The Islands (9 page)

‘Thanks. I hope you and Barbara will be happy. How're plans going for your big day?'

Rob rolled his eyes. ‘Bloody dramas every day from the smallest thing like the colour of the corsages to someone who's not invited because they don't get on with someone else. I'm keeping out of it. If you and your bloke can pull off a simple, easy event, good on you. I suppose getting married on a tropical island away from everybody is the smart way to do it.'

‘I'll miss all my friends, but what you describe is what Bradley is trying to avoid. It might be hard for us with families on opposite sides of the world, but it's simplified the wedding.'

‘Yeah, I suppose so. Aren't you going to miss being here though? You're a long way from those who love you, Cath. And Aussie-land. You always seemed more attached to this place than many of us.'

‘Except you, Rob. I hope Barbara settles into country life,' said Catherine, changing the subject. Rob had touched a nerve. ‘I'll try to come back as often as I can and Mum and Dad plan to come over and see us as well. Anytime you and Barbara want an Hawaiian holiday – just yell,' she said lightly.

‘Takes a few bob to dash across the Pacific at the drop of a hat. You know us farmers. If there's any spare cash it goes into the land or a new ute.' He smiled. ‘This chap must be pretty special. Good luck, Cath.'

‘Thanks, Rob. Same to you and Barbara. I'm sure our families will swap wedding photos so we can see how it went.'

Bradley picked up an orange pottery canister with a cork lid. ‘Catherine, this is truly ugly. I can't believe you paid to ship all this stuff over here.'

‘They're our wedding presents.'

‘Right, but most of them are awful. Or things we don't need.'

‘I didn't have time to go through everything before I left. I thought this would be fun,' said Catherine miserably. Compared to what was available in American shops and displayed in magazines, the selection of gifts from family and friends did not seem very inspired. She didn't want to be mercenary about things, but tea towels, pottery canisters and a Corning Ware lasagne dish were never going to be kept as family heirlooms. Moreover, Bradley was right, it had cost a lot to ship over the box of gifts.

‘I should have waited. But I was anxious to get here and set up our first home.'

Bradley had bought a small apartment in which they could live while they waited for married quarters to become available on the base. While the apartment in the TradeWinds building was small, it was across the street from the Ilikai Hotel and marina and Catherine loved sitting on their lanai watching all the activity and hearing the jingle of the rigging of the moored yachts. The apartment was furnished with the basics, which Bradley had decorated with his personal effects collected during his time at college and his travels with the navy. There was nothing very feminine about it and Catherine wished she'd brought more of her personal memorabilia. She decided to ask her mother to bring some photos she had taken of Parker, her friends and scenes of
Heatherbrae.

Catherine had arrived two weeks before the big day, but found that Bradley, true to his word, had arranged everything. She'd bought a wedding dress in Sydney with her mother and Mollie but now she fretted that it wouldn't look right on the day. It seemed too formal, too stiff and stylised. Bradley had his dress uniform to wear, which suited any occasion. She pored over magazines, the social pages, and looked in the stores at the Ala Moana centre, feeling that her choice was not quite right for the Islands. But, she didn't discuss her concerns with Bradley as she'd told him she had everything organised and didn't want to appear as insecure as she suddenly felt.

Bradley was working longer hours than usual, partly because it was the nature of the job and partly because he wanted to get everything up to date before he left for the honeymoon, so Catherine was not surprised when one day he told her that he had a function to go to after work. It was only for naval personnel so she was not invited and, as he would miss dinner, he suggested that she walk across to the Ilikai and treat herself to a meal.

Catherine didn't want to eat alone at a tourist spot so she decided to walk the length of Waikiki Beach at sunset and grab a hamburger at a small restaurant on the way back. She knew she could get on the bus that ran past their apartment and hoped to be back by dark.

The beach was almost deserted save for a few surfers standing by their boards. The flame torches around the hotels' gardens were already alight and people were gathering for sunset cocktails. Walking past the Moonflower she saw the band setting up and as she walked closer to see if Kiann'e was there, she was hailed.

‘Hello again.'

Catherine turned to see Kiann'e on the beach ahead of her being professionally photographed. ‘Hello! I was just wondering if your show was about to start.'

‘Shortly. We wanted a sunset picture for a new album cover. How are you? Are you still on vacation, or have you been home and come back? Can't keep away? It's been awhile since I saw you in Carol and Marys.'

‘You have a good memory! Actually I have been back to Australia but I'm here now to get married.'

‘Wonderful. A beach wedding? And then back to Australia?' Kiann'e joined Catherine as the photographer set up a silver umbrella on a small stand.

‘No, we're going to live here. For a while anyway. He's with the navy.'

‘Great. Then we'll probably see each other again. I'm Kiann'e Schultz. I married a German,' she added by explanation. ‘Are you living at the base?'

‘I'm Catherine Moreland soon to be Connor. We're living in a small apartment near the Ilikai while we wait for quarters on the base. Is Honolulu your home?'

‘No, Kauai. But we live on Oahu because of the work. Where're you getting married?'

‘At the naval chapel. His commanding officer and his wife are giving us a small reception at their home. It's a pretty setting.'

‘Is your family coming from Australia?'

‘Just my parents and my best friend. Bradley's parents and brother are coming from California. I don't know many people here yet.'

‘You know me now. Would you like to get together one day for coffee?'

‘I'd love to!' exclaimed Catherine. ‘This might sound crazy but I brought a wedding dress with me and now it doesn't seem right. Would you know anywhere I might find something . . . not too formal but not too . . . extreme?' she finished.

‘You mean not too Hawaiian, but a bit of the flavour of the Islands?' asked Kiann'e. ‘Don't want your family to think you've gone too tropical! I'll be glad to give you my suggestions. I'll give you my number.' She went to fetch her small basket beside the photographer's gear.

‘Can we get this shot before all the light goes?' he asked.

‘Here's my card. Give me a call. We'll make it a project. Aloha.' Kiann'e handed Catherine a business card and then took her position in front of the camera.

Catherine waved, tucked the card in her wallet and retraced her steps along the beach, wondering at the ease with which she'd made a friend of the beautiful Hawaiian girl. People were shopping, strolling along the colourful strip and the bars were jammed. She saw a bus marked Kalakaua Avenue, jumped onto it and got off at the International Marketplace. Later she caught a bus to the Ilikai Hotel, crossed the street to the TradeWinds and caught the elevator to the seventh floor.

The phone was ringing as she got inside.

‘Where have you been? I was starting to worry. Did you go across the road for dinner?'

‘No. I walked down the beachfront to Waikiki.'

‘You what? At night, that could be dangerous. There're a lot of hustlers round that International Marketplace. You're still a bit of an innocent in Honolulu,' exclaimed Bradley. ‘Where did you eat?'

‘Oh, I bought an ice cream. There's stuff here. Hey, guess who I met?'

‘Who?' asked Bradley still sounding worried.

She told him about Kiann'e and he was slightly surprised until Catherine explained they'd met before in a shop at Ala Moana.

‘That's nice. Hey, maybe she'd dance at our wedding! No, forget that, the arrangements are already made. So you're okay then? I'll be another half hour or so and then I'll be home. Shall I bring some food?'

‘No, thanks. I'm fine. See you soon.'

‘Watch some TV. Johnny Carson'll be on soon.'

‘Okay, darling.'

Catherine put a record on the stereo. She wasn't as addicted to American television as Bradley was.

Both families arrived a few days before the wedding. Catherine moved out of Bradley's apartment into the Moana, where her parents and Mollie were staying. She enjoyed a late breakfast with her parents on the verandah by the courtyard while she told them how sitting under the banyan tree at sunset had played a role in her and Bradley's courtship.

Catherine was to meet Bradley's parents at the classic Royal Hawaiian Hotel for a celebratory drink, before being joined later by her parents and Bradley's brother, Joel, for dinner in the hotel's restaurant. She felt apprehensive about this first meeting, but was quickly put at ease by her future in-laws.

Bradley's mother, Angela, was attractive in a polished, beauty-shop way. His father, Richard, wore a cream golf shirt under a blue linen jacket. Both were gregarious, laughed loudly and ‘joshed' each other.

‘Don't take any notice of Richard,' said Angela. ‘He's such a tease. We're just so thrilled for Bradley. For you both. We always hoped he'd find a darling like you. How wonderful for you both to start married life in paradise!' She waved her arms around the cocktail lounge with its rows of orchids, potted palms and views out to Waikiki Beach.

‘It is a rather special place,' agreed Catherine. ‘It's like being on holiday all the time. Though I hope I can find some kind of job.'

‘Work? Whatever for, honey? That Bradley is earning enough for you to stay on permanent vacation,' declared Richard. ‘Don't you let him kid you into taking a job. You enjoy yourself, sweetie. Soon enough there'll be little bambinos, other postings. Not every assignment is as luxurious as Hawaii,' he said. ‘Angela and I had some tough early posts. Not so bad for the men at sea, harder on the gals. So you enjoy your time here.'

‘He's right, Catherine. You set up your little nest, be there for him. You'll find you have plenty to do just running a home. Friends are the secret. Other women in the same boat! Besides, what kind of work could you possibly do here?' said Angela who'd been a navy wife for thirty-five years.

Catherine bristled. ‘I'm sure I could find a job. I don't want to be totally dependent on Bradley.'

‘Darling, the navy is his life and you'll quickly discover it will be yours too. As a navy wife you'll have obligations and duties,' said Angela.

Bradley appeared with a waiter carrying a tray with champagne and four glasses. ‘Here we are . . . time to celebrate.' He glanced at Catherine who gave him a smile.

The waiter filled the glasses and Richard lifted his champagne. ‘Here's to you, Catherine. Welcome to the family. I hope you and Bradley will be as happy as you can be.'

‘Indeed, darlings. This is so exciting. Bradley, dear, to you and Catherine.' Angela delicately sipped her champagne.

‘To you, son,' said Richard. ‘Congratulations. Pleased to see you settling down at last. Always thought you were too picky. But you've found a little gem in your Aussie gal here.'

Bradley winked at Catherine as he raised his glass.

‘See the world first, we told him,' Angela said to Catherine. ‘And that's what he's doing. You wait till you come visit our home and see Marin County. God's own country. You'll adore California.'

Bradley caught the expression on Catherine's face and said quickly, ‘Catherine is hoping you'll visit Australia too.'

‘Well, of course we will, dear. Shame it's so far away,' said Angela.

‘You can bank on it, sweetheart. We'll make sure we head Down Under one of these days.' Bradley's father downed the last of his champagne and handed his glass to Bradley. ‘How about getting your old man a decent belt? Scotch and soda with lots of ice.'

The dinner where the two sets of parents met was a great success, though, as Catherine said to Bradley, it would be hard not to like his very gregarious parents.

‘Americans are a friendly bunch, aren't they,' said Keith at breakfast to Catherine and Rosemary.

‘They'll be very easy to get along with as in-laws,' her mother added.

‘Especially when they're miles away,' commented Keith.

‘Same goes for us,' said Rosemary. ‘Now, they are coming to visit Australia and stay at
Heatherbrae
, I hope. We'll have to make sure we show them a good time. I don't think they're really country people by the sound of it.'

‘Mum, that's not going to be for a while, so don't start planning just yet,' said Catherine. She didn't like to remind them that Bradley had already arranged for the two of them to spend Thanksgiving in California to meet the rest of his family.

‘Well, I'd like to spend some more time with Bradley, on his own. Just the four of us. Get to know him better,' said Rosemary.

‘I'm not going to give the poor chap the rounds of the kitchen,' said Keith. ‘If Catherine's picked him then that's all there is it to it.'

‘And it is a small wedding, Mum. There'll be plenty of time to get to know him.'

‘If it were at home it would be a full-on event with a hundred people and four bridesmaids and so on,' sighed her mother.

‘More like two hundred,' said her father. ‘You've got a good bloke in Bradley. So what're you wearing? A grass skirt?'

Catherine laughed. ‘No, you know I'm not. I have a new friend here, a lovely girl, in fact you'll see her tonight. It's our turn to host dinner so I thought we'd go to the Moonflower and see Kiann'e dance. I'm so glad Mollie has arrived, she's going to love Kiann'e.'