Page 46 of The Cruise

Jane munched on sweet red apple, ‘What happened?’ she asked and licked her fingers.

‘The French Government stated that all workers in French territories had to have the Coronavirus vaccine, it is compulsory,’ Kath replied. ‘Many people objected, and there’s a big anti-vaccine movement on the island. There were rioters torching cars and looting shops.’

‘Crikey,’ Jane gulped. ‘That won’t be good for tourism.’

‘It’s probably calmed down now, but I’m sure that Captain Kennedy doesn’t want to take any risks.’

‘Well, it doesn’t matter to me,’ Anne chipped in. She cradled a glass of orange juice and stared out to sea. ‘Just look at this beautiful setting. We’ve got loads to enjoy in our floating hotel, before we reach land again.’

‘Oh, but I so enjoyed last night.’ Kath sighed. ‘It was a wonderful evening.’

‘The best so far,’ Anne agreed.

‘I think we surprised people with our appearance.’ Jane smiled. ‘I thought everyone was going to fall off their chairs when we walked into the dining room.’

‘We certainly made an entrance,’ Kath agreed. ‘Selwyn seemed the most surprised.’ She turned to Jane. ‘Especially with your new image, he couldn’t stop looking at you.’

Jane sat up straight. She stretched her neck, then shook her head and grinned as she felt the heavy length of hair extensions, weaved into tiny plaits, fall around her shoulders. ‘I love my hair,’ she said, reaching out to caress dozens of coloured beads threaded into narrow plaits. ‘I thought Philippe might have suggested a tint or new shade, but he’s matched the white extensions perfectly.’

‘He’s made it look so natural, and it really suits you,’ Anne said, ‘especially with the tan you’re developing.’

‘I never thought I’d see you wearing tinted moisturiser and lipstick,’ Kath added. ‘I don’t think you realise how pretty you are.’

Jane poured a coffee and thought about Selwyn. Had he really been surprised when she sat down beside him? As their first course was served, he’d whispered, ‘You look lovely.’ The butterflies in Jane’s tummy began to dance and continued throughout the evening, right up to the point when they descended the stairs, and Selwyn insisted on buying a box of chocolates.

‘For having the courage to make a change,’ he said and presented the perfectly wrapped package to Jane.

‘Youdoknow that you have an admirer?’ Kath looked at Jane and saw her friend’s cheeks flush. ‘Selwyn is smitten with you.’

‘Don’t be ridiculous,’ Jane replied, ‘he’s just a generous person, a gentleman, someone who wanted to congratulate me for making a change. Don’t forget that he lost his wife earlier this year and is on holiday to get over her passing.’

Kath and Anne looked at each other and shook their heads. ‘You can deny it all you like,’ Kath said, ‘but one day you might wake up to the possibility that a man finds you attractive and it may pay you to gamble on Selwyn.’

‘I don’t gamble and I’m one of life’s losers when it comes to relationships.’ Jane was adamant. ‘So please stop trying to push me towards a stranger that I know nothing about.’

Kath knew it was useless to argue further, and, still shaking her head, she filled a bowl with cereal and began to tuck in.

Jane sipped her coffee while Kath and Anne chatted. She was miles away. She remembered Selwyn’s hand taking her own as he gave her the gift. His skin felt warm, and her fingers tingled at his touch. His eyes were so dark and penetrating that she’d had to turn away, mumbling her thanks as she hurried out of the shop to the waiting transport.

Finishing her cereal, Kath dabbed at her mouth with a napkin. ‘I love my new look,’ she said, ‘I’ve never had so many compliments.’

‘Your hair is fab.’ Anne reached out and stroked Kath’s shiny hair. Gone was the dull, dry salt and pepper of the past. Kath’s hair fell perfectly into place, cut into a side-swept pixie. ‘Philippe is a genius and the chestnut colour has taken years off.’

‘I think tons of marine cream and a bucketload of new products are contributing to that.’ Kath hardly dared think of the money she’d spent in the salon. Jim would have been incandescent with rage at her extravagance. Her visit to the ship’s boutique also produced a staggering bill. Kath never dreamt that she would wear a jewelled jump-suit nor toss her plain old pumps into the sea. But from now on, she determined, she would spend whenever she liked. To hell with the haunting memories of life before Jim’s death.

Anne touched her face with her fingers. ‘I’m smooth and wrinkle-free,’ she said, catching sight of her reflection on the balcony door.

‘Not a muscle moves, your skin is as velvety as a new-born,’ Jane commented. ‘If you look any younger, you’ll be sucking a dummy.’ She grinned. ‘But I still don’t know how you can bear to have stuff injected into your face and lips.’

‘No pain, no gain. My wrinkles are hardly noticeable,’ Anne replied, ‘and it really doesn’t hurt, plumper lips make me more youthful and desirable.’

‘To a trout, perhaps…’ Jane teased and ducked as Anne’s hand flew out.

Anne patted her hair. ‘I love this style. Philippe called it the Wolf cut.’

‘In my day it was called the Shullet,’ Jane grinned.

‘What’s that?’

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