The Ring

He still owed money to Carlos but he was on the island and on the island Carlos could not touch him.

The sun streamed down, bouncing off everything it touched. The hammock sagged and gently swayed, almost to the beat of the band playing on the beach.

This was paradise, just like in the movies - but better because it was real - oh so real.

He smiled, remembering the engaging conversation he’d had with Lucy about reality versus unreality and how she created her reality from her unreality – her imagination.

He had called her a ‘dreamer’ and argued there was only reality, all else was nonsense. He smiled again. He’d been smiling a lot recently. Am I getting funnier? Sillier maybe. Playing pranks on Lucy and the like.

He took a sip of his cocktail and put his free hand behind his head. I’m doing well; I’m doing very well.

The waiter brought over a club sandwich and laid it down on the small table.

' Thanks, Malu - was it Malu?'

"Oui, Mr. Jimmy - Malu'

He grinned and handed the waiter a crumpled five dollar note.

'Here’s something extra for being such a great guy, Malu'

'Merci Beaucoup, Mr. Jimmy - anything you need, I’m your man. '

'My man! Yes, you are Malu. Care to join me for a drink? '

'Oh, I would love to Mr. Jimmy but I must work.'

'Ah work- it’ll kill you one of these days!'

' Oh no, Mr. Jimmy. I love it.'

' Good for you, Malu!'

Malu smiled his golden smile and gave a small bow. That’s what I like, he thought. A little bit of courtesy; courtesy and respect.

He flicked off his slippers and curled his feet in the gathered hammock cloth.

Lucy would love this. He hadn’t seen her all day. The band started playing My Girl and a handful of bronzed kids began dancing, the sun bouncing off them this way and that.

He thought of the kids he employed back home and wondered if they could do with a bit of beachside living.

Little idiots. He used to be a little idiot, then he grew into a bigger idiot - but now he was smarter. Much smarter. He sipped from his cocktail and the kids kept on dancing.

Lucy loved the ring. Onyx. Big. Cut into the shape of a panther’s head. The panther was her favourite animal. He had promised to find her a real one to live with them after the deal was secured but she said seeing it cooped up like that would cause her distress.

He loved the way she cared for just about everything. He refused to be that way, he couldn’t. Business doesn’t operate in dreamland. He had to be ruthless – he had to be smart.

He was down to the dregs of the cocktail. Should I have another? Decisions, decisions… Ha! Why not?

The band started to play Three Little Birds and he raised his glass.

'Nice one, guys!'

He looked around for Lucy and then at his watch. This was not like her.

She was probably caught up discussing politics or philosophy with some poor sod. He lay back and watched the clouds blossoming. He liked it here, Lucy liked it here - maybe he should buy a shack somewhere on the island and live the easy life – just the two of them.

It would solve the Carlos issue, that’s for sure.

A little goes a long way on the island and the new deal would set them up pretty much for life. Malu was approaching. Just in time!

'I’m empty, Malu! '

Malu carried with him a small package.

'Oh! Something from Miss Lucy? '

'I don’t know Mr. Jimmy. '

He handed the waiter another crumpled five dollar note.

'Thank-you Mr. Jimmy - you are too kind.'

He unwrapped the package. The paper was smeared with blood.

Inside was a hand sporting a large onyx ring in the shape of a panther’s head.

His cocktail glass fell and the ice swam onto the sand.

In the distance, the kids kept on dancing under the sun.