Georgie returned to Penida two weeks after she left. The seaplane was able to carry most of her stash but Bruce was going to return the following day with more food and the rest of her Penida gear.
Darcy had rung her the day before she left for the island.
"I've found out who he is," he said.
Georgie groaned. There's evil people around but Wayne struck her as being ok.
"You didn't need to brother, but ok who is he?" Georgie asked curiously.
Darcy had the family traced but didn't send someone over at Penida. He asked Bruce to keep an eye out on Georgie but that was all.
"He's a beach bum. He has no prospects and is all santai saja," Darcy said trying to keep amusement out of his voice, then added, "He seems to be a male version of you."
"Seriously?!" Is this what her brother thinks of her? "I am not relaxed!"
Darcy laughed.
"I am not a beach bum!" Georgie objected.
"Georgie, it's fine. Santai saja. If I had uncovered anything of concern I'd be there right now. You're like two kindred spirits - aimless, bored, hedonistic..."
"I am not", Georgie complained.
"His parents are divorced and his mother's a naturopath in the Gold Coast. Close to Byron. His father lives at Uluwatu and on Penida with extended family members and his second wife. Swedish, I think," he added.
After thinking about this info, Georgie asked, "So you approve of him?"
"You could have done worse," he admitted honestly but wondered if they'd get bored with each other and said so.
"I don't know him much! How can I be bored with someone I don't know?" She asked.
"Well, you left the island because of him." He pointed out.
"I just needed to re-supply and I don't like relying on the kindness of strangers," she said.
"You could have asked Bruce to buy you the paddle board and upgraded gear and flown them over," Darcy responded with the flaws in her argument.
Georgie paused.
"Ok, ok maybe I needed a break from Penida. I felt like he was stalking me..." Georgie said then quickly added "not in a bad way. I just don't like being watched."
Darcy nodded over the phone. He understood how she felt when all eyes were on him because he was a Darcy.
"It could be worse... you could be in London." He said.
Georgie shivered in the tropical heat. Definitely not under the microscope like London.
Darcy then changed the subject, "I'm organising a birthday surprise for Lizzy and James in two weeks' time. Their birthdays are quite close together so I've organised a double celebration. I'm planning a birthday weekend at Byron. Will you be able to fly over?"
Darcy thought about the fond memories he had with Lizzy in the villa, and the pool...
"Not if you and Lizzy fuck like noisy rabbits again," Georgie said, "I'm still traumatised over the" - and here she did the heavy breathing impression of them both - "Oh Lizzy! Oh Will! I'm cummminnnng!"
And she burst out laughing.
Darcy blushed, "We weren't that bad...or that noisy. The place is isolated anyway, no one would hear us."
"Yes, but James and I will hear you! It's embarrassing!" She said. "Aren't you sexed out already? Haven't you gotten it out of your system yet?"
Darcy had to admit no, he hadn't. He was still desirous of Lizzy since the first time they had sex. In fact, it had increased because they did it so often and just thinking about it made him horny. Again.
"No." He said decidedly.
"Well, you need to insulate your villa because we will hear you!"
Darcy acknowledged her point. "Fine, I'll add double glazed windows and insulate my villa just to please you sister. And anyway, the other Bennets are coming including the Bingleys. So yes, we will both be mindful of our guests and their comforts. All the villas should be occupied so I need Bruce and the plane back before that Friday."
Georgie thought on this, it was going be a full weekend then. "I'll make sure I'll arrive at Byron a couple of days beforehand. Would you like me to organise anything?"
On this Darcy gave Georgie a list of what she could do and organise for the Byron birthday weekend.
XXX
The following day, after she returned to Penida, Georgie was at the beach early with her paddle board. Wayne was already there waiting for her with his board. He saw her plane arrive yesterday.
"Hey," he said uncertainly.
"Hey Wayne," Georgie responded, friendlier this time.
"Thought you were gone," he said wistfully, "and you didn't even say goodbye." He stared at the sea. Thought she would at least attempt a farewell.
Georgie smiled, "Nah, just had to do a re-supply run" and she pointed to her new board.
Wayne admired it and smiled, "Nice board. You didn't like mine?"
Georgie shook her head, "Don't take it personally, I like to use my own things and I've rediscovered how good it is to SUP again. Had to do some shopping."
Wayne nodded. "I live at Uluwatu when I go to the mainland."
Georgie responded "I stay at Ubud."
"Yeah, I know" said Wayne. "The locals know your movements."
Georgie reddened. "I... didn't realise they kept tabs on me."
"It's cool," Wayne said, "they've seen you around and want to ensure you're safe."
Georgie nodded. It was a double-edged sword she thought - being safe but also being watched.
"They tell me you're single. Here, and at Ubud," he added with a smile.
She shook her head. "Ugh, even my love life is being discussed."
"It's alright Georgie, they discuss mine. They've nothing else better to do. I'm single too...if you're interested," Wayne said more forwardly this time.
Georgie stared at him and hesitated, "I've had a...a really bad experience," and then her face took a serious turn as memories flooded back.
Wayne thought oh shit, I shouldn't have said that, "I'm sorry. I just thought if you wanted to hang around, I don't have a girlfriend waiting for me or anything like that."
She looked at him and nodded. He looked concerned.
After awhile she said, "I'd like that. Just to hang around. I don't mind. You can show me your best snorkelling spots."
Wayne smiled back. "Yeah, I know plenty of them around here."
"So, where's the next one?" She asked.
And so the two snorkelling buddies SUPped their way to search for another snorkelling spot.