Page 45 of Dead in the Water

Lily shook her head. “No one. I’d been to the islands when I was a kid and wanted to revisit them for a bit of nostalgia.”

“It seems it worked out well for you,” Vic remarked.

“Yes.” Her smile came automatically. “It did.”

“Interesting place to live.” Kerry’s playful smirk was slightly intimidating. “Can’t be bad when you find yourself spending your days off drinking champagne on a yacht.”

“I can’t complain,” Lily said, then cast her gaze to Russell, who was staring right at her.

He held his glass up. “Top me up, will you, beautiful?”

Kerry tutted and passed Lily the bottle. “I assume he’s talking to you.”

Stifling a wave of nausea, Lily walked over and refilled his glass, then did the same with her own. Maybe alcohol would make her feel better about the fifty-something man flirting with her.

“It’s hard to believe these islands are part of the UK,” Russell said. “The colour of the water is stunning. With the sun shining, it’s like some tropical paradise.”

“It is,” Lily agreed.

“Fancy having a go at piloting this thing?” With a hand on her back, he nudged her to the wheel, leaving her little space to protest.

“There’s nothing to it,” he whispered in her ear. “Just don’t tell that lot, or they’ll think they don’t need me.” He nodded at his companions and Lily could almost feel the heat of Kerry’s stare on her.

“It’s fun,” she said, dutifully holding the wheel and keeping them on a level with the coastline on the eastern side of St. Mary’s.

“Lily!” Kerry called. “Be a sweetheart and bring the bubbly back.”

Taking the bottle from Russell, she happily accepted the excuse to move away from him and his hot breath on her neck.

“Thank you,” Kerry said sweetly as she took the bottle and filled her glass to the brim. “You said you’ve never been on a yacht before?”

“No,” Lily said. “This is a first.”

“I’m sure you’ll want a tour then.”

“I’d love one,” Lily said, while Kerry poured the last of the champagne into Vic’s glass.

“I was going to show her around below deck,” Russell called out.

“I have no doubt about that,” Kerry muttered under her breath, then smiled brightly back at Russell. “You need to stayup here and captain the ship. Heaven forbid you leave one of us to do it. Haven’t we had enough mishaps this holiday?”

Joyce’s sharp intake of breath was edged with anger. “A mishap?” she said, eyes welling up. “Can you please try not to be so crass?”

“Don’t be dramatic.” Kerry waved her hand. “You know I didn’t mean anything by it. Come on,” she said to Lily. “I’ll show you around.”

With her glass in her hand, she sauntered down the few steps. “This is the galley,” she announced when the tight space opened into a compact kitchen and seating area. “Cosy, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” Lily said, taking in the space with the white leather seating, in a similar style to that on the deck. “It’s more luxurious than I thought. It doesn’t feel cramped.”

“Not now it doesn’t, but with six people in here it feels a lot less spacious.” She set her glass on the table. “Five now,” she murmured. “It still feels surreal. I’m not actually the monster Joyce makes me out to be. I just don’t see the point of dwelling on what we can’t change.” With a flick of her wrist, she beckoned for Lily to follow her. “This is where things get a little tighter,” she said, walking down a few more steps into a hallway with wood panelling so glossy Lily could just about make out her reflection in it. “It’s actually very well designed, but it can still get a little claustrophobic.”

“How many can it sleep?” Lily asked, peering into the door which Kerry pushed open to reveal a tiny bathroom.

“Comfortably? Seven. Theoretically, the galley could also sleep an extra person, but I can’t imagine that would be fun.” She closed the bathroom door and moved to the door opposite. “This is the master,” she said, but paused when she reached for the handle. She gave a small shake of her head, then continued along the hall. “Joseph’s cabin,” she said. “Probably better we don’t go in there.”

“Yes,” Lily said, hurrying after her. “Of course.” As curious as she was, it felt like crossing a boundary. “Are the cabins all a similar size?”

“Not really. Ours is a similar size to the master.” She opened the next door and stepped inside. A quick look around the room easily identified it as Kerry’s. Even if it weren’t for the garish clothing hanging on the back of several cupboards, and abundance of cosmetics, the scent of it would have been a giveaway. The cloying haze of floral perfume was almost tangible. “We also have an en suite. Nothing fancy, just a toilet, sink and a tiny shower cubicle.” She pointed to a door at the back corner, then retreated out of the room. “This is Keith and Joyce,” she said, opening the door opposite, but not moving inside.

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