Page 33 of The Cruise

‘I want to wear something I’m comfortable in, and we’re bound to go swimming.’ Anne picked up a bikini and packed it into a beach bag with a towel and sunscreen.

‘A pair of pirate’s breeches and a waistcoat would do. I’m sure Kath has an eye patch in the depths of her bag,’ Jane commented, ‘and I’ve got a scarf you can tie around your neck.’

‘You are going to the setting of a film,’ Kath said as she rummaged amongst her sweets and socks, ‘you could be an extra.’

‘Very funny. It isn’t a fancy-dress outing, I don’t have to look like a pirate,’ Anne snapped, ‘and the set hasn’t been used for years.’

‘Why not? Dicky would look good as Jack Sparrow, he’s certainly cunning enough to play the part.’

‘I don’t know what you have against Dicky,’ Anne said as she tried yet another outfit. ‘He’s a very decent person.’

‘He’s an entertainer and spends his life on the road. I don’t want you to be hurt when he suddenly sails off into the sunset.’ Jane wanted to add that Dicky had all the qualities that Barry possessed, from flirting and being fanciful to carelessness with money. Jane had never trusted anyone who spent time in a casino. She’d seen too many chefs gamble away their income over the years. ‘He’s not really husband material, is he?’ she added.

‘Well, I’m enjoying myself and he’s good company.’ Anne pressed her lips together, refusing to be drawn further. She smoothed her hands over the fabric of a cotton sundress that skimmed her hips, then slipped her feet into her jewelled sandals.

Comfortable in an armchair, Kath dug deeper into her bag. ‘Ihavegot an eye patch,’ she called out, triumphant as she held up a small fabric circle. ‘There’s one in my medical kit.’

‘Oh, for heaven’s sake!’ Anne was exasperated. ‘You two are as bad as each other.’

Jane looked at her watch. ‘You’re both going to be late. Come on, I’ll walk to the quay with you.’

They left Hibiscus and disembarked, and Anne beamed when she saw that Dicky was waiting for her by the gangway.

‘This way, darlin’,’ Dicky called out and waved his hand. Smartly dressed in checked shorts and a white T-shirt, he wore Ray-Bans and a Panama hat.

‘Ahoy there, matey!’ Jane called out and winced when Anne punched her arm.

Kath studied the crowds and smiled when she saw Bridgette standing beside a coach, ticking names off a list. ‘That’s me,’ she said, ‘see you both later.’ Hauling her bag over her arm, Kath set off.

Jane stood alone. Already the sun felt hot. She flipped her fan and began to wave it across her face, then wondered which direction to take for the market. She was about to ask a crew member when someone touched her shoulder. Spinning around, she jerked her head back and did a double-take.

Selwyn, wearing a red Fedora, bright cotton shirt and linen trousers, stood to attention before her. He was accompanied by Toots from the Marley Men. ‘Kath told me that you were heading into Kingstown by yourself,’ Selwyn said. ‘She asked me to accompany you.’

‘Oh … whatever for?’ Jane silently cursed Kath. She was perfectly capable of organising her day out and didn’t need any assistance from Kath. Jane wasn’t used to going anywhere with a man, and making conversation made her nervous.

‘Your friend thought you would feel safer if you had someone with you.’

‘I really don’t think—’

But Selwyn interrupted. ‘I would personally feel happier knowing that you weren’t on your own. It’s not unheard of for passengers to experience problems in environments they’re not used to.’

Jane wondered why Selwyn didn’t just say that a plain, overweight woman on her own was perfect prey for any pickpocket or hustler. She gritted her teeth and wondered how on earth she could wangle her way out of a day spent in his company. There was something about Selwyn that unsettled her, and his presence had a peculiar effect on her tummy. The butterflies were back and fluttering uncontrollably. Surely, she couldn’t have feelings for Selwyn. Jane had long forgotten what ‘feelings’ were. It was years since she’d been on a date, which had been so disastrous she’d vowed never to put herself in such a vulnerable position again.

‘Toots and I are taking a stroll into town, and we’d be honoured to escort you,’ Selwyn said.

‘Sure thing,’ Toots agreed as both men stood on either side of Jane and held out their arms.

‘Oh heck,’ Jane whispered as they set off. She’d have a few words to say to Kath when they all returned to the ship, but in the meantime, Jane willed herself to act as though she was used to the company of two handsome men.

Toots wore shorts and a T-shirt, and his dreadlocks were encased in a colourful tam. He explained that he had grown up in Saint Vincent before his family relocated to England and was happy to point out to Selwyn and Jane many of the attractions of Kingstown. ‘But first,’ he said, guiding them along a short walk from the port, ‘we must stop at the Sunbeam Bakery.’

Jane had eaten breakfast, but she felt her mouth water as they stepped into the small shop, where a delicious smell of toasted coconut and warm sponge emanated from the kitchen behind the counter. Toots pointed to a glass-fronted cabinet and ordered three Red Bellys.

‘This is the island’s favourite snack,’ Toots said. ‘They sell fast, we’re lucky to get them.’

Jane wondered what could be so good about the shapeless, green-tinged cake that he thrust towards her, wrapped in a paper bag, but as she bit into the semisweet sponge and tasted the soft shaved coconut filling, she closed her eyes and wondered if she’d died and gone to heaven.

Kingstown was surrounded by steep hills, and as they continued, Toots pointed to a fort that overlooked the town on the north side. He explained that Fort Charlotte was built by the British in 1763 and has a lighthouse that acts as a beacon at the entrance of Kingstown Bay. The fort had been used for several purposes over the years, including a poorhouse, a leper colony, and a mental hospital. It had even been used as a prison.

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