The Reef

by Di Morrissey

  ‘That’s who it is,’ said Blair. ‘The corporate heavies who get to go on junkets around all Reef Resorts.’

  ‘Yeah, the senior staff are always looking to transfer to one of them,’ said Lloyd. ‘They have some seriously upmarket places in Asia. They just opened a new one in Koh Samui. Rumour has it they want to develop Branch to the same degree.’

  ‘What’s wrong with it as it is?’ asked Jennifer.

  ‘It’s ten years out of date. It could be far more exclusive. Needs new management strategies and ideas,’ said Blair. ‘We got time for one more beer before we get there?’ he asked, diving into the galley.

  ‘Sure,’ said Lloyd, but his expression was tense.

  ‘You don’t agree with upgrading Branch Resort?’ said Jennifer.

  ‘Nothing to do with me. It’s between the resort owners, National Parks and the research station.’

  ‘Doesn’t Rosie, as manager, have some say?’ asked Jennifer.

  Lloyd looked uncomfortable. ‘I’m just a hired gun. The resort pays me and I help the research station guys and Gideon voluntarily. Rosie has definite views about which way they should go but as manager she has to do what the corporation wants.’ He glanced across the water then picked up the binoculars beside the wheel and changed the direction of the boat, gradually slowing. ‘Look over there, see, in the water. She’s heading for Branch.’

  On the starboard side Jennifer could see a dark round shape. As they drew close she saw it was a large greenback turtle, head and shell breaking the surface, her gaze set resolutely on the distant shadow of Branch Island.

  ‘Oh, wow! Blair, look!’

  ‘She’s early in the season. Going back to where she was born to lay her eggs,’ said Lloyd.

  ‘They travel long distances, don’t they?’ said Blair. ‘Amazing navigation to find their way back halfway round the world to some dot in the Coral Sea.’

  They were alongside the female turtle, a few metres away, when her steadily swimming flippers suddenly jerked and she plunged in a desperate dive.

  Before Jennifer could ask what had startled the turtle, it seemed a torpedo hit in an explosion of surging foam. A great dark shadow only a metre or two shorter than their boat broke the surface, shaking in a frenzy of white water.

  ‘Shark!’ screamed Blair. ‘Christ, check it out! Must be seven metres! Move it, Lloyd!’ It struck Blair that if the enormous shark took it into its tiny brain to ram them, the boat would capsize for sure.

  ‘Oh no,’ screamed Jennifer. ‘Look, it’s got the poor turtle!’

  The shark rolled and flung its head, revealing the curved slash of teeth gripping the struggling turtle. With a sickening crunch the shark gripped the shell between powerful jaws before flicking its tail and shooting from sight in a second, leaving a slick on the still-bubbling surface and a bleeding severed flipper from the turtle. After the thrashing and shouts the silence was frightening.

  ‘Jesus, how big was that! Haven’t you got a gun on board to shoot the bastards?’ asked Blair.

  Lloyd spun the wheel, gunning the motor. ‘Tiger sharks get pretty big out here. We’re in their territory. That’s probably what took Jennifer’s fish,’ he said shortly.

  Jennifer was shaking. The huge killing machine that had sprung from nowhere to strike and disappear in seconds had frightened and unnerved her. It was as she feared – the sea harboured killers. Awful slashing beasts like the tiger shark or silent unseen forces that swept away and swallowed a father and a brother.

  Once they were through the channel and inside the reef they cruised across the placid lagoon where the luxury yachts and motor cruiser loomed, almost dwarfing the islet.

  ‘I hope we don’t have to swim ashore,’ joked Blair.

  ‘Nothing too big can get inside the reef, this is pretty safe in here. We can load up the dinghy. I’ll take you guys ashore first and bring your gear to the tent. You know your way around, eh Blair?’

  Blair nodded, rolling up his camera in a towel and picking up a small backpack. ‘Jenny, grab the small stuff you need and we can go and explore and come back to get our lunch. There’s a great spot to swim around the end of the beach there.’

  ‘Exploring sounds better than swimming,’ said Jennifer. ‘I’m looking forward to the Robinson Crusoe experience.’ She figured once they were settled under a tree on a deserted section of beach with their picnic, she’d tell Blair about the baby.

  When she stepped from the dinghy and looked around, Jennifer could see a structure with a thatched roof and open sides, supported by thick wooden poles. As they walked through the trees she saw this was a communal dining area with long wooden tables, polished wooden floor, a serving area and a kitchen at the rear. As well as the tables, chairs and benches there were long seats, stylish cane chairs and wicker lounges all covered in colourful tropical-print silk cushions. It was airy though she saw there were light mesh and split bamboo blinds that could be lowered around the sides as well as tall candle holders and flame torches placed outside.

  A pretty girl came to greet them wearing the same turquoise and white print cotton of the Branch Resort staff shirts except hers was a simple sarong with a white cotton singlet on top. She was braless, slim and tanned.

  ‘Hey, Blair, great to see you. The big boys are here with a party. They’re hoping to see you for lunch on board.’

  ‘Ah, Susie, this is Jennifer, my wife. Susie is the hostess here. Though she does practically everything,’ said Blair to Jennifer.

  ‘Not really. I just direct the troops. But I did have to cook breakfast this morning. Carol and Geoff were snared by the Kicking Back. That’s the name of the bosses’ cruiser,’ Susie said with sparkling eyes and a big smile to Jennifer.

  ‘That gin palace out there?’ Jennifer asked. ‘Their resorts must be doing well. Don’t you feel a bit, well, cut off, being over here all the time?’ she asked as they followed Susie along a shady track scattered with frangipani flowers. She hoped Blair wasn’t planning to go to lunch with the group on the ostentatious boat.

  ‘We have accommodation for up to ten people but yachts can book to moor and come ashore for meals and entertainment. There’s a charge and we try to keep to a certain type of clientele of course,’ said Susie.

  ‘Of course,’ said Jennifer and neither of them noticed her sardonic tone.

  They reached the first of several tent-style accommodation.

  ‘Wow, this is certainly upscale camping,’ said Jennifer. ‘Reminds me of some very grand permanent tent sites I saw in an ad for exclusive safaris in Africa.’

  ‘We don’t run to chandeliers or leopardskin rugs or black staff in tuxedos, but it’s very comfortable, very gracious and very romantic, wouldn’t you say, Blair?’ said Susie.

  ‘It’s popular with newlyweds and for private liaisons as well as people just wanting totally secluded relaxation. There are a lot of thoughtful touches Susie came up with. Sooty is in the running for a major tourism award this year,’ Blair added proudly.

  Jennifer stared at him in some amusement. ‘You don’t have to impress me or sell it to me. I’m impressed already. All very nice.’

  She did like the high tent with polished wooden floors, mosquito net looped over the carved wooden bed and the small wooden deck with comfortable lounges facing the sea. The cleverly screened bathroom had thatched walls and roof, a bush rock floor and a porcelain basin shaped like a giant clamshell. The lights shone from replica triton shells and moisture-loving tropical plants in beautiful stone pots created lush screens.

  ‘This is tent three, the Japanese-style one,’ said Blair.

  ‘Each tent has a subtle decor theme – Balinese, Thai, North Queensland. The Japanese one is my favourite, very clean lines, all black and white with splashes of red,’ said Susie in a professional voice. ‘Each tent is placed for maximum privacy from the other tents, but with a view of the sea. And yet it’s no more than a few minutes’ walk skirting around the rear of each tent to the communal area. If a guest doesn�
��t want to eat with everyone else in the main area we’ll set up a tete-a-tete table and bring the food here,’ added Susie.

  ‘For those private liaisons, eh?’ said Jennifer. ‘So who’s here at the moment?’

  ‘We tend to operate on a first-name basis and of course I can’t divulge guests’ names,’ said Susie smoothly. ‘It’s up to individuals to share their personal information. I can say we have two couples, a woman off one of the yachts who wanted to sleep ashore a few nights. Plus a gentleman on his own. And yourselves of course.’

  ‘And where do you and the staff here stay?’ asked Jennifer.

  ‘We have a sort of eco lodge we all share,’ she answered. ‘Mine is separate as I’m here most of the time, the others rotate from Branch. I either go back there for a break or over to the mainland every three weeks. Well, hopefully I’ll see you on board for lunch. They have a great chef with them this trip.’

  ‘We’ll probably only hang out for one night,’ said Blair. ‘Now, what about this lunch, who’s going to be there?’

  ‘On that boat? Oh Blair, you’re not going to do that are you?’ asked Jennifer, distressed.

  ‘Jennifer, of course you’re invited,’ said Susie. ‘It’s quite a fun group on board. While Blair is busy with the guys, you’ll enjoy the female company.’

  ‘Of course,’ snapped Jennifer, more unkindly than she meant. She wished the ‘hostess with the mostess’ would leave her and Blair alone. ‘Blair, can we at least go for a bit of a walk, that swim you suggested and then decide about this lunch? Please?’

  ‘Sure. Catch you later, Susie. Come on, Jennifer, let’s change. Our stuff is probably here by now.’

  They came to a compromise. They’d spend a few hours together, share a picnic and then Blair would join the owners on the cruiser for drinks.

  ‘It’s business, a bit of shmoozing. These guys like me, it’s important to keep in with them. They’re having a big rethink about the resort and the whole corporation so I want to be in on that.’

  ‘What about Rosie? Shouldn’t she be in on it too?’

  ‘C’mon, Jennifer. She’s yesterday’s news. I’m tomorrow’s edition. Just leave it to me. I know what I’m doing.’

  For you maybe. What about me? What about our family? ‘I hope you do, Blair. I worry you’re trying to get ahead too quickly.’ Jennifer knew it would be pointless defending Rosie. She was standing in the way of Blair’s promotion.

  They settled in the shade of a large pandanus leaning over the sand and ready to drop its red seeds to be taken by the tide to grow on some far shore. This end of the beach curved around a coral ledge to a miniature cove.

  ‘Cute place but too hard to get to. You have to pick your way over the coral,’ said Blair.

  ‘But you have been there, seen it?’

  ‘Yeah. I checked out the whole place first time here. You can walk around the whole island in fifteen minutes, except for that little corner. Unless you want to cut through all the undergrowth from the centre. Let’s not bother. I’m going in for a dip. Coming?’

  ‘I’ll set out our lunch.’ The spectre of the shark was too fresh in her mind.

  Jennifer set out food from a hamper on the cloth and plates provided. In the chiller bag there was a cold bottle of champagne, some wine and fruit juice. She pulled out the champagne and glasses and stretched out in the sun. She closed her eyes.

  Had it only been a few minutes when she opened them again? She’d lost track of time and felt as though she was in a different time zone. Through her dark glasses the sun blinded her, flaring into her eyes directly above her as she lay there. Jennifer rolled over and looked towards the sea. In the bright light of sea, sky and sand, her polaroid sunglasses gave everything a strange pink glow. A dark figure loomed over her, blocking her vision.

  She rolled sideways with a scream, with thoughts of the perv, of Willsy, of Rhonda’s bashed face.

  ‘What the hell?’

  She ripped off her glasses to see Blair bending down to pick up his towel.

  ‘What’s up with you?’

  ‘I guess I fell asleep. You startled me.’

  ‘What’s got into you, Jennifer? You’re very nervy these days.’ He sat down beside her and pulled on his sunglasses and favourite baseball cap.

  Jennifer handed him the champagne. ‘Here, pour us a drink to celebrate.’

  ‘What are we celebrating?’

  Jennifer laughed. ‘What’s got into me! I’m pregnant.’

  Blair’s hand jerked and the glass overflowed as he stared at her in shock. ‘You’re not?’

  ‘I am. Oh Blair, I know we didn’t plan it this way, but I feel wonderful. Aren’t you happy for us?’

  ‘Are you sure?’

  She couldn’t see his eyes behind his dark glasses.

  ‘Very. I saw a doctor in Headland Bay when I went over.’ She took the glass from his hand and took a sip.

  Blair looked out to sea. ‘I don’t know what to think,’ he said quietly.

  ‘You’ll get used to the idea. I’ve been trying to find the right moment to tell you, so I’ve had time to think things through. It will be just fine. I can have the baby in Headland Bay, see the doctor regularly.’

  ‘And then what? Have you told anyone?’

  Jennifer hesitated. ‘No.’

  He turned back to her. ‘Are you sure about this? I mean, Jennifer, we discussed this. I thought I was being so careful. We can’t drag a kid along to some of the places I was hoping to be appointed to.’

  ‘Then we’ll go where we can take a baby. I mean, how do other couples who work in hospitality manage a family?’ She was feeling hurt and annoyed; she knew he’d baulk initially but this wasn’t how she’d played the scene through in her mind.

  ‘They wait, the wife goes home, or they end up in a third-rate job,’ he said. ‘Oh Christ, what a mess.’

  Jennifer slowly turned the stem of her glass. ‘And these are not options for us. So are you suggesting I . . . have an abortion?’ She struggled to keep her voice neutral.

  He went to speak, changed his mind, and took a swig of champagne. ‘That’s your decision,’ he said finally.

  ‘Yes, Blair. It is. And if I decide I want this baby – our baby – what then?’

  ‘That’s the bloody trouble, what then? Sure, you can waddle round the island for nine months and stay on with the kid for six months, I suppose. But then . . . it’s going to hamper my career prospects no end.’ His voice was bitter.

  ‘Blair, can’t you think about us for once? I didn’t plan this, it was an accident. Why can’t we just wait and see?’ Suddenly Blair’s unspoken message seemed very clear to Jennifer. ‘You’re asking me to choose between you and this baby.’

  ‘That’s stupid.’

  ‘You know what, Blair? I’m choosing the baby. And if we can tag along on your rocket ride to wherever, then fine. If not, I promise not to stand in your way.’ Tears burned in her eyes and she shoved her glass down, the bubbles soaking into the sand as she jumped up.

  ‘Jennifer, sit down, don’t be so melodramatic. Let me think this through, get used to the goddamned idea for a minute!’

  ‘That’s a fantastic reaction, isn’t it?’ she shouted. ‘Why can’t you at least be pleased? Anyway, you’re going to have the next twenty-one years plus to get used to the idea!’ She stormed down the beach.

  Blair drained his champagne, reached for the bottle and topped up his glass. He knew he should go after her but they’d only argue more. ‘Oh fuck it,’ he cursed aloud. He tipped the champagne on the sand, threw down the glass and went back to the tent to change. There’d be drinks on the boat.

  Jennifer walked along the beach and stopped at the coral ledge, then decided to go around to get away from Blair, that awful Susie and whoever else was in tent paradise. She was furious, hurt and sad. She had thought Blair was going to be shocked and annoyed, but he could have at least touched her, shown some sliver of pleasure, pride, something. Jennifer was still awed at the im
mensity of knowing a small being was being created within her. It must be hard for Blair who hadn’t had a chance to absorb the concept. All he thought about was his job. Maybe that made him a good provider. No, she answered herself. He was looking after himself first. Well, he’d come round to the idea. It wasn’t as if they were living together with no formal commitment between them. And surely once he saw his child he couldn’t help but love it. Him? Her?

  Comforted with this thought, Jennifer tried to shake off her disquiet. Give him time, give him time. She began to clamber across the exposed white rubble of dead coral. Halfway around, where water dribbled through tiny channels and pools, she hit living coral. And, while it was beautiful, it was also sharp. Carefully she judged each step, looking for a smooth surface, stepping into the sandy bottom of the shallow rock pools. Thoughts of deadly stone fish came to her. Did they live on islands? What did the spiny creature that resembled a crusty stone covered in weed really look like? All she’d heard was they were hard to spot and their poisonous spines killed you in seconds. She decided to clamber up to the scrubby tangle of bushes, vines and clumps of pandanus that ran all the way to the sea ledge.

  It took some time and she was scratched and hot but finally she found a cleared track between small she-oaks. It must be the path that came through from the centre of the cay. The tiny cay was certainly unspoiled. She glimpsed the slash of blue water and as she was so hot and sore she decided to splash in the shallows, just knee deep, and cool off before taking the track back to their tent.

  She came out of the bush onto a minuscule strip of sand with large rocks at one end. It was pretty. And private. All she was wearing was her swimsuit and a hat. Still, she wanted to strip naked and float in that clear water, but she was too afraid. The sand was scalding hot on her bare feet, so she did a little jig and raced to the water’s edge.

  A man’s cheerful laugh rang out. Shocked, Jennifer spun around. A man was sitting near one of the rocks, his feet in the water. He gave a wave.

  Jennifer ducked down, squatting in the shallows. Who was he? What was he doing here? Wildly she started to plan her escape if he turned out to be dangerous. Run? Swim around the point? He’d outrun, outswim her. Shout for help? Who’d hear?