Page 15 of The Cruise

Jane looked around the deserted beach. Errol had disappeared into the folds of a hammock slung between two trees, and circles of grey and white smoke drifted above his prone body as the hammock gently swayed.

‘Oh, sod it,’ Jane said as she stood on the pink and white sand. ‘Why not?’ she exclaimed and, in moments, had flung off her clothing and slipped the T-shirt over her head.

‘You only live once!’ Anne shouted as she splashed about in the waves, encouraging her friends to join her. ‘Dive in, it’s gorgeous.’

Holding hands, Kath and Jane strode across the beach. They gasped as they waded into the water, but like children, they were splashing about in no time.

‘This is heaven,’ Kath said as she lay on her back and stared at the sky, swishing the smooth sea with her fingers.

‘It’s what holidays are made of.’ Anne laughed.

‘Look at me,’ Jane giggled, and as Kath and Anne watched, she gripped the edge of her T-shirt and pulled it over her head.

‘Bloody hell…’ Kath gasped.

‘Well, I never!’ Anne laughed.

‘Seize the day!’ Jane cried as her bare breasts bounced and her broad buttocks dipped beneath a wave. She emerged triumphant and punched the air. The sun smiled from the heavens, and their sing-song words echoed around the little cove.

‘What happens on the island, stays on the island!’

ChapterSeven

Selwyn had begun his day with a satisfying breakfast in the Deck Café. Sitting at a table under a canopy, shaded from the bright sunshine, he’d enjoyed a pleasant conversation with Harold and Nancy, the couple from Yorkshire he’d met the previous day, who told him they were celebrating their ruby wedding anniversary. Coincidentally, they had booked the same excursion as Selwyn. They were looking forward to leaving the ship to board a coach to take them to Harrison’s Caves, located in the middle of the island. Harold explained that Nancy suffered from motion sickness, and outings such as swimming with turtles or a catamaran trip weren’t suitable. Selwyn wondered why Nancy had chosen a holiday on a ship for their big celebration but decided to keep his thoughts to himself.

Diwa assured Selwyn that he’d enjoy Harrison’s Caves. As he sat in a comfortable seat on an electric tram, which navigated the maze of tunnels in the enchanting caverns, he admired the natural formations of stalactites and stalagmites. Selwyn was spellbound as the guide explained that these wonders had been forming for hundreds of years. He heard Nancy gasp as they rode alongside underground waterfalls, while at the same time, Harold, clutching hold of a handrail, stated that he felt he was on a magical Disney ride.

Back in his cabin, Selwyn remembered the beauty of the aquamarine pools and smiled as his fingers reached into a pocket and took out a small, zippered plastic pouch. ‘Did you enjoy your day out?’ he asked and lay the empty bag alongside the Typhoo Tea tin on his dressing table. He wondered what Flo had made of the cool silky water as he’d scattered a handful of her ashes into the pool. Flo had never been a swimmer and was probably cursing Selwyn for her unexpected dip.

Later in the afternoon, Selwyn enjoyed a relaxing couple of hours by the ship’s pool. Now, he was changed and ready for the evening ahead. Dinner would be in the Terrace Restaurant again, and he had to admit that he was looking forward to it. He’d certainly worked up an appetite.

Smoothing his loose hair, Selwyn felt the thick dreadlocks fall freely across his shoulders and wondered if his dinner companions would be the same as the previous evening. Bridgette was eager to share her extensive horticultural knowledge, and he’d enjoyed talking to her. They’d also spoken confidentially about the merits of growing marijuana. Bridgette explained that she’d been experimenting at her home in Lancashire, a manor house with a magnificent garden that she opened to the public. She’d retained a series of old iron pipes in her Victorian greenhouse, fuelled by an original stove. The heat provided ideal growing conditions in a sheltered spot. Sophisticated lighting ran twenty-four hours a day from a combination of solar panels and electricity generated for the manor by a wind turbine. Selwyn was impressed. The herb was for her private use and she told him it had been most beneficial for her grief and mood swings since she’d lost her beloved husband, Hugo, almost a year ago. A heavy cold had turned into pneumonia, she’d explained, and Hugo’s demise was swift.

Though sympathetic to Bridgette’s loss, Selwyn chuckled as he dabbed aftershave and admired his reflection. He doubted Bridgette would share that little nugget of helpful ‘pot’ plant information in her talks.

Satisfied with his appearance, Selwyn set off to enjoy his evening entertainment of a cocktail in the bar, followed by a fine dinner. A cabaret in the Neptune Lounge would feature a female vocalist, and the night would be completed with entertainment by Dicky Delaney.

Earlier, by the pool, he’d read the opening chapters ofDicky Delaney – My Life in Show Businessand was keen to see the comedian perform his comedy routine. Selwyn wondered how much of the book was real or if the author’s life was as fanciful as the words suggested. Dicky had written about well-known venues he’d appeared at over the years and name-dropped celebrities he’d worked with. Seeing the comedian come to life would be interesting, and he hoped the show would be entertaining.

Approaching the bar, Selwyn noticed The Captain sitting at one end. The old boy raised a glass and invited Selwyn to join him. ‘Put it on my tab,’ The Captain said as Selwyn ordered a drink.

‘Have you ventured far today?’ Selwyn asked.

‘Eh?’ the Captain looked puzzled. His eyes were hazy as he stared at the newcomer.

‘Been off the ship?’ Selwyn walked his fingers on the bar top.

‘Ah … no, my friend, I’ve been too busy on the bridge with the chief engineer, in preparation for sail away.’

Selwyn noted the Captain’s T-shirt. Today, the logo readTravelling the World, One Cruise At A Time.He wondered how long the Captain had been at sea. Perhaps it was true that the elderly gentleman spent his later years sailing around the globe from one ship to another, fantasising about captaining the vessel.

‘What time is the midnight buffet?’ the Captain asked. He glanced at his watch and drained his glass.

Selwyn smiled. ‘Plenty of time yet,’ he replied and asked the server for refills.

‘Don’t want to miss it.’ The Captain rubbed his stomach. ‘It’s been a busy day.’

Selwyn charged their drinks to his account and patted The Captain on the shoulder. He thanked him for his company and said he would see him later. Minutes later, he was one of the first to arrive at the Terrace Restaurant, where Nathaniel showed him to his seat.

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