Page 21 of The Cruise

‘Hello, Selwyn.’ Kath stopped. ‘We’re off to Bridgette’s talk, would you like to join us?’

‘I would be delighted,’ he said, indicating that they each take his arm.

Oh hell!Jane thought. She reluctantly linked with Selwyn, who wore a cream short-sleeved shirt with tropical flowers in sunny shades. His warm skin gave her goosebumps. Jane wasn’t used to being so close to the opposite sex, and she felt a rush of heat colour her face as she tried to relax alongside Selwyn’s rolling gait.

Kath, in contrast, gripped Selwyn. She was delighted they had a man to accompany them and chattered about plants and her love of gardening as they made their way. ‘Look,’ she called out as they entered the Neptune Lounge, ‘there’s the Captain.’ She pointed to the front row. The old boy sat upright, poised with a walking stick held firmly in his hands. His T-shirt announced,I Don’t Need Assistance – I Need A Cruise.

‘That’s debatable,’ Jane said as they stared. ‘Shouldn’t he have an able-bodied companion accompanying him?’

‘He may be borderline,’ Kath replied, ‘but the rules are most likely bent for such a frequent traveller and Bridgette seems to spend time with him.’

‘Let’s go and join him.’ Selwyn moved forward.

Jane found herself sandwiched between the Captain and Selwyn and hoped neither would attempt to talk to her. She felt exposed sitting at the front of a large audience and wished they’d sat nearer the back.

The room was packed, and conversation ceased as Peter walked onto the stage. ‘We have a special treat for you all this morning. I am pleased to introduce a lady who has won more gold medals for her gardening skills than an Olympic team.'

He turned and held out an arm to sweep the stage, and Bridgette appeared behind the curtain. ‘Let’s put our hands together as we enjoy finding out,How Does Your Garden Grow – On a Cruise Ship.Please give a warmDiamond StarWelcome to Bridgette Howarth!’

Bridgette stepped out. She wore a shorter version of the dress patterned with leaves and foliage, and her neat bob was enhanced by a velvet band trimmed with ivy fronds. Jane stared at the speaker’s feet, expecting to see muddy wellingtons, but Bridgette’s size threes moved gracefully in a pair of nude-coloured court shoes.

Polite applause greeted Bridgette as she took her place behind the rostrum. By way of introduction, she spoke of her qualifications as a trained horticulturist. She showed images on a screen of the estate at Flaxby Manor, her palatial home, and explained that the gardens were open to the public. As Bridgette’s Victorian greenhouse came into view, Selwyn was disappointed that the camera didn’t delve inside to see rows of healthy marijuana plants.

Bridgette amused the audience with anecdotes that embellished her talk. Selwyn found himself smiling when she interacted with the audience by asking what they would suggest to add colour to all the green plants on the ship.

‘Garden gnomes!’ Harold called out, and everyone giggled.

Gritting her teeth, Bridgette ignored the heckler and described the care required to maintain the trees and shrubs on the rooftop garden.

The Captain had fallen asleep, his hat at a crooked angle and head bowed. As his snores rivalled Bridgette’s voice, Jane wondered if she should nudge him awake. Bridgette appeared uncomfortable as she glared from under her page-boy fringe at the dozing dodderer, willing him to be quiet. Suddenly, one of the Captain’s snores reached a crescendo and jolted him from his slumber.

‘Man overboard!’ The Captain cried out and began waving his stick.

‘Steady on,’ Selwyn said, calming the old man with a reassuring pat on his shoulder. The Captain looked confused but soon settled and, in moments, fell asleep again, his snores a gentle rumble.

Bridgette battled on. She described the care of the luscious trees and plants on theDiamond Starthat enabled guests to enjoy a carefree aesthetic, especially bordering the pool, where they would find potted Sago palm trees.

‘I’d sooner watch paint dry than stare at plants all day,’ Jane mumbled and dug into her bag to find theDiamond StarDaily.

‘I thought that was excellent,’ Kath said, enthusiastic in her applause when the talk ended, ‘especially when Bridgette told us why we have holly and mistletoe at Christmas. I fancy a coffee, and we could go and find Anne and tell her all about it.’

‘I’m sure she’ll be riveted,’ Jane replied, stifling a yawn as she read through the list of activities scheduled for the day. She brightened when she remembered the cookery demonstration. ‘I shall be browsing the shops then going to watch the ship’s head chef.’

‘Will you be going to the show in the Mermaid Theatre tonight?’ Selwyn asked.

Jane glanced at theDiamond StarDailyagain and searched the page for the evening’s entertainment. ‘Hmm, that would be for the Marley Men?’ she asked.

‘It will be one of the highlights of my holiday.’ Selwyn smiled.

‘I’m sure we’ll be there,’ Kath said. ‘We’ll catch you later, enjoy your day.’ She could see that Jane was scowling, and not wanting to upset Selwyn, Kath took her friend’s arm and led her away.

As the women left, Selwyn saw Bridgette sitting at a table beside the stage, signing copies of her books. A banner displayed the titlesHarvesting HerbsandA Horticultural Hobby. Intrigued, Selwyn wondered what herbs the gardener was prepared to harvest with her readers and, leaving the Captain to slumber on, went to chat with Bridgette and purchase a book.

Diane, the shop manager, sat beside Bridgette, taking payments. She looked up when she saw Selwyn. ‘Are you a gardener?’ she asked.

‘I have an interest in certain plants,’ Selwyn replied. He picked up a copy ofHarvesting Herbsand gave Diane his charge card.

‘Is it a gift or for yourself?’ Bridgette asked.

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