His tattered shorts were beyond repair, his ensemble was completed by an equally dilapidated panama hat.
He greeted Chloe, and stared with interest at Sonia.
`Jimmy, can you take this lady over to the mainland ?' asked Chloe.
A grin showing stained teeth was given. 'Sure can,' he smiled. 'Now, missus ?'
Chloe nodded briefly, then turned to Sonia. `So you're going to make it after all,' she said.
Sonia collected her case from the car and was about to place it in the boat when the sound of a motor boat cut across the bay.
`Hold on a bit, miss,' muttered Jimmy, and
quickly took the case out of her hand and hid it behind the boat's hull.
Sonia looked in amazement at Chloe. Chloe chuckled. 'Coastguard,' she explained. 'Jimmy's had a bit of trouble in that direction. Don't worry, they'll pass on, you'll still make the trip.' A large white craft swept into view from the curve of the harbour. As it passed them the guard hailed Jimmy, 'You keeping doggo, fellow?'
Jimmy grinned and nodded vigorously. The coastguard nodded back solemnly, and the boat moved on, but it did not go far. In fact it only appeared to be moving off, but stayed stationary in full view of the inlet.
Jimmy's face fell. He looked at Chloe. 'No trip,' he muttered. 'Got to stay put, like that fellow says.'
Chloe's brows were raised once again. 'It's all right, Jimmy, it's not your fault. Some other time, perhaps,' she said. Turning to Sonia, she shrugged, and opened the car door. Jimmy made a crablike movement and retrieved the case under cover; with his back to the coastguard's boat, he handed it back to Sonia.
A slightly bewildered Sonia took the case and got back into the car. Chloe started up, and they moved off. After a few minutes she looked at Sonia. 'I have a definite feeling we're being got at,' she observed.
Sonia stared at her. But why ?' she asked.
Chloe's eyes narrowed. 'I may be wrong, but I think someone doesn't intend you to leave. I give you three guesses.'
Feeling a stab of apprehension, Sonia exclaimed, 'He wouldn't ! '
`He jolly well would—and, it appears, has ! ' answered Chloe. 'You heard me ask Tess if Sammy had been up to the big house, didn't you?'
`Yes,' said Sonia slowly.
`Well,' continued Chloe, 'Sammy wouldn't go there unless he was summoned. The big house is Soya Sands.'
`But,' stuttered Sonia, 'no one knew I was leaving. No, Chloe, it's just coincidence. I don't know about the coastguard business, but you said yourself that Jimmy had been in trouble. I suppose that's why they're keeping an eye on him.'
`They watch him, yes,' replied Chloe, 'but not that close. Trouble with Jimmy is he's not fussy what he trades in. If they suspect he's up to something a warning is usually enough to make him toe the line, he's not really a villain. Preventing him taking the boat out is certainly not normal procedure, I can assure you.' She screwed her eyes up in concentration. 'As for no one knowing, well, Sammy might have mentioned it to someone, and as I've said, it's a very
small island.'
And getting smaller every minute,' muttered Sonia gloomily.
Patting her on the shoulder, Chloe said, 'Never mind, pet, the ferry still leaves on Saturday, and even Rory can't prevent that leaving.'
CHAPTER FIVE
THE rest of the Wednesday and the Thursday slipped by without any intrusion on their privacy. Chloe really did take Sonia sightseeing this time. George tried to dissuade her from leaving on Saturday. 'Give it another week,' he said placatingly. 'You've just got off on the wrong foot with Rory.'
`And who,' demanded Sonia, 'is to blame for that? I arrive in all innocence hoping to enjoy a few weeks' sunshine and find I'm cast for the leading role in your financial stakes. I feel like the sacrificial lamb waiting for the wolf to pounce ! '
George looked hurt. 'I don't know how you gained that impression of Rory. I can assure you he's a perfect gentleman. Of course,'
he said huffily, 'if you will provoke him he's bound to react.' He sighed. 'If only I'd placed you next to Chloe or myself at lunch that day a lot of this trouble could have been avoided. I will admit to being a bit precipitate in introducing you to him. I should have let you settle in first and get the feel of things. However, it's too late now. Should he invite you to any other function I
would ask you to accept the invitation,' he said sternly. 'And this time try to make it a pleasant occasion for all concerned.' He was silent for a moment or so as if giving Sonia time to weigh his words, then he went on. 'I have,' he said carefully, 'been toying with the idea of settling here—permanently, I mean. Chloe likes the island as much as I do,' he smiled across at the surprised Chloe. 'Well?' he asked. 'You keep on telling me I ought to take a back seat. I can't think of a nicer place to settle, can you?'
Chloe's eyes shone. 'George ! It's a wonderful idea,' she enthused.
George's gaze centred on the carpet. 'Of course,' he murmured, 'getting that contract would have been a nice way to end my active days with the firm. Still, we must wait and see.'
Sonia had a nasty feeling he was trying to tell her something, and she didn't want to know. It was all very well for George. Had he been a five foot two blonde with nicely shaped proportions he might have seen things her way. She wondered about the invitation he had hinted at. She just couldn't see Rory Maragal handing out any such invitation. His total absence from the scene was, to her way of thinking, a sure sign that he had lost interest. She did not believe in Chloe's theory that he had stopped her leaving the island. Now if he were to throw a farewell party for her, in celebration of her departure, that she
could believe. He might even go to the extent of having a brass band play her off on the ferry !