Page 39 of The Cruise Club

Chapter Seventeen

Ruskin sat in a plush armchair in a softly lit corner of the bar. He was dressed in a well-tailored shirt, slightly undone at the collar, and paired with crisp navy trousers and soft suede shoes. He held a glass of his favourite malt and watched guests dressed for the evening, head to the casino or the late evening show.

Melody Moon had performed earlier, captivating the intimate crowd. Standing beside the baby grand, Melody wore an emerald green dress that shimmered in the low light as she moved to the music. Beyond large windows, the sea was a soothing backdrop, reflected in the moonlight as theDiamond Starsailed on. Ruskin enjoyed Melody’s warm voice, full of emotion, and her setlist included a mix of sultry ballads and the occasional upbeat song. Now, drumming his fingers lightly on the arm of his chair, Ruskin decided that he was enjoying being at sea. Cruising life suited him.

Far away from his agent’s daily calls and distant from Venetia, Ruskin was beginning to relax. His outline notes and research were taking shape, and he felt that he wason to something. Locating Detective Inspector Blake in a Mediterranean destination would bring a different dimension to the next book, and with a full day tomorrow, Ruskin planned to explore when they arrived in Crete, before prepping for his workshops.

At an adjacent table, a group of people were laughing as stories of their day unfolded. Ruskin recognised a couple he’d considered later-in-life honeymooners when they boarded the ship. The woman wore a smart, well-cut pineapple-patterned sleeveless dress with a plunging neckline that showed off more than her deep tan. He thought of Venetia, who loved the sun too, but Venetia always wore the strangest combination of bohemian clothes, unlike the woman at the next table.

Ruskin was content to soak up the sound of the piano and the energy of those around him and didn’t at first notice a woman standing at the entrance to the bar. When a server moved swiftly forward to assist, Ruskin looked up to see her search the crowded room for a seat. Taking to his feet, he called out, ‘There’s a seat here.’

He noted that she was dressed in a sophisticated coral-coloured dress and her hair was perfectly styled, the caramel highlights caught the light as she moved. She appeared to be alone, and as he was keen for conversation, Ruskin hoped she’d accept his invitation.

Carmen was hesitant as she stepped into the piano bar. Despite the champagne she’d drunk earlier which softened the edges and gave her confidence, she felt her nerves flutter.

Leaving her room, Carmen had wandered through theship. She decided that the library was like a morgue at that time of night and the coffee area full of dozing passengers, weary after the day’s exertions and a heavy dinner. The Neptune Theatre was packed, and Dicky Delaney was on stage, but Carmen didn’t want to make a show of herself by trying to find somewhere to sit. Nor did she fancy the film in the cinema, which was already halfway through. In the Mermaid Theatre, the floor was crowded with dancers. She hadn’t set foot on a dance floor in years, and as Carmen watched the energetic couples, she felt her feet firmly anchored as they effortlessly glided by.

Now, as a server approached her, Carmen decided that the piano bar looked inviting, and she searched for a seat. But every table was occupied, and the thought of drawing attention to herself made her stomach tighten.

‘Can I help you?’ the server asked.

‘There’s a seat here,’ a man called out.

To her alarm, Carmen realised that it was Ruskin. She was unsure what to do but had little choice as the server guided her through the tables and past the pianist, who was playing ‘Fly Me To The Moon’.

Carmen wished shecouldfly to the moon and as far away as possible. Ruskin obviously hadn’t recognised her, and the moment he realised who she was, he would be off like a shot. Her cheeks flushed as she searched for excuses. But as the server pulled out a chair, Carmen knew it was too late to bolt. She’d have to sit it out and wait for Ruskin to leave.

Oh, God, he looks so handsome!Carmen miserably thought. Why was she attracted to a man who’d treated herso poorly? She could smell Ruskin’s leathery cologne, and for a moment, was intoxicated and unable to shake off her nerves. For years she’d been numb to any hint of romance and the last time she’d felt this way, Carmen had been young and full of dreams, believing love was something certain, that everyone enjoyed.

Sitting down hesitantly, she remembered her betrayal.

The man she’d once pictured as the father of her children, her childhood sweetheart, had shattered her illusions. He hadn’t just left Carmen; he left her for a woman who took the place Carmen had always believed was hers. Worse still, the woman was married. It had been a scandal, the kind that Butterly thrived on. Whispers in the hairdressers, pitying glances at the post office. Carmen could still remember the day Betty told her that she’d heard the news over the counter in their hardware shop, when a customer leaned in to mutter, ‘Did you hear? Your Carmen’s boyfriend has gone off with her!’

That was when Carmen decided that love wasn’t worth the risk. Not when the pain of losing it was so consuming. She accepted her life. The dream of a husband and family faded in the years that followed as Betty had dismissed any possible suitors, scaring them away, and ultimately Carmen had given up.

Now, as she looked around, bursts of laughter and lively conversation heightened her isolation and the butterflies in Carmen’s stomach were relentless. She wished she’d stayed in her room. Cocoa and the remains of Betty’s chocolates suddenly seemed appealing.

‘Delighted to meet you,’ Ruskin said. ‘I’m Ruskin Reeve.’

‘Carmen,’ she replied, feeling tongue-tied.

‘Let me get you a drink, please, what will you have?’

‘Champagne,’ Carmen blurted. The moment she spoke, she regretted it.For heaven’s sake!she panicked. Who did she think she was, ordering such an expensive drink.

But Ruskin was unperturbed. ‘What a good idea. I think I’ll join you,’ and he gave the server their order.

Moments later, a bottle sat in a cooler beside them, and Carmen held a chilled flute in her hand.

‘Are you enjoying the cruise?’ Ruskin began.

Carmen took a gulp of her drink. ‘Yes, I’m having a lovely time,’ she said.

‘What’s been the best part so far?’

She was about to confess to listening to his talk, then hurrying to her laptop to start writing, but for some reason, Carmen hesitated. ‘I particularly enjoyed the day in Maxos,’ she said, ‘such a quaint village a charming place to visit.’

‘I quite agree,’ Ruskin smiled, ‘there is so much history there. Did you know that Aristotle spent time in the region, which at that time was a centre of culture and philosophy?’

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