Page 46 of The Cruise Club

‘Steady on!’ Sid called out as he brushed Fran’s finger away and swerved to avoid a swimmer who’d inadvertently drifted into the jet ski lane.

‘It’s that author,’ Fran called out, ‘you know, Ruskin Reeve.’

‘Well, he needs to watch where he’s swimming,’ Sid mumbled, keeping his distance from Ruskin, who’d stopped to remove his goggles and held up an apologetic hand.

Fran gripped Sid tighter. ‘Come on!’ she urged. ‘I haven’t come out here for a Sunday stroll. Let me feel the wind whip into my wrinkles.’

Sid laughed, and as Fran clung on for dear life, he accelerated steadily.

‘Blimey, I’ll need a wrench to get off,’ Fran said asshe gripped her thighs around Sid and felt her tightening muscles protest.

‘Two paracetamols and a large ouzo will soon sort you out,’ Sid shouted over his shoulder.

As they sped around the bay, Fran, enjoying the thrill of the ride, called out, ‘This is the life, seize the day!’

On the island of Spinalonga, Betty seized her cane and pointed it angrily at anything that got in her way. ‘I thought we were staying on the boat!’ she grumbled to Carmen. ‘I don’t want to be on an island where I might catch an incurable disease.’

Carmen ignored her mother. Pushing Betty along the uneven surfaces was bad enough, but the constant commentary of complaints was even more wearing.

She tried to blank Betty out and thought of the enticing waters of Spinalonga that she’d seen from the deck of the boat as they gathered with other excited passengers. The island had risen dramatically from the sea as they approached, and Carmen was entranced by the rocky shores, vibrant greenery, and ancient stone buildings that lay beyond. She tried to imagine what it must have been like for a person afflicted with leprosy to arrive here, knowing that they would never leave.

The views were breathtaking as they made their way along the pathway and many visitors climbed to higher vantage points to photograph the panoramic vistas. Carmen stared at the olive trees and wildflowers and couldalmost feel the whirlwind of emotions that the lepers might have experienced when they arrived. Would it have been fear and despair? Or perhaps a sense of resignation as they faced a future separated from family and friends, not knowing if they would be treated with kindness or continue with the cruel stigma that had been inflicted on them. Carmen wondered what it might be like to be cast away from society and longed to discuss this, but as Betty moaned about the bumps in the path, Carmen kept her thoughts to herself.

Suddenly, a voice behind Carmen called out, ‘It would be a very lonely journey all those years ago!’

Carmen turned and, to her delight, saw Theo. ‘I didn’t know you were on the boat?’ She smiled as he reached her side.

‘Last-minute decision. I was on a smaller vessel but have kept a low profile while the sea air got rid of my hangover.’

‘I know the feeling,’ Carmen laughed. She was happy to see Theo, who was dressed casually in shorts and T-shirt and looked relaxed as he walked alongside her.

‘Hello, Betty,’ Theo said and touched Betty’s hand. ‘I hope you’re enjoying the trip.’ But Betty snatched back her fingers and stared at Theo with an expression of horror before turning her head away.

‘Probably thinks she’ll catch something; given the island’s history,’ Carmen whispered, rolling her eyes.

‘Here, let me take the load,’ Theo said, ‘these paths are impossible with a wheelchair. You relax and enjoy the island.’

‘It’s good to see you. What do you think so far?’ Carmenasked. Released from her duties, she shook the tension from her shoulders, enjoying her soft curls caressing her bare skin.

‘I can’t imagine the feeling of abandonment one must have felt, being deposited in this place,’ Theo said as he looked around. ‘Picture being dumped in a community of suffering, giving up all the dreams one might have had.’

‘Heartbreaking,’ Carmen agreed. She bit down on her lip and thought of her father’s words.‘You’ve got to have a dream to make a dream come true…’Dreams, for the residents of Spinalonga, would never have come true in this prison.

They were approaching the ruins of stone houses, and ahead of them, their tour guide waited for everyone to gather at Dante’s Gate.

‘It was the gateway to hell for the lepers,’ Theo said as they walked through a tunnel that led into the village. Entering the main street, they studied the recently renovated houses where pots of geraniums stood beside a communal laundry, a bakery and a church.

The guide told the visitors that the lepers were thought to be cursed by God and the disease a punishment. But once on the island, he explained, they stopped being outcasts and formed a community that held elections, had families, and naturally, experienced every normal human emotion during their lives.

‘Maybe life wasn’t so bad,’ Carmen reflected.

When they reached a bar and café, Theo suggested that Betty sit and have refreshments while he took Carmen to explore.

‘At these prices?’ Betty complained. She studied a menuand gripped her purse. ‘I could shop for a week for the cost of a coffee here.’

Theo purchased baklava and coffee with a large glass of Metaxa. ‘Here you go, my love,’ he said and made sure Betty was comfortable. ‘Relax and refresh yourself. We’ll be back very soon,’ and before Betty had time to object, he grabbed Carmen’s arm, and they set off.

‘It’s a good job you’re wearing sensible shoes,’ Theo said, staring at Carmen’s glittery trainers, ‘the paths will be difficult in places as we climb higher.’

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