The Reef

by Di Morrissey

  Jennifer bit back her angry retort and drew a long breath. ‘We are supposed to be. You and me. We’re going to be parents. We have a commitment together for life – no matter what happens.’

  ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’

  ‘I don’t know. I don’t feel very settled, do you? Please, let’s not argue in the middle of the path.’ She saw Kirsty and Rudi coming towards them and she turned away from the canteen to the end of the sandy road where the two double-storey units faced each other.

  ‘I’m up there. Do you want to see?’

  ‘I guess so. I’m here.’ He followed her up the outside stairs. ‘So who else is in here?’

  ‘Tony has the place below and Isobel is across the street. At the moment she has both floors. The bottom is her office.’

  Blair stuck his head in the door. ‘God, you’ve got less room than at our place.’

  ‘There’s enough. I have the work space next to Rudi, we share meals at Mac’s or the canteen, or I can eat at the resort. How are you managing?’

  ‘Oh, fine. At least our place gets serviced. This is going backwards, for God’s sake. You lived better at uni in Sydney. You can’t stay here with a baby.’

  ‘I don’t intend to.’

  They headed back down the steps. ‘What do you intend then?’ He glanced in at Tony’s open door. ‘This is all a bit cosy. What’s he staying on the island for?’

  ‘Writing some articles on the future of the reef.’

  Blair turned at the foot of the stairs and lowered his voice. ‘I hope he’s not going to write anything negative. Nothing to put off tourists.’

  ‘Why should you care, Blair? You don’t care about the reef, the manta rays, the dolphins, turtles, birds, any of it. All you want is to look good, isn’t that right?’

  ‘It’s my job! I’m trying to earn a decent living. We’re going to need more money. Kids are expensive. The better I do my job – the higher the resort profile – the better I’ll look to management. The place has just crept along under Rosie’s management. I can do a lot better.’

  ‘Like getting TV people such as Willsy in here?’

  ‘I wish. His show rates. Nah, Joe and Reg say they’re working on a few ideas and they’ll include me. I guess that’s why they’re cruising around the area.’

  ‘I thought it was a fishing charter.’

  ‘Maybe they don’t want another developer to get wind of their plans.’

  ‘Develop? You’re not serious! That’s the last thing this area needs. Where?’

  ‘Forget I said anything. It’s no big deal. Maybe just an upmarket sports lodge somewhere. Nothing’s decided yet.’

  You mean no one’s told you any thing. ‘Blair, don’t get into anything like that. If what the researchers are finding is proved right, the government might stop any further tourism in this whole area.’

  ‘Bullshit! What do you mean? Like what?’

  ‘So now you’re interested. Just more of what we know already. There’re too many people using the area for recreation, for commercial uses, and it’s suffering from farms and building along the Queensland coast. One of Rudi’s studies proves that.’

  ‘A few sea plants don’t prove much. Listen, what else are they finding out?’

  ‘Maybe when I look at the impact of divers, recreational and commercial boating and fishing on the behaviour of turtles and whales and dolphins, then even a study I’m doing could show the negative effects of people on the reef eco system.’

  ‘Oh, Jesus. Now you sound like one of those greenie academics. Seriously, Jennifer, I want you to tell me just what they’re trying to prove here. It could be important for me.’

  ‘You mean important for your career, not that it could help save the reef in the long run.’ Jennifer was looking at Blair with disdain.

  ‘You know something, Jenny, every time we talk it comes down to my job versus what you’re doing – or trying to do. Why do you disagree with me all the time? You act like it’s a bloody war. Pretty soon you’re going to have to make a decision. Or come to your senses. Once you have the baby, you’ll be out of here. You’d better get used to the idea.’

  ‘Why do you disagree with me all the time? You don’t even try to see my side of things. You totally dismiss me!’

  ‘Calm down, don’t make a scene. Whatever happens between us we have to rub along somehow because of the kid. So you’d better look at your priorities and get used to the idea.’

  ‘That your career is more important than mine?’

  Blair nearly laughed aloud but seeing Jennifer’s set lips and narrowed eyes decided to downplay how juvenile he thought she was being. ‘You can dabble with your studies while we’re here, but you’ll find it all less interesting, and more time consuming, with a baby.’

  ‘Blair, answer me this. If I want to, and I can continue my work here, and I can manage to look after the baby at the same time, would you object?’ Jennifer spoke in an even, steady voice to make what she was saying absolutely clear.

  ‘What about me? Or are you saying you’ll do your thing and I’ll do mine?’ His voice was sharp edged.

  ‘Something like that, I guess.’

  He dropped his gaze from hers and turned away. ‘Then you’re being stubborn and silly. This is no place for a baby. Go to Headland, stay with your mother, have the baby and by then I’ll know what I’m offered.’

  ‘And I’ll know where I stand and what my prospects are too, I hope. Fair enough. But, Blair, don’t try and bully me. And don’t treat me like a child.’

  ‘You’d better grow up, Jennifer. Fast.’

  ‘I am. I realise I am, Blair.’ She turned away and Blair strode back to the resort.

  Jennifer walked into Mac’s house. He was marking papers, his laptop on the dining table had a picture on the screen of a reef fish similar to one she’d seen on the reef itself. ‘Can I have a coffee?’

  ‘Help yourself. How’s the morning been?’

  ‘Eventful. A showdown with my husband, and I took the plunge. Literally. I got in and had a look at the reef from under water. You’re right. It’s unreal!’ Suddenly she didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

  Mac leapt to his feet, his eyes shining. ‘You did it! I’m so proud of you. There’ll be no stopping you now.’

  ‘Yeah. I think that’s what Blair is afraid of. He thinks I’m regressing, but I think I’ve just seen a bit of a path through the wilderness.’

  Mac grabbed her and they did a jig around the cramped room. ‘Isobel was right. You’re one of us. And a proper member of the Shark Club now! There’s a barbie at Gideon’s tonight. We’ll celebrate. And Lloyd said he had some news to share.’

  Jennifer went back to her computer, trying to settle back to what she’d been writing before Blair’s visit.

  Later in the afternoon she went home to have a short rest before going over to the sunset barbecue. The door to Rudi’s lab was shut, he was either out or working, and Tony didn’t seem to be around. Though she could hear a murmur of voices from Isobel’s downstairs office.

  Jennifer lay on her newly made bed, to rest her mind and her body for a little while. It had been a big day. She was proud of herself for getting in the water out at the reef, and Blair’s dismissal of it had hurt her. How little he really knew her. Indeed, how little he realised that she was changing. Isobel was right, she’d taken a step and there was no going back.

  The research station was quiet, two of the students were sitting outside the canteen and Kirsty was sitting by one of the outside tanks in the last of the sunlight, reading a book.

  As Jennifer came through the trees on Gideon’s side of the island, she could smell smoke from the barbecue and hear voices. Gideon and Lloyd were cooking meat and onions; Mac, Tony and Isobel were seated at his outside picnic table. Carmel was setting out plates. ‘Here she is!’

  Jennifer pulled up a chair. ‘That smells so good.’

  Tony grinned and got up. ‘I’ll help you with the table, Carmel.’ />
  Isobel began to slice Gideon’s homemade bread and Mac dribbled olive oil over the salad when Tony returned with a bouquet of roses and a large jug.

  ‘Best I could do. Gideon has a singular lack of vases.’

  ‘Good grief,’ gasped Jennifer. ‘Where on earth did those come from? Whose birthday?’

  Tony handed them to Jennifer. ‘These are for you. To mark the occasion of your first visit to the reef.’

  Jennifer was speechless. Isobel put down the breadknife and lifted her glass as Gideon and Lloyd came to the table.

  ‘To Jenny . . . and our water baby!’

  As they raised their glasses, Jennifer buried her face in the velvet petals and rich, sweet aroma of the roses. ‘You guys . . . How . . . ? I so miss flowers. And things being protected I don’t dare pick even a leaf!’

  ‘When we told Tony this morning he raced to the resort and ordered them from Headland and they came on this afternoon’s cat,’ explained Isobel.

  ‘They’re from everyone,’ said Tony, looking pleased that Jennifer was so touched.

  ‘This is so thoughtful. Thank you . . . all, so much.’

  ‘Don’t expect roses every time you dive now,’ said Gideon. ‘But a toe in the water had to be acknowledged.’ He raised his beer.

  Jennifer looked from Gideon, to Tony, to Mac and Isobel, their delight and pleasure shining in their eyes. ‘So what do you expect next? I’m supposed to go down in that machine of yours, Gideon?’

  ‘At the very least!’

  They all laughed as Jennifer shook her head at Isobel, who gave an expressive shrug.

  After dinner, she walked back to the research station with Tony. He held the torch and she carried the roses.

  ‘What a lovely evening. I’m going to sleep well.’ She touched the roses. ‘This was really sweet of you.’

  ‘Oh, Isobel was so proud and pleased. I understand it was not an easy thing for you to do. Confronting old fears.’

  Something in his voice gave her the impression he too had faced old fears. But she didn’t ask. Tony had a way of quietly sharing bits of himself when it suited him. Jennifer had noticed that he was more comfortable asking the questions than being asked about himself.

  ‘So what did you think of Lloyd’s news about getting the loan of a yacht for a month?’ asked Jennifer. ‘Rosie is being generous, allowing him to start his own private charter trips for guests.’

  ‘He’ll do well, eventually. He knows boats, the area. He’s young and personable. It’s a bonus for the resort.’

  ‘I’m sure he’ll go out on his own when he can. He and Carmel seem to have a few dreams,’ said Jennifer. What dreams did Blair and I share? Itseems so long ago. ‘Goodnight, Tony.’ She went upstairs and placed the roses on her little table, and as she was about to change she remembered that the book she wanted to read was back by her computer. There was so much material to get through. So she headed downstairs, calling out to Tony, ‘I’m just going back to my office for a book.’

  ‘See you tomorrow.’

  The lights were on outside Mac’s house, several people were still awake in the graduates’ rooms. The light above the outdoor tanks near the main building shone on the quietly bubbling, breathing water.

  Jennifer grabbed her book without putting on the light. Rudi’s door was closed and she wondered why he hadn’t come to Gideon’s barbecue. Maybe he was at the resort, or off the island. She hadn’t seen him all day. She was anxious to share her news, so she tapped at the door.

  ‘You in there, Rudi?’

  The blinds were drawn so she tried the door in case he was working inside. The room was silent except for the gurgle and hum of the water filters. The light from the fluorescent tubes in the tanks was eerie and blue. But there was a terrible smell, the air was putrid. She knew something wasn’t right. She found the main light switch and flipped it on.

  Rudi was lying on the floor, his face blue from the reflected light. He was very still. Jennifer ran outside, yelling.

  16

  Sea and Symbiosis

  IN THE DARK NIGHT, the helicopter rose beside the beach, lights flashing, kicking up a flurry of sand.

  ‘Bloody lucky Bob was spending the night here,’ said Blair.

  Jennifer stood mutely beside him, her arms wrapped around herself, still in shock. Mac had acted swiftly, Carmel had given Rudi CPR, and Rosie had called the chopper pilot out of the restaurant and alerted Headland Hospital. What was puzzling everyone was what had happened to Rudi.

  ‘Do you want a drink? Stay here?’ asked Blair. ‘I’m on duty. Can I help?’ He sounded concerned but a bit helpless.

  Jennifer shook her head. ‘Thanks. I’d better get back to see Mac and the others. Try to find out what happened.’

  ‘Heart, maybe. You won’t know till the hospital sees him.’

  ‘Mac said he was healthy as a horse. He thinks something happened in the lab. The smell was like gas, rotten eggs.’

  ‘You shouldn’t expose yourself, then. Be careful. What was he studying again?’ asked Blair, suddenly interested.

  ‘Toxins, poisons. Substances in some marine plants are deadly. Like stone fish, blue-ringed octopus and cone shells. Kill humans in a minute.’

  ‘Jesus, Jennifer, that’s dangerous stuff. No wonder he looked half dead.’

  ‘I hope he’ll be all right. Mac has notified his family.’

  Blair was thoughtful. ‘I don’t think any of this should be made public. Just let people think it was a health thing.’

  ‘Bad for business, eh?’ snapped Jennifer. ‘There’s Tony over there, you tell him that.’

  It was a sombre group gathered in Mac’s living room when Jennifer and Tony came in.

  ‘The chopper has left and the ambulance will meet them,’ said Tony. ‘Any theories yet, Mac?’

  ‘It seems Rudi was working in there with the windows and door closed and he’d been boiling down liquid from a specimen. We figure it became so concentrated the fumes got to him. Lucky that Jennifer went in when she did.’ He glanced at his watch. ‘It’s late. Let’s get some sleep. Lloyd will take me over to Headland first thing in the morning.’

  ‘You’ll let us know the minute you hear anything?’ said Carmel.

  Tony, Jennifer and Isobel walked slowly back to their units.

  ‘Blair didn’t want any publicity about this,’ said Jennifer.

  ‘I doubt it would concern guests planning to visit the resort. It’s more a problem for the research station. Any accidents reflect on the director of research, so Mac is in the firing line,’ said Tony.

  ‘Still, tourists from overseas are not so sanguine at hearing about pretty shells and hidden creatures in rock pools that can kill you,’ said Isobel.

  ‘That’s tabloid stuff. I try to write more substantive things,’ said Tony. Then he grinned. ‘Did that sound stuffy?’

  ‘Yes,’ said Isobel, with a throaty chuckle.

  ‘I wish I could laugh as easily as you, Isobel,’ sighed Jennifer.

  ‘You’re upset about Rudi,’ said Tony quickly.

  ‘No, I mean, yes, I am,’ said Jennifer slowly. ‘But I keep hearing Blair tut-tutting, so conscious all the time of his job, what people think of him, being Mr Charm, but you know, we hardly ever laugh together. Before I met everyone around here, with all their teasing and jokes, I think I’d lost my sense of humour somewhere.’

  ‘We’ll help you find it,’ said Isobel.

  ‘I know how you feel,’ said Tony. ‘I didn’t have a lot to laugh about, places I’ve been, things I’ve seen the past few years. But I agree with you, Jen, being here with this group loosens me up. Makes me feel, well, relaxed, not afraid to be myself. I’m coming out of my shell a bit.’

  ‘Like the turtles?’ said Jennifer, smiling.

  Isobel looked from one to the other. ‘Interesting. You both take things too seriously. But look how you’ve both changed since being here. On an island you can’t run away. And it’s a private world, so there’s few pe
ople to see you go a bit crazy.’

  ‘You’ll have to join the Shark Club,’ said Jennifer.

  ‘Now there’s a challenge,’ said Isobel. ‘Do something you’ve never done before. Something that you’ve been too scared, too shy, to do.’

  ‘I’ll sleep on it,’ said Tony as they reached their units. ‘Let’s hope it’s good news in the morning for Rudi.’

  ‘He’ll be in my prayers tonight.’ Isobel blew them both a kiss. ‘Boa noite.’

  Jennifer tossed and turned uncomfortably in bed. Her belly felt distended and bloated. She got up and went to the small chair on what she thought of as the wonky balcony. She sat in her nightshirt – an antique cotton working-man’s shirt she’d picked up in the markets. The bird mutterings were becoming familiar, she felt she knew the family groups and now she understood more of their habits and rituals. The sounds of the mutton birds didn’t disturb or distress her as they had in the beginning. She sat there for a while and, still feeling restless, decided to go for a short walk towards Mac’s cottage. She thought of the sandy, tree-lined track with the scattered housing, though all was quiet and, for once, everyone seemed to be asleep.

  A dim light shone behind Tony’s split bamboo blind. He was either sleeping or reading. She tiptoed down the steps in her bare feet and followed the white sandy path past the cottages, canteen, lab block and outside tanks; past the shower and laundry block to where the trees began to meet overhead and the path divided to the resort and towards Coral Point. Here she did a U-turn and began to walk back to the far end where the VIP housing was tucked away.

  She heard the birds groan and complain as they leapt and resettled themselves. She knew the sound well, it happened when they were socialising, or when they were disturbed from their night-time nesting positions. Someone or something had jostled them.

  She spun around and saw the flash of a small light. It waved up and down, signalling her. Jennifer stood stock still as a figure came into the moonlight from the darker canopy of trees.

  ‘It’s only me. I didn’t want to scare you.’ Tony walked towards her.