The Reef (23 page)

‘I thought you were busy working,' he greeted her.

‘I'm on a lunch break. Have you had lunch yet?' She looked at the two men, recognising them from head office, and smiled. ‘Nice to see you again, Mr Fanzio, Mr Holding.' She put out her
hand, annoyed Blair hadn't bothered to include her.

‘Hello. We were just talking about lunch too. Please call me Joe and this is Reg,' said Fanzio.

Jennifer glanced at Blair, ‘Ah, you were on
Kicking Back
when we were at Sooty. Beautiful boat.'

Blair's eyes had narrowed and he was sending her some signal but she had no idea what. ‘It's the company boat. Reg and Joe are just here briefly to see how things are running,' said Blair. ‘A flying visit.'

‘Oh, is Rosie hosting drinks or anything?' asked Jennifer innocently.

‘No time, unfortunately, just a stopover visit to our outposts,' said Holding, separating his lips and showing teeth, his eyes cold.

Joe, the fatter, redder and balder of the two, made a bit more of an effort. ‘So how are you enjoying being out here? Blair says you're doing some writing. Very good to have a portable occupation when your husband is so . . . involved.'

Jennifer gave Blair a bright smile. ‘Oh, he's definitely very involved with it all. The staff and guests love him.'

Signals were still flashing from Blair, who turned away from the view. ‘Well, shall we? Have that lunch?'

The men glanced around as they walked away from the headland. ‘Fabulous location. Spot on.'

‘Just got to make it work. Counting on you, Blair.' Holding jabbed Blair in the arm.

Jennifer was walking slightly ahead as Blair came alongside. ‘We're having lunch on the boat, it's at the wharf. Sorry I can't ask you, business. Rosie has a meeting with them too,' he added for her benefit. Then as the men, talking in low voices, dropped further behind them, he said, ‘Don't mention being pregnant. Might hurt my promotion.'

‘Already?'

‘Just talking future plans, you never know.'

‘So where do you plan to park me and the baby if we're not included in your future plans?'

‘Don't be silly, just play along,' he hissed. As they reached the divide in the track he kissed her quickly on the cheek. ‘See you later on. I'm just taking them down to Boomerang Cove for a bit of a looksee.'

‘Nice to see you,' called Jennifer and turned onto the resort path. The men gave a desultory acknowledgment. Jennifer had the distinct impression they couldn't care less if they never saw her again or would they even recognise her if they did. ‘Jerks,' she thought. ‘How did they get to be senior executives?'

She didn't see Rosie for the next two days and Blair was vague about the meeting, but seemed cheerful and more loving than he'd been in a month. They started making love again, but he avoided what she thought of as real intimacy. No cuddling, talking or lazing in bed together in the afterglow of sex. He either fell asleep or leapt from bed, rushing to get ready for work, leaving Jennifer to her solitary morning walk.

On Friday morning Jennifer asked Blair to come with her that evening to Gideon's Shark Bar.

‘That weird old guy that Lloyd and the uni people hang out with? I don't think so.'

‘Have you ever met Gideon?'

‘Would I want to? You go if you want. I'm off to Sooty, we're looking at some refurbishments. Maybe another tent. So I'll stay over there. Will you be okay? How will you get back? No more dramas, please.'

‘I'm not sure. If you're on Sooty is Rosie on duty here then?' It struck her as odd that Blair would be looking after upgrades and refurbishments rather than the manager.

‘Yeah. But I don't want you walking across the island at night after a few drinks. Take Rosie with you, someone can cover for her.'

‘I might come back by boat,' said Jennifer with a cheeky air.

Blair gave her a look. ‘Don't put Lloyd through that trip. You're just not meant to go on boats.'

‘Speaking of boats,
Kicking Back
didn't stay long. What's going on with those two company boys? They're not exactly impressive, are they?'

‘Just because they were dressed casually . . . those guys are worth heaps. And they run a squillion-dollar business. They have other connections as well as the resorts.'

‘Really? Like what?'

‘Nothing to do with hospitality. I'm not sure.' Blair sounded evasive.

‘Blair, I don't think you should suck up to those guys. If they're only part of the board, corporation, whatever, who is the really big boss?' she asked.

‘The chairman is Sir Giles Blake. A Brit. No one ever sees him. His family owned Reef Resorts before it went public. He's probably some old geezer who goes to the board meetings and has no other involvement. Sends his rellies off on fancy holidays to the resorts they own. Who knows? It's middle and senior management, guys like Fanzio and Holding, who are hands-on, running things.'

He went into the bathroom. Jennifer dropped the subject, deciding to quiz Rosie. She hoped she'd come along tonight.

‘You bet I'm going over there, I've already made arrangements,' said Rosie when Jennifer stuck her head around her office door. ‘Isobel is a truly fabulous gal. You up to coming with Lloyd and me in his boat? He's off duty too.'

‘I guess so. Sure, why not? Nothing could be worse than the first time. And I'm a member of the Shark Club now.' Jennifer felt happy, liberated.

‘Good for you. See you down at the wharf at six.'

Lloyd and Carmel were on board waiting for them. Lloyd helped Jennifer into the boat and gave her hand a slight squeeze. Rosie sat beside Jennifer as they sped away from the wharf.

Rosie shaded her eyes. ‘I love looking back at the resort from the water. It's tucked in there so
discreetly, really blends in. What a relief it's not a high-rise monstrosity.'

‘Where's Blair?' asked Carmel. ‘Is he holding the fort?'

‘He's on Sooty Isle. Working over there. Just for today and tomorrow,' said Jennifer. She caught Rosie's eye and saw her discomfort. Was Blair upstaging his boss? She'd have to speak to him. Rosie was an understanding woman but if he was jeopardising her career everything could backfire on him. When the time was appropriate she'd talk to Rosie. And Blair.

But it was Lloyd who asked one of the questions Jennifer had been thinking about. ‘I saw
Kicking Back
was here for a bit, Rosie. Pretty quick inspection, wasn't it?'

‘Only an informal visit. Not exactly social, though I had a quick drink with the slick boys – as I call them. They're cruising around. Got some women on board and no wives. Not really serious business. Hardly came ashore.'

‘Oh, I saw them up at Coral Point. And Blair took them down to Boomerang Cove,' blurted Jennifer without thinking.

Rosie looked stunned then shrugged. ‘I'm not going to worry about it. They had no complaints as far as I could tell, that's the main thing. The board and chairman are in London, the slick boys are the Australian arm. Unfortunately I answer to them.'

‘Are you going to London for the next meeting?' asked Jennifer cautiously.

‘No, that's not my call.'

Carmel sensed Rosie's tension and diverted the conversation. ‘I am so excited to meet Dr Belitas. How often is she here?'

‘She was here about eighteen months ago. She hadn't been to Branch for a couple of years before that. It depends on her schedule, I s'pose. Mac will know more. If she has a project here she'll spend weeks, maybe months. She sometimes stays at the resort for a break but mostly she's at the research station. She's a ball of energy, that's for sure.'

‘She's very down to earth for someone so famous,' said Lloyd.

‘Yes, I looked her up on the net. Odd that some people can be so respected and known in their field and yet unknown to the general public,' said Jennifer.

‘Depends what general public you refer to – the followers of the tabloid press and TV soaps, or people who take their news and reading a bit more seriously,' said Rosie. ‘If you talk about the queen of the deep and extreme feats, some people will know of her.'

Jennifer kept quiet.
I'm a country girl. Ask me about droughts, bushfires, flooded creeks, plagues of locusts. I haven't had any interest in marine science.

Lloyd cut the engine as the day drifted into lilac twilight and the small boat slowed, heading for the shore of the little lagoon near Gideon's shack. Carmel jumped out into the knee-deep water and pulled the boat until it stopped on the sand.

Rosie, holding her sandals, her long peasant skirt bunched up in the other hand, swung her legs over and dropped into the water. ‘It's only ankledeep, Jenny.'

Lloyd threw the rope to Carmel, who trudged up the beach to secure the boat. ‘I'll hop off and help you down, Jen.'

‘I'm fine.' She swung her legs over and jumped almost straight onto the shore. She rolled down the legs of her cotton pants to cover as much skin as possible. Early evening was the midges' favourite feasting time. Rosie handed her some repellent.

‘I hear revelry,' said Lloyd, heading towards a glow through the trees.

Single file they approached the Shark Bar. The burst of music from an old ghettoblaster on the bar was heart starting. Rosie swung her hips. ‘Dig that beat.'

Jennifer laughed. ‘Salsa!'

Carmel danced past them. ‘No, calypso!'

Gideon had turned on the coloured party lights along the sagging thatch of the roof; outside, the flame torches burned with the tangy odour of citronella. Lanterns, candles and the electric light over the bar flickered with the shadows of moving figures. At first Jennifer thought everyone was dancing. But, like moths around the flame, the crowd hovered, swelling and receding around an unseen magnet in the centre.

Gideon, looking even more genial than usual, rose from his favourite chair to welcome them.
The others were quickly swallowed in the throng except Rosie who headed for the bar and poured glasses of wine.

‘So, Jennifer, what's your latest news?' Gideon dropped his arm around her shoulder.

‘From Headland Bay? Nothing too exciting I'm afraid.' She held back from sharing her news for some superstitious reason, or shyness, she wasn't sure.

‘And have you been working on that book of the absent professor?'

‘I have, very much. Thanks to Mac. He gave me a cubby hole to work in at the research station.'

‘Do I hear my name? Glad you came.' Mac had extricated himself from the group. ‘Everyone is talking at once and the music . . . let the excitement dissipate. Grab a seat outside.'

Jennifer glanced inside, disappointed she hadn't yet met, or seen, the famous Isobel Belitas.

‘Don't worry, I'll introduce you to her shortly,' said Mac.

Rosie handed Jennifer a glass. ‘Have a red wine. Medicinal purposes,' she winked.

‘Do you come over here much? How well do you all know each other?' Jennifer asked Rosie. Mac, Rosie, Gideon. Each came from a different world on the island, yet they seemed so comfortable, so compatible.

Jennifer watched the streaks of light change colour in the evening sky. She wondered for a moment what Blair was doing. But then there was a shuffling of seats. Mac stood up. And there was
Isobel, being shown to the empty canvas chair next to Jennifer.

She was tiny! Jennifer was struck silent as Isobel Belitas held out both her hands. Wide, dark-brown eyes, short wavy dark hair. And a smile, a huge smile, that dominated her face. A diamond earring caught the light and twinkled. Her hands were small, soft but strong. She wore a rich musky perfume redolent of night flowers. She was in red. Was she fifteen or fifty? There seemed no difference. She radiated energy, warmth, delight.

‘A new recruit. How good to meet you. We have a lot to talk about, yes?' Her voice was throaty, slightly accented though more musical than Carmel's. Still holding one of Jennifer's hands she sat beside her. Jennifer felt she was under some incredible spotlight as Isobel turned her gaze on her.

‘We do, I mean, I hope so. I've been reading about you on the net,' said Jennifer shyly.

‘Hah. Don't always believe everything that's out there. But I hope you found some of it . . . interesting?'

‘Oh, yes. Very much so.'

Mac and Rosie moved to replenish drinks, pass food. Gideon leaned back, his arms behind his head, paying little attention it seemed.

‘And you are here because of your husband. Have you been here long enough to decide how important this place is?' asked Isobel.

‘I'm not sure what you mean. You mean the
work being done at the research station?'

‘What I am saying is . . . Are you happy he brought you here? Do you hate being away from this island, these waters, when you go?' She cocked her head, the brilliant smile now faintly quizzical.

Jennifer sensed there was more to her question. She thought a moment before answering. ‘At first I hated it. I'm acclimatising. If it wasn't for Mac, Gideon, everyone else, no, I wouldn't like it here. Except . . .' She turned away, looking at the tranquil sea in the distance.

‘You have, as they say, unfinished business,' said Isobel gently. ‘I understand that.' She patted Jennifer's hand. ‘Even if you don't.'

Gideon sat forward. ‘I've told Isobel what little I know about you, Jennifer. And what I feel. And about the book you're doing for that professor.'

‘And what do you want to do? For you?' asked Isobel, her eyes sparkling.

‘I wish I knew. I feel quite envious of you all . . . having such interesting projects and plans,' began Jennifer.

‘What's the book about?'

‘Oh, it's a work by one of the professors from Sydney Uni, where I studied. He's been looking at the East Australian Current . . .'

‘Oh, I know it! I have been in it. I call it the serpent,' said Isobel. ‘It starts here in the Coral Sea, travels often around four knots and makes enormous eddies and flows,' she waved her arm in
a snaking motion, ‘like a serpent. It brings up nutrient-rich waters from deep below. And that makes fish happy.'