Page 71 of The Cruise Club

‘I do, but the dreams we built have all come true, and I want to spend my days enjoying life with you.’

‘Ha!’ Theo said. ‘You see, Sid, you’re a poet, and you don’t know it.’

They all laughed, and Theo topped up their glasses, smiling when Sid declined any champagne.

‘Are you watching your diet, my friend?’ Theo asked.

‘With this one’s eagle eye permanently trained on me, I’ll have no choice.’ Sid took hold of Fran’s hand. ‘We had a bit of a scare today, and I never thought that acid reflux could be so painful. It’s taught me a lesson.’

‘But all that matters is that you’re well,’ Fran said, ‘and if we must watch our intake more closely, then so be it. I could do with losing a few pounds.’

‘You’re gorgeous, Fran,’ Sid said, ‘and I’ll always love you just as you are.’

‘I promise not to turn into the food police, but I want you to be in fine fettle.’ Fran winked at Sid. ‘Besides we ought to include some healthy options on our restaurant menu.’

Theo raised his glass. ‘I propose a toast to health. May it be the only thing we need to worry about.’

Everyone chinked glasses, then Fran held a plate of nibbles and encouraged Carmen to try a bite of smoked salmon topped with caviar on a slither of blini. ‘Go on, fill your boots,’ Fran urged. ‘You’ve no fear of gaining a pound or two, and I must say that you look absolutely fabulous in that dress.’

‘Hear, hear,’ said Theo, ‘I shall be the envy of everyone tonight.’

Carmen dipped her head. She wasn’t used to compliments, and they could see that she felt uneasy.

Fran took hold of Carmen’s hand, lifting it and twisting her into a twirl. ‘Just look at you!’ She laughed. ‘Where did that shy woman go who boarded the ship and wouldn’t say boo to a goose?’

‘You mean the dull, dowdy, downtrodden person who’s blossomed since she met the three of you,’ Carmen replied.

Sid grinned, and Theo nodded as Fran gave Carmen a hug. They wordlessly acknowledged that Carmen looked stunning in her evening gown. The satin fabric caught the light, the mix of blues the colours of the ocean, flattering her figure as it hugged her curves before cascading to the floor. Delicate beading on thin straps added glamour, and Carmen had pinned her hair in a soft, flattering updo that framed her delicately made-up face.

‘Now,’ Fran announced, her voice warm with gratitude, ‘don’t let me and Sid stop you both from enjoying your evening.’ She gently set her glass down on a table. ‘We’re planning a quiet night in, but before you go, we both want to express our heartfelt thanks for your kindness and support today. I was hopeless in a crisis, and the fact that you were both there, rooting for us, means the world, and we won’t forget it.’

‘Nonsense,’ Theo said, ‘of course we would be there, and I know I speak on behalf of Carmen too when I say that meeting you and enjoying your lovely northern company has enhanced this cruise for me. Can I come and dine at your restaurant soon?’

‘Any time!’ Sid and Fran chorused. ‘Both of you, come and stay at Dunromin, our home at North Shore.’

Carmen placed her glass beside Fran’s. ‘I’d love to and hope that when we leave the ship, we’ll continue to be friends.’

Sid nodded. ‘I’ve told Fran that this cruise is the first of many for us. We love everything about it, and no matter where life takes us all, let’s keep in touch and have many more adventures. When this holiday ends, our friendship doesn’t have to.’

‘Now off you go and enjoy yourselves!’ Fran shooed Theo and Carmen out of the suite.

On their own, Sid held Fran’s hand and led her back to the balcony. Standing side by side with the gentle sound of the sea beneath them, they felt the warm air on their skin and breathed the faint scent of seawater.

‘Who would have thought that plain old Sid from Blackpool would make friends with the celebrity Theo McCarthy?’ Sid said.

‘We’re all the same Sid, just flesh and blood, breathing the same air, so why shouldn’t you two be friends?’

‘Aye, I guess so, but a cruiseismagical, isn’t it,’ Sid whispered. ‘It’s like time slows down.’

‘I can’t believe how perfect it is.’ Fran squeezed Sid’s hand. She rested her head on his shoulder and snuggled into his arm.

In the comfortable silence that followed, as they stared out at the pitch-dark night, Sid whispered, ‘It’s a blessing to be alive.’

Chapter Twenty-Nine

In Dicky’s brightly lit dressing room, the comedian sat in front of a mirror and adjusted the collar of his shirt. A clipboard with a handwritten setlist rested on the counter alongside a few last-minute punchlines scribbled hastily onto sticky notes. Dicky felt nervous as he ran a hand through his hair, carefully arranging the quiff. Staring at his reflection, he reached for a half-empty water bottle and took a long drink.

Dicky’s afternoon had been spent with his lady friend. After an exhausting session in her bedroom, she’d presented him with a bracelet that matched his missing chain. His eyes bulged when he saw the gift, knowing it had come from the onboard jewellers and would have cost a bomb. His usual practice was to gather his gifts, promise undying love at the end of the cruise, and then disappear to the nearest pawn shop when he hit dry land. But this lady was proving difficult and appeared to have taken ownership of Dicky. Curious about the absence of the gold necklace, she warned Dicky that she expected him to be wearing both items during hisshow. How could he tell her that he’d lost the damn thing? He could kiss farewell to her generous goodbye gifts in the remaining days of the cruise. It wasn’t as though there was time for Dicky to line up a replacement, and if she insisted on creating a fuss about the loss, Peter would string him up. Dicky had been warned about his onboard exploits, and if Peter reported back to Clive, Dicky Delaney’s days at sea would be over. He wasn’t at the top of his agent’s Christmas card list, and his only hope now was to avoid Peter’s wrath and somehow make it to the final stop in Malaga without his future career sinking into the sea.

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