Temptations of Pleasure Island Read Online Free Page A

go to—I’m afraid.”
    “Isn’t this exciting! There’s always something going on! This is the best place I’ve ever been, Josh!”
    Josh looked at her and then over at the merrymakers. He sighed. “I think a thing like this could get old very soon.”
    Abbey looked back at him as if he had said something insane. “Get old! Why, I would
never
get tired of it if I lived to be a hundred!”
    “We’ll see,” Josh said. “Now, let’s go get some sleep. We’re all worn out.”



3
Another Side of
Pleasure Island
    T he sun beat down upon the three figures lying on towels on the white sand. All three appeared to be asleep. The gentle sound of the surf lapping close to them was soothing. They had been up late every night for two weeks, and Sarah had finally suggested to Josh, “Let’s go down and just lie on the beach and do nothing.”
    “I’m for that,” he groaned. “This entertainment life is wearing me out.”
    Surprisingly, Abbey had chosen to go with them. She and Dave had thrown themselves full speed into the life of Pleasure Island. Maybe even she needed a rest.
    Abbey stirred herself and sat up. She was wearing a pretty light blue swimming suit. It was new. She studied her arms carefully. “I wish I would tan quickly like you do, Sarah. I’m so fair I have to take the sun in little doses.”
    Indeed Sarah, being a brunette with darker skin, had gained a golden tan in the few days that they had been here.
    Josh envied her. “You don’t burn quick like I do,” he said.
    Then they all sat up and just enjoyed the quietness of the beach for a while.
    Suddenly Abbey exclaimed, “That’s going to be a great party they’re planning for tonight. The princess says so. Everybody’s going to be there.”
    “Oh no, not another one!” Josh groaned loudly.
    “Why, Josh, of course there’s going to be a party. We’ve been talking about this one for days.”
    He flopped back on his towel. He threw his hand over his eyes to shade them from the sun and then muttered, “There’s such a thing as partying too much, Abbey.”
    “You’re talking to the wrong person, Josh.” Sarah stretched out on her stomach and, putting her head to one side, studied Abbey.
    “Well, I think the two of you are wet blankets!” Abbey said, and she pouted a little. Then, shading her eyes with her hand, she watched a pair of sailboats that appeared to be racing, and then she remarked, “What was all that talk you gave Goél about wanting to get away from dragons and saber-toothed tigers and danger?”
    Josh knew that he had, indeed, made such a statement. “Well, I do appreciate not having enemies and having to get up to do battle every day, but …”
    “And now you don’t like it when everything is fun. You’re never satisfied, Josh!” Abbey tossed her head. Her lovely blonde hair fell down around her back, and she stroked it for a moment. “I’ve got to get my hair done in a different way. Sarah, let’s go look at some clothes.”
    “Look at clothes! We’ve got more clothes now than we’ll ever wear. The princess has just showered us with them,” Sarah protested.
    “Well, I’m going! Sure you won’t go with me?”
    “No. I’m just going to stay here and soak up the sun and the quiet,” Sarah said sleepily.
    Abbey picked up her towel and bag and walked away.
    For a long time neither Sarah nor Josh said a word. And then Josh said, “You know what, Sarah?”
    “What now?”
    “I’m tired of parties.”
    “Me too, Josh. And I’m tired of races.”
    “And you know what else? I’m starting to think that Goél sent us here for more than a vacation or even helping the king. I’ll bet he wants us to learn something by being on Pleasure Island.”
    He squinted his eyes against the sun and studied a flock of white birds wheeling overhead. “This is a great place, but these people think about
nothing
but having fun. Everybody goes somewhere every night. A party, or a race, or a concert, or a ball. There’s