Page 64 of The Cruise Club

‘Adventurous spirit?’ Don questioned. ‘Just as long as it doesn’t cost more than a pint at my local.’

A group of maintenance engineers appeared and acknowledged the passengers gathered by the railings. They wore white boiler suits bearing theDiamond Starlogo and held up their phones to capture the unforgettable sight of a volcano.

‘I hope you lads have left someone in charge down below,’ Don said, ‘or else we’ll be using paddles to get past Stromboli.’

Debbie rolled her eyes. Smiling at the engineers, she edged her way between them to join in with the sightseeing. A few moments later, Carmen appeared with Theo, who was taking charge of Betty.

‘Room for a few more?’ Theo called out and spun Betty’s chair into position.

‘How lovely to see you.’ Fran beamed and hugged Carmen. ‘And don’t you look the business in your new outfit.’ She stood back to admire Carmen’s capri pants and matching lacey vest. ‘Your gorgeous hair is getting lighter, and I must say again how much that cut suits you.’

Carmen smiled. ‘You’re a star, Fran, you’ve transformed me, and I love my new look.’

Seeing his hero, Sid held out his hand to Theo. ‘Hello again, it’s good to see you,’ he said.

‘I found these two loitering by guest services,’ Theo explained, ‘clearly lost. They wanted to know the best place to take in the view.’

‘I wasn’t lost,’ Betty snapped. ‘I don’t know why everyone is crowded on deck to see a blackened hill.’

‘It’s a volcano, Mum,’ Carmen explained, ‘a very special sight and one of the highlights of the holiday.’

‘Well, it’s done nothing to highlight my holiday, and I hope that we arrive somewhere better than this very soon. I didn’t shell out good money to stare at a blank horizon all day.’ Betty gripped the railing and raised herself from her chair. Leaning out, she scanned from side to side, curious tostudy the onlookers. ‘Has anyone seen Holden?’ she asked. ‘I’m having lunch with him today.’ Turning back to the ship, she shoved forward. ‘I’m doing my stretches,’ Betty said and began to wave her arms. ‘My doctor says I must try to move my poor old bones despite the excruciating pain.’

Staring at her mother, Carmen shook her head. Betty appeared to have forgotten her frailty. Now, using her cane, she crept along the deck with the agility of a cat burglar, any pain dispersing as fast as the smoke from the volcano. Her wheelchair had been abandoned in her quest to find Holden.

Theo noted Carmen’s concern. ‘Shall I go after her?’ he asked.

‘No, she’ll be back as soon as she needs sympathy. But with any luck, she’ll hook up with her lunch date and be gone for the afternoon.’

The ship had slowed, and everyone stared at Stromboli. In stark contrast to the clear blue sky, wisps of blueish-grey smoke began to billow from the summit as though the volcano had started to wheeze.

‘It looks restless to me,’ Don commented. His brow was furrowed as smoke swirled upwards, darkening the sky.

Fran turned to Sid. Tilting her head, she studied her husband. ‘Are you all right, love?’ she asked. ‘You look a little pale.’

‘Aye, my damn indigestion playing up again,’ Sid replied with a sigh. ‘Give my back a pat, will you?’

Fran began patting Sid’s back then rubbed her hand in a circular motion. ‘Any better?’ she asked after a few minutes.

‘Don’t worry about me, my sweetheart, just enjoy the volcano.’

Reassured, Fran smiled at Sid, but as she turned, a sudden explosion made everyone jump back from the rails. Ash and lava flew high into the sky, and, grateful to be at a safe distance, onlookers watched in awe as the fiery red and gold torrent lightened the darkened sky above the summit of the volcano. Fran heard Sid cry out and smiled, pleased that he was enjoying this wonderful experience. But the sound of the thud that followed caused her to spin around.

Startled, everyone moved back, and Debbie gasped.

Sid lay on the deck, as still as a statue, his face pale and his hand clutching his chest.

‘No!’ Fran cried. ‘No!Not my Sid…’

Theo rushed forward and knelt beside Sid, taking hold of his wrist to check his pulse. ‘It’s okay, Sid, try not to panic; help is on the way.’

Theo looked up, his eyes searching for Carmen. Their unspoken words sent Carmen rushing off to find assistance.

Fran fell to the floor, her hand clutching Sid’s. ‘Someone help him, please,’ she urged, her face streaked with tears.

‘It’s all right, sweetheart,’ Sid mumbled, ‘don’t worry, I… I’ll be right as rain in a moment.’

Perspiration broke out on his brow, and Fran dabbed at it with the soft fabric of her skirt. ‘Oh, you daft old fool, you’re scaring me,’ she said, gently kissing his cheek and brushing the few strands of hair from his forehead.

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