Unknown (18 page)

I’ll give him another half hour, she resolved, almost afraid to move herself in case she woke him up.

But sleep decreed otherwise.

Within seconds Lorna was slumbering as deeply as her companion, a deep, satisfying sleep, where her troubles of the day did not reach her.

She woke "with a start. Everywhere was bathed in a deep rose pink. The sky, the sea, the sand; even the trees reflected the glory of dawn. But to Lorna it held no beauty. Deeply annoyed with herself, she jumped up, noting as she did so that Ashley’s “bed” was empty. Perhaps it was not too late after all? She looked and listened. Nothing—nothing but the normal everyday sounds of the island.

Resolutely Lorna ran across the sand and waded out to the
Poiret.
Looking stealthily behind to make sure Ashley had not returned, she pulled herself gingerly over the side, dropping lightly on to the deck. She pressed the button and the engine burst into life. The noise was intensified by the stillness of the morning and Lorna’s heart beat erratically as she prepared to move. She only hoped the
Poiret
wasn’t too deeply embedded in the sand for her engines to move her.

She never found out. For with a roar equal to that of the motor Ashley bounded up from the cabin and the engine died an instant death. Lorna reeled back, looking at Ashley as though he were a ghost. “W-what are
you
doing here?”

“Never mind about me.” His face was darkly angry. “It’s easy to see what you’re trying to do. Thought you’d escape, eh? Bit of a shock to find me here.”

“Well,” returned Lorna, beginning to regain control of her thoughts after the shock of seeing Ashley. She certainly hadn’t bargained for this. “How would you like to be kept prisoner? It’s not very pleasant.”

He raised his eyebrows cynically. “You seemed quite happy last night. I thought you’d resigned yourself to a few days on Paradise?”

“Never!” she declared hotly. “And if I hadn’t fallen asleep I—” She stopped suddenly. She hadn’t meant to say that. There might still be a chance to make her get away tonight.

“Go on,” he urged, “if you hadn’t fallen asleep you’d have—what?”

“N-nothing. It doesn’t matter.” Lorna shook her head and moved away, but he put a hand on her shoulder and forced her to face him. His eyes had softened now. He no longer seemed angry. He was— almost smiling, she thought, as though something had amused him.

“You’d have run away last night? Is that it? Poor little Lorna! Did I exhaust you so much you couldn’t keep awake? How lucky for me. Would you have sent someone to pick me up—or left me to fend for myself on this—”

“Oh, shut up!” Lorna snapped. “I don’t want to listen to you.”

And now he was laughing, a deep-throated, hearty laugh that shook his sides. Incensed that he should find her discomfiture so amusing, Lorna raised her hand, but anticipating her move Ashley caught her wrist in an iron-like grip and pulled her closely to him. Wrapping his other arm round her so that she could not move, he lowered his head and before Lorna realised what was happening he kissed her—a brutal, punishing kiss, that held none of the tender passion he had shown on board the
Oceana.
Lorna struggled in vain until suddenly he released her and she fell back against the side of the boat.

“That’s what happens to little girls who try to get the better of me,” he said gruffly. “Try it again and your punishment will be worse.”

Lorna wiped the back of her hand across her mouth to try and erase the awful stinging feeling his kiss had created. Her lips felt bruised as though she would be left with a permanent reminder of Ashley’s barbarity.

“You monster!” she whispered harshly. “You beast! ” and then completely without reason her eyes filled with tears. She turned her head away, trying not to blink, knowing that once she did they would roll down her cheeks and Ashley would notice, and wonder why. She was puzzled herself—unless they were tears of self-pity? Or rage? This seemed more likely, as she did not usually feel sorry for herself.

He locked the cabin now and vaulted easily overboard. He wore a black vest and black trousers and his muscles rippled beneath his deep brown skin. He grinned up at her and proffered his hand. Remembering her last attempt, Lorna swallowed hard and allowed him to help her, pulling away immediately her feet touched the sand.

“Well now,” he said, “what would you like to do today?”

Lorna eyed him warily. He was acting as though nothing had happened, yet she was prepared to bet everything she owned he wouldn’t let her out of his sight again. And tonight? Would he lie awake and watch her? It was unlikely. Perhaps he’d tie her ankle to a tree with a length of rope? Or stake her to the ground like one would a dog? He was inhuman enough to do just that.

She shrugged. “Do what you like. It’s your show.”

Ignoring her acid tones, he smiled. “Tell you what, after breakfast we’ll take a walk, and then we’ll go goggling. Have you ever done any before?”

Lorna shook her head. She didn’t even know what he meant.

“You’ve missed a treat. I’ve got a spare face-mask and things on the boat. You’ll see some beautiful fish, so many different sorts you can’t count them. And the coral gardens, and shells; you’ll love them, I know.”

Despite herself Lorna began to feel excited and helped Ashley prepare their breakfast, which consisted of boiled egg followed by grilled fish and swallowed down with toddy tapped from a nearby palm.

She expected him to help her clear up afterwards, but instead he lay back and watched, his eyes two narrow slits, until at last Lorna could bear it no longer. “What’s the matter?” she snapped. “If you don’t want to help go away and leave me in peace.”

“Now what have I done?” he protested. “Can’t a guy look at the girl he loves?”

“Don’t start that again,” she retorted impatiently. “Here, carry these,” and she thrust a pile of plates into his hands. Picking up the pans herself, she marched towards the stream. It really was a ridiculous situation, she thought, the two of them here, one professing to be in love, the other filled with a hatred that, although it had lessened from its first intensity, nevertheless made her wish she had never set eyes on him. So far as she was concerned the whole object of the exercise he had set himself was futile. They would never resolve their differences.

“Why do you insist I don’t love you?” he said as they reached the water and put down their load. “Have you still got that silly fixation about my making advances towards any woman I meet?”

“Well, don’t you?” countered Lorna. “Isn’t it your stock in trade—or whatever the expression is?”

“It certainly isn’t.” Ashley began to look annoyed. “What do you take me for?”

“I’m not sure,” muttered Lorna, holding a plate beneath the water. “Anyway, why are you wasting your time out here? Aren’t you rather neglecting your visitor?”

Ashley frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Avril Vickers—in case you’d forgotten.”

“Oh, her,” he said disparagingly. “She only stopped a couple of days. She’s in Cape Town now, making a film. Surely you didn’t think I—” and then as though something had just occurred to him, “Was that what was the matter in Durban? You were jealous? So, my little love does care!” He stepped closer and would have taken her into his arms had Lorna not sidestepped.

“Keep away from me, you rat! I’ve never been jealous of another woman in my life.”

“Come off it. You were marrying Pieter on the rebound. Those invitations must have been sent out the day you got there. You love me—you know, even if you won’t admit it.”

“Do I hell? Do you really think I’d let myself fall in love with a heel like you?”

“One can’t help falling in love,” said Ashley, his voice soft now. “Remember that night on the boat? You loved me, then?”

Lorna lowered her lashes, feeling suddenly warm at the remembrance of her near capitulation. “Maybe I thought I did. I was a fool. The romance of an ocean voyage and all that. I know better now.”

“Look at me.” He placed his hands on her shoulders and hesitantly Lorna lifted her head. “Give me a chance. Don’t fight me every inch of the way. I brought you here to try and prove to you exactly how much I care.” He sounded so sincere Lorna was almost inclined to believe him. “You seem to think that the material things in life mean more to me than the simple pleasures. They don’t. I could be happier here with you than I’ve ever been. We’d live off the land and I’d build you a house—the palm has a thousand and one uses. We’d be a bit like Robinson Crusoe and—”

“Girl Friday,” finished Lorna, and they both laughed at the recollection of the last time she had been called that name.

“So what do you say?” He still gripped her arms and Lorna was acutely aware of his inner tension as he waited for her reply. He appeared to be speaking the truth—yet how could she forget his conversation with Avril? If he had really loved her he would never have said such things. She had been hurt deeply then and had no wish for it to happen again. And Margo’s unhappiness—that was also another point against him. No, she couldn’t trust him, -no matter how much he pleaded. She knew she was weakening, but for her own peace of mind she must be strong. Somehow she must convince him that nothing he could say would make her change her mind, or alter her opinion.

“I’m sorry, Ashley.” She freed herself and walked a few yards away, her back towards him. “I—I don’t trust you. I know you’re quite sincere at the moment —but that’s not good enough for me. When I fall in love I shall need to be able to respect and admire the man I choose. Love alone will not do.”

"I see.” His voice was close to her ear but he made no attempt to touch her. “You’ve made it very plain what you think of me. I won’t pretend I’m not hurt. Maybe this was not such a good plan after all.”

Lorna clenched her fists. It was sheer madness, yet she felt like flinging herself into his arms and apologising. Was it possible to feel like this when you hated a person? It was a difficult question and one she could not answer. All of a sudden she felt unsure of herself. A short while ago she would have given anything to get away from Ashley, but now—what did she want?

As she stood, undecided, Lorna heard Ashley turn and walk away. His footsteps had lost their spring, his shoulders drooped dejectedly. She watched as he disappeared from view, feeling suddenly dispirited herself, without quite knowing why.

LORNA stood at the water’s edge. This was her chance, she thought, if she still wanted it. Half an hour had passed with no sign of Ashley returning. She could take the boat now. He wasn’t here to stop her this time. The pale green water lapped at her feet as she stared at the
Poiret,
waiting. Waiting for what? Everywhere seemed suddenly still. The trees stood tall and silent, even the birds had ceased their chattering. Lorna shivered and moved away. There was no need to run. Ashley understood now how she felt. When he came back he would take her to Verva.

By midday Lorna was beginning to feel worried. Where was Ashley? Surely he should have returned by now? He wasn’t the type of man to run away simply because his feelings had been wounded. Perhaps he was hurt? Lying somewhere, waiting for her to find him?

Unreasonable panic rose inside Lorna as she searched and searched until at last night fell and, tired and hungry, she was forced to return to their camp. Wherever Ashley had hidden himself it seemed clear he didn’t want to be found. She had explored practically every corner of the island and was now angry as well as tired.

The heavy, foreboding silence continued. It was oppressively hot and although Lorna lay down she could not sleep. An owl hooted. Alone in the darkness Lorna felt afraid and wished Ashley would return. Even
his
presence would be better than none. Finally, after many hours spent tossing and turning:, she slept.

The next thins: she knew was being roughly shaken into wakefulness. “What’s the matter?” she muttered, her mind still blurred with sleep. “Leave me alone— Ow! What was that?” She sat upright as something wet and cold splashed her face, realising then that her clothes were soaking and she was virtually lying in a pool of water. The storm that had threatened all day had broken.

“Get up,” hissed Ashley urgently. “We’re going to the boat."

He took her hand and together they waded out. They could not get any wetter than they already were and Lorna wondered why she had not woken with the heavy rain. Her unusual day must have exhausted her more than she realised.

In the cabin Ashley was brusquely polite. He searched through the wardrobe and flung a pair of jeans and a shirt on to the bunk. From another cupboard he took a towel which he placed on top of the clothes. “Here, get changed into these before you catch cold. Give me a call when you’re decent,” and he disappeared back into the storm.

Hastily Lorna stripped off her soaking clothes and rubbed herself dry. Ashley’s shirt was much too big, but when she left it unfastened and tied the two corners together across her midriff it didn’t look too bad. But the jeans? She rolled up the bottoms and tightened the belt, and shrugged. They would have to do. At least it was better than sitting in wet clothes.

Ashley came in as soon as she had finished, almost as though he had known! She flushed at the thought he might have been watching, and then scolded herself for being silly. He smiled as he saw her. “Not quite your fit, but they’ll do. It will probably have stopped by morning.”

Lorna smoothed down her hair as best she could with her fingers. “How about you? You can’t keep those wet clothes on.”

“True,” he said, unfastening his shirt. It clung, dripping, to his chest and he peeled it off like an outer skin, revealing the lean strength of his body. Silently Lorna handed him the towel, watching as he dried himself. Despite her animosity Lorna could not help feeling aware of his physical attraction. There was something between them she could not define. An animal magnetism, perhaps, but it was there all the same.