a bit of an adventure in this joint.”
Predictably, Kylie started at a good pace. Dink had named her the ‘fastest walking human’. She would often have to slow down so he could keep up. That was no disgrace. Back in Sydney, others knew her rapid pace and daily route and had dubbed her ‘Forrest Gump’. And, many years ago, at the start of a Breast Cancer charity walk, Kylie had inadvertently matched motors for a kilometre or so with Kerry Saxby-Junna, a Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist in race walking. Only when Kylie relented to fall back and chat with Dink and her friends did she discover this. Surprised, she commented honestly, “I did tell her that she was a pretty good walker!”
They headed inland and, despite the trees that overhung the road, were aware of the twin mountain peaks that dominated the island to the east and south. Dink had studied the basic tourist map and appreciated that they had to pass between these mountains to reach Shipwreck Beach. Birds sang sporadically as they proceeded, and the occasional bat screeched high overhead in the tall fig trees. These impressive trees branched to form the highest canopy in the forest, and the native bats loved the sweet pulpy fruit.
“Look at that long-tailed bird!” Dink pointed excitedly above the road ahead as a stark white bird with a long thin tail streaked across the blue sky. “I’ve never seen anything like that before.”
“Why would you,” Kylie mocked and, giving her best David Attenborough impersonation, said, “The rare La Bajan paradise bird was once thought extinct. However, through patient research, we now know they thrive in the dense wooded forests of the mountain slopes.”
Dink laughed sarcastically as Kylie marched onwards but, as ever, he was impressed by her sharp wit.
As they neared a T-junction, Dink instructed, “We turn right up here and head south.”
Kylie swung right and he followed a few paces behind. Accelerating to catch up to her, they marched with equal strides. Mont Centrale loomed to their left and they could see a cluster of small houses cut into the forested lower slopes of the mountain. Ahead of them was the rocky volcanic peak of Mont Sur, which was even more impressive. “Yeah, baby,” Dink cried out, known for his personal appreciation of a good mountain.
“Shame about the tower. Kind of spoils the natural effect,” Kylie responded, noting the red and white communications tower rising from the summit like a rocket thrusting into space.
“Still, that is something. I wonder if you can hike to the top.”
“Climb, maybe. It looks pretty steep. Anyway, good luck with that.”
“We’ll see,” Dink said, mainly to have the last word on a topic he knew more about than his wife. His subconscious mind was already working to develop that plan to fruition.
The peak of Mont Sur was higher in altitude than Mont Centrale by about fifty metres, but it looked much more grand with its pointed peak contrasting to the rounded dome of the lower mountain. Dink was reminded of Australia’s highest mountain, Mount Kosciuszko, which was originally marked as Mount Townsend on some Victorian state maps. After it was repeatedly observed that the unimpressive flat-domed summit was, in fact, higher than the jagged peak of the neighbouring mountain, the error was corrected by transposing the names of the mountains. Whether this was due to the classic picture-book image of a peaked mountain summit complicating reality, the result of parallax error, or just a basic surveying inaccuracy was lost to time. But Dink loved that story.
Rookie error, he thought to himself. Always suspect a fuck-up before a conspiracy.
Progressing, they passed another few basic dwellings, and then a larger road entered at a right angle and appeared to head straight back to the western coast.
“This is so lovely and quaint,” Kylie remarked happily. “What a great walking route.”
“Superb, isn’t it. Not many people around either.”
“None, so far.”
It dawned on them that they had been walking for ten minutes and had not seen a soul. Maybe the locals avoided the heat of the day.
“Do they have an afternoon siesta here?” Kylie continued to scan around for signs of life.
“Not sure. Probably.”
The road began to climb steadily uphill. The pass between the two flanking mountains became obvious as they walked beneath the shadowing peaks. It was a gradual incline, but the heat and humidity meant they were sweating vigorously with the effort. At the pass, a small grey concrete substation was evident, likely connecting communications to the mountain tower. Beyond this the road sloped gently downhill, and up ahead they sighted two young women stopped on their bicycles by the side of the road. They looked like tourists. Europeans. Blonde, thin, and pale. A shirtless young local man was talking to them. He moved back a step and then launched into a precise standing backflip. The speed, grace, and athleticism were breathtaking. And the landing perfect. A beam of sunlight cut through a gap in the trees and shone brightly onto his dark mocha skin. It was his moment in the sun.
The female tourists shrieked with excitement and appreciation, with an accented request to, “Do it again!” He casually obliged. This sent the girls into hysterics and they both gravitated towards him like a magnetic attraction. He had them hooked. They were now frantically chatting with him. All that was clear above the general babble was, “That was amazing!”
Dink and Kylie approached the group. Kylie could see that the young man was exceptionally handsome, with dark, kind eyes and a radiant smile. His hair was in small tight curls, short and stylish. A round diamante earring sparkled in his left lobe. He was medium height and build but with the svelte body of an athlete. The young women were thin and pretty, sporting diminutive bikini tops with skimpy jean shorts, and they were fawning over him. And why wouldn’t you? Kylie mused. As she approached the group, she caught his eye announcing, “That was impressive.”
They all turned towards Dink and Kylie, but the young man addressed her directly, “Hi. Yes. It’s easy when you know how.” His voice was melodic. Soft, but clear.
“I’ll bet it is.”
This short interaction had broken his spell on the European girls, and they looked uneasy. Moving to get back onto their bikes, one pretty blonde girl flirted on departure, “We’ll see you later, Marlon.”
“Yes. I’ll come to the beach after.” He smiled and produced a short wave to them, like an aloof monarch. He maintained an air of mild disinterest.
“Please, we didn’t want to interrupt. We’re just walking down to Shipwreck Beach. Is it far?”
“No, it’s OK. The girls want to go now to get a suntan,” he explained. “The beach, it’s a few minutes down the road.”
“Thanks. I’m Kylie by the way.” She shook his hand.
“I’m Marlon.”
Dink also introduced himself and, noting the small yellow house set back from the road, said, “Great place to live.”
“Yes. It’s fine.”
“And it’s on the tourist route.” Kylie nodded her head in the direction the girls had gone.
He cocked his head slightly and with a cheeky grin agreed, “That is a bonus. When you live here the girls like to pass by
