Page 45 of The Cruise Club

Carmen shrugged. ‘Surprisingly, no, it’s as though meeting Fran was meant to be and I simply let her help me.’

‘No matter what obstacles there are in life…’ Theo’s voice was warm and sincere. ‘Love can surprise you. Even when you think it’s out of reach. You can be the heroine of your own story if you allow yourself to be.’

She stared at Theo.

‘The world is your oyster, Carmen; it’s up to you to go out and find your pearl.’

‘I’m so glad I met you,’ she said, grateful for his kindness.

‘Me too, my darling girl, can we be friends?’

‘Absolutely. Can I have another drink, please?’

‘CARMEN!’ Betty screeched. ‘Are you going to sit daydreaming all morning?’ She pushed her empty plate to one side and wiped at her chin with a napkin.

Suddenly back in the real world with Betty, Carmen winced and sat up. Reaching out, she popped two painkillers and swallowed them down.

‘We’ll miss our excursion if you don’t wake up, and I need my hat and bag. And don’t think I want to be seen with you in that fancy get-up,’ Betty added. Her eyes were icy as she stared at her daughter who was wearing a floaty jumpsuit with shoe-string straps. ‘Mutton dressed as lamb; you look ridiculous.’

Carmen sighed. Earlier she’d endeavoured to replicate the beautician’s makeup and had found her beautifully cut hair easy to style. Now, as she stood, she felt her resolve harden.

‘Sorry, Mum,’ Carmen said brightly and moved to collect Betty’s things. ‘I haven’t time to change, and besides, I rather like what I’m wearing.’ Carmen ran her fingers over the peach-coloured jumpsuit and marvelled at Fran’s choice of daywear. It felt luxurious and cool, and she couldn’t wait to show it off.

Betty’s eyes narrowed, but Carmen busied herself. Moments later, she opened the door and pushed Betty into the corridor.

‘I hope the sea is calm today,’ Betty chuntered and held her cane aloft. ‘A boat trip is a silly idea, but I’ll have to go along with it.’

‘It will be lovely, Mum,’ Carmen said cheerfully.

Her headache, thankfully, had begun to lift and a fewminutes later, they prepared to disembark. She hadn’t mentioned to Betty that the boat trip was to the island of Spinalonga – a place Carmen couldn’t wait to visit.

‘Good morning, ladies,’ Peter called out. He blinked in surprise when he saw Carmen. ‘May I say how wonderful you look this morning?’ Peter smiled. ‘This cruise is working its magic.’

‘Thank you,’ Carmen said. Unused to compliments, she felt her cheeks redden.

‘I hope there’s a luncheon buffet on board,’ Betty grumbled, ‘and a shady place for me to sit.’

Carmen caught Peter’s eye and shrugged. ‘I’m sure I can find somewhere suitable,’ she said as she pushed Betty onto the quayside.

As she caught a glimpse of the sun on the water, Carmen relaxed. She’d enjoyed the shopping trip with Fran and had a wonderful evening with Theo. A peculiar feeling swept over her, and she realised she was more assured and making new friends. Fran was like a rock and so kind, and Theo a confidante, someone who truly listened. Carmen hoped their connection wouldn’t fade after the cruise when everyday life resumed. For the first time in as long as she could remember, Carmen felt almost ready for whatever might come next, and she mustn’t let Betty’s negativity creep into her writing or newfound friendships.

Returning home might not be as daunting as Carmen feared.

Chapter Nineteen

Fran had never ridden on a jet ski. The only moving thing she’d sat on at the seaside was a donkey named Dobbin on a Blackpool beach. But at Almyros Beach, where the tour bus took the cruise passengers, the turquoise sea was inviting, and Fran, encouraged by Sid, decided that she’d have a go.

Wearing her baby-pink tankini, Fran held onto Sid as he listened to instructions from the jet ski owner, who told Sid not to go too far out and to watch his speed.

‘Aye, aye, Captain,’ Sid said as he revved the engine and slowly set off. Fran let out a scream as Sid cruised away at a moderate pace. ‘Give over, Fran,’ Sid called out, ‘it’s hardly Formula One!’

Fran’s hair splayed around her face, and sea spray kissed her skin. She pressed her body to Sid’s, her eyes wide as she looked back at the beach, where stylish sunbeds lay beneath straw umbrellas on golden sands dotted with smooth pebbles. A bar with a Tiki-style roof was playing music and sunbathers gathered there for refreshing drinks.The calm, shallow water was perfect for swimming, and many cruisers were in the sea.

‘Oh look!’ Fran called out. ‘There’s Dicky Delaney!’ She thrust a finger in front of Sid’s eyes and pointed at a man by the edge of the water. Dicky had both hands on his hips and wore colourful shorts, and, with his eyes closed, held his face towards the sun. ‘Isn’t that Peter too, playing bat and ball?’ Fran held her hand to her brow as she scanned the beach. ‘The fella he’s playing with is wearing very brief trunks.’

‘That’s Kyle from Kyle’s Senior Splashdown,’ Sid acknowledged.

‘I should get you a pair of Speedos like that.’ Fran giggled as she eyed Kyle’s brief neon beachwear and thought that he was glowing so brightly, he could probably be seen from space.

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