Page 74 of The Cruise Club

‘Thank goodness youaregay.’ Carmen giggled as she took his hand. ‘You’d lead me into far too much mischief.’

They left the restaurant and stepped into the foyer, where they saw Holden and Betty descending the stairs from the Atrium. Betty smiled smugly and gripped Holden’s arm, nestling into his arm.

‘Did you have a pleasant dinner?’ Carmen asked.

‘It was wonderful,’ Betty said, her eyes sparkling. ‘I haven’t had a meal like that in years.’

Holden patted her arm. ‘It wasn’t just the food, Bet. It was your delightful company,’ he said and smiled adoringly.

Betty closed her eyes as though the taste of the dishes were still lingering. ‘The dessert,’ she exclaimed, ‘the mousse was so smooth and velvety.’

‘We’re about to go for a drink,’ Theo said, ‘would you like to join us?’

‘No, no.’ Betty shook her silvery perm. ‘Holden has a surprise for me.’

‘How interesting,’ Theo said. ‘I hope you have a perfect evening.’

‘I can’t wait to hear all about it,’ Carmen added as they moved away.

‘Do you think he’s going to take her to his suite to propose?’ Theo asked as they waited for the lift.

‘A surprise in his suite? With heart-shaped rose petals onthe bed and champagne cooling beside a gift-wrapped gift for Betty?’

‘It’s a foregone conclusion.’ Theo laughed. ‘The deal is sealed, and you will wake up tomorrow knowing you are about to lose your mother and gain a stepfather.’

Carmen shot Theo a worried glance. She barely knew anything about Holden, and if Theo’s suspicions were correct, her mother’s new companion might soon be a permanent part of their lives. The thought unsettled her.

‘Hell, can we head to the piano bar?’ Carmen shook her head, ‘I need a strong drink.’

A short while later Theo and Carmen chinked glasses. ‘We must celebrate,’ Theo laughed, ‘Carmen Cunningham is about to become footloose and fancy-free!’

Carmen laughed with her friend, but as her eyes swept the room, she suddenly realised that Ruskin was sitting in one corner. For a moment, their eyes met, and Carmen felt a stab in her heart so sharp that she winced and quickly turned away.

Had one of Cupid’s curved arrows just landed?

But she knew that Ruskin was unaware of the woman who was aching for him with a desire he didn’t know, and all she could do was carry the ache in the quiet hope that one day, it would fade forever, with her fantasies of Ruskin and her dreams of romance.

Chapter Thirty

When theDiamond Stararrived in Ibiza, its smaller size had a distinct advantage, and guests disembarking that day were pleased to find the ship docked within walking distance of the old town. In contrast, much larger vessels loomed further out in the harbour, their giant silhouettes resembling floating hotels where passengers on those ships relied on shuttle buses to cover the three-mile trek to the city centre.

As the ship’s crew prepared for a day in port, the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean glinted under the sun, and the rugged coastline shimmered in the heat. The backdrop revealed a mix of whitewashed buildings and rolling hills.

Ruskin stared at these whitewashed buildings. Having disembarked early he decided against breakfast on the ship, and chose instead to walk to the iconic Dalt Vila, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As he stepped out at a brisk pace, he thought of Carmen and the note that had been delivered to his cabin the evening before.

‘With my best wishes?’ Ruskin muttered furiously, remembering the closing lines of her letter. What the hell wasCarmen playing at? He’d given her a golden opportunity to improve her novel, and not only had she chosen to miss his workshop the previous afternoon, but now, she’d decided to stop the morning mentoring sessions.

‘How many aspiring authors would be that foolish?’ he asked himself as he walked past sleek yachts and colourful fishing boats bobbing about in the water. Voices talking in different languages could be heard, as yachties and crews from the more luxurious boats called out to each other and wandered into harbourside cafés lining the promenade to enjoy a café con leche and crisp tostado glistening with olive oil.

Ruskin ignored the boutique shops offering artisan goods as he continued to walk, climbing higher, and went through the Portal de Ses Taules’s grand stone gateway, the Dalt Vila’s main entrance. He barely glanced at the Roman statues on either side.

But as he entered a plaza bustling with life, he suddenly stopped, realising that he was filled with disappointment, and nothing, not even the incredible architecture and beautiful landscape, could soothe his thoughts.

Deciding to sit down, he chose a café table under a broad canopy and ordered water and a coffee. Nearby, he recognised the Yorkshire couple, Don and Debbie, from theDiamond Star. The woman was tucking into an ensaimada pastry. Filled with cream and chocolate, the local delicacy was dusted with powdered sugar, which left a white moustache on her lip as she bit into it.

‘Debbie, if you keep eating them, we’ll need a bigger ship,’ the man cuttingly said.

Ruskin noted the pained look on the woman’s face as she lowered her head, placed the half-eaten pastry down and then pushed the plate to one side. Oblivious to his wife’s feelings, the man read a paper and sipped a cold beer.

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