(Jack)
The next few days were a whirlwind, as we set out to enhance our camp. We focused on making the roof weather-tight, replacing the old one with a tarp and securing rows of palm leaves between planks of wood.
We also built a storage area at the back of the hut for our food and suitcases. Aaron suggested adding a door to the open side of the hut to protect us from future storms. Rick agreed and began marking up wood to cut with the saw, which was rapidly growing blunter with each use.
Once we finished, the open side of the hut, framed by large doors on either side, became the centrepiece of our camp. We dismantled the rocks and wire racks that made up the fire and moved it a few metres, so it was closer to the front of the hut. This way, even if we were in bed, we could still be part of the conversation around the fire. We had filled in the muddy pathways we'd created by our footfall with soft white sand, ferried up from the beach and kept it clear of twigs and fallen leaves, a task I took to doing every morning. While Rick collected firewood, Aaron boiled water to drink and clean our clothes. Not that we often wore much more than shorts and maybe a vest or t-shirt at best.
Aaron had been relaxing on the bed while Rick was busy trying to fix the radios by the fire pit. The usual jungle sounds were broken by the occasional crackle of static. I had been floating around trying to keep myself busy before Joining Aaron on the bed and watching Rick work.
He was hunched over a log, a look of intense concentration on his face. He had a screwdriver in one hand and a pair of pliers in the other. Wires and small components were scattered around him like a chaotic puzzle.
"What are you doing now?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.
"Trying to fix the frequency modulator," Rick replied without looking up. "It's not picking up any signals."
I watched as he carefully adjusted a tiny screw, his fingers deftly arranging the delicate parts. "What's a frequency modulator?" I asked.
"It's a component that helps the radio tune into different frequencies," he explained. "Without it, we can't pick up any broadcasts."
I nodded, acting like I understood. "So, if you fix that, we'll be able to hear other people?"
Aaron laughed from the bed, shaking his head. "Jack, leave the guy alone. He's trying to concentrate."
I sheepishly apologised, "Sorry, Rick."
Rick laughed it off, glancing at me with a smile. "It's okay, Jack. I don't mind."
Aaron shifted on the bed, looking towards the waves. "Hey, Jack, lets go down to the water, nature is calling."
Aaron and I paddled in the waves for a few minutes, enjoying the cool water and the peaceful sound of the surf, "You need to lure Rick out of camp later", I reminded him, "So I can set up for his Birthday."
"Set up? There a jungle party supply shop I don't know about?"
I smirked, "You'll have to wait and see won't you."
As we approached, we saw Rick looking triumphant by the fire pit. He glanced up and grinned at us. "Guess what? I've got the two radios to connect!"
Aaron's eyes lit up with curiosity. "Really? That's amazing!" he exclaimed, easing himself down onto a nearby log.
"How far will it reach?" I asked, genuinely interested.
Rick thought for a moment, turning one of the radios over in his hands. "Probably a mile or two," he guessed. "It won't help us contact others, but at least we can communicate with each other if we need to split up."
I nodded, impressed. "That's still pretty useful. Your so clever, Rick."
Rick shrugged, a modest smile on his face. "Thanks. Just trying to make the best of our situation."
Aaron threw an arm around his shoulder, ""Honestly Rick, it's amazing man."
"Rick, lets go check the nets," suggested Aaron snatching up a knife and winking at me, "I want you to teach me how to kill the fish quickly." Rick nodded, climbed to his feet and followed him down to the ocean.
I waited until they were both out of camp, before I threw open a case and pulled out lines of makeshift bunting I had been secretly working on. Over the last few days, every time Rick had left the camp, I had been tearing up women's clothing and long-sleeved tops, knotting them onto a rope.
