Page 93 of The Cruise Club

Ruskin asked Carmen if she’d like to dance.

‘I’d love to,’ Carmen said, and in moments they were moving around the floor.

Ruskin held her close, his hand on her waist and, initially nervous, she was grateful for his expert moves. With her hand resting on his shoulder, their eyes met, and every smile they exchanged seemed to Carmen to carry the discovery of something new and wonderful.

‘Whoops!’ Fran called out as Sid barged into Ruskin. ‘Sorry, Sid’s got his dancing shoes on the wrong feet and has forgotten how to use them.’

‘All part of the fun.’ Ruskin smiled.

Around them, the ballroom was full of life, with couples twirling gracefully and others laughing at their missteps. As the music swelled, Ruskin leaned closer to Carmen, his voice low. ‘I think I know where the missing jewellery is,’ Ruskin whispered, ‘and I’m going to let Peter know.’

Carmen leaned back to meet his gaze. ‘So, your sleuthing mind has cracked the case?’

Ruskin pulled her closer. ‘Yes, and it’s fairly obvious if you think about it.’

‘Go on,’ Carmen urged, ‘do tell me.’

Ruskin whispered his theory. ‘Am I right?’ he asked when he’d explained.

Carmen’s eyes widened. ‘Yes, you could be.’

The dance ended, but guests stayed on the floor, and when Dicky and Melody came into the room, they were loudly applauded. Melody smiled and, noticing Don alone, asked him to dance. Glancing at Debbie, Don put down his pint and followed Melody to the floor. Dicky meanwhile caught the eye of his lady friend, whose diamonds glowed in the soft lighting. He extended his hand, and placing her walking aide to one side, she stepped forward to join him.

After several more dances, Ruskin asked Carmen if she’d like a drink, and they returned to their seats. Sipping champagne and enjoying every moment of the evening, Carmen suddenly sat up as she saw Betty taking the arm of an elderly man. Her mother’s poor old bones were off again as the band struck up once more.

Offering his arm to Betty with a gentlemanly flourish, Holden exuded charm. His immaculately tailored tuxedo and crisp white shirt were complemented by a stars and stripes bow tie. His tanned skin glowed with sunbathing days, and his silver hair shone.

‘They make a striking couple,’ Ruskin remarked.

Carmen slowly smiled, shaking her head. ‘And his gold watch is almost as blinding as Betty’s smug grin,’ she added.

Just then, Peter stepped onto the stage, announcing that guests wishing to view the midnight fireworks should make their way to the upper decks. As dancers moved forward and guests rose from their seats, Betty – still holding Holden’s arm – glanced towards Carmen and gave a mischievous wink. This time, Carmen’s smile was genuine. Her mother looked truly happy, and that was all that mattered.

Ruskin extended his arm. ‘Shall we?’ he said to Carmen.

On an upper deck, couples stood together, and guests gathered in groups, still caught up in the energy of the evening as they perched by the railings, staring up at the night sky. A cool breeze swept across the deck, creating a refreshing contrast to the warmth of the ballroom inside. Ruskin and Carmen found a spot, and as they waited, they heard the subtle sound of waves below.

Suddenly, a burst of light erupted, and a cascade of colour filled the sky. A collective gasp could be heard from the cruisers, their faces illuminated by the beginning of the fireworks display. Fiery reds mixed with brilliant blues and purples, and Fran was heard to call out that it was like stars being born.

Each explosion sent waves of colour rippling across the sky, every new burst more dazzling than before. Guests stood in awe, their eyes wide at the sound of a rapid-fire explosion. They cheered and applauded as a final burst of sparkling white light hung, almost suspended, before cascading diamond-like droplets that slowly melted into the water. The silence that followed felt almost mystical, as though the magic of the Mediterranean Sea had pausedto say goodbye to this cruise and wish passengers a safe onward journey.

‘This has been the best thing I’ve ever done,’ Carmen said as she stared at the starry sky. ‘It’s the perfect end to the cruise.’

Ruskin’s gaze lingered on Carmen before he gently turned her toward him. With a soft smile, as their eyes met and the world around them faded, he whispered, ‘And maybe… it’s the perfect beginning of something new.’

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Twelve months later

Carmen Cunningham no longer fought the urge to murder her mother. These days, as she sat at her desk, she even looked forward to her long-distance calls with Betty, who’d mastered a ‘newfangled laptop’ and delighted in skyping her daughter several times a week. Betty’s poor old bones were rejuvenated in the therapeutic heat of the Florida home that she now shared with Holden, and Carmen hardly ever heard her mother complain. Nestled on a private estate in a tranquil coastal neighbourhood in the town of Venice, Betty adored the house, which boasted panoramic windows framing the sparkling waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

Carmen had visited the couple when they married in a discreet ceremony at Holden’s church. Her beaming stepfather was proud of his new wife, and enchanted by his English rose.

During her stay, Carmen had become fond of Holden as he escorted her around Venice to explore. Holden had a keen interest in the former Cunningham’s Hardware store, and Carmen found that they could converse easily. Hissuccessful chain of stores, Jackson’s Power Tools, which he sold when he retired, shared many similarities. A prolific reader, Holden had shelves lined with books. He favoured popular crime writers, including Ruskin Reeve, and was delighted by Carmen’s cosy crimes. They’d sat in quaint coffee shops, while Betty went to the beautician for her hair and nails, and they soon go to know each other.

When Carmen wandered along the white sandy stretches of beach that fronted Holden’s house, she marvelled at the abundance of fossilised sharks’ teeth to be found along the shoreline, glistening in the sun.

‘Who’d have thought I’d ever leave cold, damp Butterly?’ Mrs Holden Jackson the third said, as they sat beside the pool. ‘You should come over for the annual shark tooth festival, in April, Holden tells me it’s a hoot.’

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