Page 45 of The Cruise

Kath held up her glass. ‘Before we go, I propose a toast to my two wonderful friends,’ she began. ‘I want to thank you both for helping me to enjoy this holiday.’ Kath was misty-eyed. ‘You’ve made me realise that I’m not ready for a care home, walking aids, or anything related to getting older. I’m a woman of a certain age who doesn’t give a damn about the number of her age.’

‘And my number is ex-directory,’ Anne added.

‘Hear, hear.’ Jane rubbed her tummy. ‘But I’m starving so I suggest we get a move on.’

They left the suite and headed through security until they reached the gangway. Dressed in bright casual clothes, Peter stood tapping a pen impatiently against a clipboard.

‘You’re late,’ he admonished and checked their names on a list. When he looked up, his head jerked, and he shuffled back a step or two. ‘My word,’ Peter said, ‘I must say, you all take my breath away.’ Spreading his fingers in a fan against his breastbone, he continued, ‘As you’ve made such an effort with your appearances tonight, you are forgiven.’ Peter’s smile was wide and warm. ‘The others have gone ahead, and I have a vehicle waiting to whisk you to your meal at the La Cave au Coq.’ He stood to one side. ‘Please, follow me.’

Away from the breeze on the ship, the night air was humid and hot. A nocturnal chorus of cicadas and crickets, their chatter a pulsating crescendo, greeted them as Peter settled the passengers into a taxi and then took his place beside the driver.

‘An interesting name for a restaurant,’ Anne commented as they set off.

Jane held her fan to her face and puffed out her cheeks. ‘I hope that there’s air-conditioning.’

After driving slowly for a few blocks, where they stared at stylish resort wear in the famous department store Galeries Lafayette, they entered Rue Victor Hugo. Their eyes widened as the vehicle cruised past the Caribbean’s most fashionable shopping thoroughfare, where windows displayed the latest fashions from Paris and the French Riviera. Luxury items by Cartier, Baccarat and Lalique proudly flaunted French design.

‘We’ve arrived.’ Peter stood to one side as the driver opened the door and Kath, Anne, and Jane alighted. ‘La Cave au Coq,’ Peter said.

He led the way to a large wooden door and pulled a cord. A bell rang in the distance, and after a few moments, a face peeked out and invited them in. Madame Rochelle was an elegant woman dressed in scarlet and black lace. Her jet-black hair was styled in a taut chignon, and she rocked on the highest of heels.

‘Zeez way,’ she said and led them through a shop stacked with chocolates and fine wines.

Jane stopped to study a display of hand-made delicacies, but Kath grabbed her arm. ‘We can have a look later,’ she whispered.

They climbed a narrow stairway, and Madame Rochelle drew back a heavy velvet drape. ‘Enjoy ze evening,’ she said and ushered the latecomers forward.

The room was candle-lit and filled with murals of the French countryside under a glass domed ceiling. Stars twinkled in the sky alongside a silver slither of a new moon. A Christmas tree covered in tiny lanterns lit up a far corner, and festive ribbons and garlands adorned every nook and cranny. An enormous gold chicken sat on a pedestal in the centre of the room.

‘Wow!’ the three friends gasped.

‘It’s magical,’ Kath breathed as her eyes took in gold candelabras, glistening cut glass and starched white linen.

‘Like a weird French café,’ Jane said.

‘I think it’s marvellous,’ Anne whispered. ‘So now that we’ve found La Cave, this must be Le Coq?’ she said and stepped forward to touch the golden chicken.

The room was full of passengers from theDiamond Star, and they chattered animatedly.

‘Oh, look, here’s our crowd.’ Kath pointed to a circular table in one corner.

Heads began to turn, and conversation stilled as Madame Rochelle led the three friends. As if seeing the three newcomers for the first time, Bridgette, Selwyn, Harold, Nancy, Diane, and the Captain stared wide-eyed, and Peter beamed. They pushed back their chairs to stand, then slowly began to applaud.

‘My goodness,’ Bridgette exclaimed, ‘you have been busy, I hardly recognised you.’

Selwyn was silent as he drew out a chair for Jane. Harold indicated that Kath should sit beside him, and Anne took a seat by the Captain.

Wearing a T-shirt with the logoVive la France!the Captain banged on the table with a spoon and called out, ‘Mangez bien, riez souvent, aimez beaucoup!’

‘Quite right,’ Bridgette said as Madame Rochelle filled everyone’s glass with champagne. ‘We should all eat well, laugh often, and love abundantly.’ She smiled at the Captain. ‘Bon appétit, everyone.’

‘Bon appétit,’ they chorused in reply.

ChapterNineteen

The following morning, the skipper of theDiamond Star, Captain Kennedy, announced their scheduled stop in Guadeloupe had unfortunately been cancelled. Due to recent social turmoil on the island, it was his responsibility for the safety of his passengers not to dock there. There would now be two sea days before arriving in St Maarten early on Christmas Day.

Kath, Jane, and Anne sat at a table on the balcony in Hibiscus and tucked into their breakfast. ‘I read about the unrest in Guadeloupe,’ Kath said, ‘and wondered if we would be giving it a miss.’

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