by Nic Lomax
‘Stu, bro, this is unreal’ he beamed as a new set of waves appeared to trundle down the point ‘It is my friend! And do you realise this is what you should be doing for the rest of your days?’
Kai absorbed the wise words that tumbled from Stu’s lips and watched him pick up a wave and shred it! Kai held his hand up and punched the air ‘yeeeeeeew’ he screamed as Stu flew past.
The vibe out in the surf was different too, people were mellow and the stoke was real. The village seemed to emit a collective calm, and as the fishing boats returned at the end of the day and made their treacherous dash through the breakers, they were met by villagers and travellers alike who would pull the laden vessels up the beach in the late afternoon sun. Pungent aromas of baking tagines, fruity hashish and today’s catch of the day filled the air. Kai sat there as the sun set, perched on his board, rolling in the currents, contemplating life and enjoying the rewards of going against the grain. He almost had everything he ever wanted.
The next two weeks seemed to merge into a sedate routine of an early breakfast which consisted of eggs, unleavened bread and left over fish from the previous night’s catch. The days surfing was completely tide dependant which was exciting as Kai and Stu ventured up and down the coast, discovering little hidden gems of unridden peaks. Evenings were spent fishing in the moonlight, or stooped around the campfires sharing joints and stories of the day’s watery conquests. Stu however began to spend an increasing amount of time out of Taghazout, and Kai often wondered where his new found friend was. His secrecy and avoidance only led Kai to probe Stu further for information, he was often met with a torrent of tall tales or abuse, depending on Stu’s volatile mood. Kai was worried about his American enigma who he desperately sought approval from. Kai bit the bullet one afternoon as he was sat on the floor of the lounge, escaping the midday sun sipping Moroccan whisky (peppermint tea- Southern morocco is mostly dry) and smoking a well-deserved joint.
‘Stu man… what’s going on? I know your hiding something from me and I want to know what the deal is?’
‘Kai, Kai, it’s a little tricky. You see my anglicised friend my pops money ran out, or should I say stopped hitting my bank account a while ago, so let’s just say I’ve been finding other means to fund the endless summer!’
‘So what’s the source man? What’s your plan?’
Stu took a large toke of the spliff and pondered his response, he then exhumed a number of large smoke rings into the room and calmly discussed his next move.
‘So… I have been negotiating with a farmer in the Atlas to secure a large amount of high grade marijuana, that I am going to ship to the Canary Island on my yacht, which is berthed in Agadir’
Kai took a couple of seconds to take in and digest what Stu had just casually blurted out. He grabbed the joint back off his pal. The idea was clearly insane but after Stu had explained the detailing a little more it was apparent that the only major risk was the 140 nautical mile crossing to the Canaries with the obvious threat of the Guardia civil gun boats that patrolled them.
‘So how much are you gonna make if we pull this off? You need concrete planning. No fuckups’
Stu patted Kai on the back, ‘We need a concrete plan. So, are you in?’
Kai grinned.
‘Kai, I knew you were next level brother but this is gonna be huge… I’m talking thirty thousand each, in pounds!’
The pair became locked in conversation discussing sea charts, the potential buyers, the Guardia civil and ultimately where their next surf destination would be. It was a venture that was laced with risk, jail, and even death, but if they could pull it off it would be at least a decade before Kai would even have to think about working or returning to the real world. His only immediate problem had just touched down in Morocco and was making her way through the arrivals hall to the air conditioned yoga bus bound for Taghazout.
Amber was glowing with excitement as she and Marina made the rickety journey towards the fabled village. She knew how small the place was and how it was only a matter of time before she would bump into Kai. Marina had expressed her excitement of how random, but romantic it was that fate would lead them back together again.
‘Do you think I should have told him I was gonna just turn up? He might think I’m desperate or the dreaded clingy ex!’
Marina brushed her worries aside instantly.
‘Amber he adores you, and he makes you happy! I know he’s a live wire and a dreamer but he’s the one! Plus he’s hot, and all this surfing he’s been up to recently I bet he’s even more buff than ever! Let’s just hope he’s got a friend for me!’
The girls giggled in unison as their ride pulled into town, narrowly missing a stray dog that bolted out of the adjacent souk.
It wasn’t long before the star-crossed lovers became entangled once more. The sun had slunk below the horizon at hash point just north of the town. The sky was filled was filled with the electric blue glows that appeared a split second before darkness ensued and the stars made their debut. The bonfire fizzed and popped, laughter and poorly played guitar slurred through the air. Kai was enjoying the sound of the waves peeling down the point when he heard a familiar voice that pulled him from his trance in seconds. It was Amber. His heart beat fast as he stood and scoped around the fire…was he hearing things? What the fuck was going on?
Through the mezze of people she appeared, the fires sullen glows illuminating her pretty face. Their eyes met over the throng of people and they shared a moment where time slowed down, and for just one second, they were alone on the African sands. Words were few and far between as their long overdue embrace overtook them, and as they kissed under the Arabian skies, a vivid shooting star skimmed the skyline.
Back at Kai’s room Amber ached for Kai’s next touch, each caress and kiss sent ripples of pleasure through her body. Kai delicately removed the remainder of Ambers clothing and she begged him to enter her. He easily slipped inside and spasms of elation ignited and she moaned as the lovers became intertwined once again. The ocean roared beyond their window as the new swell crashed on to the point which almost shook the ground, mimicking the shuddering climax they experienced between the sheets.
The noisy two-stroke engines of the local boats departing for sea awoke Kai before dawn, and he sat up and watched Amber sleeping in the early light. He was mesmerised by her beauty and realised how much he had missed her over the past month. The delicate tapping at the door released him from his vex and he carefully padded out the room to see who it was. Stu greeted him with a vigorous slap on the back!
‘Get lucky last night my amigo?!’
‘Shhhh! Yeah well it’s Amber! I can’t believe she trekked all the way here man!’
Stu looked slightly less pleased as suddenly his business partner may have been poached by the competition.
‘No way! Dude make sure you don’t let slip the situation, I’ve got to go to the highlands for a bit and sort out the final negotiations. I should be back within a week. Get this chick out of your system and have a great time. I think the tides are looking good for making the crossing within the next 10-12 days weather permitting’
Kai was about to protest but realised he had given Stu his word and that if the duo succeeded he would be a rich man, but would he be richer in other ways if he left with Amber before Stu returned? Things were beginning to spiral out of control, he had everything he wanted right there in the room. The allure of adventure was once again threatening his ideal, and a decision needed be made.
Kai quietly climbed back into bed and pretended the previous conversation never happened. He was desperate to remain with Amber but knew that she wouldn’t buy into the foolish plans that lay ahead and with good reason. Amber unconsciously snuggled into his chest and smiled briefly before resuming her slumber. Kai would keep the plan a secret for now, as he would have to make the ultimate sacrifice if he was to take up Stu’s crazy offer. For now he pushed it out of his mind, he would enjoy their time together, ride some wave
s and take in all that the docile country had to offer.
Chapter 4
Close Hauled
Kai, Amber and Marina made the most of the next few days, exploring the quaint villages north of Taghazout. They were welcomed with open arms throughout the small enclaves of civilisation. It was a surreal experience that they all savoured, enjoying the tastes of exotic spices infused in their meals and pungent aromas that drifted through the markets. The small sun baked country had truly cast its spell on them and life was good. It seemed they were blessed by the ocean as the swells continued to trundle down the coast like a non-stop camel train. The two girls would sunbathe and watch from the shore as Kai showed off his artistry, dancing on the waves. By night they would enjoy Taghazout’s sedate night life of songs by the campfire, accompanied by the delights of Morocco’s finest marijuana. Kai and Amber’s relationship seemed well and truly back on track and their sex life was as fiery as the climate. Kai was seriously doubting his involvement in Stu’s profitable plan and was contemplating breaking this news to his pal that he could no longer commit, when his new found partner in crime suddenly appeared as the trio were having lunch, and put a stop their fun.
Stu casually sauntered up to their table as they dined in a small scruffy back street café that offered an exquisite tagine, scuffing his flip flops as he went
‘Kai what’s up brother? And you must be Amber, a pleasure to meet you! You’re just as hot as Kai said you were, and who’s this, your sister?’
Stu certainly could make an entrance as he pulled up a chair and started to chat up Marina with his usual bullshit. The food arrived and they all tucked into the delicious fayre. Marina had a yoga session booked and made her escape or it could have just been an excuse to get away from Stu’s zealous advances which left the three of them conversing over some peppermint tea. Kai asked for the bill and nipped to the toilet for a quick piss. There was no way he could have realised that Stu could completely wreck his relationship in the time it took him to drain his lizard, but when he had returned to the table it was obvious what he’d done. Amber was flushed, her smile had disappeared and as the water from her glass that was now flying through the air in slow motion reached his face he knew something was terribly wrong.
‘You bastard Kai! All those other women!
‘Amber what the fuck….Stu what have you said!’
‘The truth Kai… and he’s shown me the photos of you and those Irish girls in Biarritz. We’re done’
Amber walked out of the café, and seemingly out of his life. She disappeared into the crowd hearing his desperate pleas but ignoring them all the same. Kai turned his attention to his backstabbing so called friend. Before he could open with his attack of questions Stu smugly laid out his defence.
‘I had to do it man. I saw the look in your eyes. The fire was gone bro! I need you to help me do this. She will forgive you’
Kai saw red and lunged across the table swinging his fist which met Stu’s jaw with a loud crack. Stu swooped like the winds of the sirocco and restrained Kai like a professional doorman and Kai was unable to move. He calmly and collectively whispered into Kai’s ear.
‘You can have that one for free amigo. Next time I will crush your skull, you understand? Now I’m gonna hit the waves for a spell, I suggest you sort your shit and calm yourself’
Kai immediately backed down, he knew he was outclassed in this fight which enraged him further as he didn’t like to lose.
‘You’re a fucking liar Stu, why did you do that?’
‘Am I man? I mean you saw the photos! I just let her imagination do the rest … I told you, I need you dude. You could have a different chick every day on the next leg of our journey, and just in case you’re thinking about bailing your funds are now all tied up in our ‘joint’ venture! Oh the irony’
Stu then stood up, flung fifty dirham on the table to cover the meal and took off down the road. Kai was left reeling from the chaotic scenes that had just unfolded, had this been Stu’s plan the whole time or was this a result of his gung-ho carefree lifestyle and a sudden switch of karma? The tide had once again turned in Kai’s life and he suddenly found himself single, skint and embarking on a crazy mission with someone he didn’t trust.
He strolled quickly through the bustling streets desperate to find Amber and convince her of his innocence, although he was pretty pissed that she would take Stu’s words over his own. However those photos appeared to portrayed a different story from the actual outcome. The security guard at the little boutique hotel was nothing more than a jobsworth prick. Even a one hundred dirham bribe would not gain him entry, and so Kai was forced to wait on the street with only a friendly stray dog for company. The standoff continued and Kai sparked a joint to pass the time. An hour later he took off down the street once more with his tail between his legs.
‘Fuck it’ he blurted out loud ‘if that’s the way she wants it, then so be it’.
The ocean was his church and he spent the rest of the afternoon paying his odd homage by destroying the bursts of Atlantic swells that came within reach. He seemed to surf better when he had pent up aggression and his expression was so much more fluid, even the surrounding wave riders were impressed with his skills. He finally paddled in and found Amber and Marina on the beach.
‘Kai we’re leaving. Our flights tomorrow but we’re going to Agadir for the night as there is more than just a bunch of lame ass surfers singing round a campfire.’ Amber was trying to tempt a further rise from him but he wasn’t having it.
‘Cool with me Ams, you seem to have made up your mind based on the assumptions of someone you met for like two minutes, go for it. I’m done.’
‘You tell me then that nothing happened and actually fight for a change instead of running off into the sunset.’
Kai shrugged his shoulders and picked up his board ‘nothing happened Amber, but I won’t fight for something I don’t think is gonna last. Go home.’ He waited for a reply to whistle through the wind but it never came and he once again trudged the lonely road.
That evening, his weary stoned eyes struggled to focus on the stunning sunset as it was swallowed by the sea. Kai had even managed to source some alcohol from a taxi driver and was busy mixing the concoction of cheap brandy and weed when Stu appeared on the balcony. Stu was the first to break the silence, ‘Dude if I said I was sorry would it actually help? I’ve done you a fucking favour.’
Kai slurred his next sentence ‘you don’t know what I need man, you don’t really know me.’ He settled into his seat and toked on the spliff, its effects made his head floaty and his mind drifted with the stars above. Stu grabbed the half-drunk bottle of brandy and poured himself a large glass.
‘I know that you are meant to do more than just coast through this life and not achieve that much. I think you and I could be destined for great things.’
Kai couldn’t quite find the words to describe what he was feeling he just smiled. He took another drag on the magic leaf and stared out across the bay ‘to the next step’ he murmured and saluted the moon.
Kai contemplated going to the airport the next morning to chase after Amber but realised that the flight would be boarding by the time he woke up. Instead he knocked on Stu’s door and together they drew up the crossing on the tatty sea charts that Stu acquired in Agadir. Kai had spent his childhood sailing small dinghies and crewing for his old man on the various fishing boats he owned. He had then gone on to complete his day skipper license, which made him a fairly competent seaman. His partner was more a self-taught and wing it kind of sailor! Once they had plotted the final course to Lanzarote Kai discussed time frames
‘I reckon it’s only a two day sail if the wind maintains its current direction. Even if it switches further south it will only add a day or so.’
‘That’s cool, once we have land on the horizon and we come within a couple of clicks I can call the buyer, then it’s go time’
Kai looked nervous, this was potentially a game-over move if t
hey got busted, but if they succeeded, the world literally was their oyster! ‘Stu how well do you know the buyer?’
‘Put it this way Kai, they always paid when I took it via plane, this is just a bigger amount!’
‘I guess that settles it then!’
Stu smiled ‘The boats ready we just need to stock her and get the merch on board then its go time!’
Kai seemed to have forgotten the previous day’s woes and finished his peppermint tea. ‘Let’s hit the waves one last time and then get the ball rolling.’
‘My man!’ Stu said as they high fived and headed to the beach.
The next stop was the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. Kai had never seen such a large amount of cannabis before and it showed, as he stared open mouthed at the four large sacks of weed that lay before him!
‘How much is it exactly?’ he gasped, wiping the sweat from his brow.
‘Around twenty five kilos’ Stu smirked. The farmer was clearly happy with the transaction that was about to be completed, as Stu handed him a large amount of cash. All Kai could think about was how the hell were they going to get it on board the boat without being busted, and this chilled him to the core. The sacks were loaded into the back of the jeep and Kai and Stu climbed aboard and fired the engine.
‘Here we go then bro’ Kai said through gritted teeth as he hit the accelerator and headed back through the twisting hill tracks of the Atlas. There wasn’t much conversation during the hour’s journey to the harbour, although subdued gasps could be heard as the pair went through the numerous police road blocks which they passed without consequence. As they pulled into the marina car park Kai breathed a sigh of relief and looked across at Stu who for once had lost some of his bravado.
‘Stage one complete.’
‘Thank fuck’ said Kai, his t-shirt was drenched with nervous sweat, he hopped out the jeep scanning the pontoon for the yacht. ‘She’s over there’ Stu pointed out across the water to where she was moored.