Sarah muttered. ‘Seems to work for you most times.’
She wasn’t jealous. She loved Tori enough to be thankful that she was young and attractive, vivacious and determined to enjoy life. That courage had pulled Sarah away from some of the bleakness of the last few months. ‘Mum hated to see people unhappy,’ she had reminded Sarah gently. ‘I’ll bet she’s watching you right now and making those “tch-tch” noises.’
Sometimes a little of that bounce even rubbed off onto Sarah and let her do something expensively self-indulgent, like taking a week’s holiday on a tropical island in the middle of winter.
She hoped she hadn’t sounded jealous. Or older-sister crusty. But, for heaven’s sake, Tori needed someone to watch out for her. That romance with Robert had been a total disaster and just too much to handle on top of Mum’s death. The desire to see a little of Tori’s sparkle return had been the deciding factor to her agreeing to this holiday, but a sparkle associated with another man was the last thing Tori needed.
‘Morning, ladies. Lovely day for it.’
It would be too rude to keep pretending to read her book. Sarah peered over the top of her sunglasses and got the full blast of the man at very close quarters as he slowed his progress along the beach to a halt.
‘Perfect!’ Tori was smiling broadly and Sarah knew it wasn’t just the weather she was praising.
‘Just arrived?’
‘Yesterday.’
‘Enjoying yourselves?’
‘It just keeps getting better.’
Sarah disguised the twitch of her lips by smiling at the more serious-looking older boy who seemed to be guarding a large fishing-tackle kit.
‘Bula.’
She was rewarded for using the island greeting by a chorus of responses and gleaming grins on small, dark faces, but the girl holding one of the man’s hands in both of hers buried her face with its halo of fuzzy dark curls against the pale shorts.
Sarah’s smile softened and she glanced up, wondering if the man was aware of his small companion’s shyness. The instant answer she found in a pair of very dark eyes was disconcerting. The way he swung the child up into his arms and kissed her cheek gently as he gave her a cuddle was utterly charming. He settled her onto one hip and there was a slight scuffle as the other children raced to claim his free hand.
‘Better go,’ he said. ‘Have a great holiday.’
‘Thanks, we will,’ Sarah said politely.
‘You, too!’ Tori called after him.
He laughed. ‘Some of us are here to work, not play.’ He turned his head a few steps later and he was still smiling. ‘Tough job,’ he said sternly, ‘but, hey! Someone’s gotta do it.’
* * *
Water slid over her skin like the touch of satin sheets on an overly hot summer’s night. Waves, too lazy to break until they reached the shore, rocked her gently and tiny, brightly coloured fish darted through the crystal clarity of the shallows like jewels.
‘This is bliss,’ Sarah sighed happily. ‘Seven whole days of absolute paradise. I’m so glad you talked me into this, Tori.’
‘We should go and get some lunch.’
‘It’s only eleven o’clock. The restaurant won’t be open yet.’
‘You can get snacks any time and I’m starving!’
‘Get one of the islanders to knock a coconut down for you. Look, there’s someone near our bure right now.’
Sarah waved towards the thatched hut, set amongst the coconut palms only a stone’s throw from the beach, aware of yet another contented smile pulling at her lips. While the hut looked primitive and totally in keeping with the setting from the outside, the interior could only be described as luxurious. Even the huge gecko attached to their ceiling by its sticky feet hadn’t distracted them from admiring the furnishings and bathroom facilities or enjoying the champagne and basket of tropical fruit awaiting their arrival.
Tori stood up, water flowing from the red bikini that covered her curves. She shook her head, releasing a spray of droplets from her curly blonde hair.
‘He’d know, wouldn’t he?’
‘About coconuts? Sure.’
‘No, about that man. Who he is. He said he worked here, didn’t he?’
‘Well, he said he was here to work. I’m not sure that’s quite the same thing.’
‘Maybe he’s a film director checking out a new location.’
‘Or a novelist, trying to find a quiet spot to finish off his latest bestseller.’
‘Maybe he owns this resort!’ Tori’s eyes widened dramatically as she considered the fabulous possibilities. Then she made a decisive move towards the beach, swooping to collect her towel and sunglasses. ‘I’ll find out,’ she announced. ‘Watch this space!’
The space didn’t stay empty for long. Tori was back within minutes, splashing excitedly through the shallows and then wading in to where Sarah was floating on her back.
‘He’s a doctor!’ she reported breathlessly. ‘“Doctor Ben”, they call him. He’s come to see one of the women in the village. Sounds like she’s having a baby any day now.’
‘So that’s why that boy was carrying the kit. I thought it was a bit odd to have fishing tackle and no rod.’
‘I asked if there was a “Mrs Ben”, but I don’t think he understood.’ Tori was frowning. ‘That was when he started talking about the “missus” in the village who’s having a baby.’
‘Why don’t you sprain your ankle or something? Just in time for when he comes back along the beach.’
Tori appeared to give the tongue-in-cheek suggestion serious thought but then laughed.
‘I think going to the restaurant is a much better idea. We can see the boats from the deck by that pool. He might even have lunch there himself.’ Tori was off again. ‘I’m going to get changed and do something with my hair!’
* * *
It didn’t matter what route they chose to take. Paths that meandered beneath the palms, between accommodation and service bures, past a chapel and even a tiny fire station, eventually all led to the central complex that was the resort’s hub. Neither did it matter how long it took to get there. They were on island time now and Sarah had actually taken off her watch and dropped it into her suitcase when she’d gone inside to shower after her swim.
The sense of escaping more than just a timetable was heady. The atmosphere of this tropical playground offered the promise of finding whatever they might be searching for. They could choose the peace of simply soaking up the sunshine, lazing in water just cool enough to be refreshing or strolling along walkways shaded by exotic trees. Or they could go for the excitement of scuba-diving, windsurfing or parasailing. Right now, peace was something Sarah craved. Time out after a tough year.
The cry that interrupted their ambling progress past the turtle nursery was anything but peaceful.
‘What on earth was that?’
‘Sounds like someone’s been hurt.’
‘Where did it come from?’
‘Just over there.’ Sarah was already moving, heading away from the path and through a thick clump of hibiscus bushes. ‘I think it’s the miniature golf course.’
An elderly woman was lying on the ground. Her companion was holding her hand.
‘Marjorie! Are you all right, darling?’
‘Hi.