Galloway crossed his arms. “I start work first thing. If I don’t get there on time, I’ll lose my contract.” He took a step toward the driver. “Surely, you must know of someone willing to fly.” Pointing at the storm-slashed but now calm sky, he added, “There’s hardly any wind and it’s not raining anymore. The storm’s gone—just like they said. It’s safe to travel.”
Duncan Evermore came forward. “Don’t mean to interrupt, but we’re trying to get to Matava Resort. If you want, we can join forces and see if we can hire a boat or something?” He looked over his shoulder at his family. “I’d much prefer to get to our hotel and start our vacation now, rather than waste time in the morning with packing and checking in for another flight.”
The driver tutted under his breath. “Boat would take too long and no one would go in the dark.”
Galloway ignored him, focusing on Duncan’s potential solution. “I’m with you. I’m happy to split the cost if it means getting to where we want tonight.”
“Not possible.” The driver shook his head. “No one will travel tonight.”
Amelia (Duncan’s wife) caught my eye. We smiled, shrugging.
Men.
Even though they’d been told multiple times they couldn’t travel, it didn’t stop their pig-headedness at trying.
Galloway opened his messenger bag and pulled out an envelope with a wad of currency. “We’ll pay.” Wafting it in front of the driver, he taunted. “You help us arrange what we need, and you’ll get a bonus.”
Unable to take his eyes off the money, the driver rubbed his chin. “Kadavu and Matava?”
Galloway and Duncan nodded together. “That’s right. But it has to be tonight, and it has to be for all of us.”
All of us not including me, of course.
My heart raced as I was ignored completely. The only person paying attention to me was the little girl hugging her stuffed kitten.
Somehow, we were all strangers, but I’d become the odd one out.
Again.
Normally, I preferred it that way. I deliberately pulled back, letting others bond so I could remain quiet and on the outskirts where I liked it.
But this time, I felt left out—as if an adventure was forming and I hadn’t been given an invitation.
Is this another message?
Another hint that life happened all around me and unless I was brave enough to jump in, I would miss yet another opportunity.
My heart raced.
Perhaps my reinvention needed to happen here...not when I got home to Australia.
The driver dug a cell-phone from his back pocket. “Wait a minute.” Pacing away, he held the phone to his ear and conversed with someone on the other end.
Duncan shook Galloway’s hand. “Looks like we might be in luck, my boy.”
Galloway crumpled the cash-filled envelope, shoving it deep into his bag. “Hope so. I have no choice. I’m not accepting no for an answer.” His eyes found their way back to me.
Not succumbing to his power again, I deliberately looked away, feigning interest in a billboard for a diving site complete with jewelled fish and reef sharks. The advertisement held the true colours of Fiji—bright pinks and blues and yellows. It was nothing like the dismal evening where black was the colour palate and the whiff of warm asphalt and rotting rubbish overshadowed holiday welcome.
Finally, the driver returned. “Matava Resort is on the island of Kadavu, yes?” Tapping his phone against his thigh, a glint formed in his gaze. “Very exclusive resort. Expensive.”
Duncan stiffened, understanding the undertone. “If it’s about cost, name it. I’m sure we can come to an arrangement.”
Galloway didn’t move. He held himself rigid but beneath I sensed an anxious need to move forward rather than stay stationary. Whatever his destination or reason, he wouldn't back down or accept defeat.
I envied him.
I was jealous that he had such passion for bending the rules and getting what he wanted.
“I’m with Duncan,” Galloway said. “Find a way to get us there tonight and money can be discussed.”
The driver slouched against his van, oblivious to the chaos of other passengers being ferried to their destinations. “I might have a friend.”
Duncan slapped him on the shoulder. “Great. What’s the damage?”
“Damage?” The driver immediately looked at his vehicle as if we’d vandalized it while he was on the phone. “What damage?”
Galloway chuckled. “He means how much?”
The driver smiled. “Five hundred US per person.”
“No way. Five hundred for all of us.” Pointing at his family and Galloway, Duncan clipped, “Five hundred for five people.”
Wait.
What was I supposed to do? Travel meekly to a hotel I didn’t want to go to, check into a room I had no interest in, and sleep in a bed I already despised?
No.
They had their plans while I rotted in indecision. I had no backbone to my life. I was done being a passenger as tides took me this way and that. I wanted some direction for once.
I wanted to live.
I wouldn’t ignore the messages any longer.
If I couldn’t get home, I would go somewhere second best. I would celebrate like Madi said I should. I would enjoy a holiday, new experiences, and something spontaneous—all because I could. “Um, Mr. Evermore?”
Duncan paused, smiling kindly. “Yes?”