Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
“Well! That's most kind of Harry; we would love to come for dinner; please give him our
thanks. What time should we be there?”
“I will come and get you in the tender at around seven. Would that work?”
“We'll be here, thanks again, you guys.”
“See, that's how you do it.” I grinned at Gavin, putting the mic back in its holder. “No
sooner do we arrive, with an escort mind you, when the island's social hierarchy is fighting
over us with dinner invites.”
“Yeah right, just look around at all the competition,” he returned dryly.
“Oh please, minor detail, class attracts class.”
I went below for my soap and towel, and took a bird bath on the foredeck in the gloaming
of the evening. I was still sweating from the day's heat and humidity.
Seven on the dot saw the timely arrival of Neptune's tender. Mike the blonde was at the
helm, a classic wooden spoked wheel mounted on a central control point. He pulled up
alongside, maneuvering with great ease, and smiling said, “Hi guys, I'm Mike, and this is
Tony,” he pointed to an elderly man who had his gnarled and weather-beaten hand on Déjà
vu's rail. He nodded solemnly, “Evening.” His eyes were red and tearful; he looked terribly
stressed or upset about something.
We climbed aboard the solid boat, sinking back in the luxurious white leather seats. After
a brief ride Mike pulled up alongside a hanging pair of steps and, stopping alongside, mo-
tioning us to alight. Gavin and I looked up and saw a man of about forty-five, dressed im-
peccably in white tropical cottons, wave cheerfully at us with his drink. With the other hand
he held a cigarette and beckoned us aboard.
I introduced Gavin and myself and thanked him for sending his crew to our rescue. Seeing
Harry now in the yellow deck light, I was quite shocked to see the deep pock marks that
acne had left on his face. He had a lantern jaw with an intense and intelligent mouth, now
spread in a wrinkly smile. His bright black eyes held mine for an embarrassingly long time;
there was something odd about them, almost snake eyes. “You must be Jonathan; glad we
could help you guys this afternoon.”
“My engine has never broken down before; funny it would choose a dangerous channel like
this to do so,” I said as an answer.
“Do you guys like fish? The crew went diving today, and we have some excellent grouper
on the menu tonight. Hugo is our chef; he's slaving in the galley, and you'll meet him later.”
“Oh yes, we thrive on fish; we also love diving. I guess it must be pretty good around here.”
