‘Anything? Stay up all night with a newly found injured bird? Clean out the bat cage? Their droppings have a certain aroma.’
‘Funnily enough, if I had to, neither of those things would bother me. Oh, I don’t like emptying the compost toilets, but that’s simply because of the volume.’ I shrugged. ‘I’m pretty self-sufficient – and you’d be surprised at the disgusting habits of some hotel guests that I have to deal with.’
Rick stared intently at me, before nodding eventually.
‘Still,’ he continued, ‘I’ve never had an unenthusiastic volunteer stick it out before. So, if you ever feel you need a break, the beach huts up at the house are practically finished. You’re welcome to stay in one if you ever need a bit of respite.’
‘Thanks,’ I said. ‘In fact… seeing as it’s the weekend tomorrow… could I come over tonight? Not to stay,’ I added quickly. ‘But it would be great to cool off in a mosquito-free zone before heading to my sauna, I mean shack.’ I gave a broad smile.
A smile I hoped would make him say yes because I had an ulterior motive. The guitar. The grand piano. Somehow I felt they could bring Benedikt and Jonas together. I wasn’t sure how and hoped seeing them would give me inspiration.
‘No problem. I was going to ask you to come over anyway, at some point this weekend – would you very much mind looking at the website again? I’ve been working on it late into the evenings all week and Jackie has added her input.’
‘You didn’t waste any time.’
‘We can’t afford to,’ he said and for a moment the light left his eyes.
Seagrass Conservation must have needed more money to run than I’d ever imagined. The price he charged volunteers certainly wouldn’t be all used up by the cheap accommodation and basic meals –although last Sunday’s breakfast wouldn’t have looked out of place on a luxury cruise liner with an array of pastries, fried eggs and toast.
Rick stood up. ‘Shall we go there now? I’ll just put Chatty back in his enclosure and then my grandmother wants to Skype quickly.’
‘Is everything okay? It’s rather late, isn’t it, and a Friday night?’
He looked at his watch. ‘It’s just gone half past eleven in England,’ he said, ‘but Gran’s always been a light sleeper and never goes to bed before midnight. She probably just wants to check that I’m going to simply whitewash the bedrooms. I threatened to paint them bright pink, her least favourite colour.’
Rick gave a smile yet it didn’t reach his eyes. He rubbed a hand across his face, a weary expression clouding it. ‘It’ll only be a quick call – hopefully. Give me half an hour. Come straight in when you arrive, if I’m still on the computer. Right. Come on Chatty, Jackie is over at the enclosures checking on one of the lizards that has been looking off colour. It’s an early bed for you, although I’m sure Jackie will want a cuddle.’
I bent down and nuzzled Chatty’s head with my nose and lifted him over to Rick, with the lead. The two of them disappeared into the darkness.
Amy came over. ‘You two looked deep in conversation.’ I could tell she was trying not to grin. ‘Bet you’re really glad you stayed on Seagrass Island now.’
No. I’d rather be back home with Nelly and Netflix. Definitely. No doubt about it. With my duvet for one. And the task of finding a new job…
‘I don’t need to ask if you’re enjoying it,’ I said.
Her eyes shone. ‘Oh Sarah, it’s everything I thought it would be, and more – being up close to such exotic animals and their natural habitat… I’m so grateful for my lottery win. Handling some of these animals… it’s brill dealing with the pets at Paws & Claws but I’m out of my comfort zone here and am loving it. I’m beginning to realise that… I am good at what I do. Does that sound big-headed?’
‘No. It sounds wonderful. Some well-deserved self-belief.’
She gave an orangutan-sized yawn. ‘But now it’s time for bed. Helga wants me to get up and watch the sunrise with her. She’s can’t believe a week has passed already and it’s not enough for her, seeing it when we do bird counting. I don’t suppose you fancy join—’
‘No,’ I said decisively and she laughed. ‘In any event, I’m going up to the house for a while, now, so tomorrow I might have a lie-in.’
Amy raised an eyebrow.
‘To help Rick with the website. I gave him a few ideas,’ I said in the most matter-of-fact voice I could muster.
‘I’m saying nothing,’ she said with a secret smile.
I went to ring home and check up on Nelly. Then I changed my mind and Amy looked surprised. She said she was glad and that I worried too much. We said good night to each other – but not until I’d pretended to tuck her up in bed.
‘Get off me!’ She wriggled under the covers on the lower bunk, laughing as I smoothed down her hair like I used to when she was a little girl.
‘Now you get some sleep,’ I called in my strictest parental tone as I climbed down the shack’s ladder. ‘No sneaky reading once lights are out.’
I was laughing too hard to hear her very impolite reply.
I made my way through the darkness, using my torch to avoid stones and tree roots that might cause me to trip. Deep in thought I walked straight into the Crowleys’ house. It was only when I got inside that I realised Rick was in the middle of an argument. He sat on one of the long magnolia sofas, laptop on his knees. I stood trapped, not wanting to leave in case he saw me but feeling awkward about staying.
‘For Christ’s sake, you haven’t got a clue what it’s like here. It’s just the same old, same old, thinking the worst from you, always wanting instant results and not trusting me to manage on my own. We’ll get there. I just need a bit of time.’
Wow. He clearly had a plain-speaking relationship with his gran.
I didn’t hear the muffled response but Rick shook his fist at the screen.
‘No. I’m not letting things get on top of me. My blood pressure is fine. And I will not be calling it quits. There’s more at stake here than just the house. Age doesn’t always bring wisdom, you know.’
I turned away, not wanting to intrude.
‘Naive and irresponsible? How dare you!’
A slamming noise made me turn around. A red-faced Rick stared at the closed lid of his laptop.
22
I wasn’t sure where to look so pointed at the piano, sleek and black with the bird carving perched on its top. ‘I was just admiring it. Did it survive the hurricane?’
‘What? Oh. Yes… just about. In fact, we’re forever grateful to this old lady. She saved the life of one of my young cousins who had legged it out of the basement to look for one of the cats. She was on holiday here with her parents. Trixie has always been something of an adventurer and didn’t believe the wind would really be that bad.’ The redness had faded from his cheeks. ‘I got up to all sorts at her age. I once tried weed at a party in my late teens. Lee recognised the smell when I got home.’ Rick shook his head. ‘Even though he’s only three years older than me he went mad. Threatened to tell Mum and Dad, despite it just being a one-off. For as long as I can remember Lee’s been bossing me around…’ He smiled. ‘And with those words I realise I sound like a sulky teenager.’
‘Sounds like he did you a favour! And that he cared.’
Rick thought for a moment. ‘Possibly. It didn’t feel like it at the time. That’s the trouble at that age, I guess – you think you’re invincible and can do what you want without repercussions.’
I didn’t. When I left home at eighteen a secret voice in my head told me I was bound to fail. However, over time, I realised that wasn’t really my voice, it was Dad’s.
‘Trixie didn’t think she’d get back to the basement so hid under the piano, holding onto one of the legs. It had been blown against the wall and jammed there. It’s a miracle she didn’t lose her life. It’s almost back in top condition although it makes a vibrating noise when played. I’ll have to get that sorted otherwise it will be one more thing for Lee to complain a
bout.’ He gave a loud sigh.
‘That was your brother just now? Sorry, I couldn’t help but overhear. I thought you were due to have a call with your gran.’
Rick looked aghast. ‘I would never speak to her like that. Lee used to take the lead when we were younger and still tries now. He thinks it’s low-key and subtle but it’s not.’
I sat down next to him. ‘What do you mean?’
‘He’s always checking up on me under the guise of just wanting a chat or meeting for lunch. I moved flats a few years back. Lee insisted on coming to view it with me – pretended he was in the area and dropped in before I was due to leave to see the estate agent. I’m a grown man, for goodness’ sake! Being a few years older can be a gulf when you are children – but that gap drastically narrows when you hit your twenties. Yet he still won’t treat me as an equal.’
Something shifted uneasily inside me. I recalled the time our washing machine broke. I was working overtime, to cover a member of staff’s illness, so Amy went window-shopping. She found a bargain replacement and was so excited. It was the last model in the shop. I’d insisted we hold off buying it until I could view it as well. We lost it to another customer.
Rick looked at me with tired eyes. ‘He knows nothing about the environment and has only gone along with Seagrass Conservation because the island was in such a mess after the hurricane – he thought my venture would help get the place back into shape, plus create funds to rebuild our family home… but there he is, trying to advise me at every turn, telling me I’ll have a heart attack if I keep putting in so many hours.’
I squirmed again. ‘I have to admit my sister gets irritated with me, sometimes – checking if she’s pumped up her bicycle’s wheels or taken her vitamin tablets – so I suppose I get your brother.’
Rick listened intently.
‘But I’d have thought Lee had enough to contend with back in England and would be happy to leave you to sort matters here.’
He put the laptop on the cushion next to him and sank back into the sofa. ‘Trouble is, that’s not the whole story… our family business… everything Gran and my granddad worked for…’
I raised an eyebrow.
‘Crocker & Crowley…’ He swallowed and held his head in his hands. ‘The business has almost gone bust, Sarah.’
‘What?’
‘That’s why, over recent years, we’ve had to close so many stores.’
‘But Crocker & Crowley is everyone’s go-to shop for kids’ shoes. And Amy and her colleagues swear by it for getting comfortable, long-lasting shoes.’
‘That’s the problem – we realised, too late, that we hadn’t moved with the times.’ He looked up. ‘We’ve lost our appeal to youngsters and, well, we just aren’t fashionable. Nowadays the choice and competition is vast and there’s the phenomenon of disposable fashion – designs that rapidly go from the catwalk to the high street and are only meant for what’s called a micro season.’
‘I suppose, these days, you can buy such cheap shoes from well-known clothes stores as well.’
‘Exactly. Shoes are more affordable than ever. For many customers now it’s the diversity and pricing of the product that counts above quality and longevity… Or it’s the opposite in that they want designer labels, the top sports brands – shoes like the ones their favourite celebrities are wearing. We’re kind of stuck in the middle. We still do well with small children but that income isn’t enough to carry the whole business.’
‘I’m so sorry to hear this.’ No wonder the success of Seagrass Conservation had become so important. ‘So that’s why you charge the volunteers so much to take part? To save the family business?’
He looked up and shook his head vehemently. ‘Good God, no. Absolutely not. Yes, some of the profits – there aren’t many – have been used to help with the rebuild of our house. Crocker & Crowley couldn’t afford to pay for that by itself. But every other penny is used for the project. People’s wages. Food. Accommodation. Veterinary bills. Our breeding programmes. Specialist animal feed… Lee was keen for how my plans meant restoring the island to its former glory because… truth is…’ His shoulders slumped. ‘We might have to sell this place.’
‘Oh no.’
‘I’m really hoping it doesn’t come to that – that we can turn the shoe business around. Because someone might buy Seagrass Island who’s only interested in having a luxurious pad for their free time – who isn’t invested in animal welfare. If they aren’t interested in wildlife then Seagrass Conservation will be dead in the water, along with my plans for what we are doing here to benefit the whole Caribbean region and for educating people about the challenges brought about by extreme weather, tourists and poachers…’
He sighed. ‘Being more optimistic, though, another reason we’ve used some of the project’s funds to rebuild is because if we do have to sell the island, we stand a much better chance of attracting a buyer – someone who might continue to run the conservation side – if there is accommodation with the wow factor that is ready to move into.’
‘That makes sense.’
‘Who knows how it will pan out, though…’
We sat in silence for a moment.
‘I don’t know about you but I need a shot of comfort. Milk and Coca Cola?’
I nodded.
Five minutes later he was back with two glasses. He leant over to the nest of sturdy mahogany tables, with carved animal feet, at his end of the sofa, dragged out the smallest and placed it in front of us. He put our drinks down and collapsed onto the sofa. I lifted mine and took a large mouthful. Delicious.
‘So Crocker & Crowley isn’t going to jump on the fast fashion bandwagon?’
‘No. At least my family and I agree on that – even Lee. It goes against everything the company stands for in terms of high-quality products that last. Plus there are the environmental issues. It wouldn’t sit well with us, as a family that also run a conservation project. People need to get back to a wear and repair mindset, instead of throwing items away at the first sign of deterioration. My gran, brother and parents may not want to save the world like I do…’ He gave a small smile. ‘But they’ve seen how the wildlife of the British Virgin Islands’ alone has changed over recent decades.’
‘I suppose you could justify using some of the money from volunteers to inject cash into Crocker & Crowley – and then, in return, the company might be in a position to give back to Seagrass Conservation.’
Rick glugged back his drink. He put the empty glass down on the table and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. ‘Seagrass Conservation doesn’t earn nearly enough to make a difference. Crocker & Crowley has reached a crisis point and we can’t kid ourselves any longer that, somehow, trade will pick up. I feel as if I’ve let everyone down. Perhaps I should have stayed in England and like my brother and parents, focused on rebuilding the shoe business – and supported everyone there.’
‘Rick. No one can work miracles. It’s still early days. Once we get that website ship-shape bookings might great increase and—’
‘I don’t know… What if I have to abandon the whole thing? If we are forced to sell and the new owner isn’t interested in my mission? I’m worried about what will happen to the injured animals. Chatty. The turtle conservation… Crocker & Crowley, it’s in my DNA. What hurts my family hurts me. The only way of saving it might be for me to go back into the oil industry. The salaries there are more than generous for someone with my degree and experience.’ He turned to face me. ‘But I hated my old job.’
‘Apart from closing stores, what other measures are being taken?’
‘Firstly – and most importantly – we’ve tailored our ambition. Lots of retail companies have struggled due to the rise of internet shopping and we accept that. Our goal is to be able to simply maintain trading from our four top stores in London, Manchester, Newcastle and Bournemouth. Then we’ll expand the range within those shops. Introduce a slightly cheaper, more on trend line for young adults, yet still pus
h our fitting service for children. We’d hire a marketing agency to help us refurbish the stores and modernise the whole brand – without alienating loyal customers.’ He bit his lip. ‘It won’t be pleasant. Staff will have to go, including some of our longest-serving designers. But we recognise the need to bring in fresh blood.’
‘It all sounds like a big ask – but I’m sure it can be done,’ I added hastily. I sat more upright and studied this family man with such a big heart.
Sincere. Earnest. Driven by admirable qualities.
It’s not what I expected. Not from someone with his looks and charm.
And that felt… uncomfortable.
‘I’ve not got anything planned for tomorrow afternoon. Why don’t you, me and Jackie have a brainstorming session and really revolutionise that website?’ I said, wanting to help and loving a challenge. Prue rarely involved me with troubleshooting the big problems at Best Travel. I’d been really excited, once, when she’d asked me to help her reassess the publications we advertised in. I researched and showed her how we could target potential guests online as well. She took on some of my ideas, passing them off as her own. ‘It’s getting late now. I’ll bring a fresh pair of eyes over with me, tomorrow after lunch.’
‘You’d really do that?’
‘Of course.’
His face brightened. ‘Great. Jackie won’t make it as she’s taking a group on that boat trip we advertised in the canteen. Malik could go instead but she deserves a break.’
‘Your brother… Will the argument pass?’
His lips pinched. ‘No. The disagreements between us are ongoing and have been getting worse over the last twelve months. I try to remind myself he’s under a lot of pressure too. We both worry about Mum and Dad. They should be thinking about retiring now instead of seeing their life’s work, as well as Margot’s, go down the drain.’
To change the subject away from his own family, he asked about mine. I told him I knew what it was like to have rifts, explaining a little about Dad. How difficult things had been when Mum died, without going into detail about how I’d had no choice but to leave home when I was eighteen. The detail would have meant talking about the terrible thing Dad said to me as I left. His accusation that made had me staring into the darkness, at night, for weeks.
The Summer Island Swap Page 15
