Paper Dolls (12 page)

Viola shrugged. “Yeah, why not. I feel like stretching my legs.”

“I’d really like a walk, too” I said. The dimness and stale mossy odor of the dollhouse was all around me, infecting my mind, and I wanted to step out in the sunshine and wide spaces.

“I’ll go. Is that okay, dad?” said Aisha, looking over at her father.

Mr. Dumaj took an audible breath, glancing about at the empty beach. He nodded.

“Put your hats on, girls! And don’t put so much as a toe in the water!” Mrs. Dumaj gazed out at the ocean.

Mrs. Batiste clapped her hands. “Wonderful! It’s settled then. Come on, let us adults go unwind. We can watch the kids from the deck.”

Mom and Aisha’s parents followed the Batistes to their onboard wet bar. The rest of us took the dinghy down to the gently lapping shore.

In either direction, dazzling white sand stretched.

“So, you girls haven’t been here before?” Zach asked Aisha and me.

“No, but I’ve always wanted to,” said Aisha. “Whitehaven Beach is a photographer’s paradise. Just stunning.”

“Anna is really talented with photography,” I said. I had almost slipped and called her
Aisha
.

“Well there’s a spot up further that’s incredible. It’ll knock your socks off.” Zach grinned. “Get your camera ready.”

Viola squinted towards the sun. “Photographers are so pretentious. They see the world through a tiny frame while the world is all around them, and then think they’ve captured something incredible.”

“Shut it, Vee.” There was a warning tone in Emerson’s voice.

Viola shot a sorry face at Aisha. “Oh, I didn’t mean
you
. I just meant in general.”

Aisha shrugged. Emerson slipped his arm around Aisha—the move seeming so natural, it was like they were girlfriend and boyfriend. Aisha didn’t move away from him.

Viola pulled off her singlet-top and then stepped out of her shorts. She wore a pale-blue one piece swimsuit that fit her slim body perfectly. Raif watched intently as she ran into the water.

“Vee!” shouted Emerson. “Remember what dad said? About the deadly stingers? Get out of there!”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” called Viola from the water. “Well maybe I like living dangerously. Who’s got the guts to join me?”

Raif didn’t hesitate—he tore off his own tee-shirt and followed her.

“Raif, no!” Aisha touched her fingers to her temples.

I turned my head back to the yacht—we were so far from the parents now that they probably wouldn’t even see two of us in the water.

Raif dived under the water and came up shaking the water from his head. Viola laughed and did the same. She swam in an even stroke across the ocean, stopping to float on her back with her arms stretched out wide.

Emerson splashed into the water, swimming with a strong stroke out to Viola. He dragged her into shore.

Viola sat on the wet sand eyeing her brother with venom. “Killjoy. You always wreck my fun.”

“That’s not fun—that’s crazy.” Emerson caught his breath.

“Why do we even need to worry? Nothing can hurt us anyway.”

Emerson stood over her. “If I have to tell you again to shut it, I’ll throw you back out in the ocean myself.”

Raif trudged into shore, looking a little sheepish.

“You’ve got no brains, brother,” said Aisha.

“C’mon, let’s keep going.” Zach’s hand brushed mine.

“Why is Viola so sure nothing can hurt her?” I said in a low voice to Zach.

He shrugged. “I hate to say it, but my sister is a spoiled little rich girl. She always talks like that.”

We walked on and up the sand dunes, to a high vantage point. Ahead was some kind of lookout. Emerson and Zach put their hands over our faces, guiding us blind to the top of the lookout, Zach’s body warm and protective behind mine.

Aisha and I gasped as they removed their hands. The scene far below was a swirling pattern of white sand reefs—like a giant eye— with a hundred shades of shallow, azure ocean..

“Hill Inlet,” said Zach. “This is the best time to see it, when the tide is low.”

“Incredible,” Aisha breathed. She raised her camera to her eye and took shot after shot.

I tensed as Zach pressed his hand into mine. He silently led me away to a private spot where we could still see the inlet. I took my hand from his and sat.

"It’s perfect," I said. "I can't believe the color of the sand here. It's so...."

“….white," he finished. “It’s almost pure silica.”

A sea-scented breeze lifted Zach's hair across his forehead. He looked so solid and real. Not like the children of the dollhouse. He was someone who'd lived outside under the blue sky and sun all his life and breathed warmed air.

His shoulder bumped mine as he sat beside me, sending a buzz down my arm. He seemed to sense that I was happy to sit without talking. I took a handful of sand and let it run through my fingers, feeling my body begin to relax. He grinned, catching the sand. The moment was so simple, but so personal—as though he was sending a silent message,
I’ll catch you if you fall
. He’d stood up to that tourist who had accused Aish and I of being the girls from the news—without a moment’s hesitation, and he’d brought me out of The Atrium without a question. He still hadn’t questioned me about it and I was grateful for that.

Being with Zach was such a different feeling to than how I’d felt around Ethan. Ethan had been such a stormy mix of fire and hatred—so driven and unknowable—and in the end, cruel. Zach made me feel safe and centered.

Raif and Viola walked up to the lookout together—Viola looking like a vogue swimsuit model.

“Chop, chop, people. We need to get back. I need to go buy my dress for tonight,” said Viola.

“You have plenty of frocks,” said Emerson.

“Well I need another one.” She made a face at her brother.

We all made our way back to the yacht together. Mom, Mrs. Batiste and Aisha’s parents were laughing and talking on the deck. Mr. Batiste and two of the yacht’s crew were in the dinghy, an open toolbox beside them.

“What’s up, dad?” called Emerson.

“Don’t know,” called back Mr. Batiste. “The crew noticed it was sounding a bit wrong when you brought it back here, so they wanted to check it out. The motor seems to be flooded or something. Too much fuel in the cylinders.”

Our parents stepped over to peer down at Mr. Batiste.

One of the crew attempted to crank the engine, but he ended up shrugging at Mr. Batiste. “She’s dead.”

The crew took a blow-up dingy from the boat and returned with Mr. Batiste to the yacht.

“Oh now I feel really bad,” said Mrs. Dumaj. “Your boys took the time to bring us all over here, and now the boat’s not going.”

“Nonsense.” Mrs. Batiste shook her head emphatically. “The boys were due to return here in any case. We’ll see what we can do to get you back to your island in the afternoon.”

“We’ll figure it out,” mom assured her. “You’ve helped us enough.”

“We can even stay tonight on the island, maybe?” said Mrs. Dumaj.

“I’m afraid that’s not possible,” said Mrs Batiste. “There’s no accommodation to be had here. There’s a bit of camping available I think, but that’s all.”

Mom turned and looked out at the wide beach, empty as far as the eye could see.

Mr. Batiste walked out on deck, wiping his hands on an oily rag. “I have a thought. We’re having a little occasion here on the beach late this afternoon. We’d be honored if you’d join us. And we’d also like to have you all stay here on the yacht overnight. There’s plenty of rooms—a ridiculous amount of cabins actually.”

“We’d like for you all to stay,” Emerson put in quickly.

“That’s a very generous offer,” said mom, “but we can’t impose. And by the sounds of it, we’re in the way right now. What’s the occasion you’re having?”

Mr. Batiste put his arm around his wife. “We’re reaffirming our wedding vows.”

Mom looked surprised for a moment, then shot them a warm smile. “Congratulations. That’s lovely.”

Mom turned and glanced at Mrs. Dumaj and they both declared they couldn’t intrude on such a personal family event.

Mrs. Batiste made a broad sweep of her hand. “Not at all. It’s a very casual little affair. Actually, the kids have been rolling their eyes for days at the thought of it—so it’s been wonderful to have your children here today. They’ve been welcome company. As have you all. We really would be honored to have you there.”

The Dumajs’ and mom eyed each other hesitantly.

“No, it’s too much,” said Mrs. Dumaj.

“We understand,” said Mr. Batiste. “You folk want to get back to finish your vacation of course. We can have the crew take the yacht to Daydream. I’m afraid this big thing is unable to anchor close to Daydream though. There’s a reef protection zone. Perhaps we can try to get somewhat close and they can send a boat out to fetch you.”

“Goodness no.” Mom shook her head. “That’s far too much trouble. We won’t be finishing our vacation—it’s over as far as we’re concerned. But you’ll need your yacht here to prepare for your event.”

“Then you’ll stay?” Mrs. Batiste clapped her hands together. “Wonderful!”

Mom looked a little lost as to how her words had been construed as accepting Mrs. Batiste’s invitation.

Mrs. Dumaj held mom’s arm. “You are very, very kind,” she said to Mrs Batiste. “We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

Zach stepped over to his parents. “So you’re all staying? Sounds good to me.” He gave me a slow smile that almost made me blush.

“Do you have something to wear?” Viola put her hands on her hips and eyed my beach clothing.

“If you count sarongs and bikinis, then yeah,” I joked.

Zach nodded enthusiastically. "That would be more than acceptable in my eyes."

Viola frowned. “Well, it’s going to be casual but not that casual. You need dresses. And Raif needs a suit. Raif, Anna and Kate can be our partners—just like a real wedding.”

“Raif’s about my size,” said Emerson, “and there’s an extra suit in my cabin.”

“Well the girls can borrow my dresses if they want,” said Viola, “but I’m still buying a new dress and shoes—daddy promised.”

“How’s that happening now that’s the boat’s broke?” Zach folded his arms. “This time you don’t get your way, little sister.”

Viola smirked. “He already told me he’s going to order a helicopter. So suck it up, Zach.”

Mr. Batiste sighed heavily. “Well, she wants to look nice. Look, as long as she’s going dress shopping, why don’t Anna and Kate go too? Dresses and shoes are on me.”

Viola’s eyes lit up. “Yay, us girls are going on a shopping spree! Look out stores!”

Mom’s eyebrows shot up. “That’s such a lovely offer, Mr. Batiste, but no, I can’t accept that. And I’m afraid the girls can’t go off somewhere on their own.”

“What if the boys go with them?” said Mr. Batiste. “My boys and your Raif. There’s six passengers to a helicopter.”

Mr. Dumaj held up his hands, struggling to find and say his words. “My girl… can go. But… I pay for my daughter’s dress. She didn’t get to go to… her formal. I want to see my… princess… dressed up.”

Mrs. Dumaj’s face was overcome with emotion as she smiled at her husband and patted his hand.

Mom brushed her dark locks from her face. “Well you have a point there. My daughter also didn’t get a chance to go to her prom.” She turned to me. “What do you think? Would you like to go? Outfit is on me.”

I didn’t know whether I wanted to go or not, but I could tell that Aisha wanted to and so I nodded.

“Brilliant!” Mr. Batiste boomed. “I’ll get a ‘copter out here now.”

“But girls,” mom cautioned, “keep your hats and sunglasses on, even in the shops, okay?”

A couple of waiting taxis took us into the city.

Hot breeze blew down on my face as I stepped from the cab. People in bright clothing were everywhere—but not rushing like people did on the streets of Sydney. Here, they strolled as though they had all the time in the world.

Zach examined the map on his cell phone and directed the way to The Esplanade, and we made our way there. The Esplanade was a walkway that stretched along a crystal-clear artificial lagoon, filled with splashing children and adults in straw hats. Water spilled from giant fish statues. On the other side of The Esplanade, the inviting green ocean stretched out forever. No one swam there.

Frowning, Zach checked the information for the area on his phone. "Ah-ha, there's crocodiles and stingers on the beach side."

“Might shock the locals and go out for a dip later,” said Viola.

“Do that and I’ll wring your scrawny neck and give the locals some real entertainment.” Emerson glared at her.

Markets and art stalls lined the boardwalk towards the other end. Aisha was in her element as she investigated every piece of hand-painted art and craft. Emerson bought her a shell necklace that had tiny scenes painted on each shell. Raif, not to be outdone, bought Viola a pretty halter-neck top.

“Um, it’s going to seem kind of weird if you buy me something now too,” I told Zach. “So please don’t.”

“You mean I can’t give you this?” Zach produced a book of photographs of the Great Barrier Reef from behind his back. Embarrassed, I took the book from him. The book detailed facts about the reef that went far beyond the usual tourist blurb, accompanied by stunning photos. Zach had obviously been listening when I’d said I’d love to study the reefs one day as a biologist.

“Thanks,” I said shaking my head in amusement.

A market stall holding a bubble-making demonstration caught my eye. A man dressed as a clown blew a bubble and then blew another within that bubble and then another and another—worlds within worlds. Children squealed as they dipped their wands in the buckets below the clown and made bubbles as big and long as sausage dogs. A man standing behind the children stared directly at me. He turned quickly and shuffled away in his baggy clothing and downturned baseball cap. I guessed a place like Cairns must attract drifters. But I didn’t like seeing one of them near kids.