After lunch, I head back to reception and see Diana exactly where I left her, concentrating hard and mouthing French words.
She sees me coming and pulls the headphones from her ear and smiles. “That went quickly. Did you have the lobster? It’s seriously good.”
My mind is so full of what I’ve learned and I’m not sure if I should ask but say slightly nervously, “Um, do you have a partner, Diana?”
She looks at me with interest and I see a slight grin on her face as she nods. “I see Nate told you how it works here.”
“So, it’s true. I thought he was spinning me a line.”
“No, it’s all true. We partner up and who wouldn’t want that, anyway? It makes life more interesting, and you’re lucky he’s available. Nate is one of the good ones–enjoy.”
It feels strange talking about this, and she must sense my confusion because she lowers her voice. “Listen honey. Just go with it. When I first arrived, and they threw this at me, I was much like you. It felt odd–wrong even, but Matty made me feel so welcome and secure, I was more than happy about it.”
“Matty?”
“My partner. He’s head of security and spends most of his days patrolling the beaches, making sure there aren’t any uninvited guests. I’ll introduce you later if you like.”
“Thanks. It would be good to meet him.”
I still have so many questions and Diana must sense that because she sighs and leans closer. “Listen, don’t dwell on it. Nate’s not the sort to make you do anything you’re not happy with. Just enjoy his company and leave it at that. It will be boring, but if that’s what you want, he won’t mind.”
“You mean…”
She shrugs. “Like most relationships, they progress at different speeds. Matty was an angel and gave me all the time I needed. He was seriously attentive and couldn’t do enough for me, so it was inevitable I would fall for him at some point and I’m so happy I did.”
“But I still don’t understand. Why do we have to partner up? Surely that’s not required to do the job.”
Diana shrugs. “I think they do it to keep our minds on the job. Think about it. If we were all single and ready to mingle, they would have all the shit that goes with that. Arguments, cheating and jealously. It would ruin the happy vibe of the island, and that is Chester’s main concern. He wants to create a couple’s environment, whether it’s real or not. This way the guests are happy among loved up staff members, and it keeps the mood mellow.”
She sighs. “Take Adam, for instance. He’s angry and is seriously bringing the atmosphere down. We are all on edge around him because he creates tension in the room. To be honest, the sooner he leaves, the better and we can carry on.”
She turns away, leaving me feeling extremely concerned. This is wrong on every level. Fabricating happiness and perfection along with the interiors and the carefully swept sandy beach. Stepford in paradise springs to mind. None of its real and I can’t for one moment think that’s ok.
The rest of the afternoon is spent manning the desk and we only get one enquiry from a woman who wants to book a boat excursion for tomorrow. Carefully, I write down her requirements and pen Nate’s name next to it. Then put a note in his cubby hole for him to collect when he’s passing.
“I wonder why they don’t use computers?” I look at Diana and she shrugs. “They don’t need them and there’s no Wi-Fi, anyway. In fact, there’s not a lot of anything connecting Catalina to the outside world.”
I’m stunned. “What, no communication at all?”
She laughs. “Of course there is, but it’s all handled by Chester’s team.”
“Chester’s team?”
“They work on the mainland and there are a couple of assistants in the back office. They coordinate everything and arrange connections for the guests, but not the staff.”
“Don’t you think that’s odd?”
“I did.” She pulls a face. “Now I don’t care. Most of us have nothing on the mainland anyway, so who would we call?”
“What about your family?”
I’m getting more concerned as the day goes on and her face falls, making me feel bad for mentioning it.
“My family threw me out when I was eighteen.”
“Why?”
I’m a little shocked at that, and she shrugs. “They told me I had to make my own way in life and their job was done. In fact, they couldn’t wait to see the back of me and even ordered a cab and helped me pack.”
“That’s terrible.”
I am seriously upset for her, and she sighs heavily. “It was a stormy relationship. Most of my teens we clashed, and I wasn’t the model daughter they wanted. As soon as they could, they got rid of me.”
“How do you feel about that?”
I feel bad for her, and she sighs. “I don’t feel good about it, but it is what it is. There’s no love lost there, and I wouldn’t care if I never saw them again. Madelaine has become a second mother to me, and the island is now my home. The rest of the staff are my new family, and I’m happy with that.”
“And you have Matty.”
“And I have Matty.” She smiles. “That’s the best part of all. You know Katrina, don’t overthink this place. It’s really not that bad. I know it’s different, but ask yourself what’s bad about that? Most people would kill to live like this, and I’ve never known any arguments or fights, so that’s got to be a good thing, surely.”
I return her smile, but it will take me some time to get used to this, and then she says brightly, “Time to pack up for the day. My sunbed is calling, and Drew had better have my sundowner ready. You can join me if you like.”
“Thanks.” My mind is working overtime and to be honest, I just want to be alone, so I shake my head. “It’s fine. I’m thinking of exploring a bit, if you don’t mind.”
“Sure, the offer’s always there, though.”
She heads off the other way and as I walk to my room, I take my troubled thoughts with me. Today has been surprising in many ways and yet I’m feeling happy about it, especially the part where I get to partner up with Nate. The trouble is, it feels as if I have no choice in the matter which has thrown me a little. An arranged coupling of the most disturbing kind and the question is, what am I going to do about it?
Once I’ve changed, I head out and take a different route away from the buildings. Maybe some time alone will help rearrange my confused thoughts and as I grasp the water bottle I filled from the refrigerator in my room, I set off along a track that runs around the perimeter of the resort.
Aside from a few lizards and some sweet singing birds, there is nobody else around and I’m glad about that.
I can’t stop thinking of everything I’ve heard today and don’t register where I’m walking until I hear a loud, “Excuse me!”
Peering into the distance, I see a man heading my way and my heart sinks. Now what?
He draws nearer and I see a friendly looking guy with dark hair and a slight stubble on his face. He’s wearing a white polo shirt with the island logo embroidered on it and navy shorts which indicates this a member of staff I have yet to meet.
“You must be Katrina.” His smile is broad, and I nod in surprise.
“Yes.”
“Matty.” He offers me his hand. “Diana may have told you about me.”
“She did. I’m pleased to meet you, Matty.”
He seems so sweet I feel comfortable with him already, and he falls into step beside me.
“So, are you exploring? Do you fancy some company?”
To be honest, I want to say no, but it would seem churlish, so I smile. “Great, um, thanks.”
He waves his hand at the surroundings. “There’s not a lot to see away from the resort, just sand with a bit of vegetation thrown in. I patrol several times a day just to check nobody’s here that shouldn’t be.”
“It’s small then?” It’s impossible to see how big the island really is, and Matty nods. “Yes, the resort takes up most of it, but there’s a nature reserve on the other side where there are some seriously rare orchids and tropical birds. You should get Nate to take you there. We have a buggy you can use. It only takes twenty minutes, and the chef will pack you a picnic.”
He smiles and as his eyes twinkle, I can see why Diana fell for him so hard. Almost as if he can read minds, he whispers, “I took Diana there on a date and by the end of it she agreed to partner up with me. It’s a magical place.”
He winks and I feel myself blush as he says, “Nate’s a great guy. He’ll make a good partner for you.”
“Do I have a choice?” I’m starting to feel a little railroaded and he must sense that because he stops and looks concerned. “Listen, Katrina. This island can be paradise or hell. Embrace all it has to offer, no matter how weird, and you will fall in love with it. If you fight against it, it’s not so pleasant. I’ve been here for six months already, and I’ve seen many people struggle with it. Those who make it their own are happy, those who don’t…” He shakes his head. “Well, they leave.”
“But I’m going in six weeks, anyway. I have college and exams to sit.”
I’m not sure if it’s my imagination playing tricks on me, but Matty is looking at me as if I’m deranged.
“Of course.” He grins. “Then enjoy it while you can; that’s my advice.”
He looks at his watch and says ruefully. “We should go.”
“We?”
“Yes, tonight there’s a general meeting and Chester will be angry if we’re late. Word of advice, Katrina, don’t upset Chester. That’s the one rule you break at your peril.”
Needing no further persuasion, I follow him, and as we head back the way I came, I just hope this meeting will answer a few questions that are now screaming for answers.