Page 8 of The Cruise

‘Good afternoon, everyone,’ he said, using a PA system, ‘and welcome to what is the beginning of a memorable holiday.’ Several travellers applauded. ‘The time has changed, and you’ve gained four hours, so please adjust your watches.’ He pointed to his wrist. ‘We are a small company and personal service is something the company prides itself on. Myself or one of my team are on hand, and you are now officially members of theDiamond Starfamily so feel free to come and talk to us with any queries you may have.’

As the guests stared out, he commented on the sights coming into view. ‘The city of Bridgetown is the capital of Barbados,’ Peter explained. ‘As well as being recognised for being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is well known for its British colonial architecture and the famous parliament buildings.’

The three friends were fascinated as the coach travelled along the busy highway adjacent to the island’s south coast. Kath nudged Jane as they caught glimpses of the sea beyond the roofs of houses and colourful little shacks lining the road.

‘Oh, look!’ Kath exclaimed and pointed to a man standing next to a stall stacked high with green coconuts. He wore jeans hanging low from a belt, and his torso was naked. Sweat glistened on a muscled body that held a machete in one hand. Swinging the knife wide to decapitate a coconut, he handed the coconut to a woman wearing a bonnet and brightly patterned dress, and she drank the contents thirstily.

The coach slowed as a group of children waited to cross the road, and Jane smiled as she watched the hand-holding line of immaculately dressed little ones, neat in shirts and shorts. The girls wore lacy white ankle socks with colourful beads and ribbons threaded through their hair and they waved at the passengers on the coach.

As the driver negotiated the busy streets of Bridgetown, Peter explained that they were passing an area known as the Garrison Savanna. Guests gazed at a collection of military buildings. They learnt that they were built in 1790 as barracks for soldiers when Barbados was used as a base for the British Regiment. Peter pointed out that the savanna was a natural environment for horse racing since the colonial days and home to the famous Barbados Gold Cup. ‘As you can see,’ he said, ‘the area attracts other activities such as kite flying, jogging, or simply sitting and watching the world go by.’

Kath gazed at the swaying palm trees lining the route and shaded her eyes as a shimmering heat haze sparkled over the turquoise sea. ‘I’d give anything to dive in there,’ she muttered, ‘I’ve never seen a sea so inviting.’

Jane looked wistfully at the alluring water and longed to cool her body. But she shuddered at the thought of stripping off and exposing her flesh. She prayed there would be a private place on the ship to sunbathe, away from toxic stares. Jane thought about her lovely mum, who’d been unaware that she’d created Jane’s addiction by giving her daughter food as a treat. Unlike invisible addictions, Jane’s was too obvious to miss.

The driver turned off the highway towards the port, and Bridgetown Cruise Terminal came into view. Anne pointed excitedly. ‘Look,’ she said, ‘there’s our ship.’

TheDiamond Starrose from the teal-coloured water, its bow painted navy with a regal gold stripe. A magnificent floating sanctuary with deep, gleaming decks. Everyone climbed off the coach and strode towards the ship, where a steel band played Christmas calypso music as more vehicles arrived and passengers crowded the concourse. Dancers in colourful carnival outfits, many wearing Santa hats, moved through the crowd in welcome. They cavorted alongside characters, some stilted, wearing traditional 17th-century costumes as a smiling uniformed crew offered glasses of rum punch and soft drinks.

‘We’ve been upgraded again!’ Anne exclaimed as staff checked them in. ‘They’ve run short of inner cabins, and we’ve been moved to a suite. It’s called Hibiscus.’

‘Crikey, how wonderful,’ Jane said as she removed her heavy poncho and, taking Kath’s arm, followed Anne into a lift that sped them to an upper deck.

The trio wandered down a long corridor, searching for their accommodation. They checked doorways that bore brass plaques with the names of Caribbean flowers.

‘Orchid, Bougainvillaea, Jasmine, Lily … oh look,’ Anne said as she studied the plaques, ‘here’s Hibiscus.’ She held the key card to the door, and they tumbled over the threshold, their eyes alight.

‘We’ve got a balcony!’ Kath exclaimed as she hurried into Hibiscus. Her mouth fell open as she slid the door back to reveal an outdoor seating area.

In the large lounge-like bedroom Jane flung her poncho onto one of the beds and picked up a towel folded into the shape of a swan. ‘Oh my,’ she whispered and stroked the soft fabric. Beside the swan lay a Christmas cracker containing complimentary toiletries.

‘There’s a bar,’ Anne called out and crouched down to wrench open a fridge door stacked high with miniature bottles of spirits and wine.

‘It’s so Christmassy,’ Kath said as she gazed at a pretty tree in one corner, ‘just look at these decorations.’ Gold and silver ornaments twinkled in the sunlight.

‘Our cases have arrived ahead of us.’ Jane pointed to a luggage rack where their bags were neatly stacked. ‘Everything is so efficiently organised.’

The three women each claimed a bed and, throwing themselves on the thick quilted counterpanes, stretched out their arms and stared up at the ceiling, sighing with happiness.

‘Ah, air-conditioning.’ Jane sighed. She closed her eyes and snuggled onto the comfortable mattress.

‘I can’t believe I’m here –’ Kath closed her eyes and lay her hands across her breastbone ‘– but I’m exhausted, and I think I’ve got a hangover.’

‘Don’t get too comfortable,’ Anne said. ‘If you sleep now, you’ll never sleep later, and there is so much to see.’

‘This is bliss,’ Jane said. She was enjoying the cool air that caressed her tired and sticky body.

Anne unbuttoned her shirt. ‘Why don’t we get changed and find our way around the ship before dinner?’

‘Good idea.’ Kath carefully swung her legs over the side of the bed.

‘I’m up for that.’ Jane wriggled to a sitting position and tugged on her tunic top to pull it over her head.

Anne waved her blouse and tossed it into the air, ‘Ladies,’ she announced, ‘our Christmas cruise has begun!’

ChapterFour

It hadn’t taken Selwyn long to unpack, and his clothes hung neatly in the inner cabin he’d been allocated. Standing in front of a long mirror that fronted the wardrobe, he straightened the lapels of his linen suit. Pulling at the sleeves of his jacket to show a glimpse of the colourful shirt cuff, the smoothed gold links enamelled in the red, green, and yellow of the Jamaican flag, Selwyn turned and picked up his red Fedora. Tempted to place it on his head, he decided it was best to leave the hat perched on the dressing table beside a battered Typhoo Tea tin.

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