Korčula #2
Lloyd stood, unwinding his long body and raising his fingers skywards.
Until he had at least an idea of how best to move forwards, there was no way he could go back to the boat.
The girls probably thought he was happily chatting to Mirjana, instead of heading towards Bilin ?al Beach in total turmoil.
If he left Croatia there would be no librarian for the final weeks of the summer, and, therefore, no library.
If he stayed there’d be no library on Kor?ula, where a great deal of the funding came from.
So no library. Or maybe, some library, just less of one.
Was that the answer? To work for four days and expect someone else to pick up the slack? Or was that running away?
But they were beginning to achieve so much good.
Even their new site on Mljet had proved promising.
He needed to cling to that thought, because it might just keep him from drowning in his own misery.
The teenagers he now looked forward to chatting to every week, extending their language skills by talking about their books; the little ones on Lopud who were comfortable enough to use him as a human climbing frame as soon as he sat on the floor; the twin sisters on ?ipan who came on the bus and always brought a bag of their mother’s homemade kro?tule for him.
But it was more than that, much more. The bonds of friendship and support they’d built on Dida Krila; the way Natali was beginning to blossom; Ana’s rapidly improving leadership skills, even if she didn’t recognise them herself; the role he knew he was playing in both these things, and how that was helping him too.
Even if what he’d done in the past had put the library at risk, the fact he’d turned into a man who could be a father figure to Natali and a mentor to Ana ought to be a source of great pride. And now he thought about it, it was.
The list of good things was growing, making him feel stronger with every step.
Even his grief for Jenny felt more manageable – an ache rather than agony.
More happy memories than bad. It was good, better than just good; it was actually some sort of miracle.
And he wasn’t going to give up on it all without one hell of a fight.
Even if the only weapon he had was to protest his innocence again and again.
Was he strong enough now to face Ana and Natali and tell them what had happened?
He reckoned so. But what he could not do was walk back past the konoba.
There were two other possible routes, but retracing his steps to the harbour then threading his way through the backstreets would take him too close.
The other was along Bilin ?al Beach, and over the hill, past a place that had been more than special to Mirjana and him.
The pain of the past should be easier to face than what had happened today.
* * *
They were on the beach as usual, that Sunday evening, the kisses they shared as the sun set behind them leaving him burning for more. She was voluptuous, beautiful, irresistible. Except he had to resist, because he was that little bit older than her, and would be leaving at the end of the summer.
As dusk settled over the beach, and the group of campers staying at the far end began to play their guitars, Mirjana stood and reached for Lloyd’s hand.
“Come with me. I have a surprise for you.”
“What is it?”
“It’s a surprise, you idiot.” But as she pulled him close, she caressed the front of his shorts, her intentions suddenly crystal clear.
But was she sure? “Mirjana…”
“Shh.”
Taking his hand, she led him across the beach, the fine shingle crunching beneath their feet. They went just a few steps up the road, and through the open gate of the olive grove, where they slipped between the silent trees and stopped in front of a low stone building.
“What is this place?” he asked.
“An olive press. Nobody uses it at this time of year. Nobody comes here.”
The door creaked as she opened it, sending a roosting bird fluttering from a nearby branch.
He jumped and she laughed at him, before telling him to wait at the bottom of a ladder leaning against what looked like a gallery above.
As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he could make out the press, which filled the centre of the floor, its huge, round grinding stones and wooden levers worn smooth by generations of hands and covered by a thin film of dust. Clearly, no one came here. They would be completely alone.
He could hear her moving above him: a rustle of fabric, a click of a lighter, then shadows dancing from what he assumed were candles. Undoubtedly, she was going all out to make this romantic, so he’d better live up to her expectations.
Eventually she called him and he climbed, his heart thudding in his chest, so much so that he gasped when he reached the top, not from exertion, but from the sight of Mirjana’s naked body stretched out on a blanket, surrounded by flickering tealights.
“You’re even more beautiful than I dreamt you would be,” he whispered. “And believe me, I’ve dreamt of little else for weeks.”
He pulled his T-shirt over his head then pushed his shorts to the ground and stepped out of them.
He slid next to her, nestling so close that they seemed to touch at every point.
Skin on skin. A blissful, lingering electric shock ran through him – ran through them both, he was sure – and she tilted her head to kiss him.
Wrapping an arm over Mirjana’s shoulder, he slowly, slowly, slid it down her spine, goosebumps rising under his exploring fingers. He needed her like he’d needed no girl he’d slept with before. But she had to want it too.
“Mirjana, you’re sure? Really sure?”
“Yes, I am. But Lloyd, you should know, I haven’t done this before. There hasn’t been anyone I’ve wanted to…”
It was time, more than time, to tell her the feelings he’d been too scared to voice before now.
“Then I am honoured you want me to be the first man to make love to you. And I promise you, it will be making love, because I do love you. Very much.”
Tears sparkled in her eyes as she looked up at him. “You’re not just saying that, are you?” she gulped, “because I love you too and I couldn’t bear it if…”
“Of course I’m not. I’d never lie about something so important. I’ve been trying to find the right moment, but I worried I’d be coming on too strong. But here, now, it’s absolutely right to tell you. And to show you.”
* * *
How could so much love have turned to such hate? The thought dragged Lloyd back down to the depths. It may be time to face the girls, but to face the old olive press? That would be a step too far.
He’d have to head back past the harbour instead.
* * *
Natali fingered the edge of the banquette as Ana scooped her wine glass from the floor of the fly deck. “We have an early start for Kolo?ep tomorrow so I’m off to bed,” she said.
Lloyd nodded, unclasping his hands from behind his head. “Me too.”
He seemed better after a good meal and a few drinks, thank goodness, more like his positive self.
When he’d come back from the village this morning and told them Mirjana had refused to listen to a single word he’d said, Natali thought he’d looked so fragile that for a moment she’d almost been afraid to hug him in case he broke into a million pieces.
And when she did and looked up, there’d been tears in his eyes.
After telling them what had happened, he’d gone to his cabin to call Ruth, but hadn’t emerged for hours.
Ana had gone to the beach for a swim, but Natali had stayed, reading her book, although it had been very hard to concentrate.
And through her lack of concentration, a plan had formed.
She’d promised herself she’d do everything she could to keep this wonderful crew together, and now was the time to act.
She stood, the dog jumping from her lap. “I just need to walk Obi, then I’ll t-turn in as well.”
The narrow floating walkway between the boats wobbled as she stepped onto it.
On either side, yachts of all shapes and sizes rocked gently, but none were so smart and well-loved as Dida Krila.
On one or two of them, groups of people sat in the cockpits, eating, drinking or chatting, but most were quiet and Natali supposed the occupants had either gone out for the evening or, like she was meant to be doing, having an early night.
“You’re a good excuse, Obi.” The little dog’s tail wagged enthusiastically, as though she knew exactly what Natali had planned and was excited by it.
Which was more than Natali was. This was frankly very scary, but do it she would because she’d do anything – anything – to help Lloyd.
“He saved your life, remember,” she murmured, but already they had reached the quayside and Obi had found an extremely interesting bin to sniff.
“Later.” Natali said firmly, and set off past the beach club in the direction of the old village. Obi dragged behind, so she scooped her into her arms. “We need to get this done,” she whispered as she fondled the dog’s silky ears.
It was even harder to be brave standing outside a busy konoba on a Saturday night.
Would this Mirjana even agree to see her?
Maybe she should wait until closing time.
Natali’s legs shook as she stood at the bottom of the steps.
It was so full of people up there, talking, laughing, eating; having a good time. She buried her face in Obi’s soft fur.
The concrete steps would catapult her into the middle of all those customers, and that in itself was terrifying, so perhaps there was another entrance?
Somewhere she could creep in around the back and ask one of the staff if she could see Mirjana.
The konoba had a terrace, festooned with different coloured lights, so maybe she’d try up there.
A girl she guessed was just a year or two older than her, and wearing a white T-shirt with Pecaros emblazoned across it, ran down the steps.
“Is your dog all right?” she asked. “Only, you’re carrying it, and you look a bit worried.”
“N-no, she’s f-fine. Just sometimes she c-can be obstinate.”
“Oh, I see.” The girl reached forwards and stroked the top of Obi’s head. “But she’s so cute!”
Natali nodded. “Her n-name’s Obi.”
“Hello Obi. Now, are you guys looking for some supper?”
This was the moment. The ideal moment. “No. I’m l-looking for Mirjana.”
“Mama?” The girl looked surprised.
“I know you’re b-busy and it’s not a good time, but we’re s-sailing early tomorrow and…”
“Mama’s not working tonight. Can I help at all?”
Oh no. Natali hadn’t even imagined Mirjana wouldn’t be at the konoba, and to her intense shame she found tears pooling in her eyes. “I d-don’t think so. It’s about my f-friend. He … he…” But what else could she say?
“The man who came this morning?” The girl’s voice was sharp. “The one who stole my grandmother’s jewellery?”
“But he didn’t. I swear he didn’t. H-he couldn’t have.”
The girl folded her arms. “Listen, I’ve grown up with that story since I was little.” She stopped, frowning. “Neither of us was even born when it happened. How can you be so sure?”
“Because I know Lloyd. He saved Obi’s life. He’s the k-kindest man, the t-truest friend.”
“So he’s sent you here to upset Mama all over again?”
“No! In f-fact if he knew, he’d be really cross. But I wanted to try to explain to your mother. It’s s-so important she stops spreading l-lies about him.”
The girl folded her arms across her chest. “But they’re not lies.” Despite her words, Natali could sense her discomfort.
“I s-suppose, like you said, it was before we were born, and you believe your mama and I believe Lloyd. But it’s not just Lloyd she’s affecting,” Natali rushed on. “It’s Ana, and me, and a whole load of children spread over five islands.”
The girl’s eyebrows tilted a little above her deep brown eyes. “I don’t understand.”
“We run a library. For local children to have books to read in the summer. Here, perhaps you have something like that already, but on the smaller islands there is nothing. And Lloyd reads to the little ones too in some places, talks to others in English or German. And it’s Ana’s boat, and me …
well, I really, really need a job where Obi can come too and that’s hard to find… ” Oh, she was explaining this so badly.
“But this is nothing to do with Mama.”
“It is. It actually is. There’s a lady called Kristina.
She’s in charge of the library on Kor?ula and your mama told her Lloyd was a thief and ever since then she’s stopped bringing children and wants him gone, which I do understand.
If she thinks he’s dishonest, I totally g-get it.
But he’s not. He knew nothing about the jewellery until today.
I promise you, he didn’t. Oh, please, you have to believe me. ”
The girl nodded slowly. “I do believe you. I just don’t think I buy what Lloyd’s been telling you. I think you’ve been spun a lie as well.”
Natali set Obi down on the road. “He’s a good man.
And I know bad when I see it, you can certainly trust me on that one.
” There was nothing more to be said. Nothing at all.
“We must be going. Early st-start tomorrow. We only stayed so Lloyd could talk to your mother and it’s a long sail to Kolo?ep. ”
She started to walk away, but the girl called after her, asking her name.
“It’s Natali. Why?”
She pulled a phone from her pocket. “And what’s your number? I’ll try to talk to Mama about this, but it mightn’t be easy to find the right time. Your friend coming here this morning has really rattled her. It’s given her one of her headaches, and she hasn’t had one of those since Tata died.”
“Thank you. Thank you so much.”
“I’m Krasna, by the way. And I think you’re so brave, Natali, coming here.” She laughed. “But then, you don’t know Mama like I do.”