The Islands (43 page)

‘I figured you'd be around as soon as your friend had gone. You didn't give me a chance to call you.' He looked perplexed.

‘I would've let you know when I was back.'

She stomped into the workroom to collect the board, now determined to go down to the beach, surprised at how upset she felt.

‘Want to have dinner, catch up?' asked PJ.

‘Sure. I'll bring something. See you later,' she said, somewhat mollified.

When she returned from the surf, PJ had gone and Damien was in the workroom with the girl.

‘How was Maui?' asked Catherine.

‘Far out. Too bad we had to come back, but there's a meeting with a possible sponsor lined up.'

Catherine didn't want to hang around, she'd wait to get all the news from PJ that evening. ‘Gotta run, see you later.'

He was sitting on the beach in shorts and a T-shirt with a group of surfers, no doubt discussing the waves in Maui, thought Catherine. She was disappointed he wasn't alone, but she knew he couldn't control the people who wandered along the beach, and this part of Waikiki was always a popular gathering spot.

He saw her coming, carrying a large picnic basket, and stood up. As she reached him, the other surfers were drifting away.

‘What are you bringing all that stuff down here for?'

‘I thought we might have a sunset picnic.'

‘No surfing?'

‘I'm not exactly dressed for it, but sure, if you like,' she said.

‘That's okay. I'm going out early in the morning with the guys to Makaha, anyway. Come along if you like, though the sets out there might be a bit big for you to manage,' he added.

‘Ah, we'll see. I have to finish some work for the paper for next week's edition.'

‘What've you got in here?' PJ began rifling through the neatly packed basket.

‘Hang on, let me set it out. I got us a really nice bottle of wine.'

‘Why don't we take it home then?'

‘The sunset, PJ!' she admonished him.

He grinned. ‘Right. I know a better place to see it. C'mon.' He picked up the basket. ‘Where's your car?'

As they drove down Ala Wai Boulevard, PJ described his time on Maui, then they turned inland and started to climb up a high hill.

‘What's this place?' asked Catherine.

‘Puu Ualakaa State Park. Very beautiful.'

He pulled into a lookout where the length of the coastline from Diamond Head to the Waianae Ranges was spread below them.

‘You've been here before,' she said.

‘Any surfer knows the best places to view the coast,' he answered.

They ate the food and shared the wine as they watched the sunset. They didn't talk but sat there wrapped in their own thoughts. Catherine wished she did this kind of spontaneous thing more often. There were still so many places to discover on the Islands. As the molten glow of the sky faded to indigo, the lights of the city below them began to sparkle.

‘I love it here. It's really magic. I see why you can't leave,' Catherine finally said.

‘I don't feel tied to this place. Plenty of other magic islands. I don't have the history here that someone like Lester has. But I wouldn't trade this for big city or suburban life, that's for sure.'

‘What are you going to do with your life, PJ?' she asked. ‘Is it possible to make a living from surfing, making boards, teaching tourists?'

‘Anything is possible.' He grinned. ‘I tend to take things day by day. Keeps life interesting.'

‘This has been lovely. I've found somewhere new to come,' said Catherine as they packed up.

‘I know the island pretty well now. I'll take you round a bit if you like.'

So for the next few days PJ took her places around the island – secret surfing spots, through the pineapple plantations to small towns, to tiny local restaurants run variously by Hawaiians, Japanese and Portuguese. Away from Honolulu, the island of Oahu was diverse – farms, plantations, waterfalls, ravines, valleys, and even a few decent-sized cattle ranches. It was fascinating and absolutely beautiful.

‘How do you know these places? I wish I'd known about them before.' Catherine said.

‘I figured we'd get around to it. I don't want you to think this island is just Waikiki. There's a lot more to Kauai too, I could show you. But I thought exploring Oahu first might give you some ideas for photos.'

‘It sure has,' she exclaimed. ‘I can find out more about the history from Aunty Lani and Kiann'e.'

Coming home from one of these expeditions, she was greeted with a phone message from Bradley.

‘Hi, honey, you're never home, so hope you get this message okay. We'll be docking Friday. Check with the office. The Commander will have the exact time we're due in. Can't wait to see you.'

Julia must have got a message as well, as she rang Catherine.

‘Exciting, isn't it? What are you planning for Bradley?'

‘You mean when he gets home? Going out? A dinner?' asked Catherine.

‘No, for his arrival. The girls generally dress up, make a sign, bring leis of course. Susie Mitchell took their dog to the dock last year draped in leis, even though animals aren't allowed. Of course the kids always make a big deal of the welcome home for their fathers.'

‘I see. Well, I don't have an animal or a child, and I think Bradley would be embarrassed if I made a placard or something. What are you doing?'

‘Wearing sexy underwear. Suspenders. Jim gets a giggle out of that stuff. There's a shop downtown . . .'

‘Hey, spare me the details,' said Catherine lightly. Bradley didn't indulge in any racy foreplay or seduction. Bradley was, in fact, quite modest. He didn't like to be seen naked and liked the bathroom to himself when he showered and shaved. And as for making love on the beach . . . No, thought Catherine, I don't want to go there.

‘Well, I heard it's probable they could be gone again in six weeks time so, as Mrs Goodwin says, it's nice to make an effort to welcome them home,' said Julia.

‘Do you think Mrs Goodwin wears naughty red lace knickers to welcome home the Commander?' said Catherine, laughing at the thought.

‘Catherine! That's a dreadful thing to say,' said Julia primly. ‘I'll see you down at the port.'

The morning of Bradley's arrival, Catherine stood under the shower trying to liven herself up and muster the effort to look excited and happy at seeing him again. She just felt very flat and wondered if Bradley would like her racing out at sunrise to swim and then at sunset to surf. She tidied the apartment, restocked the empty fridge and pantry and put fresh flowers on the table. That'll do, she thought.

She saw the cluster of wives waiting and was surprised at how some had turned up in jeans and casual suntops. Other women, like Julia, were in heels and good dresses or fitted skirts and tailored blouses, hairdos freshly coiffured and lacquered. Catherine had opted for a full-skirted sundress with spaghetti straps and small-heeled sandals. Her hair cascaded around her shoulders in soft curls and she'd put a flower in it. She wore the pearl necklace that Bradley had given her for their wedding. She hadn't paid this much attention to her clothes since he left.

Catherine stood to one side, holding the orchid and plumeria lei she'd brought for him. There were squeals and long embraces as the men came down the gangplank to the arms of their wives and girlfriends. And then Bradley appeared at the top of the gangplank, surveying the dock. She lifted her arm and waved at her husband, feeling a bit like she did when she'd first arrived in Honolulu from London. She felt unsure, hesitant, shy even, but she could see why she'd fallen in love with this tall handsome man in his crisply immaculate uniform. Bradley beamed and strode down the gangplank giving a smart salute to the officer on the dock. And in a few long strides he was before her, dropping his small bag and opening his arms. He kissed her tenderly and then held her at arms' length.

‘Heavens, look how brown you are! And your hair is longer. You look fit and well. This surfing must agree with you.'

Catherine was confused. How did he know about her surfing? Julia must have told Jim. Or was it Mrs Goodwin?

Bradley took off his hat and she dropped the lei over his head. ‘You look good, Bradley. Not as suntanned as I thought you'd be.'

‘Darling, I don't usually work on the deck. Shall we?'

Catherine opened the driver's door but Bradley took the keys from her. ‘I'll drive.'

They made small talk on the way home. He was vague about the specifics of their tour of duty, talked about the men, asked about news from home, enquired about her family and wanted to know about the Wives' Club activities. Catherine found herself struggling to find things to say about her life while he'd been away.

‘It's only three o'clock, I thought we'd go out for a sunset cocktail and I made a reservation for dinner.' She knew he wasn't going to take her to bed as soon as they got into the apartment. Bradley was not keen on making love in the daytime. But it seemed strange having him back. She'd gotten used to her own company, doing things as she wanted.

‘Sounds wonderful. I'll unpack and then pop over to see the Commander. I have a few things to do at the Base, but I'll be home and change in time for the sunset drinks. The Ilikai? Or the Royal Hawaiian?'

‘How about the Moana?' said Catherine.

‘Of course. It is our spot, isn't it.'

Bradley rang her a short time later. ‘Jim and Julia are coming to dinner with us. Jim wants to go down to Chinatown to some authentic restaurant in the Hotel Street area. I said we'd meet them there after our drinks.'

‘Well, that sounds fun,' said Catherine, thinking the location was rather adventuresome for the Bensens.

Bradley ordered their cocktails at the Moana and they chatted about a new couple who'd arrived at the Base. ‘Nice pair. From Pennsylvania. He's working with me so you'll meet her at the Wives' Club.' Bradley, however, didn't seem very interested in what Catherine had been doing. He didn't ask about her photography or the fact that she was taking surfing lessons. As Bradley talked Catherine watched the waves and the people enjoying the sunset on the beach. One or two of the beach boys waved to her as they walked past with their boards.

However by the time they finally found Wo Fats Restaurant in Chinatown, Bradley started to sound annoyed.

‘We're going to be late. And I don't like leaving the car in the street here. Too many unsavoury characters wandering around. We try to keep our enlisted men out of this area. A lot of the bars and clubs are off limits to them. They get into trouble.'

His mood wasn't improved when he found that the Bensens had invited two other men to join them, who were old friends of Jim's from his home town. They were several drinks ahead of the others and this restaurant had been their idea.

‘We've been in Asia, we know the food. We'll order and we all share,' said one of the men waving the long menu.

For once Bradley and Catherine were united in their opinion of the evening. The two men drank whisky while Jim and Bradley had beers and Catherine and Julia stuck to green tea. The men, Hank and Milton, were loud, told stories of their tour in 'Nam and made a lot of racist comments that began to rankle Catherine. Even Jim began to be embarrassed by their crassness. So while Hank and Milton debated over ordering dessert, Bradley asked for the tab.

‘What say we hit a bar or two? I know a few good ones around here,' said Hank.

‘I don't believe we'll join you,' said Bradley pulling money from his wallet and putting a generous amount on the table, which made Catherine realise how much he wanted to leave. Bradley was normally meticulous at dividing a shared bill.

‘Hey, Jim, ol' buddy, you're not going to chicken out on us, are you?' demanded Milton.

Jim glanced at Julia, who was tight lipped. ‘Thanks, guys, we'll leave you to it. This has been great . . . really different food.'

‘You haven't lived till you've explored the delights of Chinatown, buddy,' grinned Milton.

‘We'll leave you to it. Nice to meet you,' said Bradley leading Catherine away from the table as Jim and Julia got up to leave.

Bradley was unlocking the car when they heard raised voices. Their dining companions Milton and Hank were arguing with two Hawaiian boys.

‘Piss off, mokes,' shouted Hank.

Catherine saw one of the Hawaiians throw a punch and then Milton leapt at the other and a scuffle broke out.

‘Bradley, stop them,' exclaimed Catherine.

Jim and Julia quickly hurried over to Bradley and Catherine. ‘This could get ugly. We'd better get out of here,' said Jim.

‘They're your friends, can't you stop them?' asked Catherine as the fight now looked serious.

‘Those guys can take care of themselves,' Jim replied. ‘I think the best course is to get you two ladies out of here before we get caught up in it.'

‘Jim, you look after Catherine and Julia and I'll go back into Wo Fats and call the police. I'll be as quick as I can.'

Several people had come out of a bar and were shouting at the four men. It looked like several locals were ready to join in the brawl.

‘He's got a knife!' someone shouted.

Bradley returned almost at once. ‘The police have already been called. We'll all go in my car,' he said as he started his engine. ‘We'll get your car in the morning, Jim.'

‘If they've got knives, someone could really get hurt.' Catherine cried.

‘Those two are pretty good fighters,' said Jim shortly.

‘But you see why we have to keep our young hotheads out of this area. Those redneck mokes like to stir them up.'

‘I hate the way these Polynesians like to make trouble,' said Bradley taking a side street to avoid the swelling crowd.

‘That's a pretty sweeping statement,' said Catherine curtly, wanting to add that it sounded racist.