Читать книгу Lady E - Jeanette Walker - Страница 10

CLOUDS WERE ROLLING IN under a darkening sky as she set off down the track towards the resort. During the past few hours, the roar of the ocean had increased, but above the noise she could hear a plane coming toward the island.

Wings wobbling in the wind gusts, she watched as it circled then landed safely. Noticing it was larger than the plane she’d arrived on, it didn’t take long for it to taxi and stop beside the path to the resort.

Brad climbed out of the plane as she passed.

“Hello Brad,” she called, “I didn’t realize you’d be here today.”

“Hi Jillian. I don’t often bring this plane to Lady Elliott, but the resort owners are getting a bit nervous of this cyclone. I believe I’ve got a full flight back of tourists and staff. But if you’re heading toward the resort, I’ll buy you a coffee,” he offered charmingly.

“Sounds good to me,” said Jillian, as they walked toward the resort cafe.

“Afternoon Maureen,” Brad said to a woman as they entered the door to what served as the general store and cafe. “Have you met Jillian?”

“Good-day Brad. How could I have met Jillian when she’s only just walked in the door with you?” Maureen replied, pushing shoulder length, straight red hair back from her eyes as she turned toward Jillian and said, “Hello, I guess you must be Jillian. Pleased to meet you, I’m Maureen. But I don’t remember anyone booking in?”

“No Maureen, you dill. Jillian didn’t fly in with me.”

“Then how’d she get here – walk?”

It was apparent that Maureen and Brad often enjoyed playful banter and Brad was certainly relishing this session.

“Jillian, I’ll have you know, has already been a resident on the island for a couple of days,” Brad said.

“Well, how come I haven’t laid eyes on her until she walked in with you?”

By this stage Brad and Maureen were nearly nose to nose across the counter, each trying to go one better than the other.

“She’s staying in her Aunt Norma’s house while she’s away, so there!”

Maureen faced Brad but she now turned her eyes to look at Jillian. “Is that right?”

Jillian nodded, “I’m afraid so.”

“Okay,” Maureen said, pulling back as she punched him playfully on the shoulder. “You won that round buddy-boy, but I’ll get you next time. Why didn’t you tell me yesterday, Brad?”

“Don’t know. Probably just wanted to keep her to myself. Once the other guys learn she’s around I won’t be able to get near her.”

“Why tell us today then?” Maureen queried.

“Because most of the eligible ones are leaving with me today, so I’ll be removing any competition.”

“Well, I guess you’re right there. But you won’t be here either.” Maureen laughed, “Now, did you just come in here to harass me or do you want to order something?”

Jillian, feeling slightly left out of this conversation, was now glad to rejoin. “I’ll have a black coffee please.”

“Is that all? It’s my shout so make the most of it,” said Brad.

“No, that’ll be fine. I’ve only just finished breakfast.”

“Well, in that case, I’ll have a white coffee and two rounds of toasted raisin bread please Maureen.” Brad turned toward Jillian and pointing toward the window said, “Let’s sit near the window and relax. I don’t have to take off for another hour.”

Beach-themed table cloths covered several tables in front of a wall of picture-windows facing the sea. Functional modern chairs carried cushions with similar colors complementing the room.

Once seated, they overlooked the swimming pool and the shoreline beyond, where the tide was fully in with waves uncharacteristically pounding the beach. They were idly chatting away when Maureen served their order.

“Want to join us Maureen?” Brad invited. Maureen was dressed in a colorful Hawaiian sarong, characteristic of many Australian island resorts. Her hair was now swept back into a pony-tail and behind one ear a large Hawaiian hibiscus was held in place with a clasp. She was deeply suntanned and her skin was starting to look a little leathery, but for a woman nearing 60 she looked terrific.

“Thanks Brad, but not today. Max is on the war-path and I think he’s about to hold a pow-wow any minute to send all staff back with you before this storm gets worse,” said Maureen, looking out toward the rough sea as she cleared a table next to them.

“I hadn’t heard there was a cyclone looming until I arrived at the island yesterday. I’m now listening to any radio warnings, and the last one I heard reported the cyclone appears to be coming further south,” said Jillian.

“Yes. Brisbane flight control doesn’t think we’re going to dodge this one. Will you stay or do you want to go back to the coast? I think I’ve got a spare seat available?” said Brad, thinking that would be one way to spend more time with Jillian.

“Thank you, but I think I’ll stay.” Jillian declined, not really feeling like returning to civilization just yet. “I’ve sat a cyclone out in Aunt Norma’s house before so I know the procedure”

A man entered the cafe, calling out hello to Brad, then stopping mid-step and looking at Jillian.

“Who’s this Brad? I thought we’d made it quite clear to the agency at Hervey Bay that we weren’t taking any tourists at present and that we are in fact, flying our staff out until this blow is over. Sorry Miss, but you’ll just have to go back to Hervey Bay when the plane leaves.”

Requesting coffee from Maureen, he noticed she was shaking with laughter. “What’s so funny?” he barked.

“Things getting hectic Max?” said Brad pulling out a chair and indicating for Max to sit down. “Let me take your mind off things for a minute while I introduce you to my latest ‘find’. This is Jillian,” He stopped and turning to Jillian he said, “Sorry, I don’t know your surname.”

Jillian held out her hand towards Max and said “Jillian Baxter.”

Max took her hand and said, “Pleased to meet you Jillian, but I’m sorry you’ll still have to go”.

Brad cut in, “No, no, Max, wait a minute. I didn’t finish. Jillian isn’t a guest here. She’s Norma’s niece staying in Norma’s house.”

Max visibly relaxed and sat back in the chair saying, “Well, in that case, welcome. I’m very pleased to meet you. I’m Max Brown, the part-owner of Lady Elliot Island Resort,” he stopped and looked up at Maureen as she placed a cup of coffee in front of him, and added “and I can see you’ve already met the other part-owner, Maureen.”

Max, with skin nearly as tanned as Maureen’s, was dressed in brown shorts and sandals under a bright, island-type shirt which tried hard to disguise his ample stomach. Above his receding hairline, the remaining hair was sandy brown, greying off around the temples.

Chatting excitedly, three men and four young women entered the cafe, obviously resort staff as the men all wore the same colored shirts as Max, and the women were all dressed in bright sarongs.

“Come in and sit down,” Max called to them, indicating to Brad and Jillian that they could stay.

Max waited until they were all seated before continuing.

“You all know a cyclone is heading this way, and the our guests are leaving on the next plane. Apart from the possible danger if you stay, there’s really nothing for you to do. You are all due for holiday leave, so if you are in agreeance, how about you all have a week off starting from now?”

A slightly built man, older than the others, said “We thought that was on the cards, so most of us are already half packed.”

“Fine, thank you,” said Max. “If anyone has any objections, they can see me now, and if not, go off and pack and be back ready to take-off in 30 minutes. Now let’s think, today is Saturday, so ring me next Thursday and if this blow is over, we’ll organize a time for you to fly back. As far as I can recall, if all is in order, we have guests booked in to arrive next Saturday. Call into the office as soon as you can and I’ll have your pay packets ready.”

Max stood up and everyone took their cue and left to gather their belongings.