Page 47 of The Cruise Club

For the next hour, they walked around the circumference of the island, stopping to view the ruins of a hospital and an eighteenth-century Venetian fort where they learned that the Turks took over the island in the nineteenth century. Theo studied a guidebook and told Carmen that the leper colony was established in 1903 for several hundred lepers and was known as the prison of no escape. Residents were called the ‘living dead’because of their deformations and blindness.

‘They were often brought in handcuffs, like criminals, under the escort of the Cretan police,’ Theo said. ‘Provisions to the island were exorbitant,’ he added, ‘suppliers insisted on high financial compensation for the risk to their health.’

In a museum, they saw games from the Ottoman period when paving slabs were used as boards with engraved dimples and lines. Alongside a cabinet of ancient glass bottles, Carmen studied a wall plaque and read, ‘Guards were recruited from convicts and ex-criminals and often abused the sick.’ She shook her head. ‘This is truly a heartbreaking place.’

Theo lifted his sunglasses and continued to study his book. ‘Fortunately, after the Second World War,’ he said, ‘a cure was discovered in America, and the colony closed in 1957.’

Now, they were standing in a little church.

Carmen stared at the simple artefacts and icons, almost sensing the history in what had been a place of worship for the lepers. Natural light shone through an open window, the beam falling on a vase of fresh wildflowers.Thank goodness someone still cares!

‘I’m so glad I came here,’ Carmen said to Theo as they came out of the church to stare at the surrounding view of the sea and mountains.

‘It’s very spiritual,’ he replied softly, ‘Ruari would have loved this.’

Carmen reached out to touch Theo’s arm. ‘Perhaps he is with you in spirit?’

‘And perhaps your writing guide is with you.’ Theo turned to Carmen and grinned. ‘How do you feel?’

‘Like I could suddenly write ten chapters!’

‘I’d better get you back to your laptop, and we ought to rescue the staff at the café, too.’

‘Hell, yes, I’d almost forgotten my mother.’

‘As if you could…’

They reached the café and Theo and Carmen suddenly stopped when they saw Betty.

‘Just look at her!’ Carmen said and stared at her mother.

Betty was sitting on a wall, a glass of Metaxa in her hand, chatting to a tanned, grey-haired gentleman, who had a camera slung around his neck. Leaning in closely, shelightly touched his arm as she laughed at his joke. Flashing a radiant smile, Betty gazed at the elderly man with a girlish grin.

Carmen was open-mouthed as she heard Betty say. ‘You know, if I wasn’t on the cruise, looking after my daughter, I’d definitely steal you away!’

The man had an American flag on his baseball cap and wore a bright Hawaiian shirt. An expensive-looking gold watch gleamed on his wrist. ‘Well, ma’am, I couldn’t be that lucky.’ He grinned and patted Betty’s hand.

‘Would you believe it…’ Carmen whispered to Theo. Stepping forward, she said, ‘Hello, my name is Carmen, and I’m Betty’s daughter.’

‘Holden Jackson the third, from Venice, Florida. At your service, ma’am,’ the man said and rose to attention. ‘I’m honoured to meet you. Your mom here has told me all about you.’

‘I’m sure she has…’

‘I guess you want her to take you back to the ship?’ Holden Jackson the third raised a bushy eyebrow.

‘Oh, I think I can manage,’ Carmen replied, ‘but Mum, shall we get you comfortable in your chair?’ Carmen indicated that Betty sit down.

‘She likes to think I’m infirm,’ Betty giggled, knocking back the brandy. She nudged Holden, ‘I go along with it to make her feel needed.’

‘Sure thing,’ Holden smiled. ‘Good on you, Bet,’ he added. ‘I’ll see you at the dance in the Mermaid Theatre later.’

With a wink and a tug on his cap, Holden turned and went to the bar.

‘Bet?’Carmen voiced as Betty staggered to the chair, flopping down and wriggling to make herself comfortable. ‘Did he just call you “Bet?”’

‘Holden is being friendly.’ Betty picked up her cane. ‘Don’t make a fuss and spoil my day like you usually do.’

With an incredulous stare, Carmen looked from Betty to Theo. ‘And what’s all this about the dance tonight?’ she asked.

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