Page 73 of The Cruise Club

‘Not really. I was living out of a suitcase much of the time and had no friends or family with me on the long stints away.’ Theo was thoughtful. ‘I was drinking too much, and I didn’t know where the exit was when I reached the bottom of the bottle. It’s hard to leave booze alone when you can’t find the door.’

‘What happened?’ Carmen’s voice was soft, and she gently touched Theo’s hand.

‘My life suddenly changed. I met Ruari in London. He was an actor in one of the soaps, and everything took on a new meaning.’

‘New meaning?’

‘I fell in love, Carmen. Deeply. Love isn’t something you search for. It hits you blindside when you least expect it, and it would be a fool who pushes it away.’

‘So, what happened next?’

‘I went to Donegal and, together with Ruari, whose roots were there too, bought a gorgeous old property. I opened a restaurant, and we settled down.’

‘Was he still working in the soap?’

‘Yes, until they killed his character off.’ Theo smiled. ‘We were delighted because it meant more time together, little knowing that my beloved would be killed, too.’

‘A heart attack.’

‘Yes.’

Theo poured the last of the wine into their glasses. ‘Enough of me,’ he announced, ‘what of you, Carmen Cunningham, the author. What about the rest of your life?’

‘There’s nothing to tell. It’s as boring as it can be. Working in a hardware shop with a dad I adored was nothing spectacular, but I enjoyed it in my own way. It took a downturn when he died, and Mum sold up. Suddenly I was out of a job, but my writing has given me a new interest and determination in my middle life, to do something for me. This cruise and meeting people like you have helped enormously.’

‘People like me?’ Theo asked. ‘Don’t you mean someone like Ruskin?’

Carmen felt herself blush. ‘Well… he has been invaluable,’ she stuttered.

‘Come on, Carmen, you can’t fool me.’ Theo smiled. ‘Fairies and birds are tweeting around your head whenever you mention him, and you get a faraway look in your eyes.’

Carmen bit her lip. She’d always been a terrible liar. ‘It’s not like that,’ she said.

Theo raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. ‘Really?’ he asked. ‘Then whatisit like?’

‘I didn’t go to his final workshop today,’ she began. ‘Ruskin was tough with me this morning. I know he wants to get the best out of my writing and is doing all he can to help, but I spend every day on the receiving end of Betty’s cutting blows and don’t need more from anyone else, and now…’ Carmen paused. She traced the silk fabric of her dress, then touched the soft curls of her hair. ‘Since Fran insisted on my makeover, I’ve discovered that Carmen Cunningham quite likes herself.’

‘And you won’t put up with any nonsense?’

‘Well, something like that.’

‘From where I’m sitting, I think you are head over heels in love with him,’ Theo said, out of the blue.

‘WHAT?’ Carmen was stunned. ‘No, you’re w… wrong. Ruskin has helped me a lot, and I’m grateful, but that’s all.’

Theo began to laugh. ‘If you say so, my darling girl, but you deserve someone who worships you, and Ruskin might just be the man.’

‘A man who is horrible to me?’

‘Perhaps that’s the only way he can overcome his feelings for you; he may be scared of being rejected or, like you, of falling in love?’

‘Oh, Theo, really, you should write romance novels. I’m sure love doesn’t work like that.’

‘Love works in many ways, and Cupid has a habit of throwing a few curved arrows before he hits the target.’

Carmen placed her hands on the arm of her chair and stared at Theo. ‘You’re a good friend,’ she said quietly.

‘And this good friend is now going to take you to the bar for another drink and then we’ll go dancing.’ Theo held out his hand to Carmen. ‘What a shame I’m gay. As a chef, I’m savoury, spicy and impossible to resist, and with your author’s imagination, think what we’d cook up together.’

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