Chapter 63 Frustration
Frustration
As Cici and Declan roamed around the Square looking for Shelley, they realized they weren't making any progress.
"This is bollocks!" Declan declared, his Irish accent thickening for effect. Cici smiled, knowing he always turned up the accent when trying to break the ice or get a laugh.
"Yeah, it's pretty bollocks. How about we grab a seat at that bar on the patio?" Cici pointed toward the raised seating area with a decent view of the crowd.
"Maybe we'll have better luck staying put. Who knows, we could've passed her a few times without even noticing because we were moving parallel to her. Heck, maybe she's looking for us, and we keep missing each other!"
Declan nodded, and they made their way through the busy Square toward the bar.
Cici snagged the last small bench at the corner, offering a view of most of the Square, while Declan ordered ginger beers to take the edge off.
Cici understood why they hadn't found Shelley as she scanned the bustling crowd.
"It's gotten way busier than it was earlier!" Cici declared when Declan returned.
"Hmm." Declan squinted at the crowd. "Looks like a lot more people than usual, doesn't it?"
Spotting a familiar face, Declan shouted, "Greta!" The older woman struggled through the throng of tourists, but when she heard Declan's voice, the crowd parted enough to let her through.
"Whew! Thought I'd get swallowed up out there! Thanks for that," Greta huffed, dabbing her forehead with a bandana. "Tourists heard a yell, and they just stopped pushing, finally letting my old bones through."
"Greta, why's it so packed tonight?" Cici asked, gesturing toward the sea of people.
"Oh, it's that new cruise they recently launched. Some genius thought it'd be great to offer a midweek discount and bring tourists here on the off days when the flights aren't coming in. A giant mess if you ask me. This island's already busy enough without a boatload of extras."
"A cruise boat?" Declan and Cici exchanged wide-eyed looks.
"Yep! Didn't you see it in the paper? Over a thousand people from Miami came in today for a two-night stay before they head to another island."
Declan leaned in. "A cruise... Maybe that's how Shelley got here."
Greta, oblivious to the sudden realization that struck them, kept going. "They've overbooked every hotel; rumour has it people who couldn't get a place are being sent to the outer resorts. Can you imagine? The Italian resort filled up with American tourists from the cruise! Oh, it's not good."
"Wait, so they're bussing everyone around to different parts of the island?" Cici's voice was incredulous.
"Exactly. They didn't think it through," but Greta was cut short when a group of rowdy young men bumped into her, nearly knocking her over.
"Oh my!" she gasped, but Declan was quick, catching her before she fell.
"Well, that's enough for me!" Greta declared. "You two be careful. I'm heading out." She waved them off and disappeared into the bar, likely making her way out through the back exit to avoid the crush of tourists.
"This is madness," Cici muttered to Declan, shaking her head. "But at least we might have an answer about how Shelley got on the island."
As if on cue, a familiar voice piped up beside them. "What do you mean, how I got on the island?"
Declan jumped in his seat as Shelley appeared, smiling sweetly. "Where did you come from?" he yelped, clutching his chest in surprise.
"I was getting a drink for the show and saw you two sitting here," Shelley said casually.
"Why would you wonder how I got on the island?
Like everyone else, of course." She flashed them a smile before turning her attention to the crowd as it settled in for the show.
"Scoot over a bit, Declan. My legs are still shaky from those awful docks at the Lagoon.
" Without waiting for him to move, Shelley slid in next to him, forcing him closer to Cici.
Declan shot an uncomfortable look at Cici, now pressed between them and the tourists at the end of the bench. "You know what? I think I'm going to go." He stood abruptly, pushing Shelley to the side. For a moment, her polished smile faltered, but she quickly recovered.
"Leaving so soon?" she purred. "The show's about to start."
Declan shook his head. "I've seen it enough times, love.
Enjoy." He gave Cici a meaningful look as he left, subtly pointing toward the east harbour parking lot.
Cici nodded in understanding. That's where their teammates would be parking since it was the only area reserved for Lagoon staff and security ensured no tourists could enter.
As Declan disappeared, Cici turned back to Shelley and had to yell over the crowd, "Is that how you got on the island today? The cruise ship?" But either Shelley didn't hear or she was ignoring her.
"Oh, look," Shelley didn't miss a beat. "There are dancers!" With this, Shelley got up and left.
Cici felt a knot form in her stomach. This wasn't her battle, and she knew she was being brushed off but did not know why. She knew she'd better watch Shelley, and so she followed her into the crowd.
Cici took one glancing look towards where the parking lot was and hoped the others would finish their tasks fast and come rescue her soon.