The Reef by Mark Charan Newton

Author:Mark Charan Newton
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9780955445262
Publisher: Pendragon Press, Pennington
Published: 2008-03-23T23:00:00+00:00

Yana Speaking

On these pages I feel the need to write everything down in some fancy prose, but I think the bare facts say more than a false style ever can in this instance. Besides, I know that if I exaggerate, I’ll lose the essence of this island. I’ll loose the sense of place.

So, in simple, clear words then:

I am lying on my front, my cheek touching the white sand. Before me, the sea stretches. I am at Mnebu Bay, and everything is bright. Each drop of water sparkles. It’s simply too hot to move. Maybe it’s my current health, or maybe it’s the island, but everything is so sensual.

I think it’s the island.

It’s mid morning and the wind is enough to stop me from sweating. My skin still tingles from the heat. I can see little fishing boats coming in. The men are silhouettes, and there are at least four shades of blue that merge with one another. And there is every wave spilling up the beach, receding then being overtaken again.

Repeat and fade, I could stay here forever.

We’ve been here a few days and everything has gone wrong. I did not anticipate returning to Escha with a child. I did not anticipate returning to Escha a single woman, either, but both ideas appeal now I come to think about it. I like the idea of having a child. I can’t pretend that I’ve never wanted one. Santiago thinks I’ve been lucky to escape so far. He’s not overly fond of children, poor Becq. All my friends and family have had them. I remember my sister, Yvena, telling me, when she first had Estella, the little thing cried all through the night. She cried so loud that Yvena couldn’t sleep. When Estella stopped crying, Yvena had said, the silence was so blissfully intense. I want that, I want that very much. I’m putting on weight and I love it. I look down at my stomach and know that I’m creating something, and that I love him or her very much.

Of course, telling Manolin will be something altogether more difficult. I still can’t tell him and I’m not sure what he’s going to say. I’ll also have to let Becq know, too. She’s not going to like the fact that the ‘untouchable’ :tYIanolin succumbed to this old woman’s charms. She’ll be clinging on to her doll for a little while longer. Santiago insists I tell him and everyone as soon as I can. He’s cornered me several times. I can’t see why he’d want me to ruin Manolin’s life though. It seems strange that someone who has helped another so much would want to cause them such a problem like this.

Manolin has been freed from the city since we’ve arrived. Quite right, too, as he’s had a lot to deal with. The island has turned him into something of a free spirit, unlikely to be claimed by anyone, let alone Becq. She’d be no good to him anyway, and he’ll never want her.

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