The Islands Read Online Free PDF Page B

think she’s pure Hawaiian. Wait till you see her dance.’
    The dancer smiled at them and made her way to the raised dais in front of the band. She chatted to the musicians and then moved to the centre of the stage as they began to play ‘Lovely Hula Hands’. In her bare feet Kiann’e began to sway, her hips circling, her arms lifted in a graceful curve, her eyes on her fingertips. She moved slowly, like an unfolding flower.
    â€˜Watch her hands, they tell the story,’ said Bradley. ‘I know it’s all a bit old fashioned, but this is so popular.’
    â€˜I was thinking of those rattling grass skirts and shaking fast swinging hips,’ said Catherine. ‘This is exquisite. I suppose you have to be born to it to dance like that.’
    â€˜For sure. They learn as toddlers.’ Bradley sipped his drink served in half a small pineapple decorated with a bright red cherry and paper umbrella.
    Catherine was entranced by the dancing.
    After the show they moved into the restaurant for dinner and Bradley talked about his work, living in Honolulu and how much he enjoyed it.
    â€˜What about a nightcap?’ he suggested after their meal. ‘Take in a couple of the old Hawaiian institutions – the tiki lounges.’
    â€˜Maybe just one bar or club will do tonight. And no more mai tais, they sneak up on you.’
    She wondered where he was driving them as they wound down a lane past a cement plant and came to a lagoon, finally parking near a sign pointing to the Mariana Sailing Club.
    Catherine glanced at the marina in the distance. ‘Is this a club?’
    â€˜Yes, but people come here for the Hawaiian atmosphere. It’s been run since the 1950s by this lady. She bought all kinds of memorabilia from some of the old establishments like Trader Vic, Don the Beachcomber, the Kon Tiki Room. Are you familiar with Exotica music? Tourists love it.’
    â€˜No. I only know the latest London groups.’
    â€˜This is the old music started by Martin Denny, Arthur Lyman, Les Baxter and it’s a kind of Polynesian cultural mix of Hawaiian music, jazz, drums and sound effects like frogs and waterfalls. You might recognise it when you hear it.’
    Catherine doubted it. This was another world and a long way from the country music back in Peel.
    The lounge bar was strung with coloured lights, the ceiling and walls were of bamboo and large carved tiki gods scowled from the doorway. Coloured glass balls on ropes were strung around the room next to plastic palm trees and in one corner a small waterfall splashed into a miniature pond where coloured lights played across the water. A large artificial frog sat on a plastic lily pad. The waiters wore bright Hawaiian shirts and white shorts and the waitresses wore Hawaiian-print strapless dresses with the mini skirts showing lots of tanned legs.
    â€˜A lot of the staff here are from California,’ said Bradley. ‘The surf thing, you know.’
    â€˜You know a lot about Honolulu in a short time,’ said Catherine.
    He smiled. ‘Ah, sailors. They find the hot spots pretty quickly so I get to hear about them. Not that I frequent some of the joints they recommend.’
    They ordered drinks but when the music started conversation was difficult so they leaned close to talk and at one point, while Catherine was trying to explain how different London disco clubs were, Bradley moved closer and kissed her on the lips. A lingering kiss that made her tingle.
    They danced to a slow song, Bradley didn’t like fast dancing.
    â€˜My mother made me go to ballroom dancing classes.
    I earned some money during college teaching ballroom. Assisting the lady teacher as her partner.’ He pulled her tighter to him. ‘I didn’t want any of my fraternity brothers to know about that. They were on the football team. There, I’ve told you my darkest secret.’
    Catherine laughed.
    They danced through another song