Chapter Twenty-Three

Part One

Those bound for Alegria awoke early, too excited by the thoughts of returning to the island and the New Day celebrations to sleep. Rick woke Kate in the pre-dawn twilight, kissing her all the way down her back and lightly biting her bottom. When she rolled over, still half asleep, he couldn’t help himself, and Kate started her day in the best way possible. They staggered to their shower some time later, still awash in the afterglow of their lovemaking. With their bags already packed and by the door, the couple shared coffee and croissants, chatting brightly, but with their feet jiggling until their anticipation overwhelmed them…   >> MORE <<

Part Two

When their discussion turned to New Day, Madison said to the girls, ‘You are going to see a true spectacle this weekend. The Race, where the sea and lagoon meet, is a long, deep channel in a granite canyon, and the force of the racing water has to be seen to be believed. Even on the smallest neap tides, there is still a huge current between the lagoon and sea. In these early autumn evenings, we have blooms of bioluminescent plankton. They glow when agitated and they all light up in the Race’s flow. It is like a giant river of sparks. Even here around the rocks, you will see…   >> MORE <<

Part Three

Rick had to ‘endure’ another tight embrace from Kate after she saw that their cabin had been renamed. The dark teak shingle had been replaced, and ‘Ironwood’ was deeply engraved into the new shingle. Rick said, ‘That’s Australian Grey Ironbark. I am sure it’s more metal than wood. You know, we went through three router bits to do those eight letters? And two drill bits to make those holes! It’s so hard it throws sparks. Real sparks!’

‘I love it Ricky, thank you,’ Kate said, touching the deep lettering for a moment before they went inside…   >> MORE <<