Surf Sisters

by Laurine Croasdale

  Mitch dropped onto the couch beside her, the bill pinched between his fingers. ‘Jas, I could have flown Marlee over there for less than the cost of this bill. How much more is getting her into the competition going to cost?’

  ‘Sorry, Dad. I can pay for the calls. Honest.’ She ran into her room, returning with a bank book. ‘Look, I’ve been saving my money. I can pay some now and the rest in instalments.’

  Mitch snapped back against the cushions like he’d been fatally wounded. His body jerked upright. He scanned the book. ‘Saving! Good girl!’ He threw his arm around Pink, kissing her forehead. ‘I never thought I’d see this day.’

  The sound of Christie throwing her keys onto the hard buffet surface made them both look up. ‘You two look very cosy.’ Christie smiled at them curled up together on the couch and Pink shifted away slightly, conscious of the hard edge to her mother’s voice.

  ‘How was your day, Mum? Your hair looks good. Did you get it cut?’

  Christie shrugged off her jacket. ‘Thanks, darling, yes I did.’ She twirled around. ‘In fact, I tried to call you. Steph mentioned that her junior’s just handed in her notice and they need someone on a part-time basis. It’d be perfect for you.’

  ‘But I’ve got a job,’ said Pink anxiously.

  ‘Yeah,’ Mitch laughed. ‘She changed the washer in the bathroom earlier. Now that’s a useful job to have.’

  Christie crinkled up her nose in distaste. ‘Really, Jasmine, wouldn’t you rather do something a little more feminine?’

  ‘Curling and straightening hair for all the old bags at Diamond Beach? No thanks,’ said Pink unkindly.

  Christie bristled, her jaw taut. ‘I’m not an old bag, thanks very much, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with working at a hairdresser’s. I went to a lot of effort to get you that job.’

  Pink didn’t doubt it. Ever since she’d started at the hardware store her mother had found subtle and not-so-subtle ways to put it down, as though that’d change Pink’s mind – the tone of voice, the jibes about what she did, the jokes to her friends. ‘Thanks anyway,’ Pink said, determined. ‘But I like my job.’

  Mitch interrupted. ‘Jas has just been telling me about the fundraiser she’s organising.’

  ‘What fundraiser?’ Christie held her hand up to halt the conversation. ‘Let me guess, this is about Marlee …’

  ‘It’s a dance party to raise funds. Fizz’s doing the music. We’re rigging up lights, Jamie’s doing food, Fran’s done the most incredible images …’

  Mitch stopped her. ‘Were you planning on having this disco at the clubhouse?’

  ‘Disco? Eew, that’s so 80s. No. It’s not in the clubhouse it’s …’

  Christie interrupted. ‘Why are we always helping this girl? I don’t get it. I’ve told you – she is not the girl for us. She does not have what it takes in competition.’

  ‘Mum, she’s my friend, that’s why I want to help her. Besides, she’s a great surfer. She’ll be one of the best. I know it.’

  ‘You only have to look at her track record to see that she can’t cope under pressure. She either loses the plot or loses her temper. And if we back her we lose money. Mitch has offered her a wildcard, that’s enough. How many times are we going to go over this ground? I’ve told you our position, stop trying to undermine me.’

  ‘Loses the plot or loses her temper – just like Jack. It’s got nothing to do with her surfing, has it?’ asked Pink, fed up. ‘It’s about her father. Isn’t it, Mum?’ The photos of them together flashed through her head and Pink bit her tongue, aware that she needed to pick her time more carefully.

  Christie raised her eyebrows, anger flushing her clear skin pink. She glared at her daughter. ‘And what’s that supposed to mean?’

  Mitch broke in calmly. ‘Let’s let bygones be bygones. There’s nothing to be gained by raking up the past.’ He looked at Pink. ‘Now, Jas, what you’re doing is admirable but Christie has her doubts about sponsoring Marlee and even though I don’t totally agree I’m not going to go against her on it. But about this fundraising project – it sounds a little unplanned. Why don’t I give you the money for Marlee? You can find a way to give it to her without her realising where –’

  ‘Negative. Negative. Negative.’ Pink put up two fingers, holding them in front of her like a cross. ‘I can’t believe you two! No, Dad. Thanks all the same but everything’s organised and ready to go. Heaps of people have offered their help. We’ve got permission to use the space, we have security, lights, music, food. I’ve even booked portaloos through one of the plumbers at work!’

  Mitch glanced towards Christie, who was fiddling with her silver bracelets, refusing to meet his eye. ‘Well, that does sound pretty organised,’ he said, impressed. ‘What do you think of that, Christie?’

  Christie didn’t move from the buffet. ‘Sounds terrific, darling.’ She glanced up, not interested. ‘Well done,’ she said, her voice cold, then walked away, calling back, ‘I’m going to have a bath.’

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Pink’s alarm buzzed. She opened an eye and groaned. It was pitch-black outside. After lying awake for hours worrying about the fundraiser, she’d finally fallen asleep, but it felt like only five minutes ago. She pulled the covers up and closed her eyes, trying to ignore the knot of anxiety holding her stomach together. Last count they were still down on numbers. Her job at the hardware store might be paying this night off for some time.

  Her mobile phone alarm buzzed around on the night table. Pink turned it off. Then her radio clicked on, pulling her relentlessly towards the day. Pink scowled, sitting up and turning off all four alarms she’d placed around her room, her head in her hands, wishing today was over already. If tonight’s a failure and no-one turns up I won’t be able to show my face down the beach again. A prickly heat flushed across her skin and she made a run for the bathroom, gagging.

  By the time Pink, Fran and Tilly arrived at the venue, Tony, Jamie and Kyle were waiting, stamping their boots on the ground, their breath escaping in little white clouds. ‘Thanks for coming everyone.’ More people climbed out of their cars, approaching the group, looking at her expectantly. Pink swallowed nervously, grappling for the list she’d made late last night. ‘There’s a fair bit to do, so thanks for coming.’ She grinned nervously. ‘I said that already. Sorry.’ Her words were drowned out by a truck braking to turn in, rows of portable loos wobbling precariously on the back. ‘Look’s like the poo patrol’s arrived,’ Pink joked and the group laughed. She laughed along with them, relaxing, getting a sense that maybe today would end up being something special.

  As the sunlight shafted through the trees warming the corner of the park where the skate ramp sat, people began to arrive in ones and twos. By mid-morning the area looked like an ant’s nest with a distinct buzz of anticipation and Pink kept checking off the list of jobs on her sheet. Sam and Jamie set up the barbecue and tables they’d borrowed from the surf club, Tony organised all the tradesmen, the chippies quickly put the first platform in place so Fizz could set up her sound system while the sparkies rigged up sound and lights, and the plumbers were happy to act as security. Pink smiled, winking at Fran but saying nothing as the burly blokes pulled on pink Surf Sisters T-shirts over their huge hairy arms.

  ‘Pink, you’re amazing,’ Tony said. He waved his hand at the activity around them. ‘Look how many people have come to help.’

  ‘It’s because of Marlee, everyone wants to help.’

  ‘Never thought I’d hear you being modest,’ Tony grinned, tying on his tool belt. ‘You’re full of surprises, aren’t you? You turn up at the shop all feisty and full of lip, ready to take everyone on, and in the space of a few months you’ve won over all those hard nuts at the shop and proved that you’re a bit of a softy.’

  Pink blushed. ‘Not …’

  ‘Who can’t take compliments,’ Tony added. ‘I haven’t met a girl quite like you before.’

  ‘Oh as if,’ Pink warmed up, moving to safer
ground. ‘There must be thousands of feisty tuba players at that music school you go to. I’ve heard that the violinists are pretty lippy as well.’

  Tony chuckled, kicking his heel into the dirt. ‘They’ve got big muscles those tuba players. And the violinists can be pretty serious.’ He looked at Pink as though he was going to say something else but they were interrupted by someone calling Pink’s name. Pink kept looking at Tony but the moment was gone. He smiled, unwilling to move, his eyes on hers. ‘Okay, time to get the hands dirty.’

  Pink watched him stroll over to the skate ramp and join the group setting up the second platform, her heart pounding.

  ‘Hey, Pink!’ Startled, Pink swung around, knocking into Jamie, then jumped back feeling awkward. ‘Sam and I are off to pick up the bread. I know you’re busy today but I really need to talk to you about something.’

  ‘Yeah, me too.’ Telling Jamie how she felt about him wasn’t going to be easy. Even though Pink knew she had to do it, and soon, she’d rather leave it until after tonight. She lighted on Fizz waving to her from the top of the skate ramp. ‘Look, I have to go. How about later?’

  Jamie smiled. ‘Sure. Back soon.’

  By late afternoon the skate park had been transformed into a party venue with a dance area, music stage, scaffolding, lights and security barriers. Most of the helpers had gone home. Tilly and Fran arrived with money collected from ticket sales as Fizz’s first track cracked across the still air. ‘Wow!’ said Fran. ‘That is so loud. It’s awesome.’

  They sat on the grass next to Pink and Tilly handed over her ice-cream container. ‘We sold another forty tickets down the beach, at the Surf School and through Jordie’s shop. And guess what? He’s donating a board for us to raffle tonight!’

  Pink screamed. ‘Fantastic! And this –’ she shook the container listening to the shuffle of notes, ‘means we’re in profit!’

  ‘So how much do we have so far?’ asked Fran.

  ‘Well once we take out the hire for the venue, lights and all that stuff, we’ve probably got about four hundred dollars.’

  Tilly looked crestfallen. ‘That’s not really enough, is it?’ They fell silent, wondering how they could find more people to come, but none of them had an answer.

  ‘Who died?’ Tony stretched out next to Pink, offering her his bottle of water. ‘I’m starving.’ He nudged her side. ‘Let’s get something to eat. You could do with a break too.’

  Fran and Tilly, who had watched curiously as Tony came and sat next to Pink like he’d known her all his life, turned to Pink for an introduction. Pink blushed, knowing what was going through their heads. ‘Tony, these are my friends Fran and Tilly.’ They both smiled and nodded, checking him out. ‘Tony works at the hardware store. Tony, I need to get this money into the safe. Can we stop at the store on the way?’

  ‘Sure.’

  ‘Has anyone seen Marlee today?’ asked Pink. ‘Do you think she knows what’s happening?’

  ‘She’s been in the water most of the day.’ Tilly laughed. ‘I told her I’d been grounded until my English assignment was finished so she’s not expecting to see me any time soon.’

  ‘And she thinks I’m at the markets, so she won’t be around at my place either,’ Fran added.

  Tony jumped to his feet. ‘That’s it, I’ve got to eat. You coming, Pink?’

  Pink took Tony’s outstretched hand, getting wearily to her feet. ‘Can you stay for half an hour and keep an eye on everything?’ she asked Fran and Tilly. ‘I haven’t eaten all day.’

  ‘Sure, no problem,’ Fran said. They watched Pink and Tony walk towards his car.

  As soon as they were out of earshot, Tilly whispered, ‘Who is that guy? She’s never mentioned him before. He’s smokin’. Are they going out?’ But before Fran could say anything they were interrupted by Jamie.

  ‘Yeah, who is that guy? He’s been here all day.’ He watched Pink climb into Tony’s car. ‘Do you know when Pink’s going to be back? I need to talk to her.’ He glanced at Tilly and Fran but neither responded.

  Marlee came in early from her surf. The waves weren’t bad but her heart wasn’t in it. Last night she’d done a final count of all the money she had and it wasn’t close to the amount she needed. Her mother was right: there’d be other opportunities. It was time to accept the inevitable and get on with it. She’d looked for Tilly in the surf this morning to tell her but she wasn’t around, so Marlee decided to let Jordie know and then tell the others later.

  The smell of board wax and new wetsuits washed over Marlee as she stepped over the threshold into the bustle of Jordie’s shop. It was her favourite smell and she paused for a moment to enjoy it. Lights cascaded off the highly polished board decks along the wall but Marlee only had eyes for the board in the middle of the shop. It was built like a formula one race car, a high performance board, thin and strappy, light as a feather, perfect for quick-paced turns and powerful waves. It was edgy and by far the most beautiful object she’d ever laid eyes on. She wanted to take it out into the water that second.

  She looked at the strong brown fingers splayed across the deck and wondered if they belonged to the lucky person taking it home. She leaned sideways and saw Kyle crouched down, absorbed in the design of the red and blue tail pad shaped like a target. His shirt hung down below his jacket, a white T-shirt underneath emphasising the tanned skin around his neck. He smiled as he appraised the board, then glanced up to see Marlee watching. It’d been a while since Marlee had seen him so relaxed and she smiled back.

  ‘Check this out.’ Kyle spun the board around. ‘Tell her, Jordie.’

  ‘It’s for you, Marlee. To surf at Shipwreck.’ He grinned, nodding at Kyle. ‘Had the details man here help with feedback.’

  Marlee shoved her fist inside her mouth, biting down to stop herself having a Pink moment and screaming. ‘So that’s why you were always watching me in the surf?’ she blurted out.

  Jordie cackled, his raspy laugh firing shots around the shop. ‘Yeah, that’s why he hasn’t taken his eyes off you for months!’

  Kyle looked uncomfortable and pulled Marlee towards the front of the board as a distraction. His hand touched her shoulder lightly, showing her the details of the design, and Marlee struggled to concentrate. ‘See that sticker?’ he said, pointing at the coloured circle in the middle. ‘Jordie wants you to surf with that sticker facing out at all times.’

  ‘Yeah, especially when the cameras are on you.’ Jordie laughed again. ‘Ah, who’d do that for a living? You two are nuts.’

  Kyle dropped his hand from her shoulder. ‘I’ve gotta go. You going to take it out for a test run?’

  Marlee looked over at Jordie.

  ‘Don’t look at me. It’s yours. Go use it.’

  Marlee held the board, speechless, running her hands over the glossy surface, admiring the details on the trim. ‘Did you drop by for anything in particular?’ asked Jordie.

  Unable to take her eyes off the board, Marlee answered, ‘I did – but I can’t remember what it was.’

  Just before the party was due to start, Tilly got a friend to drive her around to Marlee’s house. She found her fast asleep, scrunched near the wall with a new surfboard next to her on the bed. By the time Tilly’d woken her up and asked her to get dressed, Marlee knew something was going on, but they blindfolded her anyway and as she walked into the park loud cheers came from the crowd. The music started and it was so loud Marlee ducked, shocked, like there’d been an explosion. Fran and Pink raced towards her. ‘Surprise!’ Pink yelled, pulling off the blindfold. ‘This is for you, Marlee, from us.’

  The ultraviolet light cast across the skate ramp made everything glow white. Fizz, all in white, danced on the platform like a streak of lightning against the night sky. She slapped a second disc on the turntable, adding a wild racing beat over the top of the first, then she screamed, arms up, the beat pulsing through her body, revving the crowd up to follow.

  ‘Wow. Have I died?’ Marlee yelled. ‘Is this like my wak
e?’ She swallowed, unable to move, trying to adjust to the crush of people, lights and noise. Her mouth felt dry and she fought the panic inside, wishing she could turn and run, flee the attention. Kyle, standing with a group of friends, waved to her but didn’t come over, and as Marlee looked around she saw many faces she recognised among the huge crowd, including Jamie and Sam selling food near the skate ramp. ‘So this is where everyone was today.’ And then she asked, confused, ‘Why is this for me?’

  ‘It’s a fundraiser for you,’ Pink shouted. ‘The Get Marlee Wrecked Party!’

  Fran’s videos flicked across the massive screen behind, lights pulsing in time to the music.

  ‘You did all this for me?’

  ‘Everyone’s here to raise money because they want you to go to the contest,’ said Fran. ‘Your job now is to smile and enjoy it.’

  ‘Are you serious?’ Marlee yelled over the music. Pink, Tilly and Fran all nodded, laughing at her bewilderment. Marlee’s face crumpled as the news sank in. She staggered forward, her arms encircling them, her shoulders heaving as she cried. ‘I don’t know what to say,’ she said, tears running down her face. ‘It is amazing. Thank you.’ She hugged each of them.

  Tilly pulled some glow sticks out of her backpack, cracked them to make them glow, then expertly twisted them into a headband for Marlee. She cracked more, filling her arms with bracelets. ‘I’ll be back soon.’ The orange, blue and yellow neon colours of the glow sticks deepened as Tilly went through the crowd, selling them all, and soon everyone wore glasses, tiaras or hats that bobbed up and down in the dark as though unattached to any bodies. Lines of light pulsed in time to the music, shooting through the crowd like coloured darts. People wrote notes to Marlee in pen, lipstick and tomato sauce across the Surf Sisters banner.

  It was like Fizz had a copy of Marlee’s favourite track list and one by one they rolled out over the frosty grass. Fran hooked her arms through Tilly and Marlee’s and they squeezed into an open space.