by Kate Frost
‘I really like you, Freya.’ His voice seemed to come out of nowhere and it made her turn.
He was looking at her intently, his full lips slightly open. Freya gazed into his dark eyes. She closed the distance between them and kissed him. The taste of salt and the feel of his rough cheek against hers made her heart pound. He responded to her kiss and his hands found her waist, dipping beneath her top and caressing across her back. She longed for him in a way she hadn’t felt since Owen.
It was dark and quiet on the beach with no voices, only the chirrup of insects, the chatter of fruit bats in the trees and the sigh of the surf. The fire had turned to ash, and they were hidden by darkness and the undergrowth behind them. Their kiss intensified and he peeled off his T-shirt before removing hers and dropping it on the sand. She ran her hands down his firm smooth chest. He kissed her throat and across her bikini-clad breasts, pushing her gently back on to the sand. Their hands explored but they didn’t take it further, not out in the open on the staff beach. They lay together, their hands entwined, gazing up at the black night and the silver stars.
‘It’s been a good birthday,’ Freya said.
Aaron laughed. ‘Which part?’
‘All of it.’
He squeezed her hand tighter and ran his thumb along hers. ‘I’m glad you’re here.’
Freya didn’t dare look at him. Her insides were doing somersaults, her senses overwhelmed by his touch, the rhythmic waves folding on to the beach, the sultry heat of the night, the scent of wood smoke on the slightest of ocean breezes.
‘We’d probably better get back before someone finds us.’ Aaron stood and brushed the grains of sand off the back of his shorts. He reached down and pulled her to her feet. ‘Come on.’
Freya pulled on her top while Aaron made sure the fire was completely out. They walked up the beach together to the path between the glossy leaves of cheese plants. The dim glow of the courtyard tainted the clear dark night and as they reached the side of the women’s block, Freya realised she didn’t want the evening to end.
‘I’d give anything to invite you up.’ Aaron took her face in his hands and kissed her, manoeuvring her until they were hidden by the shadowy corner of the building and the drooping leaves of a ficus. It felt like things had moved fast between them this evening. She recognised the underlying passion that had been bubbling away since they’d first met. However much she wanted to continue the night and spend it wrapped in Aaron’s arms, the fact that they couldn’t was probably a good thing to not move too fast. She placed her hands on his chest, gave him one last kiss and pushed him back out into the open.
‘Time for bed,’ she whispered and laughed when he raised an eyebrow. ‘Alone.’
He grinned and turned to go. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow.’
She watched him make his way across the courtyard while she headed for the door of the women’s block. The hallway light switched on and she sighed. She went upstairs and crept quietly along the corridor to her room. No one else was awake. She showered and washed away the sand and sweat and the smell of the fire and of Aaron. She imagined him doing the same across the way, his firm body glistening with water as it ran down his dark skin in rivulets. She switched the water to cold, blasting herself with an icy shot, trying to rid her head of a naked Aaron.
Chapter Sixteen
It was late and she slept fitfully, her head still filled with Aaron and their kiss. She woke early with a sleep-fogged head, damp with sweat having forgotten to turn the ceiling fan on. She couldn’t get back to sleep so she gave up trying. She was so hot and bothered she had another cool shower. Wrapped in a towel, she nipped across the hallway saying ‘hello’ and ‘goodbye’ to Lin who was already on her way out to work. She dried her hair, put on a flowing maxi skirt and a sleeveless top, with the bangle Aaron had given her. She adored the inscribed heart pendent that Amber’s parents had sent but she didn’t want to wear it right now and have people ask questions that she didn’t want to answer.
Drew was already in the kitchen, pouring hot water into a teapot.
‘Morning,’ she said with a smile. ‘You got back late from the beach last night.’
‘Did I?’
Drew gave her a knowing look. ‘I heard the shower. I take it you had a nice time with Aaron.’ She winked.
‘I, um...’
Drew laughed and put a finger to her lips. ‘Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.’
‘We didn’t um, you know.’
‘You don’t need to say more; this place hardly makes any kind of romance easy. Single beds, thin walls, all next to each other. You’ll have to get creative.’ She winked again. ‘Fancy a cuppa?’
‘Go on then.’
Freya leant on the unit as Drew poured the tea. She gazed out of the window across the courtyard and wondered if Aaron had already left for the dive school. Their daily life on the island would continue as normal, ensuring the guests had as memorable a time as possible, but their easy going friendship had moved to another level last night.
Drew placed a steaming cup of tea in front of her. ‘Thinking about Aaron by any chance?’
‘It’s hard not to.’ She held out her wrist with the bangle on. ‘He got me this for my birthday.’
Drew traced her fingers over the carved wood. ‘That’s lush.’
‘He also mentioned about me going with him to the island his family are from when we both have time off.’
‘Oh, hello.’ Drew nudged Freya. ‘Sounds pretty serious to me.’
Freya picked up the tea and blew on it. The excitement she’d woken up with had changed to a nervous feeling that a relationship, certainly a serious one, was the last thing she’d intended to find when coming out here. She breathed deeply and reminded herself that nothing had really happened. They liked each other and had a fumble and were friends. All of that was just fine.
~
Freya needn’t have worried about how the night before had changed their relationship, because at dinner that evening, Aaron was as relaxed with her as before. Nothing had changed except that a look between them meant more and he didn’t hold back on sliding his arm around her waist or brushing a wayward hair off her cheek. His chilled demeanour helped her to relax, and island life continued happily. Most of her time was taken up with the bookshop and planning the weeks ahead, theming them around different topics which allowed her to select a range of books to showcase. Ideas bubbled away and she got into her stride writing the weekly blog post, combining her love of literature and books with the magic and inspiration of Loabi Fushi.
Drew was right about it being near impossible to attempt a romantic relationship while working on the island. There was little opportunity for them to be alone. A snatched kiss as they passed each other on the path to the staff village or beneath a glossy ficus tree if Aaron met her on her way back from the bookshop was all they managed.
A week before her first planned couple of days off, Aaron met her halfway between the bookshop and the staff village, a red hibiscus flower clutched in his hand. He pulled her to him and tucked the flower behind her ear.
‘You look gorgeous.’
He kissed her and she ran her fingers up his toned arms as he tugged her closer. She relaxed into him and relished the feel of his hands through the thin material of her top.
‘This might have been a bit presumptuous of me,’ he said, lifting her chin and gazing into her eyes, ‘but I rearranged my next couple of days off to coincide with yours. No pressure, but if you’d like to find out what real island life is like – and meet my mother – I’ll be going home for a couple of days. I’d love you to join me.’
~
From afar the island looked like all the others they’d passed – pearly sand encircling a cluster of green. But as the boat got closer and docked, she could see the difference compared to the luxurious resort islands.
Aaron took her hand as they stepped off the boat and on to a sandy dock. A couple of palm trees gave a bit of shade to an op
en-air cafe with plastic tables and chairs, and a cluster of buildings was set back from the water. The closest building had a faded Coca Cola ad covering the whole of one side. A wiry dog lay panting in the shade of a tree, its head resting on its paws. It looked up as they passed and settled itself back down, its nose against the dry dusty ground. It almost didn’t feel like she was on a Maldivian island any longer – there were no dogs on Loabi Fushi, only herons and sandpipers and the noisy fruit bats. She knew the reality of an inhabited island would be different from the insane luxury they’d just left, but it wasn’t such a stark contrast. Yes, the buildings were plain and functional, the dock not showy or oozing luxury, but it had its own charms, and the further they walked, the more Freya glimpsed them. The heart of the island seemed as lush and green as the one they’d just left. Tall palms and cheese plants offered some shade as they walked a dusty path that cut along the edge of the island. Every so often she caught a glimpse of dazzling ocean between leafy fronds, or the thatched roof of a house and a patch of white sand gleaming in the midday sun.
‘Is this where your family’s always lived?’
‘It’s where my mum grew up,’ Aaron said. ‘She moved to Sri Lanka when she was twenty to work and it was where she met my dad. I grew up all over the place, but we came back here often. When I think of home, I now think of here. It’s where our roots are.’
Freya followed him off the main path and along a narrow one that headed in the direction of the beach. The idea of putting down roots somewhere seemed alien to her. London had never really felt like home, and her parents had sold the house she’d grown up in as soon as they left for their new life in New Zealand. There was never anywhere familiar for her to go back to.
The path led to a beach with upturned boats wedged in the sand. In the other direction though, the long stretch of white beach backed by trees easily rivalled any of the beaches on Loabi Fushi. It was a gem of an island, but one that was lived on, with people working hard while looking after their families, schooling children and making a living by encouraging tourists to see a different side to the Maldives.
‘I’m taking you the picturesque way,’ Aaron said.
They left the beach and took a path between two large palms that cast long shadows across the sand. The building in front of them was a large but simple structure painted a sunny yellow. It was on the edge of the village, a prime position right next to the beach.
They went through an archway and into an enclosed tropical garden. Parched grass struggled to grow but the borders were filled with tropical plants and the many colourful red flowers of beach hibiscus.
‘So, your mum’s turned it into a hotel?’
‘She likes to keep busy, plus when Dad does finally retire, it will give him something to do here.’ They reached an open door and Aaron placed a hand on the small of Freya’s back. ‘After you.’
Freya went inside. It was good to get out of the sun and into the cool dark hallway.
‘Mamma?’
‘Out the back!’ a woman’s voice called.
It was a traditional house with none of the open plan, open to the elements that were a feature of the villas on Loabi Fushi. The waft of spices and something cooking drifted through the house and made Freya’s mouth water before they reached the kitchen.
The kitchen door was wedged open and three ceiling fans whirred furiously. Two large windows overlooked the beach, the trees outside providing much needed shade to the house. Aaron’s mum was a good foot shorter than her son, with silver hair and a colourful dress. She barely looked at them as they entered. She was too busy bustling across the kitchen, her arms full with vegetables.
She dumped them on a wooden board and turned to them. ‘So, you’re Aaron’s girlfriend?’ She raised an eyebrow and wiped her brow with a cloth.
‘I, um... we work together, on Loabi Fushi...’
‘Mamma, Freya’s the new bookseller.’
‘You like books, huh?’
Freya nodded. ‘I do.’
‘You would get on with my husband. He’s always buying books. We never had enough shelf space, even when we were living in the British Embassy.’
‘Not completely true, Mamma. There was plenty of space in Finland.’
‘Finland was cold. That was its downside.’
Her sun-weathered face was warm and open, yet there was a frankness about the way she spoke. She was obviously a busy woman with her British husband overseas while she ran a guest house and looked after her grandchildren.
‘Well, it’s good to meet you, Freya.’ She gave her a slight nod. ‘Assalaam Alaikum.’
She kissed Aaron on the cheek. ‘And it’s good to have you home. You know where the rooms are. Leave your bags in there and don’t get under my feet. Dinner will be ready at five.’
They retreated the way they’d come, into the dark hallway.
‘I told you she’s quite a character,’ Aaron said under his breath as they made their way upstairs. ‘She’s also quite traditional, despite having lived abroad for years.’
It was lighter on the first floor. A long corridor ran the length of the building with rooms off it.
‘Are there guests staying?’
‘A young couple, I think.’ He pushed open the door of the end room and Freya went in.
It was simple with polished wooden floorboards, a double bed with white linen, a chest of drawers and a wardrobe. There was a small armchair by the window with a view past a frangipani tree to the beach.
‘This is your room; mine’s at the other end of the hallway.’ He raised an eyebrow and gave her a sly smile. ‘Like I said, she’s traditional.’
Freya dropped her bag on the end of the bed. She’d travelled light with just a washbag and a change of clothes. She ran her hands along the bumpy wall which was painted a rich saffron yellow. Whereas the villas on Loabi Fushi were elegant and luxurious, here was colourful and homely. Lived in. Freya liked that.
‘What are you thinking?’ Aaron sidled behind her and slid his arms around her waist, pulling her close. He rested his head in the crook of her neck.
‘I’m thinking how lovely this place is. Quiet like Loabi Fushi. I could listen to the sound of the ocean forever.’
‘Is that all you’re thinking about?’ He ran his hands across her breasts.
Freya laughed. ‘I thought you said your mum’s traditional?’
‘Oh, she is. I can’t tell you how much I’d like to fall into bed with you right now, but trust me, if we haven’t gone downstairs in about ten minutes, Mamma will be up here checking on us.’ He turned her around and took hold of her hands. ‘So how about we take a walk along the beach – I’ll show you a bit more of the island.’
~
Although less luxurious, the island rivalled Loabi Fushi for its beauty. The sand was pale and sparkled in the sun, and the water was dazzling and so inviting. Trees and bushes lined the beach, a lush green backdrop with splashes of red from the flowers of the beach hibiscus. Pockets of green bushes edged on to the beach, taking over the sand and offering shade to crabs and some of the seabirds pecking about. When they were well away from the house, Aaron took her hand. She liked the gesture and she liked the feel of him by her side even more.
They headed towards a wooden hut nestled between undergrowth right on the beach. ‘Snorkelling Hire Here’ was written on a chalkboard sign leaning against the side, and a local man in his forties wearing a traditional Maldivian wrap was sitting outside, sharpening what looked like a spear with a knife. He looked up as they reached him and it took a moment before he broke into the biggest smile.
‘Aaron!’
‘Hey, Khalid.’
Khalid dropped the spear in the sand, stood up and enveloped Aaron in a bear hug. ‘It’s good to see you, man.’ His English was perfect with a slight American twang.
Aaron turned to her. ‘Khalid grew up here, spent most of his twenties in California, then came back to run a dive school in Malé, which is where I got to know him.�
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‘I taught him everything he knows.’ Khalid slapped Aaron on the back and grinned at Freya. ‘And now I like the quieter life. Simple and suits me just fine.’
He held out his hand and she shook it.
‘Freya,’ she said. ‘I work with Aaron, well not technically with him...’
‘Freya’s the island’s new barefoot bookseller.’
‘Are you now. That’s been much talked about. Well, it’s nice to meet you. A friend of Aaron’s is a friend of mine. So, you’re going snorkelling?’ Khalid asked.
‘If Freya fancies it?’ Aaron turned to her.
‘I would love to.’
‘Can we hire two snorkels and flippers then.’
‘It’s on me.’
‘Ah you really don’t...’
Khalid gripped Aaron’s shoulder and gave him a firm look. ‘It’s on me.’
They left their clothes in a pile on the sand. Freya had taken nothing valuable out with her. She’d got used to the simplicity of island life: bare feet, no bag, and just a bikini beneath her skirt and top. She didn’t even have her mobile with her. She’d taken enough photos on Loabi Fushi of white sand and shimmering ocean to last a lifetime.
Aaron handed her a snorkel as they reached the water and they sat down in the sand and pulled on the flippers. She waded in after him, the warm shallows caressing her legs. He was always covered up on Loabi Fushi, his muscles hidden beneath a dive school T-shirt, but now she admired the toned contours of his back, and the way his shoulders tensed as he held her hand.
They picked their way across the sandy seabed until sand turned to coral and the underwater world was revealed just below the surface. Fishes in a rainbow of colours and a multitude of sizes darted about in front of them and Freya soaked up the serenity as she went a little further and sank into the water. It was crystal clear too. Even without dipping her head, she could see right down to the sunlight making patterns on the ocean floor.
She followed Aaron’s lead and started swimming, her face down, the underwater life slowly revealing itself. The water, although warm, was refreshing and a respite from the unrelenting sun on the beach. Everywhere she looked there was a myriad of sea life darting in and out of corals or gliding below her along the sandy sea floor. Aaron shook her arm and pointed. A green sea turtle drifted silently up ahead, almost close enough to touch. They paddled slowly, watching where it went until a brightly coloured lionfish cut in front of them and took their attention. There was almost too much for Freya to take in. Just this small bit of lagoon off this one bit of beach on just one island among thousands was filled with so much life. There was so much of the Maldives she had yet to explore.