Page 70 of The Cruise

Their dinner was perfect.

The tasting menu that Selwyn had pre-ordered was exquisitely presented in a series of dishes that made Jane gasp as each delicacy was placed before them. But the highlight came when the pianist began to sing ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’, and Jaden appeared at their table. Standing before a trolley, he smiled and asked Jane if she liked crêpes. When she nodded enthusiastically and gripped Selwyn’s hand, they watched with fascination as the chef began to flame Grand Marnier over the lightest pancakes Jane had ever seen.

‘I have a gift for you,’ Selwyn said as a server took their empty plates and a sommelier poured more champagne. ‘I hope you like it.’ Selwyn placed a gorgeously wrapped package in her hands.

‘You didn’t need to get me anything…’ Jane began as she loosened the gold ribbon and opened a leather-bound box.

Lying on a velvet bed were a dozen tiny enamelled turtles strung together on a silver bangle. Their diamond eyes shone as Selwyn fastened it around her wrist.

‘Oh!’ Jane gasped. ‘It’s magnificent and matches my necklace.’ Her fingers flew to her throat as she gently jiggled the turtles, watching them sparkle in the candlelight. ‘I can’t believe you’ve done this.’

‘Happy Christmas, Jane,’ Selwyn said as he nuzzled her ear, ‘and may all your Christmas dreams come true.’

* * *

Hours later, Jane lay in Selwyn’s arms and realised that all her dreamshadcome true. In the spacious bed in his cabin, Selwyn made love to her with a tenderness and emotion she’d never experienced. Dismissing her doubts and silencing her concerns with his lips, he was a passionate lover who made Jane feel like the most adored woman in the world. She hadn't worried about her size for a moment as he carefully slid the gown from her shoulders and kissed the soft skin on her neck. As his hands explored her curves and caressed her body, Jane gave herself entirely and, for the first time in her life, knew what it was to be loved and adored.

When Selwyn told Jane that he loved her, her reply was instant.

‘I love you too,’ she whispered. ‘Thank you for not giving up on me.’

‘I’ll never give up on you, my darling, you have my heart and my soul.’

‘More than reggae music?’ she teased and cupped Selwyn’s face.

‘More than the master, Bob Marley.’ He smiled and, taking Jane in his arms, made love to her again.

ChapterThirty

Kath sat in her favourite place, the following morning, on the balcony of Hibiscus. A book lay face-down in her lap, and she cradled a coffee cup. Wearing a bright cotton jumpsuit and sparkly trainers, Kath was content. How she wished that Jim and her sons could see her. They wouldn’t recognise the woman with the neat hairstyle and stylish new clothes, and with her tan developing nicely, she thought her appearance was transformed.

Another beautiful day beckoned, and she intended to relax and make the most of the ship’s facilities and the gorgeous sunshine. She thought about Jane and smiled. Something quite extraordinary had happened, and it was as though the Christmas fairy had waved a wand and sprinkled magic dust over her friend. It was a wonderful thing to have happened to Jane, especially at Christmas.

Kath put down her cup and, removing her glasses, stared at the island of Antigua. She considered the Caribbean the most enchanting place she’d ever visited. Which wasn’t difficult. Garstang and Bournemouth couldn’t compare. No wonder Jane and Selwyn had been drawn together. An attraction sparked and fuelled by the beauty of everything around them.

Kath stood and, glancing at her watch, decided to stretch her legs and go for a walk. Taking her bag and glasses, she left Hibiscus, and as she turned a corner in the corridor, she heard a door open and saw a man backing out of a room. It was the comedian Dicky. As Kath held back, pressing herself to the wall, she heard him call out.

‘Don’t forget to tell your friends that they can buy my book and DVD at the reduced rate,’ he said, his tone conspiratorial, ‘but mum’s the word, I don’t want the shop manager finding out.’

Craning her neck, Kath watched Dicky wander off. He whistled to himself as he headed further along the corridor, then stopped to knock on another door. ‘Dicky’s delivery!’ he said and disappeared inside.

‘So, it’s true,’ Kath whispered. Nancy had mentioned that Dicky would supply reduced-price merchandise if he was paid cash. Kath shook her head. There was no end to the man’s shenanigans. He must be breaking hisDiamond Starcontract with illicit sales and endearing himself to wealthy widows for personal gain. ‘He’s nothing more than a gigolo,’ she said, feeling grateful Anne hadn’t taken up with him.

Putting her thoughts aside, Kath strolled out to the promenade deck, where the sun shone, and the sky was the deepest blue. She smiled as passengers ambled by and called out, ‘Another delightful day in paradise!’

* * *

TheDiamond Star, moored in St Kitts, was quiet onboard as most passengers disembarked to head off on trips to the beautiful beaches and to see the island’s delights. Anne, enjoying the solitude, lay on a sunbed on the lido deck and topped up her tan. The peace and having the pool to herself were luxuries, and she idly toyed with the ring Kath had gifted her, stroking the smooth precious stone. Anne thought about Kath and felt happy that her friend was embracing the cruise and getting over the grief of Jim’s death. She smiled as she thought of Kath promenading in yet another new outfit around the deck.

Anne was delighted too that Jane had come out of her comfort zone and had, at last, hooked up with Selwyn. She remembered that they were going to visit an attraction named Demon’s Bridge, a natural limestone arch formed from a reef where the Atlantic Ocean crashed into the Caribbean Sea. On her return, she expected Jane to be full of wonder.

It’s amazing what love can do, Anne mused.

It wasn’t that she was jealous of Jane. In fact, she couldn’t be more pleased for her friend. But Jane’s joy highlighted Anne’s emptiness when it came to husband-hunting and, as she reached for her sunglasses, she felt a wave of loneliness. Her emotions were all over the place. From the high of a windfall in the casino to the low of being abandoned by Dicky. A couple of days ago, she’d felt green with envy when she watched him carousing around the port. It should have been her in that gorgeous speedboat, nestling in his arms. But she hadn’t spoken to him, and she tried not to think of what he might be doing now.

With a sigh, she slipped into the pool. The sun was beaming down, and the water was warm and welcoming. If only Dicky were here, she thought, and yearned for his company. Anne knew that the comedian was a rascal and would lead her astray, but he had a charisma that she found irresistible.

Yet she’d pushed him away.

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