Meet Me in Hawaii Georgia Toffolo (tharntype novel english .TXT) 📖

job she’d been too busy to go for that drink he’d offered. She had a feeling that any more time spent in his company she’d be in trouble.

‘Aloha, Malie.’ Her uncle embraced her when he saw her. He’d arranged to meet her at the entrance to the private drive, that way neither of them had to go in alone. They dealt with the rich daily – providing lessons – but this was different. This was on their territory.

‘You look… Nani – beautiful!’

‘And so do you, Uncle.’ She grinned as she took in his colourful shirt and trousers. ‘I never thought I’d see the day you’d don a pair of chinos.’

He grimaced as he took her arm in his. ‘Mention the trousers again, and you can do a double shift tomorrow.’

She giggled and he was saved from any further ribbing by the security guard at the gatehouse. He stepped forward, his smile polite. ‘Invitations, please.’

Kalani pulled one out of his pocket. It was the colour of sunrise with the silhouette of several surfboards and their owners, one in a wheelchair, one with a prosthetic leg, one with only one arm, some with no external injuries at all but clearly all united by the beach and their boards. She loved it.

‘They really have gone all-out,’ she said to him as the security guard opened the gates.

‘Wait until you see inside,’ he said. ‘I’ve heard some of the locals talking about it this afternoon. It seems Mr Masters, the guy who heads up the Foundation and is staying here, has a lot of passion for this project. I think you’ll have a lot in common with him.’

‘Really?’ Maybe this evening wouldn’t be such a chore after all. Maybe she did stand a chance of not only doing some good but also getting to talk that passion through with someone who shared it. ‘I’d kind of had a different expectation in my head, it’s not often you meet people that aren’t in it for their own financial gain, good PR or otherwise.’

‘Well, maybe this guy will surprise you.’

She nodded as they followed the perfectly manicured driveway that weaved through the landscaped grounds. She could hear music now, the celestial sound of a steel guitar playing the chilled-out music of the island mingling with the gentle hum of chatter in the distance.

‘Do you know much about the people coming tonight?’ she asked.

‘Anyone who’s anyone, Mr Masters has roped them all in. I think he’s hoping to raid their pockets before the night is out.’

‘Now that’s a plan I can get on board with… oh wow!’ Where the path forked ahead there was an old surfboard sporting a sketch of cocktails and an arrow pointing to the left, towards the rear of the house and closer to the sea. At its base were various-sized lanterns, lit up and adorned with shells. ‘I love that.’

Kalani grinned. ‘Look, there’s more.’

Sure enough as they turned down the path, more shell lanterns ran along its edge, their soft glow accentuating the trail and she felt herself smile. This really wasn’t like any other cocktail party she’d been to and her beach dress fitted right in – thank you, V!

As the music and voices grew louder the path curved off to the right and just ahead, she could see a beautiful pergola. Fairy lights weaved with creeping vines through the wooden pillars and along the lattice roofline, small tables made of what looked like driftwood and varnished to a warm rich colour were decorated with flickering lanterns, sand and shells. Straight ahead was a wooden stage featuring three propped-up surfboards with the charity name – Fun For All – written across them in wave-like writing. To the left the ocean rolled, its waves crashing peacefully in the distance. To the right, the impressive house ran for as far as the eye could see.

People milled everywhere, some readily recognizable like the mayor, the chief of police, famous local author Idris Magnum, as well as some of the island’s hottest surf talent. And they were all fixated on the stage – local DJ, Eddie, had them eating out of the palm of his hand. Everyone was smiling, everyone was happy, and hopefully that meant money for the Foundation and a successful start to their relationship with the surf school.

‘They’re in the middle of the auction,’ a young woman explained, coming up to them and smiling at Kalani. She was dressed impeccably in a black bodycon dress, her dark hair perfectly smooth and make-up flawless. Malie didn’t recognize her. ‘Mr Masters has had them here for over an hour already and the drinks haven’t stopped flowing.’

‘Bidding while under the influence, hey? You sure Harry isn’t going to complain?’ Kalani gestured to the chief of police.

‘You know, I think he’s actively encouraging it.’

They both laughed and Kalani turned to Malie. ‘This is Grace, she’s the lady we have to thank for Mr Masters coming to us with this venture.’

‘Ah, Malie, it’s so lovely to meet you.’ Grace turned her smile on Malie and a genuine warmth lit up the woman’s eyes. ‘I loved the piece you wrote on Surf Therapy and the work you have been doing here.’

‘You read it?’ Malie didn’t know why she was surprised; she wrote it as a feature article on their website with this exact goal, to bring charities like Fun For All her way. Zoe with her travel-writing expertise had even cast her eye over it and said it was great.

‘I did. I also liked how you incorporated an awareness of the invisible hurdles young people face and how you carefully craft your lessons to boost self-esteem and tackle social awkwardness too.’

She’d really read it. It wasn’t just some PR babble to make her feel special.

‘I’m so pleased you liked it.’

‘Loved it! It was just what we were looking for when we decided to trial this initiative.’

Malie felt her smile widen and looked to Kalani to see he was just as pleased. ‘Well, I’d love to offer my thanks