Page 22 of The Cruise

‘It’s for me,’ Selwyn replied.

Bridgette dedicated the book to Selwyn and signed her name with a flourish. She leaned back and, tucking a stray frond of ivy into her hairband, stared into Selwyn’s eyes. ‘I thought you might have stopped the Captain taking centre stage with his snores. I noticed you were sitting next to him.’

‘I’m not his custodian.’

‘Fair play.’ Bridgette handed the book to Selwyn. ‘I hope you enjoy it.’

‘I shall treasure it.’

‘If you fancy a bit of relaxation this afternoon, I’ll be on the top deck,’ Bridgette called out. ‘Behind the Sago palm trees.’

Selwyn gave a thumbs-up. But he had no intention of taking Bridgette up on her offer. His afternoon’s relaxation would be spent with a book by the pool. ‘Fully clothed,’ he whispered, and he smiled as he walked away.

ChapterTen

On the lido deck of theDiamond Star, steamer-style sunbeds curved in lines around an oval-shaped swimming pool where bodies of all shapes and sizes were sunning themselves. Any unoccupied bed was reserved, covered with a blue and white towel from a nearby stack. For those attending activities, sun hats, books, and beach bags marked their territory too, assuring a prime spot on their return.

At one end of the pool, a hot tub simmered. A well-rounded woman wearing a baseball cap and skirted tankini clung tightly to a rail before tentatively dipping her toes and sliding slowly into the water. The top of the tankini ballooned in the warm bubbles, doubling in size as she steadied herself and lay back. ‘Eh, that’s lovely.’ She laughed and called out to her husband, ‘Harold! Get yourself in here, it will do your lumbago the world of good.’

Harold stood by the edge of the hot tub with his hands on his hips as he watched his wife splashing about. His torso was lean, the skin pale, and the fabric of his brief trunks clung where it had no right to cling. ‘Steady on, Nancy,’ he said, ‘you don’t want to set your motion sickness off.’

Lying on a bed, screened from prying eyes by a row of mini–Sago palm trees, Anne peered out from under a wide-brimmed hat and watched as Harold joined his wife. Harold’s exposed skin appeared blotchy under the fierce Caribbean sun. Anne hoped he’d covered his body with a high factor cream before spending the morning by the pool. The sun’s powerful rays would reach parts he’d forgotten he’d got if he didn’t cover up soon.

Accepting that third-degree burns weren’t her problem, Anne lay back. She’d been enjoying reading about the life of the comedian they’d seen the evening before.Dicky Delaney – My Life in Showbusinesswas as amusing as his routine. She’d picked the book up earlier and asked the shop manager if she’d recommend it.

‘The book is selling well. Passengers enjoyed Dicky Delaney’s performance last night,’ Diane commented. ‘You’ll find him wandering around the ship, if you want your copy signed.’ Diane charged Anne’s card before adding, ‘He’s quite a character. I have a feeling he’ll find you quite soon.’

Anne considered this an odd comment and wanted to question Diane further, but the manager had turned away and was busy with other customers. Now relaxed and comfortable in the shade, Anne watched as an agile young female dressed in skimpy shorts and aDiamond Starvest appeared.

‘Come on, cruisers,’ she called out, ‘it’s time for aqua aerobics with Armani!’

Nancy and Harold heaved themselves out of the hot tub. ‘On our way, Armani,’ Harold replied and helped his wife into the pool.

‘Armani?’ Anne raised her eyebrows and wondered if Armani had sisters named Dolce and Gabbana.

Guests were crowded together as the fitness instructor began to jog on the spot, encouraging the swimmers to do the same. Several ladies in the deep end began to cough and splutter as the water rolled up their necks.

‘Crikey, it’s like a tsunami,’ Anne giggled as bodies of all shapes and sizes bounced up and down and water spilt over the side. With no desire to plunge in and risk drowning, Anne adjusted the straps of her pretty pink bikini and reached for her tanning lotion, smoothing coconut cream over her skin. Anne enjoyed having a tan but was determined not to burn. She endeavoured to keep her face out of the sun and spent ages massaging anti-ageing potions over faint wrinkles that might tell her age.

Thank goodness for Botox, she thought, and picked up her book, placing the lotion to one side. As she began to turn a page, she was distracted. It was hard not to think about Barry and the woman that had stolen her husband. The Lady Captain had been the darling of the club with a low golfing handicap. Anne prayed that Barry would leave his new lover in as much mess as he’d left Anne. In truth, Anne still loved Barry, if only for the man he once was and not the man he became. But why had she been such a fool? Their finances had rapidly decreased, and Anne had been unaware of his reckless spending on other women.

She watched the huddle of mature bodies bouncing about in the pool. They all looked happy and carefree, with no worries spoiling their day. Despite being determined to enjoy the cruise, Anne knew it was stretching her resources, almost to breaking point. Her wonderful friends were chipping in to help, but Kath and Jane had no idea how bad things were for Anne. The house she’d shared with Barry for most of their married life would soon be sold, his debts repaid, and if she didn’t take up Jane’s kind offer, Anne would have nowhere to live. She thought of how far she’d fallen and slumped onto her sunbed with a heavy sigh.

‘Why is a beautiful girl like you hiding behind these palms?’

Anne turned her head. A man’s voice was close. Frowning, she tilted her hat and peered over her sunglasses.

‘You should be in the water, having fun.’

A shadow darkened Anne’s corner, and she raised her hand to shield her eyes and see who was talking to her.

‘Dicky’s the name,’ he said, ‘but you might already know.’ He pointed a finger. ‘You’re reading my book.’

‘Oh, goodness.’ Anne sat up and, moving the book to one side, sucked her stomach in. She arranged her legs in a position she’d practised many times over the years, ensuring a flattering pose. ‘Er, yes, I saw you last night,’ Anne stammered, ‘in the N... Neptune Lounge, you were terrific.’

‘And let me tell you that I saw you too.’ He crouched down, his eyes level with Anne’s. ‘You were wearing a peach-coloured dress and I remember thinking how beautiful you looked.’

Anne was startled. One minute she was pining for the only man she’d really loved, and the next moment she was being propositioned by a well-known entertainer. Feeling nervous, she took a deep breath and reached into her bag for a lipstick.

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