Page 60 of The Cruise Club

Fran nodded and admired vibrant greens, reds and shades of blue. ‘I’d love to sit up there on a hot day, enjoying shelter from the sun, while I take in the view of everyone bustling by below.’

‘You’d spend all day chatting non-stop to the neighbours.’ Sid grinned, noting the balconies’ proximity in the row of stone-built houses.

‘Look, there’s a red post box, just like home,’ Fran said as they entered a steep walkway where street stalls displayed fruit and vegetables piled high alongside herbs of every description.

‘A legacy of British colonial rule,’ Sid informed her.

As they rounded a corner, they saw Colin and Neeta sitting beneath a colourful umbrella at a café, enjoying a cooling drink. As they passed, they waved.

‘That’s a good idea,’ Sid said and guided Fran to a shady spot at a café where tables lined the cobblestone street. The café played traditional Maltese folk music, and Fran swayed in time as they ordered a carafe of sangria spiked with fresh fruit.

‘What’s Carmen up to today?’ Sid asked. He enjoyed people-watching as locals and tourists wandered by andservers, balancing laden trays, glided effortlessly between tables.

Fran bit into a slice of orange. ‘She mentioned visiting the cathedral, I think she was going to take Betty to see it.’

‘I heard our guide say that it was well worth a visit,’ Sid said as he topped up their drinks.

Fran reached out and squeezed Sid’s hand. ‘Isn’t this wonderful?’ She smiled. ‘Every port we visit feels like a new adventure.’

‘Aye.’ Sid returned the squeeze, a grin spreading across his face. ‘We’re a long way from Blackpool and the world is opening up to us, one port at a time.’

Carmen stood in a line that formed a queue slowly entering St John’s Cathedral and studied two bell towers on either side of the doorway. She thought that they gave a fortress-like appearance to the entrance and was curious to see what the architecture was like inside. Her fingers tapped nervously on the handles of Betty’s chair. She hoped they’d soon be through the large wooden doors as Betty’s cane was poised and hovering dangerously close to the track-suited behind of a man ahead of them.

‘Why can’t we get a move on!’ Betty moaned. ‘I’ll get heat-stroke if I sit here any longer.’ Betty raised the cane and was about to poke the man to one side when the queue suddenly began to move forward.

To Carmen’s relief, moments later, they stepped intothe interior. ‘Wow,’ she breathed, ‘Mum, just look at this amazing place.’

‘Too many people, and I can’t see anything from this chair.’

‘Perhaps you could try having a walk around?’

‘What with my poor old bones?’ Betty grimaced. ‘You know I struggle; how can you be so heartless?’

Carmen remembered Betty waltzing around the dance floor with Holden and thought that her mother’s poor old bones were leading them all in a dance of their own. But it was useless to argue and far simpler to give in to Betty’s commands.

Pushing the chair along an aisle, Carmen stared at the marble tombstones underfoot, noting that each marked a burial site of knights and notable figures. She was fascinated by the coats of arms decorated with intricate designs. As she stared up at the vaulted ceiling, breathtaking frescoes came into view and every surface boasted complex detail.

The whole building seemed to be covered in gold and vibrant artwork.

‘Isn’t it incredible?’ Carmen said. ‘I’ve never seen such a lavish cathedral. It’s quite breathtaking.’

She turned to study a balcony and, to her delight, saw that Theo was poised in the middle, waving his hand. He pointed to a small spiral staircase tucked away in a corner and signalled that she could come up, but Carmen indicated that she couldn’t leave Betty. Moments later, Theo was by her side.

‘Some place, isn’t it?’ he said, kissing Carmen on her cheek. ‘And you’re looking especially lovely today.’

Carmen was wearing a floaty dress with beaded straps. Her hair was scooped up in a clip, and trails of wayward curls framed her face. ‘I love this outfit.’ She smiled. ‘Fran was so clever to pick it out.’

‘You look like mutton dressed as lamb,’ Betty snapped. ‘Are we going to stay here all day?’

‘Hello, Betty,’ Theo said, taking over and moving the chair forward. ‘It’s good to see that you’re enjoying yourself. Where’s Holden today?’ he asked.

‘He’s taking me to dinner tonight.’

Carmen and Theo exchanged a glance. ‘That’s the first I’ve heard of it,’ Carmen whispered, giving Theo a thumbs up.

The previous evening, Theo had called Carmen to ask if she would join him at Kyle’s Sunrise Senior Splashdown in the morning. Theo’s waistline was expanding, and he felt that he should attempt to do some exercise. But Carmen had declined and explained that she’d be working on her novel with Ruskin.

‘How was your morning’s mentoring session?’ Theo asked.

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