The Islands by Di Morrissey Read Free Book Online Page A

beguiling and exciting and to see them with Bradley made them even more appealing.
    He handed her the menu. ‘Let’s order dinner, the show is about to start.’
    Catherine enjoyed Don Ho’s show. His throaty voice, his humour and flirtatious manner, the bevy of Hawaiian dancers and singers was unlike anything she’d seen before. The last big show she’d seen had been an outdoor concert by the Who in London where it had rained.
    She whispered to Bradley, ‘Not like the Who, is it?’
    â€˜Certainly not. Do you want to dance? This is his signature tune.’ He pulled her to her feet as several couples went onto the small dance floor. ‘Know the two-step?’
    â€˜Kind of.’ She allowed Bradley to lead her as the singer began.

    Tiny bubbles . . .
    Bradley was a great dancer and, being tall, he swept her easily around the floor holding her close, singing softly along in her ear.

    So here’s to the golden moon
And here’s to the silver sea
And mostly here’s a toast
To you and me
So here’s to the ginger lei
I give to you today
And here’s a kiss
That will not fade away . . .

    He kissed her gently and led her from the dance floor. ‘Shall we leave now? Do you want to go somewhere else?’
    He looked at her with such longing that Catherine picked up her purse. ‘A nightcap on my lanai?’
    He stayed the night. And in the morning when she awakened he was sitting on the lanai, wrapped in a white towel, smoking a cigarette. She looked at his strong back, the outline of his head and thought he was the most handsome man she’d ever seen.
    â€˜Good morning. Sorry I slept in, how long have you been awake?’ she called.
    He put out his cigarette and came towards her. ‘Not long. I watched you sleep for a while. You look like a little girl.’ He dropped the towel and slid into bed beside her. ‘You in a rush to go anywhere?’
    She giggled and reached for him. ‘No, sir. Are you?’
    â€˜My day off. We could stay here all day . . .’
    Bradley and Catherine spent as much time together as they could for the next few days, while Bradley arranged time off work for a trip to Maui. She phoned her parents to tell them she’d be spending a bit longer in Hawaii.
    â€˜I’m moving into a cheaper hotel when I get back from Maui.’
    â€˜Sounds like you’re having a good time. You like Hawaii, eh?’ said her father.
    â€˜It’s fabulous,’ said Catherine, knowing her voice was very upbeat.
    Her father seemed amused. ‘Sounds like it. Well, you enjoy yourself, love. You sound very happy. Must be nice to be in the sun after London. We can’t wait to have you home though. Your mother is making all kinds of plans.’
    â€˜Oh that’s nice of her but, Dad, I really just want to relax. Be with you, ride around the place, settle in, you know. No parties, please. You know what Mum’s like.’
    â€˜I understand, sweetheart. Send us a telegram when you know you’re coming home. Cheaper than these phone calls.’
    Catherine couldn’t stop smiling and she couldn’t stop thinking of Bradley. He arrived at her hotel room after work each day with a lei, chocolates, macadamia nuts and a nice bottle of wine. They fell into bed and made love with an eagerness and enthusiasm that left both of them gasping, laughing, hugging and exclaiming that neither had enjoyed making love so much before.
    She found Maui interesting and not as touristy as Honolulu, though Bradley pointed out that holiday apartment complexes were beginning to be built.
    Wandering around the old whaling port of Lahaina, Bradley came out of a shop and pressed a small package into her hands.
    Catherine exclaimed in delight at the tiny pretty coral earrings. ‘How sweet, I love them. Thank you so much.’ She gave him a kiss and they linked arms.
    â€˜Let’s eat at one of these seafood