Page 77 of The Cruise

Onboard activities continued throughout the day, and, given the circumstances, Peter was prepared to excuse Bridgette from her talk. But she refused, stating that the Captain would have been adamant that everyone carry on. She added that his spirit would be heckling from the front row.

Kath picked up her bag and said that Bridgette was entirely right. They should continue, and she would be supporting Bridgette during her talk. Jane and Selwyn discussed whether to go to Jaden’s cookery session and, agreeing with the others, decided they would. But Anne said she would stay at the bar and have one more drink, then catch up with everyone later.

But Anne’s ‘one more drink’ soon turned into several. The Captain’s death had upset her more than she realised and, thinking of her own circumstances, she felt miserable. Turning to the server, she ordered another drink. ‘Lots of folk must pass away at sea,’ she said, ‘this ship is Neptune’s waiting lounge, the last port of call before we all walk the plank of death.’

Having lost track of time, Anne was quite tipsy when she carefully negotiated her exit from the bar and began to wander through the ship, focusing on the best route back to Hibiscus. Finding herself on an open deck, she gripped the rail and paused to take a deep breath and clear her head. As she stared out at the sea, she saw the light beginning to fade, and the rainbow flames of sunset dipped beyond the horizon.

‘Goodbye, captain, dearest,’ Anne whispered as darkness descended. Tears fell onto her cheeks, and she wiped them with her fingers.

‘Bloody hell!’ A voice called out. ‘There you are, I’ve been looking for you everywhere!’

Anne turned to see Dicky heading towards her.

‘I thought we were meeting for a drink by the pool?’ he asked, ‘but you look as though you are several ahead of me.’ He reached out to take her arm.

‘Not now, Dicky,’ Anne said and brushed his hand to one side. She saw him stagger and realised he was intoxicated too.

‘What’s up?’ Dicky stood with his feet apart and stared at Anne. ‘You look upset.’

‘I told you, not now.’ Anne began to turn away. She knew she was a mess and didn’t want Dicky to see her in such a vulnerable state.

‘You’re surely not sad about the old fart who died?’ Dicky eyes were wide, and he swayed as he leaned in to study her face. ‘For goodness’ sake, they drop like flies on these cruises.’

Furious by Dicky’s indifference, Anne suddenly raised her arm and struck out. Her palm slapped Dicky’s face. ‘Don’t call him that!’ she shouted. ‘Don’t you have any respect?’

Dicky was too shocked to reply as he touched his fingers to his stinging cheek.

‘I’ll meet you when I’m ready to meet you,’ Anne said and, without looking back, turned, and moved away.

* * *

Dicky was speechless as he watched Anne walk off. He couldn’t remember a woman slapping him, even though he’d deserved it many times. He could accept a pillow or flying ornament but not a physical whack like the one Anne had delivered. His cheek smarted, and he hoped he wouldn’t need Melissa’s concealer again. Who the hell did Anne think she was? He felt his blood boil and cracked his knuckles as he turned to lurch along the deck. Another one bites the dust!

He’d been drinking at the bar by the pool all afternoon as he waited for Anne, furious that the wealthy widow had given him the elbow earlier in the day to flirt with the restaurant manager, Nathaniel. Dicky had been counting on Anne to let him stay with her when they returned to the UK as he readied himself for further opportunities, but now that looked unlikely. To make matters worse, he had no idea what had provoked her into such a rage.

‘Bloody women…’ Dicky muttered to himself.

‘You should show more respect.’

‘Eh?’ Dicky looked up.

Kath was standing before him. ‘We’ve just lost a very dear person and you called him an old fart,’ she said. Gripping her bag Kath stood solidly. ‘Don’t you ever think about anyone but yourself?’

Her heart was thumping, and she bit her lip. She hadn’t anticipated a meeting with Dicky when she’d left Bridgette’s talk and come searching for Anne, fearing that her friend might be upset. Kath hated confrontation and had never stood up to Jim in case a blow might occur. But Dicky had no right to speak to Anne like that, especially when her friend was clearly distressed.

‘What did you say?’ Dicky asked and took a step forward. A vein pulsed on his brow and sweat was visible on his skin.

‘You heard me.’ Kath felt a flash of sudden anger, as though years of pent-up emotion had bubbled up and boiled over. ‘You abuse women and mistreat them,’ she burst out. ‘I’ve seen you flaunting yourself and your merchandise in and out of cabins. Does your contract allow you to sell directly to the passengers?’ Kath stood tall and held her chin high as she stared at Dicky. But when she saw his eyes bulge and he took a step towards her, she knew she’d overstepped the mark.

‘Who the hell are you to preach to me?’ Dicky’s voice was low and menacing. ‘This from the woman who killed her husband!’

Shocked, Kath yelped and stumbled back. She felt winded as though she’d been punched, and as her hand gripped her throat, her bag fell to the floor. ‘W-what did you say?’ she asked, her whole body trembling.

‘I know what you did,’ Dicky spat, ‘so don’t preach to me.’ He waved a finger in her face. ‘And if you don’t want to find yourself being arrested at the end of this cruise you can cough up cash to silence me.’

Kath began to sway. Her mind scrambled, and she couldn’t think straight. Had Dicky just told her that he knew her secret? How could he possibly know that Jim’s fall wasn’t an accident?

Kath gripped the rail and tried to clear her head. Dicky’s face had turned into Jim’s. His lips curled into the same sneer Jim had given her that morning so many months ago, and she couldn’t shake it away. Dicky was ranting, but his voice was distant as the memory of Jim opening the front door of their house became vivid.

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