The islands were green and lush; a heat haze hung over them at the moment.
Felicity was shading her eyes. "That one seems a little apart," she said.
"Yes. The others are very close together. What would you think? No more than half a mile between them. Except that one. I wonder what it is called and if there are people on it."
We were approaching the largest of the islands—Cariba itself and our destination. There were several boats in the small harbour, which was alive with activity. We had weighed anchor. As I had expected the water was too shallow for the ship to go right in and we should go ashore in small boats.
Now little boats were rowing out to us; In them were small boys who grinned up at us and called to us in pidgin English to throw down coins which they would dive for. So we threw pennies into the water which was so clear that the sea bed was visible.
We hastily searched our purses and found more coins. We laughed as we watched the lithe brown bodies dive and squirm in the water like little fishes. When they found a coin they held it up to us triumphantly, threw it into their boat and called: "More. More."
This continued for some time before we were told to assemble below for the journey ashore.
We climbed rather perilously down a rope ladder to the boat below and in a short time we were being rowed to the island.
My excitement was intense. This was the last place where Philip had been known to be. Someone here must know something.
The sun was getting higher in the sky and it was perceptibly warmer. It glinted on white houses. I picked out a large building which I took to be the hotel.
It was not the desert island I had imagined. There must be a thriving community here. The dock was littered with large cases; of course it would be, for it was the day the ship came in from Sydney, and those cases would be loaded and taken for distribution probably to various ports in the world. I saw crates of green bananas, and fruits, the names of which I did not know. There were people of all colours— black, brown and some white. Everyone seemed to be dashing about and making a great deal of noise.
I said to Felicity: "We will go straight to the hotel. Some of these people will tell us how to get there."
The boat was almost there. One of the two big black men who had rowed us leaped into the water and secured it.
Then he lifted us out so that we did not get our feet wet.
I heard a shout—and there he was pushing his way through the crowd. I noticed the flash of his white teeth in his sunburned face.
"I thought you were never coming," he said.
I felt ridiculously emotional and the absurd idea came to me that my troubles were at an end.
He was shouting orders. Where was our baggage? He would see to that. Everyone seemed to stand to attention at the sound of his voice.
I laughed, feeling deliriously happy. I said: "You really are the big white chief."
"It is the only thing to be out here."
He took my arm and that of Felicity.
"You poor girls must be worn out. It's an exhausting journey, I know, and a night without sleep."
"We dozed, didn't we, Felicity?"
"It was so peaceful on deck and such a lovely night."
"You were lucky. It can be quite the reverse. Now I'll have your baggage seen to and sent up to the house."
"What house?"
"My house, of course. You are my guests."
"No, no," I said. "We are staying at the hotel."
"I won't hear of it."
"I insist. It is good of you to be so hospitable, but we must be in the hotel. I have so much to do and I want to be in the hotel."
"Every time the ship has come in from Sydney I have been here waiting. I have your room prepared. I did not know you would be here, Mrs. Granville."
"That is a long story which must wait," I said. "We shall stay at the hotel."
He looked at me sardonically.
"Short of taking you to my house by force, I see there is nothing I can do but take you to the hotel."
"Absolutely nothing."
"Perhaps I can persuade you to visit me later."
"Thank you. And please don't think I am ungrateful. I do appreciate all your kindness and the help you gave us before ... But I must be in the hotel. We don't want to be in a house again for a while. Something awful happened to Mr. Granville."
He was taken aback. So the news had not reached Cariba yet. I supposed it would in due course, but there had hardly been time yet.
"It was an accident," I said, willing him with my eyes to say no more in Felicity's presence.
"I'm sorry," he said to Felicity.
"It would be nice if you would help us get into the hotel," I put in quickly. "I dare say a word from you would ensure our getting the best treatment."
"Come along," he said. "This is your light baggage, is it?" He shouted to one of the men. "Have this brought to the hotel."
"Yes, Master," said the man.
"Now, let us go. It is here ... right on the waterfront."
I said: "The big white building with the balconies?" I stopped suddenly and looked at Felicity who had turned pale.
"That's it," he said. "It's moderately comfortable. You'll find it cooler inside. I'll see that you get good rooms."
He took me on one arm and Felicity on the other. It was almost like a royal progress. People stood aside respectfully to let us pass.
"It seems you are the king of the island," I commented.
"Monarch of all I survey." He looked sideways at me and grimaced. "Well, not quite all."
We mounted three steps to the door. A little black boy rushed to open it for us, and we stepped into a reception hall.
A woman who was almost white sat behind the desk; she was a quadroon, I guessed.
"Good morning, Master" she said.
"I've brought you two guests, Rosa," he said. "I want the best rooms in the hotel for them ... in the front with balconies overlooking the harbour." He turned to us. "You'll find that interesting. It's a busy harbour... always something going on."
"There's only one vacant at the moment, Master."
"Then we'll have that and the one next to it."
"There's no balcony to that one."
I said to Felicity: "You'd like that, wouldn't you?"
"Yes, yes," she said quickly.
"You'll like the balcony in the cool of the evening," Milton told me. "The temperature changes quite a bit at sundown."
"Well, Felicity can share mine if she wants to. Let us have those two rooms."
"That's settled then," he said. "You two ladies will be dining at my house tonight. I'm going to give you the whole day to rest. You'll need it after your journey. I shall be calling for you at seven o'clock. In the meantime, rest. Now, I'll see the rooms, to make sure they are satisfactory."
"Yes, Master," said the quadroon girl, and signed to a man in livery.
"Morning, Master," he said.
"Good morning, Jacko."
As we went up the stairs I said: "It seems you manage everything on the island."
"On such an auspicious occasion, yes."
"It is really rather awe-inspiring."
"That's what I like to do... inspire awe. It makes me very happy... but what makes me happier is that you have come at last."
We were taken to the rooms. They were large with big double beds, blinds to shut out the sun and small rush mats on polished floors. There were nets over the beds.
"Never forget to use these," Milton Harrington warned us. "You'll be eaten alive by morning if you don't. You'll be delighted with the flora but the fauna can be quite another matter. And you'll want to keep the blinds down during the heat of the day."
He opened the french windows onto the balcony. "There. You see, it's a fine view of the harbour. It is interesting in the evening when the sun's gone down. Then you can sit out here. You'll enjoy that."
I stepped out and looked. Felicity hesitated. I took her arm and drew her out.
I put my hand on the ironwork of the balcony. It was firm and strong. I felt her tremble a little and we went back into the room.
"You'd better get something to eat," said Milton. "I'll tell them to send something up."
"You think of everything," I told him.
"I've been waiting for this day so long so I have had plenty of time to think about it. What kept you?"
"I'll tell you sometime," I said significantly.
And he understood.
"Now," he said, "I shall leave you. I will come for you at seven o'clock and take you up to my house. If there is anything you need just ask for it. I've instructed them to look after you."
"It is very comforting to have such a powerful friend."
"I intend that you shall enjoy your stay on my island."
"Thank you. You are very kind."
He took my hand and pressed it firmly. His eyes were gleaming. There was no doubt that he was delighted because I had come.
When he had gone I looked at Felicity. "Well, here we are at last," I said.
"He is so good to us."
"He helped us when we were on the ship, didn't he? Do you remember how he made all the arrangements for your aunt?"
She nodded. "I always thought he wanted to be rid of her."
"Why should he?"
"So that he could have more chance of seeing you. Aunt Emily was always there ... a chaperone, wasn't she?"
"She wanted to go."
"I sometimes think he helped to make her believe she did."
I laughed. "He is a very forceful man."
"It is good to have him on our side. I should not like to have him against me."
While I was preparing a remark a tall negress came in with a tray. On it were little rolls of bread and a plate of fruit—mangoes, bananas and pineapples. There was some milk which turned out to be from a coconut.
It was very appetizing and just what we needed.
When we had eaten I asked Felicity if she would like to unpack her bags which had by now been brought to our rooms. "Unpack," I said, "and sleep a little."
She said she would like to do that.
I went with her into her room. The blinds were drawn to shut out the sun. I was glad there was no balcony to remind her.
"I'm really tired," she said.
"Sleep first," I advised. "You can unpack later."
"And you will be in the next room."
"Of course."
"You won't go out without telling me?"
"I promise. All you have to do if you want me is to come next door."
I kissed her and left her.
I went into my own room and stepped out onto the balcony. People seemed to be running all over the place. The ship lay out there. It would stay there for some days while the loading of cargo took place and it would be ready to leave for Sydney in time for the next Wednesday's sailing.
I listened to the noise and bustle, watching the brilliantly clad women in their long flowing gowns. Many of them wore flowers round their necks and most of them had long black hair. They were beautiful and moved with the utmost grace. The men were scantily dressed and less attractive; many of them wore only a loin cloth. They were busy unloading crates and shouting as they did so.
It was a colourful, fascinating scene.
I went back to my room and unpacked a little. But I realized I was indeed tired. I lay on my bed and in a very short time was asleep.
It was about five o'clock when I awoke and I remembered that Milton Harrington was coming at seven to take us to his house.
I rose and knocked on Felicity's door. She was still sleeping and I was struck by the tranquillity of her face. I felt suddenly happy. She would forget now, I told myself. This island is the best place for forgetting.
I sat by her bed and called her name gently. "It is Annalice. Do you know what the time is?"
She opened her eyes and I saw the horror dawn on her face. For a brief moment she must have thought she was back in that bedroom she had shared with her husband.
"It's all right," I said quickly. "We're in Cariba. You've had a good sleep. So have I. We needed it."
She sat up.
"What time is it?"
"Fivish."
"He's coming at seven."
"Yes, we shall have to get ready. Did you think to hang out one of your dresses?"
"Yes, I did. The blue. I never wore it at ... "
"It wouldn't have been suitable. But you are not there now ..."
"I left behind most of what I wore there. I don't ever want to see it again."
"Where is the blue dress? Oh, I see. That will be lovely."
"He won't look at me. He'll be looking at you all the time."
"I think he takes everything in."
"He seems very important here."
"It's his island. He owns the plantation and I imagine that is the main business, so they are all depending on him."
"What are you going to wear?"
"My red."
"It's very colourful. They do wear colourful clothes here."
"It fits in with the flowers and everything."
"How long shall we stay here, Annalice?"
"Are you longing to go home?"
"I don't think I shall ever feel really safe until I am home."
"You know why I came. I am going to find out about my brother. As soon as I have, I'll be ready to go. But if you want to go before ..."
"No. I couldn't face going back to Sydney, getting on a ship ..."
"You see how Mr. Harrington works. I daresay he could arrange everything for you and make it all smooth and easy."
"No, no. I want to be with you ... and I think I am going to like it here. I do believe I ought to have a little time ... time away from all that... time to recover a little ... before I go home."
"Well, there is the long sea trip."
"I'd like you to be with me. I shall stay with you, and I hope you soon find out about your brother."
"So do I. Now I must go and get ready, and so must you. We could ask for hot water to be sent up. I'll see what I can do."
"Annalice."
"Yes."
"It's wonderful to be away ... to have escaped from all that."
I agreed that it was.
He came for us at seven and drove us up to his house in a carriage rather like the buggies we had seen in Sydney, but his was much more grand. It was highly polished and he drove two magnificent horses.
"I use this very little," he told us. "It is easier to go around on horseback. You'll want horses to ride. I'll have two sent up to the hotel for you."
"You overwhelm us," I told him.
"I'm so honoured to have you visit my island."
The day was drawing to an end for the sun set at half past seven. It was like that all the year, I gathered. There were not the seasons which we had at home. No winter; no summer; just the dry and the rainy season; I was glad we were not yet into the latter.
We came to some iron gates which were wide open and then we were in an avenue with high stalks of cane on either side. This was the plantation. I saw the house then. It was large, white and impressive and the scene was touched by the red glow of the setting sun. Everywhere I looked I could see sugar cane.
1 caught my breath in wonder.
"You like it' 7 " he asked.
"It's quite ... splendid.'"
"What were you expecting?"
"Something grand ... but not like this. I've never seen anything like it before."
"You've never been on a sugar plantation. I am glad the mill and the boiler houses are out of sight. They are slightly less beautiful."
We had come to a halt on a gravei path.
"Here we are." He leaped out of the vehicle and as if by magic a man appeared to take charge of the horses: and putting an arm through mine and one through Felicity's, he led us into the house.
We stood in a lofty hall built in the style of an English manor house. It reminded me a little of o
ur own. There were light silk curtains at the windows: heavy velvet would have been out of place in such a climate. There was a long table with elegant chairs round it. It looked eighteenth-century.
**I hope you like my house." he said. "Shall we sit here and have a cooling drink before we go in to dinner?"
"It's just like being at home." said Felicity.
He smiled, well pleased.
Chinks were brought by a silent-footed girl in a long loose-fitting cotton gown with red and white roses patterned on a blue background: about her neck and arms were red beads, "It's a cooling native drink." Milton explained. "Not intoxicating, or not very. It's designed for a hot ctimab
It tasted dehaous.
He asked about the journey and he told us that he had now heard of the tragedy for the news had been brought in by way of the ship.
"The coming of the ship means news from the outside world and there are always plenty to bring it. and here there are those to make sure it is well circulated. It must have been a terrible shock. The bushranger TU ff UM^ is growing. I belie j need have no fears here. We are a law-abiding island. The penalties for misdeeds are so great that no one is going to risk incurring them."
"It would be easier to catch criminals here than it would in Australia." I commented.
"It's true. So you can put your fears at rest."
He told us a great deal about the island and how the sugar was grown and marketed.
He took us to a very pleasant dining room, very much like ours at home. He even had a large tapestry on one of the walls. There were french windows which opened onto a courtyard. He said: "After we have eaten we can sit out there. It is rather pleasant after sundown. I'll give you a fan so that you can ward off the insects. You'U need one in the heat of the day."
The food was unusual. There was a great deal of fish such as I had never tasted before. I had my first introduction to baked breadfruit.
"It's an acquired taste," he said. "You'll find it palatable and get to like it very much in time." There were all sorts of fruit and the special drink of the island.
It was certainly the best meal I had had since leaving home.
Road to Paradise Island Page 31
