And then I catch myself. Am I allowed to appreciate an employee’s body? Something tells me the answer is no, even if I’m not obvious about it.
“Hi. Yeah, sorry. I’m just a little frazzled.”
“I take it you met Calvin?” he guesses.
“Yep.”
“Say no more.”
“Apparently, my services are not needed for the next four weeks.”
He furrows his brow. “Really?”
“I guess he doesn’t want me interfering with his managerial style. Although, he did say I was welcome to help anyone else out if I felt like it.”
He shakes his head. “Typical Cal. Hey, I’m having a break in about ten minutes. Why don’t I give you a tour of the resort, and you can decide which area would most benefit from your skill set?”
“I would love that. But are you sure?”
“I wouldn’t offer unless I meant it. Hang tight. I’ll be done soon.”
“Thanks.”
I sit down on a dusty chair at the edge of reception. I know Cal said he didn’t want to see me until reopening, but I’m not the kind of person to stand back and do nothing.
And this place needs all the help it can get.
EIGHT
Noah
I take Emily over to the equipment shed and retrieve two beach cruisers. “This place is easier to see by bike,” I explain.
“It’s lucky I owned one of these things in Vancouver, otherwise I’d be making a huge fool of myself about now,” she says, climbing on.
I smile. “I would never tease someone for not being able to ride a bike. Don’t tell anyone, but I didn’t learn until I was a teenager.”
She laughs. “You poor thing. If it makes you feel any better, I didn’t learn how to swim until I was at least ten.”
“Wow. An Aussie kid who couldn’t swim. That’s pretty rare.”
“I know. I never went to friends’ houses in summer if they had a pool, and I always stayed home when our school swimming carnival was on. It was too hard to explain why I couldn’t go in the water. I mean, I couldn’t explain it. My parents weren’t water people, so I guess they didn’t think it was an important skill to have.”
“At least you can make up for lost time now. When we’re a bit further along with repairs, you’ll have your pick of three pools or the ocean.”
“Nice.”
We head off down the gravel path, which is overgrown on both sides. Allie has been making good progress, but it’s a huge job for just one person.
“You should have seen how this place used to look,” I say. “All these hedges were perfectly manicured, and there were frangipani trees that smelled amazing in summer.”
“It sounds lovely. I was talking to Allie earlier about her wanting to plant lilly-pillies. I think it’s a good idea to replace the Sheena’s Gold, especially if its berries are poisonous. You don’t want a lawsuit from some child swallowing them.”
“Yeah, I mentioned that to both Cal and Bruce when they first planted them, and they said that any adult who was dumb enough to let their kid eat random berries deserved whatever happened to them.”
She looks at me, horrified. “They didn’t say that, did they?”
“I’m afraid they did.”
“I wonder what they’d do if someone sued them.”
“Bruce is loaded. He’d probably just draw out the case until the other person went bankrupt. I try not to think about him too much. He’s almost never here, so I very rarely have to tolerate him. With Cal, admittedly, it’s a bit trickier, but I can usually work around him, or convince him that something I want to do is his idea. I guess this isn’t what you signed up for, huh?”
“Not exactly.”
“I hope you stick around for a while. We need all the competent people we can get.”
“You think I’m competent?” she says, eyes twinkling.
“It’s obviously early days, but so far, yes. You definitely give off an air of competence.”
“I guess I should at least stay until we reopen. I won’t be able to make an informed decision on whether this is the right place for me until I’m doing the job I was hired to do.”
“Exactly.”
We carry on past the old tennis court, the running track, and the lap pool, all of which currently look like they belong in a horror movie.
“Do you ever feel overwhelmed?” Emily asks, taking in all the details.
I laugh. “Just a little.”
“But it’s obvious you love the place.”
“Yeah, I do. I’m going to do everything humanly possible to make sure it’s ready for reopening on time.”
I want to show Emily the best part of the island so she can see why I’m so passionate about it. We reach the end of the path, and I jump off my bike. “We’ll have to climb over this dune. The cyclone buried the old boardwalk that goes down to the water.”
I begin scrambling up the side, encouraging her to follow.
We pause at the top, and I wait for her to catch her breath. When she’s recovered, she looks out at the view in front of us and gasps.
I grin. That’s exactly the reaction I was hoping for. A bay lies below, and the water is clear, with tiny waves rolling onto the almost-white sand. To the left, an uninterrupted expanse of wild rainforest stretches away as far as the eye can see. And to the right, a small village has been set up with bell tents, prayer flags, and small campfires. A couple of hammocks have been strung up on the trees just back from the sand, and a bunch of very relaxed-looking people are lounging around on beanbags and circular towels. They pay Cal to use the land, and I’m sure it must be a hefty sum since Cal isn’t exactly known for his philanthropy.
“Come and meet everyone,” I tell her.
“Who are they?” she asks, sliding down the dune beside me.
“One of the guys is a tech millionaire. He wrote a piece of software that he sold for a ridiculous amount of money, so he invited a bunch of his friends to live here with him.”
“Is it a permanent arrangement?”
“Cal wants them gone by reopening, but I’m going to try and figure out a way they can stay. They’re a great bunch of people, and they’re paying to rent the space, so I want to negotiate an arrangement that will suit everyone.”
“What do they do for entertainment?”
“I don’t know. Meditate? Do yoga?”
“And what about practicalities? Like food? And bathing?”
“They have someone fly in food once a week, and there’s a small amenities block nearby they have to maintain themselves.”
“It sounds idyllic.”
“I know. It’d be nice to have a retired tech millionaire for a friend, huh? Although, I hope I can be the one to look after the people in my life one day.”
She looks like she’s going to ask me to elaborate, but we reach the guys, and Lachie, their leader, holds up a couple of beers. “Hey. You want to hang with us?”
I shake my head. “Maybe a bit later, dude. I’m just showing Emily around. She’s the new night manager.”
Lachie looks at Emily with mild curiosity. “Best place on earth, right?”
“This bit certainly is,” she agrees.
“How’s all the restoration work going?” he asks me.
“It’s going. Just.”
I notice Emily looking down at a bunch of snorkelling and dive equipment nearby. “What’s it like out there?” She tilts her head at the water. “I’ve never actually been out on the reef.”
Lachie smiles. “It’s beautiful. There’s a bit of coral bleaching, but if you know where to look, you can still find some great spots.”
“Would you mind showing me sometime?”
“If you’re lucky.” He looks at me. “Our boy here is a divemaster, so you’d be better off asking him to take you instead.”
She looks at me, impressed. “Divemaster, huh?”
I shrug. “Nearly everyone my age who grew up here has some sort of dive qualification.”
“He’s being humble,” Lachie says. “A divemaster must already be a rescue diver and have completed a CPR and First Aid course. They also have to log forty dives before they can even start.”
“It really isn’t a big deal,” I assure her.
She looks like she’s going to disagree, but then Lachie changes the subject. “Emily, what would you say is the most important thing in business?”
“Having the right people around you,” she says without hesitation. “You need a team who are going to cooperate and who will take pride in providing good customer service.”
He laughs. “Exactly what I would have said. And what’s your biggest flaw? In a professional sense, I mean.”
“Is this a test?” she asks, smiling.
“I’m just making conversation.”
“Well, I guess it’s probably not speaking out enough. I’ve only recently realised the value of my skill set, and I will make sure I’m rewarded accordingly in future.”
He nods, seemingly satisfied. “You definitely need to back yourself. Otherwise, why should anyone else?”
“Exactly. That’s something I need to keep reminding myself.”
“Well, it’s been great meeting you. Next time Noah visits, feel free to tag along.”
“Thanks. I will.”
Emily and I climb back up the dune. “He liked you,” I say.
“I liked him too.”
“He usually makes excuses when people ask to hang out with him and his gang.”
“I didn’t try very hard. And he obviously likes you as well.”
“True. I guess you must just have a good vibe.” I don’t tell her that Lachie has barely spoken two words to Lani the entire time he’s been staying on the island. But then Lani hasn’t really made an effort.
We reach the bikes and head along another path. It will eventually lead back to reception, but I want to show Emily some of the other facilities first.
Partway along, she stops and stares at something in the forest.
“What are you looking at?” I ask.
“There are some cool boulders in there.” She leans her bike against a tree and picks her way through the dense foliage.
“Some cool boulders?” I tease.
“Yeah, come and take a look.”
I follow her in and immediately see what she means. I’ve never noticed them before, but they’re huge, and lean against each other as if placed for maximum artistic effect.
“Hey, can you hear that?” she asks. “I think there might be a waterfall a bit farther in.”
She heads off deeper into the bush. Normally, I wouldn’t advise going off-road, but Emily’s enthusiasm is infectious. Besides, I’ve been known to explore the lesser-known parts of the island myself on occasion. It’s possible to get lost, but never for more than an hour or so. The island isn’t that big.
We walk quietly for a few minutes before suddenly coming out in a clearing. A series of falls run over a cliff above us, emptying into a crystal-clear waterhole at our feet. It looks like something out of a movie.
“Well found,” I say in admiration. “I’ve spent more time exploring this island than anyone else, and I’ve never come across this place before.”
“My marketing brain is fighting with the part of me that doesn’t want to share this with the tourists,” she says, taking off her shoes and dipping her toes in the water.
“I know what you mean. I’m always thinking up plans for the resort.”
“Tell me about them.”
“Well, actually, it’s more daydreaming about how to restore the island to the way it used to be. When I was younger, there was a different owner. His name was Henry, and you could tell immediately he had a deep passion for this island and the resort. Bruce took it over when Henry was getting too old to look after it anymore, and then of course, Bruce hired Cal. One big mistake I think Cal made was to have everything technology focused. And I get that people like their internet access and all the modern conveniences of home when they’re on holiday, but he went too far. A few years ago, Cal made check-in and check-out automated with a smartphone or iPad—so you didn’t even have to talk to anyone when you arrived. And I know that works well for some city hotels where most of the guests are business travellers, but here on the island, I think a more personalised approach works. Henry used to have several staff on the front desk who would welcome new visitors with iced tea and roasted macadamias—and you would have a separate guy take your luggage to your room and help you get settled. Cal didn’t want to do any of that. He was convinced people wished to be left to their own devices with minimal interference from the staff. He even encouraged guests to stay in their rooms and order all their food in, so they didn’t have to go into any of the restaurants.”
“Hmm…yeah. It sounds like Henry had a better understanding of what island life should be like.”
“I hope we can at least implement a couple of the old ideas when we reopen.”
“I think you can do anything you set your mind to. Your enthusiasm for creating the perfect customer experience is obvious. Just like Henry.”
I beam. “That’s nice of you to say.”
“And you’re obviously multi-talented.” She blushes after saying it, and I grin.
“Thank you.” I check my watch and realise it’s a bit later than I thought. “We should probably go. I want to show you a bit more of the resort, and then I have to get back to work.”
“Of course. I really appreciate you taking time out of your day to be my tour guide.”
“It’s no trouble at all.”
And in fact, it’s the complete opposite of trouble.
I’m having a lot more fun than I’d like to admit.
NINE
Emily
We stop outside one of the over-water villas, and Noah gets off his bike, nodding at the place. “You want to have a look inside? Most of these are ready to go since the resort can charge more to rent them out than the regular hotel rooms. Cal wanted them to be a priority.”
“I suppose that shows he has some idea of a strategy.”
“You’d think so. But then he’ll say something totally random, like how he wants to put a llama enclosure somewhere on the island, and I realise I have no clue what he’s trying to achieve.”
I chuckle. “I suppose llamas are kind of interesting.”
“Yeah, but they shouldn’t be a high priority right now.”
“No, of course not.”
Noah gets out a keycard and swipes it on the panel at the door.
I go inside and pause.
Wow.
The air smells faintly of coconut, which is due to a couple of scented candles on a hall table in the entryway. The floors are blonde polished boards, and shuttered doors divide different spaces. I slide them open, revealing a large bedroom on one side, a living area on the other, and a bathroom at the back. A free-standing tub overlooks the water. I look up at the woven vaulted ceiling and imagine being a guest here.
“This is beautiful,” I breathe.
“It’s pretty special, isn’t it?” he agrees.
I go out onto the outside deck. It’s a gorgeous day, and the water is clear. A shoal of fish lazily congregate around the columns below. And when I look out to sea, its smooth, gentle undulations go on forever.
Noah joins me. “Imagine this vibe, but throughout the entire island. That’s what it used to be like.”
I go back inside and check out the bedroom. The bed has a timber frame with fresh white sheets and fluffy pillows. A mosquito net hangs from the ceiling, but its sides are currently suspended in the air over supporting rods. I want to throw myself down on the mattress and stare out at the view, but I know that wouldn’t look very professional.
“What do you think? Is this place worth sticking around for?” he says.
I look at Noah, his face full of appreciation for his surroundings, and I feel it. The potential. The magic.
We make eye contact, and it sudden
ly seems too intimate, the two of us standing here alone in a bedroom.
“Uh, yeah. Hey, do you want to show me the fitness centre and maybe the day spa? Then I can write down a list of staff and figure out who might appreciate a hand with their restoration tasks.”
He smiles. “Sure. Although, we might have to skip the day spa for now. Lani is personally overseeing the renovation, and she doesn’t want anyone to see it until it’s ready.”
“Oh, okay. No problem.”
We head back outside and get on the bikes for the final stretch. I think I’m going to have to watch myself around Noah from now on. He’s too nice for his own good, and I don’t want Lani getting the wrong idea, thinking I’m trying to steal her man. And I especially don’t want Noah suspecting I have a thing for him. That would be very awkward with me practically being his boss and all.
The fitness centre is impressive, containing two treadmills, two elliptical trainers, an exercise bike, and several racks of weights. A few fit balls and foam rollers rest against one wall. The back wall of the gym is floor-to-ceiling glass, looking out at thick rainforest.
Noah absentmindedly runs his hand along the row of storage lockers beside us. “Cal also insisted this place be restored early on. He said it was important to give staff a fitness option, but I think he really just wanted it for his own personal use.”
“Either way, it’s looking great.”
Noah’s phone rings and he looks at the caller ID. “I have to get this, but take my keycard and check out the other stuff nearby. There’s a sauna and indoor hydrotherapy pool that should almost be ready. I’ll be back in a minute.”
He hands me the card and goes outside. I wonder if it’s Lani calling. Not that it matters.
Since the whole place is still under construction, none of the doors have labels. I randomly open the ones closest to me and stumble upon a changeroom, a men’s bathroom, and then finally, the sauna. I breathe in the comforting cedar scent and look forward to seeing this thing in action.
Welcome to Coco Bay Page 5
