Chapter Thirteen

Part One

Everyone met at the maloca to share a modest breakfast of fruit, coffee and fresh toast before leaving their island paradise. The goodbyes at the ferry ramp on the island were simple and warm. Mason, Madison and Rick were first in line for the trip back to shore on the barge. Kate and Rick kissed again, but in a far more chaste way, despite everyone looking in different directions, and all with smiles on their faces. His finger brushed the side of her breast as they broke from their embrace. ‘Thursday, next week. No expectations or pressure of any kind.’ It was the only thing he said to her after their kiss.

***

His words were still echoing in her mind as the amigas walked into their apartment. Sitting at their table, Carrie said, ‘Wow!’ It was the first word any of them had said since parking the van below their building. The three began to giggle.

‘Holy crap!’ added Dee, increasing their mirth.

‘Oh My GOD!’ Kate said, loudly and joyously. The friends laughed, looking at each other and shaking their heads…   >> MORE <<

Part Two

‘Excellent. The balcony circles the whole apartment and the glass balustrades go the whole way around to preserve the view. The floor plan is essentially a long rectangle. The elevator and a large media room form a small central rectangle, and all the other spaces are set out around that central structure.  This is the lounge-living area; it occupies one end of the floor plan, and the master bedroom occupies the other. I am getting ahead of myself. The living space continues around the elevator foyer to the left a bit as well.’

Rick started panning his outstretched arm to his right, intending to give Kate an overview. ‘The dining area is here…’ He started laughing at himself. ‘That’s in case you couldn’t tell by the table and chairs… Moving on…’

Kate loved the bashful look on his face and appreciated how he could so easily make fun of himself.

‘Down this side, past the dining area,’ he winked…   >> MORE <<

Part Three

Following him into the kitchen, she watched him take the small joint of meat from the oven and expertly carve it. He started a wok burner and quickly assembled a crisp Asian style stir-fry. Kate smiled when she realised how much he reminded her of Carrie as he cooked. He sniffed everything, thinking carefully before throwing in the perfect amount of each ingredient.

The aromas leapt out; from the top-notes of chilli, ginger and lime to the deeper aroma of the sizzling vegetables and XO paste. Kate watched as the small amount of meat went in; vegetables and noodles made up the bulk of the dish. With a flourish, he filled two bowls with steaming food from the wok. Adding a squeeze of lime, some chopped chillies, a dollop of Greek yogurt, and then a sprinkle of crisp fried noodles, he said, ‘Dinner is ready, my lady.’

Rick showed her to the dining table. The far horizon was still flashing as the distant thunderstorms slowly rolled towards the water…   >> MORE <<

Part Four

‘You have to understand, Dom and Edison aren’t just Dad’s family, they were his men. He and two of the regiment’s three senior NCOs – non-commissioned officers – went on leave to bring them back. They literally followed their damage trail to track them. Dad was settling all sorts of diplomatic and civil storms the dynamic duo were leaving in their wake. He was their commanding officer and he ordered them to Alegria, keeping them roaring drunk, singing songs and marching them all the way to Uncle’s place. They loved him too much to disobey. They had all jumped into the same fires together.’

Kate smiled, unable to form the mental picture of Dom or Edison drunk, or even slightly out of control.

‘You have the picture, Kate. Dad and Uncle talked the pair of them into doing a sweat. All of the men of Alegria joined them, supporting them both in their recovery. Auntie was alive then, and she made some terrifyingly powerful herbal concoctions…   >> MORE <<