`Don’t you see?’ he began again, as if by keeping the subject alive he might revive their interest. `It’s all quite different now.’ He saw Gillian place her glass of Pernod carefully on the table and begin to search for a fresh cigarette. Her face looked damp in the lamplight, and Blair was again conscious of the humid air which hung over the ship. Nothing moved. Not even the slightest breeze disturbed the netting, and he could feel the sweat coursing down his spine in a steady stream. He stared at the others. Apart from Gillian, they looked as if they had given in. No longer cared. He pressed his lips into a tight line. They had never cared, of course.
Fraser glanced at the others and sighed heavily. Tarrou, perched on the arm of his chair, one foot swinging listlessly, while his eyes flickered from Blair’s face to the girl’s hands, as they groped for a cigarette.
Fraser held the glass up to the light. `Well, speakin’ for myself, Major, I don’t see that things have changed much, for you at least.’ He paused, but Blair’s cold eyes were quite motionless. `After all, if George here had reported that the boats were still aboard the wreck,’ he shrugged, `let’s face it, you’d have been quite satisfied, now wouldn’t you? As it is,’ he gestured with his glass, `maybe they got the boats away, and maybe they reached the beach. Maybe. But what the hell. I guess they’re just as dead as if they were killed outright by the reef.’ He smiled uneasily, as he saw the pain in Blair’s face. `No offence, Major, but I’m right, aren’t I?’
Blair turned away, his shoulders stiff How could he begin to explain the feeling of loss which he had experienced when Myers had returned to the ship with his findings? He thrust his hands into his pockets, and felt his fingers dig cruelly into his flesh. This was just how Marcia had said it would end. To go back now, as Fraser obviously wanted, would leave him with an even greater uncertainty than before. Marcia had known, and now all these others knew, too. He had seen the resentment in Myers’ red face when he had bombarded him with questions about the wreck, and he knew that behind his back the diver would be already thinking of the trip home, and the extravagant wife he had left behind. Gillian had kept silent, and that seemed as good as a supporting vote in favour of calling off the whole venture. He limped irritably to the table, and poured out another glass of Pernod. Fraser was speaking again, his voice directed at them all.
`An’ the weather bothers me a bit, too. George has said about the hot and cold currents in the deep water, an’ that only confirms what I thought earlier.’ He rubbed his hand along his thigh, leaving a damp patch in its wake. `I reckon we’re in for a blow. We always get a few Willy-Willies about this time of the year, an’ we don’t get much warning.’ He faced up to Blair, his face set. `An’ I don’t reckon to get caught on the reef in a flamin’ tropical gale.’
The girl’s voice was low and controlled, yet she had been silent for so long that its sound startled both Blair and Fraser, so that they halted in their actions to watch her.
`You men make me sick!’ She shook a wing of hair free from her face, and eyed them calmly. `You, Vic, think that the Major is just a guy with too much dough, and has a screw loose into the bargain, right?’ She did not wait for an answer. `You’ve lived out here all your life, and are supposed to be a professional sailor, yet all the time you bellyache about storms, savage tribes, and hell knows what-‘
`Now see here ‘ began Fraser, his jaw thrust forward, but she slapped her hand sharply on the table, her grey eyes blazing.
`No! You see here, mister! You want to look at a map sometime. You’ll hardly be able to find the New Hebrides on it, let alone this crummy little island! Why not tell the truth? All you want is to get back to that shanty-town you call Port Vila and swill away Major Blair’s cash in that shack you appear to imagine is the last word in civilized elegance!’ She sat back and drew on the cigarette. `Well, for once, Captain, you’ve got nothing to say? I’m glad, because I didn’t want to
come on this shindig in the first place, but now that I’m here I want a story, and a good one, see?’
Fraser grinned sheepishly, and ran his fingers through his hair. `That was quite a mouthful! I sure underestimatedyou!’
She smiled briefly. `You’re not the first.’
She lifted her gaze to Blair, who was watching her with quiet fascination. The lamp shone on her smooth skin, and reflected on the tiny droplets of perspiration along her upper lip. Her voice softened. `And you, Rupert.’ She cocked her head on one side. `I don’t quite know what to make of you.’
At any other time in his life Blair would have been livid with rage to be considered so candidly in front of others. He merely stood under the low netting, his shodlders slightly stooped, his face suddenly tired.
`I guess you’ve been so used to bulldozing your way across other people’s ideas you’ve almost forgotten how to deal with a situation like this.’ A tiny insect, which had managed to penetrate the defences of the net, landed on the top of the glowing lamp, and disintegrated. She watched it for a moment. `I wasn’t joking, Rupert, I do want a story, so let’s consider the facts. Okay?’ She glanced quickly around, from Myers’ blank expression to Tarrou’s intent watchful stare. She returned to Blair, who had not moved.
`Tomorrow we can go ashore, and the boys can have a search along this end of the bay. They might find something.’
Myers’ mouth opened and shut. `What, fer instance?’
`Pieces of the boats, perhaps, or some old equipment.’
`What, after twenty years?’ Fraser’s voice was scornful.
She was unmoved. `Any better ideas, master-mind? I thought not!’
Blair began to pace again, and Gillian relaxed slightly in her chair. It was as if her voice had started him working once more.
He frowned, his mind busy. `And if we find nothing?’
She smiled. `That Hogan character. He trades with the natives. He could take us to meet one of the headmen. They would probably be able to help. Vic has already told us that nobody ever comes to this island. Even the District Officer only gives a cursory glance when he passes in his patrol boat.’ She shrugged. `So what the hell? Seems to me that twenty years or twenty days, it doesn’t make very much difference out here!’
Blair bit his lip with excitement. `How long would it take to get to Hogan’s trade store overland?’ He snapped his fingers with impatience, as Fraser rasped his palm across his chin.
”Bout a day an’ a half.’ He grinned widely. `She’s quite a girl, eh, Major? Got us all stirred up again!’
`We needed ideas.’ He studied her face with care, as if he was afraid he might miss something.
`We’ll start early tomorrow,’ he added more briskly. ‘Fraser, you’ll come with me, and you, Myers, can stay with the ship.’ He allowed his eye to fall on Tarrou. `I suppose he can handle the vessel if need be?’
Gillian glanced quickly across at Tarrou’s grave face. ”Course he can,’ she laughed, `and if a storm blows up he can save all of us!’
Blair eyed Fraser. `What d’you think about it?’
The Australian groaned. `Hell, Major! When you move you sure move fast. But we’re not supposed to bother the natives, you know.’
`We have a perfect right to visit the trade post, and the mission if necessary. I don’t intend to allow any stupid red tape to stop me now!’
Fraser spread his hands on the table. `Suit yourself,’ he said shortly. `It’s your money, an’ I’ll come with you tomorrow. Michel can stay on the ship; he’s done it heaps of times.’ He shot the half-caste a searching glance. `If a WillyWilly arrives while I’m away, he can stand out to sea.’ He smiled lazily, but his eyes remained hard. `Can you find the break in the reef, Michel? In an emergency, I mean?’
Tarrou pulled down the edge of his tunic, and lifted his chin with pride. `Yes, Vic. You have shown me the place. I can do it!’ His voice was unnaturally loud, and he was aware that they were all looking at him. In his mind’s eye he saw the schooner breasting the reef in a flurry of immense breakers, with himself at th
e wheel, and the girl clinging to his waist, her bare arms imploring him to save her. Iie felt the stirring sensation in his loins again, and dropped his eyes hastily. He had to stifle his excitement when he heard Blair’s cold voice say: `I’m afraid you won’t be able to come along, Gillian. I don’t think I would feel very happy to take the responsibility-‘ He faltered, waiting for her protest, but she shrugged, and smoothed the front of her blouse.
`As you say, Rupert.’ She used his name with casual ease. `I’ll stay and keep an eye on the beach party.’
As Blair went over the details with Fraser she watched them from behind the cigarette smoke. She liked the way Blair’s mouth curved when he smiled. She chuckled to herself. It was a pity she couldn’t confide her plan with him, but he would immediately make some obstacle and close up on her. No, it was better this way. Once he was away looking for Hogan she could make a few investigations of her own. In her mind she turned over all the possibilities. There was still something of great importance which she felt had slipped her notice. She had racked her brains, but whatever it was it still eluded her. The one certain factor which she arrived at over and over again was the missionary Ivor Spencer’s part in the puzzle. She was convinced that in him she would find the key.
The watch on deck padded across the foredeck, his bare feet making no sound as he checked the cable and scanned the black water. He twisted his head to listen as Fraser’s laugh echoed along the deck.
`I dunno what old Jim Hogan’ll say when we burst in on him. Probably tell us to go to hell!’
The girl stood up and stretched her arms above her head. `I’m for bed.’ She yawned elaborately. `I have a feeling that tomorrow is going to be hard on all you little men!’
The four men watched her body as she stepped over the coaming and began to descend to her cabin. As her face was level with the deck, Blair stepped quickly forward. He smiled. `And thanks for getting us sorted out. You were a great help.’ He held her eyes.
`It was nothing, Rupert! You just needed organizing a bit!’
As she closed her cabin door she leaned her back against it and closed her eyes. Her body felt suddenly cold and clammy, and she was trembling. Watch it, my girl. Don’t make a fool of yourself again.
Her mouth drooped, and wearily she began to undress. She suddenly hated her cameras, and the worn luggage which was scattered across the cabin floor. She stared at her reflection in the mirror and tried to see herself as Blair would see her.
She swore, and stuck oat her tongue. `Where the hell have you been all this time, Gillian Bligh?’ she said with despair.
As the first dinghy grounded, bows on to the beach, Fraser vaulted lightly over the gunwale, and with Wabu on the opposite side guided the sturdy little boat clear of the breakers until its keel gripped the white sand, so that when the water receded it lay like a small abandoned fish. He helped Gillian to step ashore, and then shaded his eyes to peer quickly up the steeply sloping beach to the encroaching green wall of the jungle. Myers heaved himself over the gunwale, and paused to look across the inviting water at the motionless schooner. It was barely seven in the morning, yet already he was beginning to sweat, and the prospect of poking about along the edge of the beach did not improve his temper. He watched the other dinghy dipping and swooping towards the beach, Yalla, his dark head turned to judge the distance and gauge the moment to rest on his oars, grinned obligingly as Gillian ran up the beach, her camera trained on the approaching boat. Blair waited for the keel to grind on the sand, and then he limped across to join Fraser and Myers.
`Damned quiet, isn’t it?’ he said, after a quick look round. `No wonder they call this a “bad place”.’
‘Yeh. Not a damned footprint or anythin’!’ Fraser squinted again at the green wall.
`Hold it, you explorers!’ They looked up to where Gillian’s slim shape was outlined against an overhanging thicket of sea-grapes. She swung the camera expertly to include the whole group, with the schooner in the background, and then turned to face the trees. It was rather disturbing, she thought. No noise, no movement, but for the nodding of the palm leaves as they shivered in a breeze which she could not feel. It was as if the island was holding its breath. With a quick glance at the others she stepped carefully over the tangled thicket nearest her, and stood quite still. She was immediately aware of the complete change which her movement had made. She was in another world, and as she peered through the mass of fallen palms, cactus and manchineels, she realized how far away her own world had become. She watched Blair pointing up the beach with a piece of smooth driftwood, and saw Wabu and Yalla scamper off to begin a search at the far end of the bay, while Watute and the scarred seaman, Kari, began to work along the opposite way. She smiled as Blair waved his stick impatiently and shouted something to the boys. The moment he had stepped ashore he had automatically taken command of the operation, and even the unruffled Fraser looked clumsy and humble by comparison. She noticed, too, that Fraser had a rifle slung loosely over his shoulder, and Blair carried another.
She turned her back on the sea, and contemplated the tangled mass of the jungle which confronted her. After the first few yards the overlapping branches and fronds overhead reduced the visibility to nothing, and from the dark, humid shadows she caught the thick sickly smell of rotting vegetation. It was a frightening place, she decided, and quite unlike anything she had experienced. It lacked the grandeur of Africa, or the blazing vastness of the Australian bush. It was somehow evil, and at the same time she had the very real impression that she was being watched from several directions at once. With sudden anxiety which she could not explain, she stepped over the thicket and stood again on the beach, conscious of the growing warmth and the sudden pounding of her heart.
Blair walked stiffly towards her. The gold case snapped open, and for a while they smoked in silence.
Fraser and Myers were working along the edge of the jungle, scrambling and cursing over the fallen palms, as they peered and poked into every available space. Farther away, their bodies shining like oiled wood, Wabu and Yalla disappeared, their machetes swinging lustily, only to reappear in another place and signal to the watchful Fraser that they had found nothing.
Blair ground his cigarette underfoot and shifted the riflesling on his shoulder. `I suppose you think I’m wasting everybody’s time? I’m beginning to think so myself.’ He sounded weary.
Gillian shook her head. `Keep calm, Rupert. Something may turn up.’ She studied the firm line of his chin and the restless blue eyes. `After all, we’re not exactly equipped for this sort of thing, are we?’
He smiled thinly. `No. I was offered the use of a company salvage tug, and God knows what else, but I thought that this way would be better.’ He groped for words. `More private, if you understand?’
`I think so.’ She thought, You’re a funny guy, Major. Full of surprises today.
`Anyway,’ he fiddled with the rifle-sling, as if trying to come to a decision, `I’m not sorry it’s turned out like this. It’s given me time to think about things, and about the way I’ve frittered away my life.’ He broke off anxiously, and peered at her dark glasses. `I hope that didn’t sound too pompous?’
She showed her teeth in a wide grin. `Not too pompous, Rupert.’
`Out here one can get a better sense of perspective. It’s like looking at life from the outside.’
She nodded, remembering the feeling of isolation as she had watched from the jungle’s screen.
Blair continued, his voice calmer: `This is something I just had to do. Had I been older when I lost my family it might have been different. Or had I been somewhere else when they disappeared from life.’ He shook his head. `I just don’t know.
What I do know is that I have always had the strangest feeling that I was wanted in some way, even before I knew where the wreck had taken place. Does that sound odd to you?T
‘I don’t think so. But I hope you feel better when it’s all over.’
Impulsively he gripped her wrist. `I sh
all. The real reason I’m glad about all this is that I met you, Gillian.’ His voice faltered, and she.felt the grip on her wrist slacken.
She stood quite still. She knew that Blair would say that, and yet at the same time she had been sure he would not. As he stood so open and strangely defenceless facing her, she wanted to pull him close, and by so doing exclude the past, as well as the future.
Instead, she laid her hand on top of his and said in a small voice, `Thanks, Rupert.’
He laughed. `I thought you’d walk away from me when I said that!’ He opened his case again. `I’m just bloody useless when it comes to this sort of thing.’
She massaged the back of his hand, and was conscious of tcie feeling of weakness, and then of power, which moved hungrily through her body.
A shout echoed along the beach. Yalla waved the machete like a sword. `Here fella land ‘em boat!’
Blair and Gillian stared at each other for one long full moment, and then he grinned nervously. `Well, we’d better go and see, eh?’
She ran her tongue along the edge of her lip. `I guess so.’
They still did not move, and Fraser shambled up the slope towards them, his face contorted against the sun. `Here, folks! Did you hear that? Yalla’s found a wrecked boat!’ His brown eyes wandered from their faces to the girl’s hand on Blair’s wrist. `Or don’t you care at the moment?’
They walked past him without answering, and he paused before following them along the beach.
`Well, can you beat that?’ he muttered. `He tears the arse out of all of us to get a flamin’ move on, then calm as you please starts behavin’ like a bloke on a summer cruise!’ He scratched his head absently, and then with a glance towards his ship hurried after the others.
Blair stood in silence as the two divers slashed away the creeper and cactus with their machetes, whilst Watute, using his hands like spades, clawed away the rotting leaves and purple fungus which filled the tiny cleft in the jungle like a hideous carpet. Apart from the iron keel and a few rotting timbers, there was little to show for their efforts. But as the blades cleared away the foliage, Blair could see that the remains of the boat could be nothing else but those of one of the Sigh’s lifeboats. He pushed his way through the creepers, regardless of their clawing embraces around his legs, and stared at the wreckage. A rusting ballast tank, the head of a boathook and two steel helmets completed the finds, the rest having been eaten, buried, or rotted by the power of nature.
The Hostile Shore Page 9