Page 59 of The Cruise

He glanced at his gold-faced wristwatch and wondered if she would be out of bed. Selwyn knew that it was pointless to phone; Jane would turn him down, and it would be a wasted call. But face-to-face might be different. If he could catch her while Kath and Anne were around, he felt sure they’d insist she accompanied him. Only one thing for it. He’d present himself at Jane’s door. If he caught her off-guard, he might have a chance, and they could enjoy a day out together.

Selwyn set off for Hibiscus, and as he made his way, he thought about Jane’s performance with Chef Jaden. It was as though the woman had come to life. Comfortable in a cooking environment alongside a personality that she felt akin to, Jane had enthralled the audience without a hint of nerves or lack of confidence. Standing tall, she seemed unaware of her size. In fact, she almost embraced it, placing her hands on her hips when she laughed and giving a little wriggle when she told a story.

The applause was loud when Jaden ended the demonstration and thanked Jane for being such an interesting participant. Selwyn had been enchanted and wanted to speak to her, perhaps take her for a celebratory drink and learn more about her exploits, but she was surrounded by guests eager to chat. He decided to let her have her moment of glory. He missed her at dinner, choosing to dine in the Terrace Restaurant, where Bridgette informed Selwyn that she’d seen the three friends heading off to the Deck Café for the lighter buffet option. At the panto performance, Jane sat at the opposite end of the room.

Now, Selwyn stood outside Hibiscus. He took a deep breath and raised his hand to knock on the door.

* * *

‘That will be breakfast,’ Kath called from the bathroom. ‘Jane, will you get it?’

Jane had changed into her reindeer onesie and a Santa hat and was relaxing on a sofa. She dropped theDiamond StarDailyand leapt up. ‘On my way,’ she said as she passed Anne’s bed and grabbed hold of her friend’s toes. ‘Wake up, sleepy head.’ She shook Anne’s foot. ‘Your hangover cure is here.’

‘Bugger off,’ Anne mumbled from beneath her quilt.

Jane flicked her braids from her shoulders and, expecting to see a uniformed server, called out, ‘Hit me with everything you’ve got!’

The door flew open, and Jane froze.

‘Oh … er…’ she said as she came face to face with Selwyn. ‘I didn’t know you were on room service.’ Jane drew her head back, and whipped her Santa hat off. ‘I mean, I’m sorry … we’re expecting breakfast.’

‘If you’d like me to go away?’

‘Bring it through!’ Kath called out as she dried her face with a towel and stepped into the lounge. ‘We’ll eat on the balcony.’ Kath looked up, and when she saw Selwyn, her face broke into a smile. ‘We have company,’ she said. ‘How lovely, do come in and join us.’

Selwyn walked past Jane and into the suite. ‘What stylish accommodation,’ he said and smiled at Anne as he followed Kath to the balcony.

Anne swung her legs over the side of the bed. ‘That’s the best hangover cure I’ve ever had,’ she said and reached for her hairbrush and lipstick.

With a look of horror, Jane gesticulated wildly behind Selwyn’s back, but Kath ignored her and told Selwyn to make himself comfortable.

‘What do we owe the pleasure of this visit to?’ Kath asked.

‘I’m sorry to disturb you ladies so early in the morning,’ Selwyn began, ‘but I wanted to catch Jane before you made plans for the day.’

Hearing Selwyn’s words, Jane began to double back into the lounge, but Anne caught hold of her onesie and pulled her onto the balcony.

‘I’d like to invite you to join me on an island tour,’ Selwyn said.

He stared at Jane, and she felt his eyes bore into her like lasers.

‘W-we were planning—’ Jane stuttered, frantically trying to find an excuse.

‘Of course she’d love to accompany you,’ Kath interrupted, ‘that sounds like great fun. What time shall she be ready?’

Ignoring Jane completely, Kath and Selwyn arranged a time and location to meet, and Kath assured him that Jane would have swimwear and a towel should she need it.

With a polite nod, Selwyn told Jane that he was looking forward to their outing and, turning to the others, hoped Kath and Anne enjoyed their day too. Breakfast had arrived, and declining an invitation to join them, he left the suite.

‘Bloody hell!’ Jane cried out. ‘You’ve really landed me in it.’

‘If Jane doesn’t want to go, do you think Selwyn would consider me as a replacement?’ Anne asked.

‘Don’t even think about it,’ Kath said. ‘Now stop making a fuss, Jane. Eat up and then we’ll decide what you’ll wear – you can’t go out like that.’

Jane was about to protest and dream up a million reasons for dodging her date, but she caught a waft of warm croissant and, unable to resist, sat down and tucked in. ‘You’re bang out of order,’ she mumbled between bites of fluffy pastry. ‘You do realise that I will miss Bridgette’s talk,All Muck and Magic?’

Anne rolled her eyes. ‘Mission accomplished,’ she said and yawned.

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