Pearls of the Past Read online

  Yes, she could, with her always expected to be the sensible one.

  Corrie looked at her wide-eyed cousin. “I think that’s already too late. Just look where my lectures and sensible thinking have landed us. I hardly think our parents would be impressed.”

  “Corrie, you’re not having second thoughts, are you?”

  “Not really, just sometimes questioning the wisdom of making this trip. We weren’t very truthful with our parents, were we?”

  “Which I insisted on because it made it more exciting.”

  “They think we’re in Cairns, in Far North Queensland, on a four-week holiday with lots of sightseeing, involving trips further afield so not to expect phone calls or postcards.”

  “So that’s exactly what we’re doing. And that’s what our parents will think. There’s no harm done, so stop carrying on.”

  “Of course you’re right. And now that we’re actually here, how could I have second thoughts? Have you ever seen such a quaint, magical island? And mind you, that’s only from the bus window. So yes, I’m pleased to be here. I’m just amazed I am. Now, you go test the water and I’ll be down in a few minutes.” Grabbing her aqua one-piece from the hastily opened suitcase, she watched the door close as her cousin left the room.

  Holding her swimmers to her, she sat down on the bed, frowning. Trips further afield! Good grief, just how much further afield could one go before they were out of Australia and in Papua-New Guinea? Less than one hundred kilometers separated them. Could that be the reason why she had made more of those two sensations of peculiar wind, and the vision of the pearling lugger upset her?

  But they were here safely. And the roundabout route they had taken had given them an excellent, and sometimes surprising, view of what the vast north could offer. Jungle, tropical rainforest, palm trees of all descriptions, and wide-sweeping savannah landscapes. Surely all this came under the generalized heading of sightseeing?

  What of her assurance that all the trips would be properly escorted?

  “Now that really had stretched the truth.” She stood up to unbutton her blouse and slip off her slacks, her underwear following in a hurry.

  She pulled on her swimmers, and turning to the long mirror on the bathroom door, she gathered her hair into a ponytail. Looking at her reflection, she reassured herself she was pleased their plans had eventuated. And the ridiculous sensations that had pounced on her twice, out of nowhere, she would treat them as nonsense and ignore them.

  After all the planning, she wasn’t going to let their holiday be sabotaged. Managing to have her and Russella’s holidays coincide had been a feat in itself.

  Avoiding too many questions from both sets of parents, especially hers with them being rather elderly and so protective, had tested her honesty. Then she had written the letter to Arafura Enterprises. Considering the company’s business interests extended north from Townsville into Torres Strait, and across the Arafura Sea to Darwin and south to Broome, they seemed a possible source of information. A starting point.

  As a backup, the connection their family business Austral Wholesalers had with the Cooperative Store on the island might also be of use. But only if it was really needed, because questions would be asked if she identified who she was. Then the surprise for Da would be ruined, and their big adventure would be over.

  Corrie turned to lean back against the mirror, and she frowned. Why had she let herself be convinced that all this subterfuge about their destination was needed? It was bordering on being irresponsible, a silly schoolgirl prank! Had she thought it would prevent their parents from worrying? About what? All right, they were on a little-known island, but it was far from being uncivilized. If she had confided in her parents, they would have told Da, making him question why they chose this special place.

  She quickly took a step toward the door.

  On the wharf, the peculiar sensation of being here before, and the weird feeling a few minutes ago, could that be the reason why they were here at all? Some odd element, psyche, had driven her, had planted the idea she needed to research her Da’s past? And why this island in particular? He’d also lived in Broome, where he met Rusie’s grandmother, why not there?

  Don’t be so utterly stupid! Her reason for being here was straight-forward. It was to create a memorable gift for her grandfather’s special birthday.

  She hoped, when given the opportunity of explaining to Mr. Hendricks, the owner of Arafura Enterprises, he would be helpful. Although, his letter of reply hadn’t been encouraging.

  * * * *

  Corrie dipped her toe into the pool. It was delightfully cool, helped by the huge sail filtering the dangerous sun’s rays.

  Rusie, floating near the steps, waved. “Tony said there’s a cold seafood buffet for lunch. But as we have two hours to wait, he’s bringing us cool drinks and a platter of tropical fruits. He’s the manager, I think, or something like that. He’s asked us out to one of the hotels tonight. There’s a disco.” She swirled around, her face beaming. “Tony said everyone on the island will be there. So I said we’d love to go.”

  She should remind Rusie not to forget the reason they were there. “Oh, why bother?” she muttered.

  The cool, lapping water enticed her, and she neatly cut the surface in a presentable dive. She pushed off the tiled bottom of the pool and surfaced, turning to float, her eyes watching the blooms of yellow allamanda and the trailing, vibrant magenta bougainvillea dance wildly together to the beat of the strong wind. She curved backward and glided toward Russella’s red bikini, clearly seen under the water. She surfaced close by.

  “You really are a fish.”

  “We should make an appointment to visit Arafura Enterprises,” Corrie said. She wouldn’t be put off again.

  “I wondered when you’d get around to that,” Rusie said, resignation evident in her voice.

  “It’s why we’re here. So I’ll make the appointment for tomorrow morning.”

  “Fine. If we get the business side of our holiday over, we can play longer.”

  * * * *

  Britt watched Matt swagger into the large living room-cum-personal office, wearing a grin from ear to ear, the devil dancing in his black eyes.

  “Now what do you make of that entrance?” he asked Victor, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Do you think he’s looking for a pat on the back for being fifteen minutes late?”

  “Even your cutting sarcasm is not going to burst my bubble. Although, you may change your tune when I tell you one engine is running rough, which meant a slower trip.” Hands on hips, Matt leaned forward slightly toward Britt lounging in a huge cane chair, his words pointed, “Even acknowledging the large swell and strong current.” He turned to the well-stocked bar and retrieved an icy cold can of Coke before returning his attention to the two men watching him. “And then, when I hit you with the other news, you’ll be more than interested.”

  “This rough running engine?” Britt cut in.

  “Being checked right now.”

  “I’m more interested in the other news. Aren’t you?” Victor looked to Britt.

  “Of course he is.” Matt laughed. “But we can’t appear too eager, can we, Britt? Mr. Cool plays it cool, you know that, Vic.”

  “A fallacy under certain circumstances.” Victor waggled his distinctive black eyebrows.

  “Nah! Not even then. Now, take his last visit to Brisbane. Broke the lady’s mercenary heart without one scrap of remorse.”

  “All right, you clowns, cut the garbage, and if you’re waiting for me to ask, then I will. Please, Eduardo Xavier Matthew...” Britt knew this would get a response, Matt snorting his disgust. “Do tell us this news we might be interested to hear.” Britt’s voice changed to a growl. “And get on with it!”

  “They have arrived!”

  “They? They who?”

  “C and R Nelson of the letter received after you left for Brisbane. They were both on Lady Flight this morning. And boy, oh boy!” Matt rolled his eyes expressively then a
dded brusquely, “And I’m telling you both, right here and now, hands off R Nelson.”

  “So R Nelson could be female?” questioned Britt with a grin.

  Victor laughed.

  “In every way imaginable.” Matt threw himself onto the long cane lounge, his gaze riveted on the whirling ceiling fan, a self-satisfied smile on his face. “Oh, brother! Aye, aye, aye!” He sat up quickly. “They’re staying at the Kennedy Motel for perhaps a week.”

  “Perhaps a week,” Vic repeated, grinning.

  Britt sprung to his feet. What the hell made him react like that! His immediate, volatile reaction puzzled him.

  “They don’t think I’ll have them pawing over our records for an entire week, do they?”

  He was suddenly on edge. Why, he had no idea.

  “Well, they can think again. And I will remind you both of our policy—no females above ground-level.” Britt found he was glaring at Vic and Matthew. “I presume they will have the common courtesy to phone for an appointment.”

  “I can always have the necessary records brought downstairs,” Victor suggested.

  “Stop right there! You have already advised personal records are not available. You did say that, correct?”

  “I told you I did.”

  “You make sure they are only given selected business records. And those, only if they satisfy the questions I have for them. Like, what exactly do they need this information for? And why?”

  “We’ve got the message, loud and clear, Britt,” Vic calmly assured him. He turned to grin at Matt, now sitting up from laying on the lounge. “I suppose you’re off to the motel’s restaurant for lunch?”

  “Not on your life. This calls for strategy. It won’t hurt her to cool her heels. Her lovely, thoroughly spoilt heels.”

  Matt’s chuckle had Victor saying, “And very little has been said about C Nelson.”

  “You’ll have to wait until they make their appearance. And now that I’ve thrown Britt into a flap, I’m going back down to the ferry. I don’t want my bus breaking down halfway to Ochre Point this afternoon, not with this swell. Don’t look so worried, Britt. It may never happen,” Matt added with a laugh as he left.

  The boat’s engine? Or the reason for his edginess? “He’s an arrogant young pup,” Britt said, a grin beginning to stretch his mouth. “You should have been stricter with him, Vic.”

  “Me? You adopted him!”

  “You’re the eldest of the trio. You’re the one we look to for guidance.”

  “Bullshit!” Vic laughed, throwing himself back in his chair, his right hand lifting to tease the end of his moustache. “This C Nelson, male or female?”

  “Your guess is as good as mine. And no, I don’t intend to ask. Let Matt have his fun. But I’ll be interested to see who made this astonishing impression on our boy.”

  Chapter 2

  Corrie found her nose twitching as Russella sprayed herself, plus everything within ten feet, with her favorite exotic perfume. It was nothing like the light, flowery essence Corrie wore.

  “No matter what you wear, you always look elegant,” Russella said. She had been watching Corrie circle the waist of her white, linen, sleeveless shift with a gold kid belt.

  At this observation, Corrie turned to face her curvaceous cousin and smiled. Mulberry silk clung below the ties on her shoulders then flared provocatively mid-thigh. “And you are dazzling. That’s what he said.”

  “Who said?” she asked with just too much disinterest.

  “Our captain, on the ferry. He complimented me on my dazzling cousin.”

  “And how does he know we are cousins?”

  “I told him. He also asked how long we were staying and I answered perhaps a week.” Corrie paused. “Actually, I’m surprised you didn’t ask earlier what we talked about on the wharf.”

  “I do know how to curb my inquisitiveness when warranted. Seems you told our dashing captain quite a lot. It’s not like you to be so chatty. And if the truth be known, he probably tells every girl she is dazzling.”

  “Probably.”

  “Well, you don’t have to agree with me.”

  Corrie looked more closely at her pouting cousin. “Rusie, don’t be too disappointed if he’s not at the hotel tonight. Anyway, with him working for Arafura Enterprises there’s every possibility we may come in contact with him again. I’ve made our appointment for ten-thirty. Now come on, or Tony will think we’ve stood him up.”

  * * * *

  With Russella part of the gyrating mass involved in one of the modern dances, Corrie made her way to get a drink. At the far end of the bar Mattie lifted his glass to her in greeting but made no attempt for further contact.

  She wondered if he’d seen Russella, or more to the point, had Rusie spotted him. Well, she certainly wasn’t going to broach the tenuous subject knowing she hadn’t been wrong in assuming the young captain had made an indelible impression on her cousin. She was very relieved when the time came for them to leave the hotel disco.

  As the car stopped in front of the motel, Russella was out and through the foyer before Corrie could even open her car door. Embarrassed, Corrie found she was the one to thank Tony for his invitation, and for his kindness in making sure they were enjoying themselves.

  She could happily strangle her cousin, even though she understood disappointment was responsible for her behavior. Corrie thrust their unit door open.

  Russella spun around to complain, “Well, that was a fizzer!”

  “And that, young lady, was bad manners.”

  “Oh, leave it, Corrie. I’m not in the mood.”

  “Neither am I! After that display, I’ll be surprised if Tony even says hello tomorrow, and I wouldn’t blame him. In fact, I’ll cheer.”

  “You’re being cruel.”

  Corrie drew in a deep breath. Russella’s eyes were overly bright, her bottom lip trembling. “Yes, I am.” Her words were full of remorse. She moved quickly to put her arms around her precious cousin. “I’m sorry, Rusie. But sweetie, you hardly know the man.” Matt’s name hadn’t been mentioned but there was no denial, proving that was who Russella was upset over.

  Her cousin stepped away, wringing her hands in agitation, then her wet eyes lifted to Corrie. “He was there. He looked right through me. And I know I’m being a silly, ridiculous fool.” She flopped down on her bed. “What’s happening to me, Corrie? I know I instigated a flirtation, but when he looked at me with his deep, dark eyes, within seconds it had all changed. It’s all so frightening. I feel so...so devastated!” There was a huge gulp. “I think I’m going to be sick!” She raced for the bathroom.

  Corrie waited outside the closed bathroom door. In all fairness, she couldn’t blame Mattie. The poor boy had only spoken a few words to Rusie. Oh dear, she surely didn’t fancy herself in love with him? Not that quick? It was inconceivable! That just does not happen!

  The door slowly opened. “I’ll apologize to Tony in the morning. I thought by going to the disco with him it would get rid of these stupid thoughts and feelings. Instead, it only made them worse when I saw Matt again. I know it’s stupid, but I had this terrible feeling I was somehow being disloyal, cheating. Ridiculous, isn’t it?”

  “Well, it’s certainly not like the carefree Rusie I’ve known all her life. These surroundings and the atmosphere, it’s all so different to what we’ve been use to. You even mentioned I was acting strangely. We’re on holiday. Free! Thousands of miles from home! In a tropical paradise with eternal blue skies, swaying palms, exotic perfumes, not a cloud in sight.” She hesitated. Could all this have been the reason for the unaccountable sensations she had experienced?

  Russella laughed. “You mean we’ve gone troppo?”

  “Probably.” At a loss to say more, Corrie smiled. Her trivial words had lightened the situation, and for that she was grateful. She had no idea how to counsel Rusie about what was ailing her. In fact, she was sure her cousin was much more worldly in the ways of men than she, even though she was ten year
s the elder.

  “Thanks for being here for me, Corrie. You never fail, do you? You’re always there when I need you.”

  * * * *

  Corrie had breakfast by the pool, letting her young cousin sleep late. Although her heart went out to Rusie, it was beyond her comprehension that such a short meeting could possibly result in the devastating effect it was having on her cousin.

  The more she listened to Russella’s distress, the more she vowed that she would never allow herself to be that susceptible to any man. Not ever!

  This business of claiming one had simply fallen in love was ridiculous. Love was built on mutual respect, admiration, compatibility in all ways, yes, including sex, and all of those components took time to mature. But never this nonsense Russella imagined herself to be suffering from.

  Silly, young thing! Letting a mere male, no matter how gorgeous, upset her like this.

  Juggling the tray she had brought for Russella, she opened the unit door. There she was, bright-eyed, smiling widely, and looking breathtaking.

  Two thoughts crossed Corrie’s mind at that moment. How could anyone not fall at her cousin’s feet in worship? And she had no right to look that good after such a disturbed night! Corrie felt like death warmed up, kept awake half the night with her cousin’s silly snuffles.

  “I brought you a bowl of freshly sliced fruit and your favorite juice.”

  “You are a darling,” Rusie said, sinking cross-legged on her bed, the tray resting on her knees. Juicy chunks of watermelon, paw-paw, pineapple, mangos, and other tropical fruit, plus the huge glass of juice, soon disappeared.

  Corrie lay back on her bed, her eyes closed.

  “Corrie?”

  Russella’s tentative query of her name made her tense, anticipating what was to come. A repeat of last night? Lord, she hoped not. She had no idea what further advice she could offer. All she could do was listen with a sympathetic ear.