Chapter 44
After a nail-biting chopper ride, we land and get a taxi to the address we have for Gus. We take the elevator up, the silence heavy.
I take the lead and knock on the door as the two alpha males near me suddenly seem to be enamoured with the carpet and are doing their best to look anywhere but eye level. Men!
I rap on the door and it soon swings open, revealing Gus, who looks just like I imagined he would with that grandfatherly vibe, long white hair and a beard. When he clocks Michel and Xavier, his mouth falls open. ‘Hi, Gus. I’m Harper.’
He quickly composes himself. ‘Harper Lee, in the flesh. What a surprise. Come in, come in. Anne-Marie is resting, so we’ll need to be quiet.’
Still not one word from Xavier or Michel.
Gus leads us into the bedsit which is compact size but maybe they chose this place because it’s close to the medical centre. Still, we’re not going to be able to talk freely here on the off chance we disturb Anne-Marie.
‘Is there a park or gardens nearby so we don’t wake up Anne-Marie, Gus?’
‘Yes, right around the corner. Xavier. Michel.’ He gives them a nod.
At least one of the three of them has some manners.
They return his nod, their hands shoved into pockets and shoulders hunched as if they’d rather be anywhere but here.
Gus is handling it well but there’s a slight tremor in his voice that gives his anxiety away.
Outside, we wander along and soon come to a park. ‘It’s nice to finally meet you in the flesh, Gus.’
‘You too, Harper. You too.’
‘I was sorry to hear about Anne-Marie’s diagnosis. How is her treatment going?’
His eyes go glassy and he chokes back a sob. When he composes himself, he says, ‘We’re on the last week of the trial now. As for results, it’s a waiting game. One thing Anne-Marie is certain about is that she’s keen to return to Esperé.’
‘Everyone is missing you both. You sold your home though, so where will you stay?’ Gus and I walk side by side as Xavier and Michel hang back. Honestly, I want to bang their heads together. Xavier should be taking the lead here.
‘Yeah, had to. We’ve got family there, we’ll be fine.’
I imagine Anne-Marie without a bed of her own to rest in. Without her own room to retreat in for some quiet, after all she’s faced. I can’t exactly offer a solution but I hope that someone else will. Xavier for example…
Gus suddenly looks like an old man. It’s like you can see the energy drain from him as if this worry has taken a toll on him.
What a horrible position to be in at his age.
Anne-Marie’s health hanging in the balance, no home to call their own.
No job. No income. Just a load of burdens to carry when all he should be focusing on is Anne-Marie. It’s cruel.
He stops and turns to Xavier. ‘We should address the elephant in the room. I’m sorry for betraying your trust the way I did.
It’s unforgivable. But to be honest with you, I didn’t much like the man who returned to the Last Chance Resort.
The one bossing staff about. It’s like you forgot where you came from. ’
Xavier reels back as if he’s been slapped. I did not expect that from Gus.
A myriad of emotions play across Xavier’s features as if he’s weighing up which avenue to take. Fire back in anger or apologise? Which way will he go?
‘It’s lucky I did come back though, right? I walked right into a disaster zone. Not only did the man I thought of like a father steal from us, but the place had fallen into a state of disrepair. Why would you not have told me I needed to come back sooner?’
Gus’s eyes grow steely. What is this about really? ‘Why do you think your way is the only way?’
I’m guessing Gus is on the same page as the expats when it comes to renovations and everything in their world staying the same.
The air crackles with tension, a tension I really didn’t anticipate.
Have I made things worse? Gus doesn’t need any extra stress in his life and Xavier’s not going to like being told he’s a terrible boss.
‘Someone has to make these calls, Gus. What did you expect from me? I get a desperate call from my mum telling me to return, telling me the resort is at risk because a man has taken advantage of her sweet spirit again, and what do I find? Staff benefiting from her back being turned, working when they see fit, sneaking cocktails during their shifts, in front of guests no less, running off to watch TV shows during their shifts. Some didn’t even bother turning up at all but punched in their timecard and got paid anyway.
And you talk about my way being the only way – well, how else would you handle it?
Mum had lost all control and some staff were taking full advantage, and still, I didn’t fire them.
I gave them the chance to improve and keep their jobs because I know there’s not many opportunities on the island for work, when, to be frank, a number of those staff members deserved to be sent packing.
What hurts the most is that Mum has always gathered everyone under her wings, and they took advantage of her kindness.
So yes, I changed things and I’d do it again and again, because what other option did I have? ’
‘We all pay the price in one way or another, Xavier, you’re not special that way.’
Why is Gus being so mean? There must be more to this.
‘Don’t I know it. Take you for example, Gus.
I’d have staked my life on the fact you were as honest as they come.
I have never questioned it. I’ve looked up to you.
But it was all smoke and mirrors. You’re just as bad as the rest of them.
Maybe these thefts aren’t new? Maybe you’ve been doing it the whole time, but it just took someone who cared to cotton on to your scam.
How long have you had your fingers in the till? ’
He shakes his head. ‘That hurts.’
‘Well, the feeling is mutual.’
What is with everyone today? I step into the melee. ‘Now, come on. You’re both saying things in the heat of the moment that you simply don’t mean. Gus, you understand that Xavier had to make improvements, not only to keep the resort but to stop a development happening next door.’
‘Stop it?’ Gus’s eyes grow wide.
Ah, now it makes sense. The tendrils of grapevine gossip made it all the way to Gus, so he’s of the opinion that Xavier’s been plotting all along to buy the land next door to build another resort.
That’s why he’s angry and acting out like this.
At least I hope that’s why. ‘Yes, to stop it. Xavier and Mrs Bastille purchased the land so it will be protected and enjoyed by islanders forever.’
‘I was told…’ Gus pinches the bridge of his nose.
Michel steps into the space. ‘I probably should apologise for what you were told, Gus,’ he says. ‘I got the wrong end of the stick and presumed Xavier was all for the development. I didn’t realise he was trying to stop it. And so I told a few people, who told a few people.’
‘The island grapevine has a lot of answer for.’ I manage a laugh, grateful that the tension has eased.
‘What will you do with the land?’ Gus asks, his voice husky.
Xavier lifts a palm. ‘Nothing. It’ll remain as it is, untouched rainforest. Islanders can use it the way they do now, as a thoroughfare to get to the beach, or for foraging, just like my Seychellois family have always done.’
‘I’m so sorry, Xavier. I really thought you’d sold us all out.’
Xavier’s jaw clicks but he inclines his head slightly in response. It must be hard hearing that everyone thinks the worst of you when you’ve only ever had their best interests at heart.
It’s hard to reconcile why so many (including me!) have made a judgement call about Xavier; perhaps it’s the steely mask he so often wears or the way he holds his cards close against his chest. When really, he’s a guy who loves this island and its people more than anyone.
It’s his link to his father, a father he knew only as a young child.
Like me, Xavier has had to learn to exist in a world without his dad.
But I like to think he’s made him proud by stepping up the way he has, being so selfless in his quest to keep the island from being further developed.
‘I’m sorry I didn’t ask you why you did what you did and just presumed the worst. I guess we’re both guilty of that, Gus.’ Is the ice finally going to melt between them?
‘Thank you, Xavier.’ Gus speaks stiffly as if he’s wound up tight.
Xavier nods, shoves his hands in his pockets. ‘We could really use your help again at the bookshop when you’re ready. Harper’s done an amazing job, but it’s a lot of work for one person.’
I want to cheer but keep my expression neutral.
‘You’d really trust me back there?’ Gus’s rheumy eyes are glassy with tears.
‘Of course, you’re part of the family, always will be, and so is Anne-Marie.’
‘I went mad with the thought of losing her over something as insignificant as money. This was her last chance, and so I had to make it happen, but I regret the way I handled it. I’m mortified at my behaviour…
In saying that, I’d do it again if it meant she survived, but I’d be honest this time.
I’d ask for help and not worry I was putting everyone in an awkward position. ’
It shifts my perspective on life – how precious it is, how funds or lack thereof are sometimes the decider of who lives and who dies… and how as a society did we let that happen?
I give Gus’s arm a squeeze. ‘I hope that you’ll come back to the Barefoot Bookshop because it’s not just us missing you. It’s Turt too. Your little friend shuffles in every day and I swear he grunts in disappointment when he finds me there.’
At the mention of Turt, Gus’s face brightens. ‘How is Turt? I miss the little fella.’
Michel does a surreptitious nod so I take it to mean I should be honest and that Gus can handle it.
‘He’s not doing so well, Gus, but the conservationists can’t find any medical reason why.
But I think I know. He’s suffering from a broken heart.
He misses you. Can you spare any time for a quick visit? ’
The old man chokes out a sob. ‘He’s really not doing well?’
‘He just needs to see you, and I get the feeling you need that too.’
‘Say the word,’ Michel says. ‘I can pick you up for a day trip.’
‘I’d love that, Michel. I really would. Honestly, being away from Turt has been a whole other heartache. I miss him so much it hurts and to hear he’s suffering too… well, I just can’t have that.’
We walk slowly around the park, Gus hobbling on a bad knee, doing lap after lap, until all the grievances have been shared and the air is clear.