The Islands (10 page)

She wanted her parents to meet Kiann'e as well as see her perform. She was happy that she had made a friend here already. She and Kiann'e had got together twice since they'd met on the beach. After a coffee and exchanging life histories, Kiann'e had come to the apartment one morning and Catherine had tried on her wedding dress to get the dancer's reaction.

‘I just feel it's a bit formal, stiff, you know, after seeing what people wear here,' said Catherine. ‘But I couldn't not wear it. My mum and girlfriend Mollie and I had a huge shopping expedition one day in Sydney to find it.'

‘Of course you can't not wear it and you look dreamy,' exclaimed Kiann'e. ‘From what you've told me, you'd have had a huge wedding at home and this would be perfect.' She walked around Catherine who stood still in the tiny lounge room in her cream wedding dress. ‘It's kind of Elizabethan, very romantic,' said Kiann'e. ‘But it's the little crown and the veil, I think, that makes it so formal.'

‘I'll pin up my hair, pull it back in a smooth bun,' said Catherine, trying to control her flyaway curls.

‘No. I like that casual hair,' said Kiann'e. ‘If you like I'll get you an Hawaiian tiara . . . made of fresh flowers. Keep your hair soft and I'll bring over a wedding lei of tiny pikake flowers, strands and strands that hang down almost to your knees. Then you'll look more like an Hawaiian princess. Just a touch, yet still a regal bride.'

‘That sounds perfect. I can't thank you enough, Kiann'e. I wish you could be there. I'll ask Bradley.'

‘No, no. Not at this late stage, and while I'd love to be there . . . this is a family thing. I'll see you on the morning.' She hugged Catherine.

That evening with Bradley, Catherine raised the idea of inviting Kiann'e to their wedding but Bradley was definite and shook his head. ‘No, we couldn't possibly.

Mrs Goodwin would have a seizure. If she'd been booked to come and dance as a performer, well, okay, I guess, but Mrs G has every minute of the reception planned.'

‘But what about just as a guest, as my friend?' persisted Catherine.

‘Sorry, sweetheart. Not how things are done. You can see her socially, and I love watching her dance at the Moonflower . . . but, well, there's just a protocol thing. She wouldn't feel comfortable either.'

Catherine didn't argue. She knew it was a very last-minute request but she sensed there was more to the issue than that. She decided not to tell Bradley about Kiann'e's change to her wedding outfit. She'd told him she'd bought her dress at a bridal salon in Sydney with her mother and girlfriend and that was it quite traditional. He'd seemed pleased.

The day of the wedding was another perfect day. Catherine went out on the hotel lanai with a glass of pineapple juice and watched the sky turn from cloudless pink to clear blue and the tops of palm trees begin to shiver awake in the first breath of a breeze. Her father appeared behind her wrapped in the kimono provided by the hotel.

‘Morning, princess. Another top day. Do you suppose you'll get sick of this endless summer, though by the looks of the greenery they get their share of rain. Hope it's raining back home.'

Catherine linked her arm through her father's and leant against him. ‘I'll miss home. Miss you and Mum too. Look after Parker for me. I can't believe I'm not going back there for ages and ages.'

‘It's a big step in life, love. Getting married. You sure about this bloke? The kind of life he's offering? You're leaving your family, friends and your country. But if he's the one, thems the breaks, eh?' He patted her hand. ‘If you're as happy as your mother and I have been, well, you'll be all right.'

‘I hope so, Dad. Bradley is terribly considerate and caring. You have any advice? Putting on your legal hat as well as your dad's hat.'

‘Your grandmother always told us, never go to bed on an argument. And while you have to make your own decisions together, I don't have to tell you I'm here whenever you want an ear. Just to run things past. I know you're not one of those bra-burning feminists, but you stick up for yourself. Put your side forward as well when it comes to making those big decisions.'

‘Thanks, Dad. You're the best. Look after Mum. I don't think it's hit her yet – that I'm off in the world and not just on a holiday trip. Although I'm getting married, I want to do something else that's fulfilling as well. I'd like to get a job so I can save up and come and visit as often as I can.'

‘Any time you want to do that, we'll always stake you the fare. Just make sure Bradley understands how much your home and family mean to you. It's different for fellows, and Bradley seems very content here, travelling, his job, now a lovely wife. He won't feel the same pull to go back to Californ-eye-a the same way you'll miss Peel.' He gave her a quick hug. ‘Don't worry about your mum. She'll be busy helping out with Rob's wedding, and I thought I'd try a few angora goats. It's a new thing. Make it her little project. I'd better wake her up. She's still complaining about these tea bags. First thing we'll do when we get home is make a decent cuppa.'

‘Oh Dad, I'm going to miss you. I love you so much.'

Catherine remembered some moments quite vividly but other parts of her wedding day were a blur. Her mother became teary and upset over a misplaced earring and everyone was relieved when Mollie burst in to help dress the bride and diffused the tension, cheering them up with her bubbling excitement. Not long before Catherine and her father were due to leave, Kiann'e arrived as she promised, dazzling them with an armful of beautiful flowers.

When Catherine emerged from her bedroom wearing the tiara of tiny flowers threaded with delicate ferns and leaves and the long lei of pikake flowers, her parents and Mollie applauded.

‘Stunning, perfect. What a lovely touch,' exclaimed her mother. ‘Keith, quick get the camera and take a photo of the girls.'

Kiann'e kissed Catherine on the cheek. ‘Ho'omaikai hauoli ame akaaka. It means blessings, joy and laughter for your married life.'

‘I can't thank you enough. Promise you'll come and have dinner with us after we're back from our honeymoon?'

‘Of course. Now where are you staying on Kauai? The Plantation House? The Cottages? Or the Palm Grove?'

‘The Palm Grove, of course. Bradley is such a movie buff and apparently some famous old movies were made there in the fifties.'

Kiann'e smiled. ‘It's wonderful, you'll love it. Be sure and tell Eleanor you're my friend. She's been like a best aunty to me.'

‘Is she the manager?' asked Keith.

‘The owner. She's run the place for twenty years and really made it the attraction it is. Her husband bought it along with the Moonflower but it's the real gem – thanks to Eleanor's inspiration. The Palm Grove is her life, she still has big plans for it. She always has a big dream. She's amazing.'

‘My, she sounds an energetic person,' said Rosemary. ‘Now you two relax and enjoy yourselves over there.'

‘Kauai is a very romantic island. It's my home,' said Kiann'e. ‘You'll fall under its spell I'm sure. Now one more thing before I go.' She gave Rosemary and Mollie beautiful leis that matched their dresses and then held up a length of dark green leaves that she put over Keith's shoulders. ‘Maile leaves, worn by the kings and princes,' said Kiann'e. ‘I've made one for Bradley as well. All the flowers were picked early this morning.'

‘How about that? Well, we look a pretty smart group. Very thoughtful of you, Kiann'e,' said Keith. ‘And there's one more adornment for the bride.' He took two small boxes from his pocket. ‘One from Bradley and one from us.'

Too surprised to speak, Catherine opened the box from Bradley and found a string of tiny perfect pearls with a card: ‘May each pearl represent years and years ahead with you. My love. B' And from her parents there were matching earrings.

Kiann'e took photos of them all and then left as Keith glanced at his watch.

‘Right. Can't keep Commander Goodwin waiting.'

‘The car will be there. You and Dad follow Mollie and me. Give us time to get out of the car and be ready to help you.' Rosemary dabbed at her eyes. ‘Oh dear, I'm going to ruin my make-up.'

The ceremony was short, the padre's advice to the couple brief and practical reminding them to serve each other, God and country and as they left the chapel as husband and wife, they walked through an honour guard of Bradley's fellow officers.

The formal atmosphere continued at the reception at the Goodwin's lovely home. The small group gathered on the terrace and two waiters in white mess jackets served champagne from silver trays. There were several officers with their wives also at the reception. Two of these couples were the same age as Bradley and Catherine sensed they would be an integral part of their social circle. All were charming, socially graceful and made courteous if dull conversation.

After a few polite questions about Australia, their interest waned and Keith gallantly asked about the American economy and various parts of America. He and Rosemary listened as the virtues of the USA were extolled at length.

Mollie received attention from two single officers but she managed to whisper to Catherine, ‘Hell, what a dead dull bunch. Wish Kiann'e had come along.'

Bradley took Catherine's hand. ‘It's time to do the rounds and thank everyone. We're supposed to be out of here by six as it stipulated on the invitations. And we have a plane to catch.' He squeezed her arm.

They'd changed back at the Moana, their bags were waiting and Catherine carefully packed their leis and flowers in a box to take with her. Bradley didn't want to wear the wedding leis because he thought they would draw unwanted attention.

Outside the hotel, as they put their bags in a taxi, Mollie said she wanted to go to the airport with them.

Bradley smiled at her and told her politely that it was unnecessary. ‘It's only a forty minute inter-island hop. You've done enough and it's been such a big day. Enjoy your vacation.'

Rosemary was holding Keith's hand as it dawned on her that her daughter was not just leaving on her honeymoon but was moving on from their shared life. ‘I can't believe we won't be seeing you after the honeymoon,' she began. ‘We should have gone to Kauai too.'

‘Darling, it's their honeymoon, they don't want us oldies around. We'll be seeing them before you know it,' said Keith.

‘We'll phone you, Mum. Tomorrow, I promise.' Catherine's eyes filled with tears as she hugged her parents.

Mollie grabbed her and gave her a kiss. ‘I'll look after your mum and dad. You get on with the rest of your life. But call me, okay?'

Catherine nodded as Bradley shook hands with her father and ushered her into the taxi. It all seemed so rushed. She looked out of the taxi to see the three waving figures in the soft light, silhouetted against the white columns of the portico of the Moana.

Bradley put his arm around her shoulders and drew her close. ‘Well, I'm glad that's all over. We mustn't forget to send a thank you to the Goodwins.' He kissed her. ‘So, Mrs Connor. Are you happy? You looked beautiful. I was a bit surprised at the Hawaiian touch, but it was very appropriate, seeing how Hawaii is your home now.'

He pulled the airline tickets from his pocket to check them and didn't notice the tears trickle down Catherine's cheeks.

4

I
T WAS EVERYTHING A
honeymoon should be. Catherine and Bradley spent hazy hours lazing in bed, making love, talking, wandering along the beach holding hands and swimming in the warm blue water. It was tropical, exotic, utterly romantic. Barefoot, flowers in her hair, wrapped in a sarong, it was unlike anything Catherine had ever imagined her honeymoon would be. She also was unprepared for the magical experience of the Palm Grove Hotel. She had an image of a tropical resort in her head, but it was not just the hotel's setting and layout, its staff and service, the daily events and entertainment, that had her attention, but the powerhouse behind it all – Eleanor Lang.

Kiann'e had contacted Eleanor to tell her that Catherine and Bradley would be there on their honeymoon. There had been a spectacular flower arrangement in their Princess Bungalow and a chilled bottle of champagne waiting for them, with a note:
‘Aloha! E komo mai. Congratulations and welcome.'
They opened the champagne as they explored their thatched bungalow sheltering in the magnificent gardens.

‘Bradley, look in the bathroom – we have a basin each, but it's a giant clam shell! And there's an indoor and outdoor private shower.'

Bradley was looking at the bedhead, which was rattan inlaid with an intricate design of peacock feathers. The bed cover was a traditional Hawaiian quilt of appliquéd hibiscus and anthurium flowers entwined with dark green leaves. On the wall was a beautifully framed sepia photograph of an early Hawaiian princess.