Page 14 of The Cruise

Outside they sat on a bench and stared at the view. The drink was refreshing, and Jane, who was hot and thirsty, supped up and asked for another round of the same.

Errol pointed out a plantation house in the distance and explained that it was one of the first historic sites in Barbados. Today, it was a wedding venue with a distillery producing the finest rum for global export.

‘If this is the same rum that we’re drinking, it certainly is fine,’ Jane said. ‘It’s one of the nicest tipples I’ve ever tasted.’ She licked her lips and took another swig.

‘Here, you can have mine,’ Kath said and handed her rum to Jane. She wasn’t used to alcohol, and the drink made her lightheaded.

‘I’ll fetch a soda,’ Errol said and disappeared into the shack. He returned and handed Kath the soft drink, then, holding out a bowl, offered her a snack.

‘What is it?’ Kath asked, taking a strip of deep-fried batter, and placing it in her mouth.

‘Chicken gizzards, a delicacy.’

Kath began to gag and hastily dug into her bag to find a tissue. Gizzards weren’t the five-star food experience she’d expected.

‘Ah, that’s what I could smell, how delicious,’ Jane said and, grabbing a handful, began to munch.

‘I think I’ll pass,’ Anne said and patted her flat stomach, ‘but I see your appetite has returned?’

‘Hmm, I felt quite off last night,’ Jane replied, taking a second helping. ‘I thought I had a heart palpitation at one point.’

‘You’ll have a heart attack if you keep eating those types of snacks,’ Anne reasoned as she thought of the calories in the batter Jane was crunching.

Jane licked her greasy fingers and rubbed them on her trousers. She took another swig and found the rum comforting. It gave her an inner glow, and, feeling very relaxed, she was pleased that, at that moment, she didn’t care about her size and uncomfortable clothing. She picked up her phone and swiped until the glossary reappeared on the screen, ‘Did you know that “pick-pick” is the penis?’ she asked and began to laugh, ‘I’m learning so much today.’

‘Time to get her out of here.’ Anne rolled her eyes. She hoped that the men playing dominoes hadn’t overheard Jane’s remark, and with Kath, they took an arm each and guided Jane back to the taxi.

‘Safe man, safe,’ Jane giggled.

Errol cranked the engine and set off again. He drove to a pier where the sea lapped against several small fishing vessels. White egrets, wings flapping, swooped over the water, and cried out overhead. Instructing his passengers to follow, Errol led them into a large shed. ‘Meet Carnetta,’ he said and raised a hand to acknowledge a woman working at the far end.

Carnetta, in white overalls, held a knife and was busy cleaning and gutting fish. Her fingers were bloody as she waved a sizeable beefy forearm.‘Yo, big man! Yu want flying fish?’ she called out.

‘Flying fish?’ Kath asked, her brow furrowed.

‘Another local delicacy,’ Errol replied. He pointed to a counter where layers of pre-cooked fish sat on slabs of ice. ‘You must try it.’

Jane was intrigued. She’d attempted to prepare this delicacy for a West Indian chef on lunchtime TV. But as she tasted the pure white flesh marinated in fresh herbs and spices, she knew she’d been way off the mark with the recipe. Nothing could replicate the real thing.

Carletta explained that the herring-like fish could glide through the air and spread its fins, so it appeared to be flying to escape from predators. She motioned with her bloody fingers. ‘It sure stops the big fish bitin’.’ She beamed.

Errol headed east for their next stop. The coast featured rugged stone formations with panoramic views and was a perfect journey for the sightseers, with undulating landscapes and rustic scenery. He parked under overhanging trees beside a secluded cove where a natural pool lay ahead, enclosed by low-lying cliffs.

They stared out at the calm blue waters.

‘You want to swim?’ Errol asked as they piled out.

‘I’m first in,’ Anne called out and stepped out of her shorts. She untied her blouse and revealed a pink bikini.

‘I’ve got a swimsuit in here somewhere.’ Kath rooted about in her bag and beamed when she found one. Once aqua blue, the garment was faded and worn, but Kath didn’t care as she reached for a towel.

Jane puffed out her cheeks. She longed to dip in the water, but she hadn’t swum for ages and could hardly swim fully clothed as she hadn’t anything suitable to swim in.

‘Did you bring a spare T-shirt?’ Kath asked, sensing Jane’s discomfort.

‘Yes.’

‘Well, slip it on,’ Kath encouraged, ‘there’s no one here to watch us change.’

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