Page 71 of The Cruise

But what harm would a fling for a few days have done? Time was running out, and it would take her mind off the clock, counting down to their flight home, where she’d face the final act in her divorce. Anne reached the steps and, taking hold of a railing, stepped out of the pool and into the jacuzzi. Settling herself in the bubbling bowl, she thought of the packing she had to do to leave the house she’d shared with Barry. Now that Jane was in the throes of romance, would the offer of a room in her cottage still stand? The last thing Anne wanted was to be in the way of Jane’s relationship with Selwyn.

Anne sighed heavily and closed her eyes. ‘Please don’t let Jane get hurt,’ she whispered, ‘and may Selwyn be the man of her dreams.’

‘Talking to yourself?’ A voice called out. ‘Or are you inviting me in?’

Anne opened her eyes to see Dicky standing by the jacuzzi, a towel draped over his deeply tanned shoulders and a hand in the pocket of his tropical print shorts. Wearing a broad smile, he raised his sunglasses and winked. ‘Room for one more?’ he asked and, not waiting for a reply, threw his towel to one side and climbed in.

‘Where’s your widow?’ Anne asked as she sat up and pouted. ‘Has she sailed on to sunnier seas?’

‘Aw, you know that meant nothing, it’s part of my job to entertain the passengers.’ Dicky inched across the jacuzzi, his arm snaking around Anne.

‘Especially rich ones.’

‘It was you who gave me the heave-ho,’ Dicky said.

Anne felt his fingers on her skin. His touch was sensual, and her body gave an involuntary shiver despite the heat.

‘Fancy a drink?’ Dicky asked and raised his hand to beckon a server. ‘Two double-d’s, if you please.’

‘Let’s get one thing clear,’ Anne said, ‘I don’t have any money.’

‘Well, that makes two of us.’ Dicky smiled.

‘And I’m about to become divorced and homeless.’

‘We have so much in common.’ Dicky threw back his head and laughed.

Anne felt her mood lift. At last! A man was being honest with her. She sank into Dicky’s arm with a satisfied sigh as the server placed a drink in her hand, and Dicky kissed the top of her head. The cocktail was delicious, and Anne licked her lips, ‘Cheers,’ she whispered, and all her cares suddenly floated away.

ChapterThirty-One

On the morning of the thirtieth of December, the engines of theDiamond Starbegan to gently hum as the crew began preparations to leave the island of St Kitts and head southwards to Barbados. Waking early, passengers stood on balconies and decks or stared out of porthole windows as the ship pulled slowly away to enter a channel known as The Narrows. As they passed the neighbouring island of Nevis, many felt poignant knowing they were beginning the final leg of the cruise. Others thought of the previous day and the enjoyment of disembarking and discovering St Kitts’ delights.

As the ship began her journey Selwyn and Jane sat upright in the bed in his cabin. Both stared ahead at the painting on Selwyn’s desk.

Jane cradled a cup in her hand and sipped hot tea. ‘Where will you put it?’ she asked and tilted her head to study the colourful dancing woman.

‘I’m not sure,’ Selwyn replied. ‘I thought I had a place back home, but maybe not.’

‘Each time I look, she seems to be moving – it’s fascinating.’

‘She reminds me of you.’

‘You said that when you first showed the painting to me.’ Jane smiled and laid her head on Selwyn’s shoulder. ‘You’ve given me confidence I never knew.’

Her eyes closed, and very gently, Selwyn took the cup from her hands, then placed his arm around her shoulders and caressed her sun-kissed skin. It was true. As though Jane had sipped an elixir of love, her confidence had grown, and she’d become the woman he’d hoped for. The few short hours he’d spent with her had been some of the happiest of his life.

As Jane slept, he stroked her hair and thought of their day out. He’d known that she was reluctant to remove her kaftan and stand before him in her swimsuit, but she’d taken the plunge and enjoyed their swim, then sat behind the wheel of the beach buggy and took delight in the exhilarating drive. Though her confidence increased, it plummeted when the helicopter got into difficulties. But the unsettling incident had brought them together and their dinner had been magical. He determined never to let her go.

While Jane was driving, Selwyn had carefully unfolded his plastic pouch and scattered more of Flo’s ashes. He’d watched a wispy trail of grey drift over the golden sand dunes that rose and fell as though breathing, before being carried in the wind over the rippled surface and out to the ocean. Flo had never liked sand on her feet and couldn’t understand why anyone would want to walk barefoot on a beach. ‘Leave nothing but your footprints,’ Selwyn had whispered. ‘Enjoy the drive, my dear.’

As they lay in each other’s arms in the darkness of the night, Jane had asked Selwyn about his family. He showed her photos on his phone and told her about Gloria and Gwen. He felt sure she would like them. Susan and Raymond would be more challenging, but his granddaughter, Charlene, was adorable.

Jane expressed regret that she’d never had children but spoke fondly of her job.

‘You should do more with your cooking skills,’ Selwyn suggested. ‘You were most entertaining on the stage with Jaden.’

‘I was in my cooking comfort zone.’

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