Breaking All Their Rules

‘Donny,’ Olivia called to the man standing further up the beach. ‘Zac’s caught something.’

As he wandered close Donny nodded. ‘Not bad for a first time.’

‘I guess that means I’m going to release it back into the water.’ Zac sighed, and carefully removed the hook.

‘Wait, photo opportunity.’ Olivia snapped a quick shot as Zac ignored the camera.

‘Wait till I get a proper fish.’ He held the fish in the water until it swam away, then threw the line as far beyond the churning water as possible so he could draw the hook through the seething trevally.

Olivia sat down, her elbows on her knees, and watched him. Never had she seen him so relaxed. He was concentrating so much he didn’t notice her snap a couple more photos. This holiday was showing her a different Zac. She particularly liked the one who’d tossed those pillows aside to hold her against him while they’d tried to go to sleep.

The climate had done a line on them, spoiling that hug, though probably saving her from having to haul the brakes on the raw need that had begun filling her. The humidity had made her skin slick and her body uncomfortably hot in a way that had had nothing to do with sex. They’d rolled apart after twenty minutes. Unbelievably, she’d fallen into a deep sleep not long after. Had to be because she’d felt so secure with this Zac who could take a night off the passion. She’d never spent a night just sleeping with a man. That spoke of intimacies too close for comfort, yet now she craved it with Zac more than anything.

A shudder ripped through her, disturbing in its intensity. Was she seriously in danger of falling for him? Unlikely. She only had to think of her parents’ marriage to knock those ideas into place.

Zac tossed a fist in the air. ‘Got another one.’

Olivia jumped up and went to stand beside him, eager to enjoy the moment and drop the past for a while. If only it was that easy to dump for ever.

Zac was focused intently on getting his catch on shore. ‘Want fish for breakfast?’

‘Breakfast of any kind would be good.’

Zac wound furiously. ‘This one’s definitely bigger than the last baby.’

‘That’s a good trevally,’ Donny agreed minutes later.

‘Will the chef cook it for me?’ Zac asked.

‘Yes, or my wife could use it to make you a traditional Fijian meal to have at our house tonight.’

‘Really? Your family would join us?’ When Donny nodded, he continued, ‘That would be fantastic.’

Olivia asked, ‘What do we bring?’

‘Nothing. We eat at five thirty because our grandson goes to bed early.’

‘You have a grandchild living with you? Bet you love that.’

‘His mother’s our daughter. She does the massages in the spa.’

Olivia smiled. ‘Then I’ll meet her this afternoon. I’m booked in for a full body massage at two o’clock.’

Zac laughed. ‘Think she’ll be better than me?’

She looked away to hide the sudden flush creeping up her cheeks. ‘No comment.’

*

Donny and his wife, Lauan, greeted Olivia and Zac warmly, welcoming them into the small thatch bungalow crowded with relatives. It felt as if half the island’s population was there. The fish hadn’t been that big, Olivia thought as she sat down on the woven flax mat in front of a larger one with plates stacked at one end.

Zac was soon chatting with the men and Olivia tried to look around without appearing nosey. Apart from her, all the other females were seated behind the circle enclosing that mat. ‘Lauan,’ she said quietly. ‘I can sit with you.’

Lauan shook her head. ‘You’re a visitor.’

Yes, but I’d love to be with the women. Unfortunately it would be rude to protest. ‘I’ve been looking forward to coming here all day. How do you cook the fish?’

‘I wrap it in banana leaves to steam over the open fire. There is coconut milk added, and potatoes. Thank your husband for the fish.’

Husband? To the locals they probably did appear to be a married couple. ‘I will.’

Lauan squatted beside her. ‘I’ve also made a chicken stew with carrots, potatoes, and broccoli.’ She rolled her eyes softly. ‘Too many people for one fish. But they all wanted to meet you.’

Thinking of the scrawny chickens she’d seen pecking around the base of the trees behind the resort, Olivia wondered if one chook would go any further than the fish. All part of the adventure. ‘I’m happy to meet you all.’ She nodded to the women.

Two of them disappeared into another room and soon large plates of steaming food were being placed on the mat.

‘That smells delicious,’ Olivia said.

‘Doesn’t it,’ Zac agreed. Leaning closer, he asked, ‘You okay?’

‘Absolutely. I’m glad you caught that sucker, or we might never have had this opportunity.’ She took the plate of food handed to her and looked for cutlery, feeling silly when there wasn’t any. When in Fiji do as the Fijians do. But as she placed a piece of fish in her mouth a fork appeared in front of her.

‘For you.’

Zac got one too. ‘Thanks, but I’ll use my fingers.’

The food was simple and tasty, the vegetables so fresh they must’ve been picked only hours ago. ‘Sometimes I think we forget the pleasure of plain food.’ Olivia noticed a child peeking around at her from behind Donny.

‘Hello. What’s your name?’

The child ducked back.

Remembering Donny’s earlier conversation on the beach, she asked Lauan, ‘Your grandson?’

‘Yes. Josaia. He’s shy.’

‘I hope he comes over to say hello while we’re here.’

‘After dinner.’

But it seemed Josaia couldn’t wait to take another peek, and Olivia winked at him.

When he winked back she felt she’d won a prize. Her mouth widened into a smile and she was rewarded with one in return. When dinner was finished she did get to see the boy properly when he came close to pick up the empty plates at his grandmother’s bidding. Oliv

ia’s heart rolled. One of his arms was stiff and awkward, and his left cheek marred by terrible scarring.

Josaia knew she’d seen and his smile vanished as he twisted his head away from her. When he reached out for her plate she picked it up and placed it in his hand. ‘Thank you,’ she said. ‘Where do you go to school?’

Donny was watching her guardedly. ‘The kids go to the mainland for school.’

That didn’t answer her specific question but she knew when to mind her own business.

Josaia disappeared with his load of plates, and she suspected she wouldn’t be seeing him again tonight.

Donny tugged his shoulders back. ‘He doesn’t go to school because other children tease him. I try to teach him, but he’s missing out on so much.’

What had happened to cause that disfiguring scar? She felt sure he hadn’t seen a plastic surgeon. That wound had been too crudely sutured. Maybe she could help in some way. But was it her place to ask? It might be better coming from Zac. Man-to-man stuff. Leaning sideways, she gave him a wee nudge and got the slightest of nods.

He asked, ‘Did Josaia have an accident here on the island?’

The older man nodded, his eyes so sad Olivia felt her heart slow. He’s broken-hearted for his grandson. ‘Last year Josaia was swimming with a group of his mates when a tourist joined them, asking about the fish and where he should go to try out his spear gun.’

Zac asked softly, ‘Josaia was shot with a spear gun?’

Olivia stifled a gasp. Josaia is lucky to be alive. She slipped her hand between Zac’s arm and his side, wrapped her fingers around his elbow.

Zac continued in the same low, calm voice. ‘Where was Josaia treated?’

‘On the mainland. In the hospital. It’s a good hospital, but no one knew what to do for my grandson. I begged the doctors send him to Australia or New Zealand. They said it wasn’t possible, and Josaia would be all right once they stitched him up and set his broken bones.’ Tears streamed down the proud man’s face. ‘I begged them to rethink. He’s only seven.’

‘There’s nothing wrong with him.’ Lauan’s voice was sharp and angry. ‘But you’d think he was a leper from the way boys who used to be his friends laugh at him now.’