Page 43 of The Cruise Club

‘Ah,’ Sid smiled, ‘one more day of sun, sea and adventure.’

Carmen woke with the mother of all hangovers, and when Betty rapped on the cabin wall with her walking cane, Carmen thought that her head was going to explode. Every thud felt like a sledgehammer pounding her skull, and she cursed the Corinth Cocktails that she’d consumed with Theo in the casino the evening before.

Carmen hoped that the noise might stop or that the floor beneath Betty’s bed would dissolve and send her mother to the ocean’s depths, but the banging was as relentless as her headache, and with a groan, Carmen had no choice but to get up.

A little while later, when Carmen and Betty were dressed, Betty ate breakfast in her room and soon began to complain. ‘It’s far too hot to be wandering around the streets of the town,’ she said as she shovelled a hefty mouthful of eggs Royale. ‘I’ll get sunburn if you leave me in another café while you go off galivanting.’

Carmen, unable to face food, sipped a black coffee and watched her mother. A slither of hollandaise sauce dribbled down Betty’s chin, and viper-like, Betty’s tongue darted outbefore it reached her blouse. The bitterness of Carmen’s coffee mirrored her feelings.

Why couldn’t Betty have stayed at home in Butterly?Carmen felt a heavy invisible chain wrap around her, one that yanked her back to her mother every time she thought she might escape. Whenever she’d found an opportunity to free herself of her mother’s ties, Carmen realised that she was beginning to enjoy herself.

Last night with Theo had been a hoot.

Theo had been adamant that they should have a few drinks in the casino, and before Carmen knew it, he was teaching her how to play roulette. To Carmen’s astonishment, she won a considerable amount, and they’d ended the night by celebrating with more champagne.

As the server poured, Theo raised his glass with a grin. ‘To Caterpillar Carmen,’ he said, eyes twinkling. ‘Tell me all about your chat with Ruskin.’

Carmen grimaced, ‘Ruskin terrifies me.’

‘But you sat together?’

‘He invited me to share the table and hadn’t a clue who I was.’

Theo’s gaze swept over her. ‘He must be enchanted by you,’ he said, studying Carmen from top to toe. ‘You look beautiful tonight.’

‘Hardly, and I don’t feel beautiful, I still think I’m frumpy old Carmen.’ She flushed as she sipped the cold champagne, the bubbles tickling her throat. ‘It’s all Fran’s doing, this sudden change in my appearance. She seems to have an eye for a makeover, clothes, hair – the whole lot.’

‘She did a great job.’ Theo wasn’t surprised that Ruskinhadn’t recognised Carmen. He hadn’t recognised her either. ‘But with no disrespect,’ Theo continued, ‘I trust you won’t return to your old wardrobe tomorrow.’

‘Don’t worry, I’ve bagged up my crappy gear and asked Fernando to dispose of it all.’

‘Fernando?’ Theo asked, his eyes distracted as Colin and Neeta entered the casino.

‘The lovely steward who services my cabin,’ she explained.

Theo shuddered as he heard Carmen’s words.

‘Are you all right?’ Carmen asked.

‘Yes, fine, fine,’ Theo replied quickly, turning his back on the couple. Mentioning services in a cabin brought back haunting memories of the previous night in Colin and Neeta’s suite. A party he’d rather forget. He began to chuckle and decided to share his thoughts. ‘Have you heard of the UDPPC?’

‘No, what’s that?’ Carmen looked puzzled.

‘The Upside-Down Pineapple Pensioner Club.’

Carmen’s eyes widened, ‘Is it something to do with the Golden Oldies Gang?’

‘Not really.’ Theo shook his head and remembered the golden oldies he’d seen in the suite. ‘It’s a swingers club for mature people.’

‘You mean…’

‘Yes, swingers, orthe lifestyleas they call it. Sex for the over-sixties with no holds barred.’

‘Good heavens,’ Carmen said, ‘I do hope Betty hasn’t heard of it.’

Theo threw back his head and laughed. ‘It might do your mother some good,’ he said, ‘and put a smile on her face.’

‘I think it would kill her or anyone who came close.’

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