Page 19 of A Taste of Paradise

‘Uh-huh,’ Greg mumbled as he held out his phone to try and pick up a signal. ‘I need to make a call.’

She studied him with some disappointment. He’d promised to take time out on the trip, but so far he was still spending the majority of it focused on work. What he could be doing, she had no idea, but it was disheartening to say the least. Plus, he remained decidedly unimpressed and grumpy about the resort for some reason. She knew the Wi-Fi reception wasn’t so great, but that surely had more to do with their location than any fault of the hotel. Or was it perhaps that the older, more rustic surrounds weren’t quite living up to his expectations as a suitable proposal spot?

For her part, Naomi couldn’t care a whit about any elaborate backdrop; he could propose to her right now on the bus for all she cared, but it was disappointing that he seemed so dour not only about the hotel, but the trip in general.

Noticing her tight-lipped expression, he mouthed an apology as he stepped away from the group.

‘Sorry, but the reception’s actually decent here. Just give me a minute, OK?’

‘He’s working – again?’ Sam asked in disbelief as Naomi went ahead and caught up with the others.

‘Yeah.’ She could feel her best friend studying her and guessed the inevitable questions that were on Sam’s mind, though she hoped she wouldn’t utter them out loud. ‘Let’s go ahead anyway. He can follow on when he’s ready.’

The two caught up with the group in time to hear Keisha offer some background on the landmark they were headed to: Devil’s Bridge Canyon.

‘The legend goes that the man who built the bridge made a pact with the devil. He promised the devil that if he helped him build across this sixty-metre-deep ravine, he would let him take the soul of the first being to walk over it. But when the bridge was completed, the man let a dog go before him. The animal reached the other side but vanished and was never seen again. Still, the devil must have been satisfied with the prize as he vanished and was never seen again either. Since then, this bridge to which he gave his name links the two steep sides of the ravine, but those who cross it often can’t help but look back on their steps to check that they’re not being followed …’

‘Ooh, that’s a bit creepy, isn’t it?’ Janice’s voice from nearby filled her ears and Naomi smiled, delighted to see her parents enjoying themselves at least.

They all followed Keisha along the trail and out onto the bridge one by one, in the manner of children following the Pied Piper.

‘Get the camera out, Dad,’ Naomi instructed once they’d reached the other side, pulling her mother and Sam closer beside her in front of the atmospheric location.

George duly took out his ancient Nikon and snapped a few shots. He steadfastly refused to succumb to phone camera usage, despite his daughter’s profession.

‘Judy, Karen, come on!’ she called back, ushering her sisters in for another photo. They were busy taking their own shots of mango trees nearby but sauntered over to where they were. Despite whatever was going on between them, they were closely chatting away, so maybe they’d patched things up.

‘Where’s Greg?’ her dad asked then, suddenly noticing his absence.

‘Don’t worry about him,’ Naomi stated airily. ‘He’s working but we’re here to have fun.’

George looked a little perplexed but continued to take photos until Keisha announced it was time for them all to move on to their next stop. On their way back to the bus, Naomi noticed someone else who seemed keenly interested in taking photos – the little girl from earlier.

‘Stand there, Daddy,’ she instructed her father as she went to get a shot of him beneath a mango tree. While he posed self-consciously, Naomi couldn’t help but smile as she watched their interaction. She wanted that. She wanted to have a family and take her and Greg’s kids on trips like this, recording all those precious little moments for memories, as opposed to stylised images for money and strangers.

‘Daddy, that lady’s staring.’ The girl’s voice interrupted her thoughts then, and Naomi instantly felt a blush rise beneath her cheeks.

‘Sorry, I was wondering if you’d like me to take a picture of the two of you together?’ She stepped forward, embarrassed at being caught spying on them. ‘I’m Naomi. I think we’re on the same bus.’

‘That would be great, thanks. I’m Will and this is my daughter Holly.’ He took her hand and shook it gently, his remaining arm wrapped around his daughter’s shoulders.

‘Hi!’ the girl sang happily.

‘If you’re sure you don’t mind?’ Will offered his phone to her, and then father and daughter both posed beneath the tree. They looked cute together, but Will still seemed stiff and awkward. Luckily, Naomi knew exactly how to loosen up a reluctant subject.

‘Say “horseradish”!’ she urged jokingly, as she brought the phone up to view them through the screen.

‘Horseradish!’ they both sang and then laughed, looking at one another as she clicked away. Much better.

Naomi took a few shots in different poses for good measure and offered to take them in other locations if they wanted also. ‘Maybe your wife would like to get into one?’

Will paused, but Holly was quick to reply. ‘My mummy’s dead.’

Naomi’s heart sank into her shoes as she fumbled for the right words. ‘Oh gosh, I’m so sorry,’ she said, reddening.

‘It’s OK,’ Will assured her. ‘It was a long time ago. Thanks again for the photos, they look amazing; a hell of a lot better than my meagre attempts. Come on, Holly, let’s check out the papayas.’

‘OK,’ his daughter responded, following behind her father. Then she turned back. ‘Wanna come too?’