Adam had been on the island for over a week. After going for a short walk with Nerida, their fiery relationship had thawed somewhat. She even managed to say goodbye without swearing at him when they parted at the village. He took that as a win and returned to the lighthouse in relatively good spirits. He hadn't seen her again since that day but had been productive in scouting the island and writing up his initial impressions to send to Jeff. He'd tried his mobile, but the island was a dead spot for signal.
It took a while to start the letter. Adam wasn't sure what to write. The island was a goldmine, but it was also special. Regardless of the weird people inhabiting it, it had a certain undefinable quality. It was mysterious yet beautiful. Peaceful yet filled with adventure. He tried his best to put it into words but it was impossible to describe such a confusing feeling. He gave Jeff a filtered version of events that had transpired, leaving out perfect nudist sisters, and then listed the places and buildings he envisioned for the island. He also told his number two not to start any paperwork yet; he still had a lot more thinking and exploring to do before they made any financial commitments.
As he was finishing the letter, there was a knock at the door downstairs. He answered it to find Seb grinning holding a pair of fishing rods. "Fancy fishing? I know a good spot!"
Adam quickly changed into warmer clothes and accepted one of the rods. Seb chattered happily as he took Adam along the south coast of the island to an area he hadn't been to before. Although cold, the sky was clear and the sun's muted glow was mildly warm on Adam's face. They ended up at the top of a steep cliff that they had to carefully climb down, using the numerous rocks and ledges to ease their passage.
At the bottom was a small outcropping of rocks that jutted thirty yards out into the ocean. The water around it was dark enough to suggest that the water was deep and the waves surged against their sides.
Seb pointed his rod at the furthest rock. "That's our spot. Just watch out jumping between the rocks; they aren't all that slippery but the unevenness can catch you out if you're not careful!"
Adam wasn't particularly enthused about the idea of dropping into deep, freezing water so he gingerly jumped the narrow gaps between the rocks, using Seb's take-off and landing spots as a guide. When they reached the final rock, they perched on the side and prepared their hooks, lines, and bait for fishing.
"So," Adam said as he cast his line. "Sirena is your sister. I can't imagine growing up with her and Nerida was particularly fun. Why didn't you say anything?"
Seb cast his line and relaxed back on the rock. "I... I guess I didn't want you to think I was weird, after what you saw. Our family is unique."
Adam burst into laughter. "You've got that right! This place just gets weirder by the day. I suppose it's fun in a way; no two days are the same."
"That they aren't," Seb agreed. "As you know, our past is complicated."
"Yeah, Nerida and Sirena both said. What happened? Neither of them would tell me."
Seb exhaled, his eyes on the ocean. "I can't tell you much more than you already know. Nerida fell out with Sirena and Father. After that, we left them to live in the village. Since then, there's sort of a truce between them and us. Well, until you came along."
"Oh? Why?"
"Because the disagreement was sort of about keeping this island separate from the world. You've come along and want to make it part of it, which is what Sirena's wanted all along. It's thrown a grenade into things. Nerida is very panicked and stressed - it's making her more angry than normal."
"More angry? How is that even possible!?"
Seb smiled but it was without laughter. "Nerida is doing everything she can to protect you and the island."
"So I've heard. OK, forget about what Nerida and Sirena want for a moment. What do you want? Sirena seems to think that you want to see the world but Nerida is trapping you here?"
Seb nodded and when he spoke, it was with longing. "I do want to see the world! My entire existence has been spent on this island and I long for adventure! I'd love to see the big cities, explore far-away jungles, climb the mountains!"
"Then why don't you?"
His eyes dropped. "Because it would mean leaving Nerida. Some things are more important than chasing dreams."
Adam shook his head. "Now that's where you and I disagree. Don't let Nerida tether you to one spot, there is a huge world out there, trust me. To spend your life in one spot would be a waste. I'll tell you what, I've got properties everywhere. I'll set you up with free accommodation and recommend a few of my favourite places. No offence, but it sounds like Nerida is controlling you, not to mention she's all levels of crazy. You're an adult and deserve to live life how you want it."
"I don't know..." Seb said uneasily.
Adam patted his shoulder. "Trust me. I-"
His line went taut and he gripped the rod. "Hey! I got a bite!"
All thoughts of travelling were forgotten about as he went to battle with what turned out to be a decent-sized fish. Rather than keep it to eat, Seb insisted they throw the fish back into the ocean, where it belonged.
The day was enjoyable, and Adam joined Seb on the walk back to the village, where he sent his first letter to Jeff. Remi wasn't due to do his drop-offs until Sunday, when he would take the letter and post it from the mainland.
It was Adam's first real interaction with the villagers. As expected, his welcome was not warm. Frosty glares followed him wherever he went and conversations ceased as he passed. A few people even let out low muttered curses and one person spat on the floor by his feet.
"Charming people," he whispered to Seb as they left the cold woman who handled Remi's drop-offs and pick-ups.
Seb chuckled. "What did you expect? They're hardly going to be hanging banners for your arrival. Fancy a drink before you go? I know Old Bill's interested to hear about how your first week and a half has been."
Adam shrugged. "Sure, but I'll be watching them pour my drink. I wouldn't put it past them to spit or poison it."
"They wouldn't do that!" Seb said. Adam glanced at him sideways and raised an eyebrow. "OK, well they probably wouldn't," he corrected himself.
Old Bill was sitting in the back corner of the room when they arrived. Adam bought the first round of drinks and watched the barman pour his very carefully. Fortunately, the only thing that went into the pint glass was ale.
Bill took his fresh drink with a dip of his head. "Thank you. How are things at the lighthouse? I've heard nothing but drama since you've arrived."
Adam took the third seat at the table and sipped his ale, enjoying the crisp, sweet taste. From his position, he could see most of the bar. He smiled at Bill. "Drama has a way of finding me, it seems. The lighthouse is OK. Running it is the easier part of my day. How are you enjoying your vacation?"
Bill laughed. "You call listening to the village moaning about you a vacation!? Trust me, by the end of your three months, I'll be begging to get back to the peace of that old place."
As they made idle talk, the bar slowly filled with villagers who either cast dark looks in Adam's direction or did the complete opposite and pretended he didn't exist. He wasn't sure which was worse.
Adam was happily enjoying his drinks, planning to head back to the lighthouse a little later, when Nerida entered. She was wearing jeans and a black jacket that she removed, displaying a tightly fitted top that drew Adam's eyes. Her long golden hair hung over her shoulders, swaying as she walked. Her dimples flashed as she greeted the villagers.
Strangely, the villagers gathered around her like a cross between worshippers and adoring children. Nerida's face softened and her smile lit up the room as she spoke to them. She was a completely different person from the one that Adam knew. Her eyes glimmered and danced as person after person vied for her attention.
"Of all the strange things I've seen since coming here, that has to be the strangest of them," Adam said in amazement.
Seb laughed and patted Adam's shoulder. "Don't you feel special? She saves all her anger for you."
"I wouldn't say I feel special."
Seb grinned and finished his drink. "It's my round." He weaved his way through the crowd to the bar.
"What's the deal with that?" Adam asked Bill, nodding to where two children were climbing onto Nerida's lap and kissing her cheeks. "They're acting like she's some sort of goddess."
Bill's eyes snapped to Adam. "The people of this village love her, that's all. She does a lot for us and has done for a very long time," he said quickly.
Adam watched as Seb went to Nerida and whispered in her ear. He nodded toward their corner and the bright smile vanished from her face. Her eyes followed Seb's gaze and fell upon Adam. They narrowed and her nostrils flared.
"Ah, there's the Nerida that I love to hate," Adam grumbled to himself.
When Seb returned with fresh drinks, Adam thanked him and then said, "Why did you have to point me out!? I was having a good time until she spotted me!"
Seb dismissed it with a wave of his hand. "Ah, stop worrying! I thought I'd warn her to stop any explosive confrontations. At least she can avoid you now and won't be surprised by you being here. Besides, I thought you had a relatively OK walk with her the other day?"
"Yeah, me too! But you know that saying 'if looks could kill'? Well, I'd be a dead man several times over if it was true."
Seb laughed and slid Adam's pint across the table. "Stop stressing and drink with me. Old Bill normally falls asleep after a couple, so it's nice to have some company."
Bill tossed his long beard over his shoulder. "Oh, that's fighting talk, young man. Let's see you keep with this old man and we'll see who's the first to fall down!"
The rest of the day became a blur after that. It turned out that Old Bill was indeed a very good drinker and easily outdid the younger pair. With each ale consumed, things became exponentially funny for Adam and Seb. Adam couldn't remember the last time he'd laughed so much. Even funnier were the furious looks that Nerida repeatedly fired across the bar at them. For some unknowable reason, the angrier she became, the more funny Adam found it.
When the afternoon was getting long in the tooth, Bill finished the rest of his pint and smacked his lips. "Ahh, that was a good session." He patted Adam and Seb on the shoulders, both swaying in their seats. "You pair have a long way to go until you can keep up with the likes of me. Adam, I don't think you'll be getting back to the lighthouse tonight, so I'll go and sort it for you. Seb, make sure he finds a roof to sleep under, eh? Take him to my old place and set him up in the spare room - I don't think Nerida's temper will stretch to having him on her couch."
