Page 3 of The Cruise

She turned to Jane. ‘You must have saved up a good amount too over the years?’ Anne asked, ‘and inheriting your mum and dad’s property means you’ll never be short.’

As Kath and Jane digested these words, Anne raised her head and looked to where Sylvia was now back in the thick of things and the centre of attention. Sylvia’s arm linked with Beverley Barnett, and they shrieked with laughter over a tale of husband-hunting on the high seas. The group around her listened in awe.

‘You’re miles away,’ Kath said, ‘what’s going through that head of yours?’

Anne sighed. ‘Seeing Sylvia reminds me that she was probably on Barry’s list of house calls. He was sleeping with so many women I lost count.’ Tears began to trickle down her cheeks.

‘Now, don’t get upset.’ Jane, tall and broad, grabbed the arms of her chair and hauled herself to her feet. She placed her arm around Anne’s shoulders and held out a tissue. ‘We’re supposed to be having a pleasant evening catching up with school friends.’

‘I always thought that we had a reasonable marriage, but you both know that he’s left me high and dry,’ Anne snuffled. Her eyes were still damp as she looked at her friends.

Kath and Jane were aware that there was little to show from Anne’s marriage. The heavily mortgaged house she’d shared with Barry was about to sell, leaving little for her to live out her days in comfort. Her airline pension was a help, but it wouldn’t buy Anne a property.

‘I’ve told you countless times that you can come and live with me.’ Jane smiled. ‘I rattle around in the cottage on my own.’

‘Thank you,’ Anne said and patted Jane’s arm.

But Anne could still smell the expensive perfume that Sylvia had been wearing and thought of the designer bag and heels that matched her exquisite outfit. Anne knew she had difficult days ahead as everything she’d known dissolved, and her chest felt tight as she watched Sylvia’s carefree performance.

But suddenly, Anne had a lightbulb moment. The solution to her problem was obvious! As Sylvia’s voice drifted across the pub, Anne felt a giddiness in her stomach.

‘Christmas is coming,’ she announced, ‘and instead of sitting at home watching the grey rooftops and drizzling rain, why don’t we treat ourselves and book ourselves on a sunshine cruise?’

‘What did you say?’ Jane reached for the wine, but the bottle was empty.

‘Are you serious?’ Kath’s jaw dropped.

‘I am deadly serious.’ Anne straightened her back and turned away from Sylvia. ‘I’ll get a round in and you two can whip out your phones and type in a Google search for Christmas Cruises.’

Kath and Jane stared as Anne sashayed across the room. She suddenly had a spring in her step and stopped to chat with old school chums, occasionally nodding in her friends’ direction.

‘Damnation,’ Kath swore, ‘she’s telling everyone that we’re going on a cruise!’ Kath looked down at the floor to hide her face. ‘I haven’t got over her telling Sylvia that I had a highly successful career in banking.’

‘Well, you did.’

‘Sitting behind the cashier desk at Garstang Building Society for forty-odd years doesn’t quite cut it in the world of global finance.’

‘Neither was playing second fiddle to all the movers and shakers I cooked for. I was invisible to everyone as long as my food preparation was perfect.’

‘She wants to go husband-hunting, like Sylvia.’ Kath peeped under her fringe to see Anne order more drinks at the bar.

‘I can’t say I blame her,’ Jane said, ‘she hasn’t got much to look forward to.’ Jane tilted her head. ‘But I’d put money on the fact that Anne would be the life and soul of a cruise and attract a man before reaching the first port of call.’

‘Well, I don’t want to husband-hunt,’ Kath said. ‘Jim was the only man I really knew, and I was married to him for what feels like a lifetime. I don’t want another husband.’

‘I couldn’t possibly look for a partner at my age. I didn’t find one when I was younger so who on earth would find me attractive now?’ Jane shook her white hair.

‘We don’t have to husband-hunt though,dowe?’ Kath was thoughtful. ‘And I can see Anne’s point about treating ourselves.’

‘I can’t remember the last time I had a holiday, and it would be a wonderful break,’ Jane said consideringly.

Kath looked across the room and saw Anne charming the young barman. ‘Anne wants to find a new partner,’ Kath said carefully, weighing her words, ‘and she needs our support. She’s not awfully good on her own.’ Kath thought of Anne’s distress as her marriage broke down. Together with Jane, she’d spent many hours comforting their troubled friend.

Jane had a far-off look. ‘I can’t remember the last time I went anywhere that wasn’t connected to work.’ She’d begun to visualise tropical beaches and a turquoise sea.

‘Maybe wecouldaccompany her,’ Kath said. She sat up and, letting go of her bag, straightened her cardigan, and pushed up the sleeves. ‘After all, it would be our duty to censor unsuitable suitors.’

‘And make sure she doesn’t fall into the Bad-Barry syndrome again.’ Jane began to warm to the idea. It might have been the effect of the wine she’d consumed, but suddenly, she felt reckless. ‘Do you know how to use Google?’

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