The Summer Island Swap

by Samantha Tonge

  ‘I didn’t think he was right for you,’ I protested.

  ‘That’s not your decision to make. I’m a grown woman.’ She threw her hands in the air. ‘I can’t take it much longer. Living with you… it’s been great. I love our little flat. But I’m older now… perhaps it’s time I got a place of my own.’

  Amy move out?

  I hurried into the forest and leant up against a tree. I covered my face with my hands. Hot tears trickled down my face. Annoyed at myself, I wiped my eyes on my arm and sniffed. Amy mustn’t see me like this. I stayed there until my cheeks dried, digesting everything my sister had said.

  Those angry words made my mind up. Four weeks apart would give Amy the independence she craved and maybe she’d miss all the little things I did. Then when she returned to England life would just carry on as it always had. She’d love being back at our cosy place and would forget all this nonsense about setting up on her own. Our London flat wasn’t in the most desirable area. We’d need a new boiler soon. The main road we lived on was noisy. But it was home. We had Nelly. And our friendly neighbours.

  We had each other.

  Once more I thought about the trip I’d been expecting. My holiday weeks off work were so precious. I didn’t get time to relax properly all year round as I never had even two days off straight.

  I wanted to collapse in a heap and wail at the injustice. Yes, I loved my career. That didn’t mean I wasn’t in need of chill time. My chin trembled. I’d dreamt of daily massages and sunning myself by a pool… but now I imagined this break would consist of getting up at the crack of dawn and using muscles I never even knew I had, despite helping housekeeping make beds and guests move suitcases that felt as if they’d been filled with lead.

  I scratched my neck and ants covered my hand. I yelped and leapt away from the tree trunk, brushing myself down as if I were on fire.

  That was it. I strode back to camp and went straight up to Rick.

  ‘Can you tell me the time of the next boat back to Tortola, please?’

  His lifted the front rim of his hat and smiled. ‘I’ll put a list up of day trips, for the weekend. And just let me know if there’s anything else you want to know. I’m always here to help.’

  ‘No. I mean, for before then.’

  He looked puzzled. ‘There isn’t one until tomorrow morning.’

  ‘But there must be. This is a holiday destination.’

  ‘No. This is a conservation project.’

  Suddenly his voice sounded almost as tired as I felt. I didn’t blame him, permanently living in a place like this. Although I wasn’t blind to its natural appeal, like the relaxing sound of waves breaking instead of car engines or a computer’s whirr, the pollution-free air and trees greener than AstroTurf.

  ‘That we’re nevertheless paying handsomely to visit,’ I said, assuming the voice I used at work if a guest was being unreasonable. ‘What if I had an emergency back in England? There must be some sort of shuttle service. I don’t mind how long I have to wait on the beach. Just give me a time and I’ll sort myself out. I know you’re busy.’

  ‘Is it urgent?’

  ‘Yes,’ I said, trying to work out, in my head, exactly how long my meagre savings would last whilst I wasn’t employed.

  Rick rubbed the stubble beard that left me wondering what it would feel like against my skin, if we kissed.

  A purely hypothetical question. We were hardly a match. All the men in my line of work wore suits and full-beards or were clean shaven. Management didn’t approve of the nine o’clock shadow look.

  ‘Or more a matter of cold feet?’ he asked. His hand, with the clipboard, dropped to his side. Jackie appeared, carrying a bag of water bottles.

  ‘No. Because that implies I knew about—’

  He gave a small sigh and muttered to Jackie, ‘Another one.’

  ‘Another what?’ I interrupted.

  He looked back at me. ‘Pardon?’ His mouth upturned but the smile didn’t reach his eyes. ‘Nothing. Look, get down to the shoreline for ten o’clock tomorrow morning. Jackie will sail you back.’ He looked at her. She shrugged and nodded. ‘But I’m afraid there’s no refund. If you’ve read them, you’ll know that is stated in the terms and conditions.’

  ‘Another what?’ I repeated.

  He hesitated. ‘Just occasionally people turn up who’ve either watched too many YouTube videos of Richard Branson’s island…’

  Heat crept up my neck.

  ‘Or who think conservation is a fashion and means of building their Instagram feed. I call it Green Bragging. Needless to say, in both cases, they haven’t studied Seagrass Conservation’s website in detail so our way of life comes as a shock.’

  ‘Now just a minute, I—’

  ‘Rick. Why don’t you leave this to me,’ said Jackie and shot me a sympathetic glance.

  Who did this Rick bloke think he was, talking to me like that?

  ‘I can assure you, that’s not the case with me. I didn’t even know that—’

  ‘You aren’t the first and probably won’t be the last person apprehensive about hard manual graft. I don’t blame you,’ he said in a kinder tone. ‘What with technology, man’s life has evolved to rely on easier options. Look, if you want to take some photos of the animals and birds we have, before leaving, I’m happy to take you over to the enclosures first thing and—’

  ‘Hard graft? Since I was eighteen I’ve worked as hard as anyone I know. I could easily—’

  He raised an eyebrow. ‘Tolerate cold showers and toilets that don’t flush? Patiently search for turtle nests or count birds? Of course, I partly blame celebrity jungle shows. Fans watch them believing that behind the scenes participants are secretly allowed luxury baths and MasterChef meals.’

  Heat moved from my neck and into the tips of my ears.

  Jackie passed him the bag. ‘Do you want to hand those out, Rick?’ she said, smoothly. ‘I’ll sort out… Sarah, wasn’t it? It doesn’t surprise me that, now and again, a guest changes their mind when they actually get here, however well-intended their booking has been,’ she said to Rick and shot him a pointed look. Jackie handed the bag to him when her phone rang. She answered. Frowned.

  ‘Change of plan, I’m afraid. Apparently one of the parrots is looking ill.’

  Rick took the bag as she shot me a smile and headed off. So there were parrots here. At least I’d got that right. He stared down at me for a moment. Took off his hat and rubbed his forehead.

  ‘Look… sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude. Things have been stressful what with the rebuild of the family estate and running this venture… you’re more than welcome to sleep in the main house for one night.’

  I shifted uncomfortably. ‘That wouldn’t be fair on everyone else.’

  ‘Your travelling companions seem happy enough. I think you’ll find they’d feel you were the one missing out.’

  Rick stared over my shoulder. I turned around. Benedikt and one of the other men from our group were good-naturedly arguing over the best way to start a fire. Helga looked impossibly cheerful as she came from the direction of the toilets. One of the couples was smooching near the trees. The sound of running water indicated that someone was taking a quick arctic shower – and wasn’t even screaming.

  That weighty sense of not belonging washed over me again.

  Although Amy didn’t look cheerful… she sat dismally on the ladder leading up to our room, knees up, chin resting on folded arms.

  ‘Fetch your luggage,’ he said. ‘It’s no problem. I’ll take you up to the house. The last one to jump ship left behind a couple of novels he’d brought. I’ve read one – a detective story. It’s not bad. You can stay there, if you prefer, until you leave tomorrow.’

  8

  ‘Your friend can bring your dinner over to the house,’ continued Rick. ‘Despite the scaffolding I think you’ll find it quite comfortable just for one night.’

  ‘She’s my sister.’

  He consulted his list again. �
��Ah yes, I remember. Amy emailed far more than any volunteer ever has. I got the impression she wanted this stay to be perfect. She reminds me of my older brother, Lee. He likes to cover every angle.’ Briefly a cloud crossed his features. ‘Almost too much so, if you ask me. Anyway, Amy’s certainly a nature buff. Her enthusiasm is infectious.’

  An unpleasant sensation gnawed at my stomach. She’d gone to so much trouble and had genuinely thought this kind of break would relax me. Plus how could I leave after an argument? I didn’t want to ruin Amy’s dream holiday, even if it was my idea of hell.

  And jumping ship? Is that how Rick Crowley saw me? His phone rang and I stared at trees that were doing a merengue with the wind. Is that what I’d done all that time ago, as soon as I’d turned eighteen? Abandoned Amy? The thought had haunted me ever since. But I’d had to. I couldn’t live any longer with Dad. I had to keep myself safe and strong, otherwise I’d have been no good for my sister at all. I visited as often as I could during those four last years she’d had to live with him, until she could legally do what she wanted and move into the flat. She’d bought me a box of chocolates when I’d finally scraped together enough money for a deposit. The amount Mum had left me from her private savings helped. And I’d made sure Amy had a say in how I decorated it, choosing the wallpaper and colour of carpet.

  However, the feeling that I’d somehow let her down had never left, so I’d tried to make up for it by always trying to keep her happy and safe.

  Jonas stood nearby, at the edge of the forest, jabbing his finger at the screen of his mobile. I went over.

  ‘I can’t get a signal,’ he muttered.

  ‘Trying to contact a friend?’

  ‘Maxi. I had wanted to spend the summer with her,’ he muttered. ‘Just when we’d become friends again, after our breakup. Things were going well but then I had to travel here.’ He looked up. ‘Sorry. Too much information.’

  ‘It’s okay,’ I said and gave a wry smile. ‘I’m the queen of broken romances. I’ve got the T-shirt and the hat.’

  He put his phone away and opened his mouth but then seemed to have second thoughts and swiftly closed it.

  ‘What?’ I asked.

  ‘I couldn’t help hearing you and Rick – is it true? You’re leaving?’ He sighed. ‘Don’t abandon me, Sarah. You being here might just save my insanity. I should never have agreed to do this but Mum and Dad persuaded me and said it would look good on my Lebenslauf – I mean, CV – and show I was adventurous as well as a team player.’ He looked around. ‘Now I’m here, it’s even worse than I expected.’

  I rested my hand on his arm. ‘It’s very hard to say no to those you love.’

  He met my eyes. ‘Guess I’ve just got to get on with it.’

  ‘You can do this,’ I said. ‘At your age I was discovering I was stronger than I’d ever imagined. I found myself in a tough situation and looking back… it taught me a lot.’

  I was strong. I’d had to be. No one had been around to pick me up.

  But was I strong enough to live in a jungle?

  ‘I know that doesn’t help how you feel right now, though.’ I smiled. ‘But anyone who can withstand a needle long enough to get a tattoo that size…’

  ‘It’s a myth that tattoos hurt,’ he whispered, ‘but don’t tell anyone. I like people thinking I’m tough.’

  Me too. It acted as armour. People thought twice about messing you around. After a couple of years on my own Dad just rolled his eyes at me instead of hurling an insult or putting me down.

  ‘I know you’re right. But still – it’d be good to have someone here to share the horrors with… The thought of having to be bright and cheery with everyone for four weeks…’

  ‘Well, seeing as you make it sound so appealing…’ Hold on. No. Don’t say it.

  ‘What? You’re not leaving after all?’

  Don’t be silly. Of course I am. ‘I’ve decided to stick it out,’ I heard myself say. ‘I can’t have you take all the glory.’ Aargh! Where did that come from?

  His face split into a smile and he lunged forward, slipped his arms around my waist and lifted me into the air.

  I couldn’t help laughing and struggled. ‘Jonas! Put me down this instant!’

  Gently he did and cheekily grinned before running off towards the sound of Helga calling his name.

  I smoothed down my top and walked back to Rick. ‘Hi again. Um… change of plan. I’ll stay.’

  ‘Really?’ He frowned. Not the reaction I’d expected.

  ‘I was just being silly. How hard can it be?’

  ‘You might feel differently in the morning, after one night in the shack. For a start it’s up at six tomorrow morning, if you’re on the trail clearing team.’

  I bristled. ‘It’s fine. That’s the usual time my alarm clock goes off.’

  ‘It’s important work we do here – as a team. We all rely on each other. People can’t turn up late or duck out of a task at the eleventh hour – or not pull their weight.’

  ‘I manage my own staff back in England,’ I said abruptly. I thought he’d be pleased!

  ‘I’m saying all of this because I’ve also got your interests at heart. I won’t lie, Sarah. It’s a challenge volunteering here. If you haven’t got a passion for conservation then the tasks might seem too daunting.’

  ‘It won’t be the first time in my life I’ve had to do something I didn’t want to. Although it’s never cost this much before…’ I muttered.

  ‘What?’

  ‘Well, you could have at least made the shacks a bit better and connected hot water to the showers. We’re paying thousands of pounds – or rather, my sister is. I don’t like seeing her ripped off.’ I snorted. ‘Your family must be laughing all the way to the bank.’

  His face reddened. ‘You couldn’t be more wrong,’ he said quietly. ‘And every spare penny is invested long-term. My dream is to make Seagrass Island a hub of environmental expertise for the whole region. I’m working not only to save species here but across the whole of the British Virgin Islands – and play my part in educating people about climate change.’

  ‘If you say so,’ I said and folded my arms.

  ‘Ultimately it’s your decision about staying,’ he said and shrugged before striding away.

  I’d show him. Changing his pompous view of me was a good enough reason not to leave. However mainly, this was about my sister. She’d be concerned enough when we got home and she found out I’d been sacked. Amy deserved these carefree four weeks and I’d try to back off and give her more independence.

  I’d do anything to make her smile.

  Walk over coals.

  Swim the Channel.

  Spend a whole month here without a comfy mattress and Pringles.

  Amy was still sitting on the steps to our shack. I went over. She stood up. We both hesitated. I rushed forwards and pulled her towards me in a tight embrace.

  ‘I’m so sorry for being an ungrateful cow.’

  ‘I’m sorry, too. For everything I said. I’m just tired too.’ A pained expression crossed her face. ‘You’ve an absolute right to feel miffed. I should never have booked a holiday like this without consulting you first.’ She looked sheepish. ‘Typical me. I didn’t think about anything like the insects or the dirt.’ She shook her head. ‘All these years we’ve lived together and I’ve teased you about your obsession with dusting and vacuuming. I should have realised this trip wouldn’t tick any of your boxes.’

  ‘Obsession? Amy. I hate to tell you this, but you’re the abnormal one, being happy to live with crumbs everywhere.’

  She didn’t smile but instead peered up at me, from under her fringe. ‘This trip was meant to thank you for being the best sister ever, but instead…’ She bit one of her nails. ‘I’ve messed up, haven’t I? By being spontaneous?’

  Heart thumping, I took her by the shoulders. Messed up? I hated hearing those words that Dad so often used to say.

  I recalled one time she got seven out of ten in a
n important maths test at primary school. The teacher had given her a special certificate. Mum and I were so proud, especially as that had been the highest mark in her class. But Dad…

  ‘Sevens won’t get you a great job like mine, Missy,’ he’d said.

  He was the reason she’d never had the confidence to become an actual vet. Mum would give her a cuddle, and sweets, say that Dad was just ambitious, but over time his words engraved themselves in her mind.

  Sweets became Mum’s way of making up for the harsh tones of the man she nevertheless loved. Amy wasn’t a fan of them but I was. When hormones and the teenage years hit, along with my love of baking, I continued to fill out and Dad started to pick on me for my shape. Thankfully I’d reached an age where I was starting to see him with fresh eyes and realise that curves where nothing to be ashamed of.

  Although that realisation didn’t stop me working hard to always look well-groomed. Just like Mum and Anabelle I looked after my hair and wore makeup.

  My last boyfriend said I needed to learn to chill. We’d gone swimming. I swam with my head above the water so that my mascara didn’t run.

  How stupid was that? Still trying to impress a man I didn’t see and thought so little of?

  I squeezed Amy’s shoulders. ‘No. Ungrateful me is the one in the wrong. It was just a shock. This is going to be the best break ever. One I’ll never forget. Just imagine, Amy – we’ll actually be helping this troubled planet dogged by melting ice caps and extreme weather. You can’t put a price on that.’

  ‘You’re just saying that,’ she mumbled.

  I put my hands on my hips, steeling myself not to squeal as a long-bodied insect landed on my skirt. ‘I’m not.’ I thought about Jonas. ‘Apart from anything else, it’s going to look fantastic on my CV, now that I… I mean… if I ever change jobs. You’ve done brilliantly to book this trip. It must have taken a lot of organisation. And I don’t know how you managed to keep the exact details secret. I could never do that. I’d have accidentally blurted them out by now. I’m so impressed.’