Page 36 of The Cruise

‘It reads like fiction to me,’ Kath replied. She closed the pages ofDicky Delaney – My Life in Show Business.‘What else did you get up to?’

‘We went to the heritage park and swam under the waterfalls. Then we were taken to Buccament beach, and oh, you should have seen the water.’ Anne sighed. ‘It was crystal clear, and our guide threw pieces of bacon to encourage the turtles to swim close.’

‘I’d love to see turtles,’ Kath said.

‘They were so tame.’ Anne leaned in, her voice a whisper. ‘And I actually touched one.’

‘Lucky you!’ Kath’s eyes were wide.

‘I know, it was quite thrilling, then we ate lobster and drank a bottle of expensive French wine, at a beach bar, and had another swim before coming back to the ship.’

‘It sounds like the trip was good value for money if you managed to eat lobster, drink wine and fit so much in.’

‘Well,’ Anne paused, ‘there was a fee at the heritage park and of course lunch wasn’t included.’

‘No doubt Dicky treated you from his winnings?’

‘Unfortunately, he’d forgotten his wallet, but I told him not to worry and he said he’d pay next time.’

Kath stared at Anne. Surely she hadn’t coughed up for Dicky all day? She wanted to press Anne further, but they were suddenly interrupted as Jane bounced in.

‘Hi there!’ Jane called out. ‘Anyone fancy a livener? The sun is over the yardarm.’

Anne and Kath peered through the balcony door to see Jane sifting through the bar’s contents. She grabbed a bottle of wine and gripped a packet of chocolate candies between her teeth.

‘Hungry?’ Anne asked as Jane placed the bottle on the table.

‘Starving, I need sugar.’ She disappeared and returned with three glasses. Ripping the packet open, she tossed a handful of candies into her mouth and began to hum.

Anne poured their drinks and watched Jane. She noticed that Kath was staring, too and wore a puzzled expression as Jane swayed and began to dance. They exchanged baffled glances, and Kath shrugged her shoulders.

‘Are you feeling all right?’ Anne asked.

‘Never better,’ Jane replied. With her arms raised, she bent her knees and moved her hips from side to side, then began to sing as she danced around the decking.

‘Have you been on the whacky baccy?’ Kath sat upright and tutted.

‘I may have had a little toot.’ Jane smiled.

‘Oh, dear, it’s a good job you weren’t checked as you came back on board, you smell like Errol’s weed wagon.’

‘I’ll have a large portion of whatever she’s on.’ Anne laughed and kicked off her sandals as Jane wound around her friends.

‘I suppose Selwyn is responsible for this?’ Kath asked.

‘Chill, man, chill.’

‘I hope you haven’t got any contraband on you. We might get thrown off the ship.’

‘Safe, man, safe...’

‘I think Jane is telling you that everything is fine. She’s had a wonderful day and now feels like dancing.’ Anne giggled as Jane opened her eyes and gave a thumbs-up before grabbing hold of her dress and swirling it in the air.

‘It’s most unseemly for a woman of our age,’ Kath grumbled. ‘Getting stoned at sixty-three is senseless and isn’t something we discussed when arranging this cruise.’ Kath removed her glasses and pushed her drink away. ‘I think I need to have another word with Selwyn. I didn’t expect him to lead you astray.’

‘He can lead me astray anytime,’ Anne said. Throwing back her chair, she grabbed Jane’s hands and twirled with her. ‘I’ve never seen you so happy,’ Anne called out as Jane sang louder. ‘And I’m so pleased,’ she said as Kath stood at the balcony door, watching their antics.

Suddenly, Jane stopped dancing. She stood by her bed and, with a heavy sigh, collapsed onto the mattress. In moments, she was asleep.

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