‘We should get back inside,’ said Richard.
‘No, wait. Why are they going out in the boats?’
‘Possible survivors in the water I suppose.’
‘Could anyone survive that?’
‘I don’t know. They might escape the lava flow but I would have thought the ash would have got them.’
‘What like Pompeii?’
‘Exactly.’
‘Horrible.’
‘Not punishment enough for some people.’
‘Dick!’
‘I’m sorry, but if Jalbis Zachion has perished in that I can’t help thinking that justice has been done.’
‘A true deus ex macchina.’
‘Well, yes, if you believe in God.’
‘And do you?’
Richard looked across at the destruction of the island.
‘That’s what I’m asking myself right now.’
‘And do you have an answer?’
‘No, not yet.’
‘I’ll ask you again tomorrow.’
‘Yes, tomorrow. We’ll be back in London tomorrow. Trish what are your plans for your sabbatical?’
‘Flexible at the moment. Why?’
‘I was thinking of taking some time out myself. I thought of going to see Dougie in Australia. Why not join me?’
She looked at Richard and then again at the island.
‘It won’t make that sort of evil go away, you know?’
‘I know,’ he agreed and they both stood looking at the molten mass across the sea.
‘I shall call it Nemesis Island. I never did get to know its name.’ He put his arm gently around her. ‘What about Australia then? I know Doug’s not always the easiest of guys when it comes to being around women, but he’s a good friend and he’d show us around really well.’ Richard paused.
There was no immediate protest from Trish so he continued.
‘I promise – no boys’ nights out or heavy drinking sessions. We could take our time getting there and back. Hong Kong, Singapore, Bali, San Francisco, whatever you want. Think about it Trish.’
‘Yes I will. I’ll think about it.’
Epilogue
There was no point in delaying their departure now. As they approached the airport the next day, Richard vowed it would be the last time he would ever set foot in the place. As they stood in line for the check-in, Trish rested her head on his shoulder. The queue was moving forward imperceptibly. Trish sighed.
‘Perhaps we should fly to Australia now,’ she said.
Richard put an arm round her shoulder and gave her a gentle hug.
Later they sat over coffee, resigned to the inevitable flight delay, staring at the flat screen TV opposite them. It was a recent addition to the sparse facilities of the terminal building and was tuned to a local and, therefore, unintelligible, channel. As they watched disinterestedly, drawn by default to the parade of meaningless images, the programme suddenly switched to a report on CNN news. A voice was in the middle of commentating on a sight that was only too familiar to them.
‘….was thought to be extinct until the dramatic eruption yesterday. The island has been completely destroyed and only one survivor found, a girl who swam to safety when the boat in which she was escaping was hit by molten rock. She has been taken to a local convent where she is known to the nuns. A man, who was in the boat with her when it sank, is reported to have drowned. She has identified him as a well-known surgeon who is wanted for questioning in connection with malpractice at the hospital where he once worked. It is presumed he was in hiding on the island.’
Richard and Trish looked at one another.
‘Well Dick. Do you have your answer now?’
From Nemesis Island Page 27
