Antarctic Affair Read online

  “Wow,” said Don suddenly. He’d obviously also noticed the ring. Georgina looked surprised and followed his gaze to her left hand. She closed her fist self-consciously. “Yes, I’ve just got engaged,” she said. Taj thought she looked almost embarrassed. Perhaps she didn’t like the ring either.

  “Congratulations.” Taj spoke up when it became obvious Don wasn’t going to.

  “Thanks,” she said. “I actually postponed the engagement party because of this trip, so it had better be worth it.” She gave a little laugh. Taj managed a weak smile and Don looked embarrassed.

  “Congratulations. I’m sorry if I was rude,” he said sincerely. “It’s a pity your fiancé couldn’t join you on the expedition. Antarctica can be very romantic.”

  “Oh yes, I’m sure he would have loved it, but he couldn’t take the time off, he’s got an important book launch next week,” she said brightly.

  “He’s a writer?” Taj enquired.

  “No, he’s in publishing,” she replied. “Actually, his family owns the company, so he’s really busy.”

  “Maybe next time,” Don suggested kindly.

  Georgina smiled at him wistfully. “You never know.”

  “Well, I have to go and do my thing up there,” he nodded towards the front of the room. “It was lovely meeting you, Georgina, I’m sure we’ll get a chance to chat later, on board the Explorer.”

  “I’ll look forward to it,” she smiled.

  “Be there in a moment,” Taj called, as Don took his leave.

  “I must apologise for my behaviour on the plane yesterday,” Georgina said, taking advantage of the fact no one was around them. “I was totally unprofessional. I’m afraid you caught me completely off guard.”

  Taj was impressed by her attempt to smooth things over between them. Even he had to admit they’d got off to a rather bumpy start.

  “Don’t worry about it,” he said casually. “I wasn’t in the best of moods either.”

  She nodded and exhaled. He realised she’d been holding her breath. He found that to be quite endearing. She was nervous. Who would have thought?

  “I’ve been reading about you,” she began, touching the rim of her glasses. “I had no idea photography could be so dangerous.”

  I’ve been reading about you. Now why did that thought make him feel distinctly uncomfortable?

  “It can be,” he acknowledged. “What does it say in my file, or is that still confidential?” He was teasing her and was quite amused when she blushed.

  “Nothing much really,” she told him. “I read about a few of your past projects, Hawaii, Africa and the Namib Desert. I loved the shots of the sand dunes, by the way. Beautiful.”

  “It’s hard not to take a beautiful photo in a place like that,” he said modestly.

  “You haven’t seen my holiday pics,” she laughed.

  “I thought you didn’t take holidays?”

  “I haven’t in a long while,” she admitted. “That’s why I’m looking so forward to this one. I’m way overdue.”

  Now there was a turn for the books. Perhaps his first impression of her had been a little harsh.

  “Does it say anything about my, er, colourful social life in the file?”

  “Only that you like women,” she grinned. “A lot.”

  “That’s what I was afraid of,” he grimaced. “It’s not true, I promise.”

  “What, you don’t like women?” She was teasing him now.

  He laughed. “Actually, I’m serious you know. It really isn’t true. They get tired of waiting, that’s why they leave.”

  He could see she was momentarily confused. Then she blinked, “You mean your girlfriends?”

  He nodded. “I’m never home. I’ve got a house in Santa Monica, but I’m never there. Nobody wants a boyfriend who’s never around.”

  “I see,” said Georgina softly, studying him with her pale blue eyes.

  “I wanted you to know that up front,” he said matter-of-factly. “It may make a different to what you write.”

  “Of course,” she reassured him. Then after a moment, “I was wondering about the interviews, whether we should set up some kind of schedule or something.”

  “Schedule?” He scowled. He hated schedules.

  She frowned. “You know, like when we can fit interviews around your work.”

  “We’ll be on board for ten days, I’m sure we’ll find time to fit in a couple of interviews.”

  They didn’t need a schedule for one or two interviews, surely.

  She looked put out. “I don’t want to feel I’m harassing you all the time. I’d rather we had a set schedule for interviews. You know, like every evening we meet at six and go through what you did that day.”

  He ran a hand through his hair. That sounded like absolute hell. He was just beginning to think she wasn’t so bad when she’d brought up the schedules.

  “No offence, but I’m terrible with schedules. Every since boarding school I’ve hated routines. I don’t operate well under that kind of pressure.” At least he could try to explain. Be nice, Phil had warned him. He tried a smile, “Tomorrow afternoon we board the ship. Everybody gets together for dinner then usually hangs out at the bar. Let’s talk then, okay?”

  Georgina bit her lip. He could tell she wanted to argue but thought better of it. “Okay, you win. No schedules. But I definitely want a preliminary interview before you get started with the photography. It’s important that I get a feel for what you’re working on.”

  “Isn’t that in my file?” he asked hopefully.

  She shook her head. “No, unfortunately not.”

  He sighed. “Okay, you’ve got a deal. Until tomorrow then,” and he hurried off to give Don a hand with the presentation.

  CHAPTER THREE

  As irritated as Georgina was with the man, she had to admit Taj Andrews made for fascinating reading. He’d certainly earned his reputation as the ‘wild man’ of nature photography. He made a name for himself fresh out of college when he hung upside down out of a helicopter to shoot pictures of the massive waves at the remote storm-tossed reef 105 miles off the coast of Southern California called the Cortes Bank. What made his shots even more unique was that unbelievably there were guys surfing those waves. His photograph ended up on the front page of The New York Times, as well as various other sporting magazines. After a few more stunts like abseiling into active volcanic craters and summit helicopter landings, Discovery Channel did a documentary on him calling him the ‘rebel photographer’. After that the offers came flooding in. The feather in his cap came when National Geographic asked him to become part of their team.

  His biography was interesting too. Georgina was surprised to learn his father was a Supreme Court attorney and a political heavy-weight in Washington circles. That didn’t sound at all like Taj, well, the little she knew of him anyway. His parents were divorced and his mother, a sculptor, had remarried and currently lived in San Francisco. A sculptor, now that she could believe. Taj must have got his artistic ability from his mother’s side of the family.

  The file went on to outline some of his more famous photographs, along with a couple of articles he’d written, also for National Geographic. So the man could also write? Very interesting. He had seemed so ‘anti’ reporters when she’d spoken to him yesterday at the reception. Publicity shy might be a better way of putting it.

  After her initial conversation with him at the reception last night, he’d gone out of his way to avoid her. When her few attempts to corner him had failed, she had given up and retired to her room in frustration. Until then Georgina hadn’t realised just how challenging this assignment was going to be. It was quite obvious her subject didn’t want her around. Well, she didn’t particularly want to be here either, but then she didn’t have any choice in the matter. If he thought he could continue to ignore her he was very mistaken. She needed this cover story to be a good one. In fact it had to be her best one yet. The assistant editor position depended on it. Eric had p
ractically promised her the job if she came through on this feature. She’d been working herself to the bone for years to prove she had what it took to be assistant editor and now that the opportunity was within reach, she wasn’t about to lose it. She was thoroughly irked that Taj was being so difficult. She had yet to discuss with him his ideas for this trip and she planned to do that after dinner tonight in the bar. He’d said they could talk then and talk he would, even if she had to tie him to the bar counter to do it!

  After a short flight from Santiago to Ushuaia, Argentina’s southernmost city, they were transported by bus to the harbour where the Explorer was docked, ready for boarding. Georgina stared in disbelieve at the ship on which she was going to spend the next ten days. Now she understood. No wonder Taj had laughed at her on the plane. The Explorer couldn’t be less luxurious. In fact it looked like a large fishing trawler and almost as rickety.

  “Don’t worry, she’s as solid as they come,” Don reassured her as they climbed on board. The luggage took some time to load as there was photographic equipment, lab equipment, laptops and all sorts of other scientific paraphernalia that the team of biologists, zoologists and geologists required for their expedition.

  Taj walked passed carrying a tripod and a couple of DryZone camera bags. “You’ll find the spa near the heated pool on the lido deck,” he grinned, as he disappeared up the metal steps that had been lowered on the side of the ship for the passengers to board. They reminded Georgina of a fire escape down the side of a building.

  “Very funny,” she called after him.

  Sighing she picked up her Louis Vuitton suitcase and matching handbag, slung her laptop bag over her shoulder and heaved the lot up the stairs. It took her about ten minutes, pausing every few steps in order to catch her breath, to get to the top and nobody stopped to help. Everyone was too busy hauling his or her own equipment on board to notice her struggling with the heavy case.

  Once settled in her tiny cabin, complete with bunk bed, side table and en suit (at least she had a shower), she made her way to the lecture theatre for Don’s briefing. She looked for Taj but couldn’t find him. He’d probably heard it all before anyway. She said hello to a couple of people she recognised from the hotel reception drinks in Santiago, and listened as Don told them a few things about the ship. Taj had been right, it was an ex Russian research vessel fully equipped to break through compact ice sheets and nimble enough to take them into every nook and cranny Antarctica had to offer. Personally Georgina thought breaking through ice sheets was terrifying enough, and she had no desire to visit Antarctica’s nooks and crannies. There were two zodiac landing boats attached, as well as a salvage crane and life rafts, God forbid they should need them. The dining room served a buffet breakfast as well as a set lunch and supper. Everybody sighed in relief when Don mentioned coffee and tea were available all day and night from the self service stations. She was glad to hear of the small library with its collection of polar themed books, in case she needed to research anything. There was also a small clinic, run by a licensed doctor and of course the most frequented room on the ship, according to Don, the lounge/bar on deck four aft.

  Georgina, along with a few others went up on deck as the research vessel accompanied by the harbour patrol boat got under way. She watched awe-struck as the seemingly uninhabited coastline moved by. The exposed shoreline showed stark wind damage and every protected valley, by contrast, was filled with robust evergreens and an abundance of bird life.

  “Tonight we cross the Convergence and officially enter Antarctic waters.” Georgina turned to find the expedition leader, and Taj’s friend, Don Mackley standing behind her. She gave him a bright smile.

  “That’s where the warmer water gives way to the colder Antarctic waters,” she said, racking her brains to remember what she’d read.

  He grinned. “Correct. You might also be interested to know that once we cross the Convergence, the temperature drops about 5 or 6 degrees in the space of around 8 hours.”

  “Sounds chilly. I hope the heaters are working on this trip,” she said lightly.

  “Ah, I see Taj has been feeding you horror stories from our last little expedition. Don’t worry, I checked them all myself this afternoon before you boarded. Everything’s working perfectly.”

  “Glad to hear it,” she smiled at him, then turned to stare at the coastline again. “I never expected it to be so barren, or so beautiful.”

  He nodded. “Yes, and it only gets more barren from here on south. You should keep an eye out for the whales. There are plenty along this straight.”

  Georgina got excited. “Really? I’ve never seen a whale up close and personal before. How exciting!”

  Don beamed at her enthusiasm. “You’ll get an eye full this trip, for sure. Fin and Minke Whales, although Fin whales are harder to spot as they’re faster than we are and they often leave us behind.”

  Georgina was amazed. It suddenly occurred to her how little she actually knew of this wild environment. It was a land of extremes, or stark contrasts, and intense beauty.

  “I suppose this is just the kind of environment that Taj enjoys photographing,” she said thoughtfully.

  “Yeah, Taj has a wild spirit. Anything extreme or dangerous fascinates him. But I’m sure he’ll tell you all about that when you start interviewing him.”

  Georgina raised an eyebrow. “If I can get to interview him. I’m sure he’s been avoiding me.”

  Don laughed and shook his head. “Doesn’t surprise me. Can I give you some advice?”

  “Sure.”

  “Taj doesn’t respond well when he feels forced to do something, and this interview for your magazine is something his agent has told him to do.”

  Georgina stared at him. “So he doesn’t want to be interviewed at all?”

  Don shook his head, “I’m sure if he had his way you wouldn’t be here at all. No offence.”

  “Great,” Georgina sighed. “So what should I do? I have to write this cover story. It’s very important to me, to my career.”

  “Perhaps you just need to approach it from a slightly different angle?” Don suggested.

  Georgina’s eye’s widened. “What do you mean?”

  “The best way to get to know Taj, I mean really know him, not just what he wants to tell you, is to accompany him on his photo shoots. Stick with him, that way you’ll see how he works, what makes him tick. You may also get a glimpse of his sparkling personality,” he grinned.

  “You mean he actually has one? I was beginning to wonder,” she asked in mock seriousness, which caused Don to laugh out loud.

  “Seriously though, you think I should offer to go with him on the shoots?”

  Don nodded, “Definitely. It’s the only way you’ll get to know the man behind the lens.”

  Georgina still looked doubtful. “But if he’s avoiding me now, what’s he going to say to my suggestions to accompany him?”

  Don gave her a wide smile. “I’ll have a word with him.”

  “You’d do that for me?” Georgina was flattered.

  “Yeah, and for him. Taj is his own worst enemy sometimes.”

  “Thanks. I really appreciate it.”

  Don winked at her. “Don’t mention it.”

  The boat rocked gently as it cruised through the Beagle Channel, guided by the harbour pilot, and headed towards the Drake Passage.

  “So how long have you guys known each other,” Georgina asked, pulling her ski-jacket more tightly against her.

  “A while now. We met in college - UCLA. Taj enrolled for visual arts and I was studying zoology. He needed a place to crash during the holidays and I lived nearby.” He shrugged, “The following year we moved into shared digs together and it was all downhill from there.”

  Georgina laughed. “Sounds like fun.”

  Don rolled his eyes. “Oh, you have no idea. I’m surprised we survived the first semester.”

  The ship tilted to the side and Georgina gripped the railing. Don pulled his beani
e down against the sudden chill. “It can get a bit rough around here sometimes. If it’s calm we call it the ‘Drake Lake’ but tonight it looks like it’s going to be the ‘Drake Rock ‘n Roll’. You don’t mind a bit of dancing do ya?” At the look on her suddenly pale face he suggested, “Perhaps we should go inside.”

  Georgina nodded. The boat was now rolling from side to side and she was beginning to feel a bit queasy. “I think I’ll go to my cabin and settle in. Thanks for the chat.”

  Don gave her a knowing grin. “No problem. Anytime.”

  Georgina felt the nausea rising as the boat rolled again and she quickly made her way back to her cabin. As it was she ran the last few metres and only just made it to the bathroom in time. An hour later she was lying flat on her bed, exhausted. The nausea had abated momentarily, but she knew better than to get up. For the last hour she’d been wrapped around the toilet bowl and had no wish to repeat the experience. Why didn’t someone warn her about the seasickness? Then at least she could have come prepared.

  A knock on the door made her sit up.

  “Can I come in?” a female voice asked, and the door handle turned. Georgina realised she’d forgotten to lock it.

  A dark head peered around the door. “Hi there. I’m Amy.” Georgina recognised her from the hotel in Santiago.

  “I heard you weren’t feeling too well and I’ve come to give you these,” she handed Georgina a small vial of pills. “I don’t leave home without them.”

  “Thanks, I’ve never been on a boat before so I didn’t know what to expect.”

  “Don’t worry,” Amy told her kindly. “I get seasick every time and I’ve been sailing for years.”

  “Really?”

  Amy nodded. “Yes, but it passes fairly quickly and these definitely help. Staying above deck also helps. I know its cold, but you’ll feel better.”