Paradise Calling

Chapter 6

When they arrived back it was evening. They had been exploring the forest all day, but Caroline wanted to be on the beach for the sunset, as it was a beautiful sight in the Seychelles. They arrived at the beach where the Grahams were, sitting in the boat. Mr Graham looked angry, and Mrs Graham looked worried, and perhaps a little scared. Andy went up to them, and offered them the dates. He had also picked some more bananas.

"We've brought you some fruit," stated Andy. Caroline, still partly hidden in the shade of a tree, hugged the sleeping Chloe close to her. She gazed out at the sun - about to set, scattering gold flecks across the waters.

"Thank you," said Mr Graham drily. "I hope you're going to apologise to me, Mr Grant. And where is Caroline, may I ask?"

Caroline stepped up onto the beach with Chloe. "I'm here," she said simply.

"Well," retorted Derek Graham, "what about an apology?" His eyes bulged, and he looked accusingly at the two, when his eye caught on Chloe. "Just what," he stormed, "is that, may I ask?"

"A baby," said Caroline sweetly.

"I am well aware of that," cried Derek Graham. "But where, in heaven's name, did it come from?"

"We found it in the forest," replied Andrew curtly. "Its parents had been killed, so we had no option but to take it. And it's a girl - her name's Chloe."

"Oh," said Irene Graham breathlessly, "how darling." Irene loved babies, which partly stemmed from the fact that she had never had any of her own. Caroline went up to her and handed the child to her. Mrs Graham took Chloe adoringly.

"I think they did the right thing," she said. "It could not have survived on its own. "Don't you think they coped rather well, Derek?"

"We shall see," sneered Derek Graham contemptuously. "In the meanwhile we are waiting for an apology."

"Oh, but perhaps..." protested Mrs Graham desperately.

"We are waiting," repeated Derek Graham stonily.

"Well," replied Andrew coolly, "I'm afraid you'll have a long wait. Because we have absolutely nothing to apologise for. So you are wasting your time, if that's what you're hoping for."

"I think, Mr Grant, that you should attempt to curb your tongue. I simply feel it is an abomination for a young man and girl to spend the night in such close quarters."

"That's very sad," pointed out Andrew sarcastically, "but you'll have to conform I suppose."

"Mr Grant, I am a teacher and deputy headmaster of St Andrews. You, I am afraid to say, are a mere student teacher. I don't feel that you have the right to..."

"I have every right," argued Andrew. "You forget, Mr Graham, that we are not at school now."

"I do realise that," spat Mr Graham, slightly thrown aback by this last remark of Andrew's. "What I mean to say is..."

"I don't care what you have to say. At school Caroline and I shall abide by the rules. Here we shall do as we please!"

"Very well, Mr Grant. But you shall be sorry."

"Oh please be quiet," cried Caroline, "you'll wake Chloe." There was silence for some time. In the end Mr Graham was persuaded by his wife to eat some more of the fruit.

Chloe lay wrapped up in rugs in the boat. This had been done by Mrs Graham, who was now feeding Chloe with more of the coconut milk. Andrew wandered over to some rocks along the beach. He said nothing but he turned to look at Caroline. Caroline followed, with a little hesitation. Mr Graham glowered, as his wife crooned over the baby.

As Andrew and Caroline climbed over the rocks they gazed, breathless, at the glorious sunset. A ribbon of gold, fading to pink and crimson streaked the sky. It was wonderful, Caroline felt that she wanted to run wildly towards it, into the everlasting ocean that lay beneath it.

Andrew reached out, and put an arm around Caroline. He drew her towards him, and stared into her eyes: pools of fire reflecting the embers of the sun. Transfixed, Caroline looked back, his dark blue eyes were like the inky purple waters. 

"Oh Caro," whispered Andrew.

"This can't last forever," pleaded Caroline. "We can't go on like this Andy."

"Yes, we can, and we will," stated Andrew. Gently he pulled her towards him and kissed her. She melted against him and it was perfect. This time their tongues entwined and they embraced much longer than they had before. Andy desired nothing but to hold on forever, and Caroline didn't want to let go. They flung time away for the precious seconds, and lived in another dimension. Caroline had kissed before, but never like this. And for Andrew, it was the first time it had been really special, he had never known his mind so shattered, so weakened.

"Oh Caro, Caro," sighed Andy. They came apart, and hand in hand climbed over the rocky headland to another beach, where they were hidden. The two sat down: Andy with his arm around Caroline. He gazed up at the stars, and she looked far away over the midnight waters before her. The rocks were smooth and dry, and the wet glistening sand stretched for miles. Here was their own place, the headland a barrier between them and The Others.

That night they fell asleep in each other's arms, on the cool, damp shore.