Page 13 of Tiki Hut Tragedy
“Of course not. It was merely a saying. I didn’t mean to imply anything.” Millie shifted her feet. “In fact, you are all quite thin. I don’t know where you put the food, but I could use a few pointers.”
With the “alleged” insult smoothed over, she made small talk before bringing up the subject of the annoying song. She pointedly stared at Hannah who looked away. “I’ve met with our sound technician. We will play the requested songintermittently. I believe once in the morning, once in the afternoon and once in the evening.”
“Which seems reasonable to me,” Astrid said. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Before heading out, she reminded them they were scheduled for a food training exercise at nine the next morning.
With the day’s events in full swing, Millie hosted a round of mini golf, followed by several announcements. Keeping an ear tuned to the music throughout the ship, she was relieved to discover the Superhero Strong song played only one other time.
Sticking to her tight schedule, Millie reached the stage shortly before the headliner show began. “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I trust you’re having a fabulous first day?”
An enthusiastic round of applause ensued.
“Wonderful. We have an exciting array of activities on tap for this evening and tomorrow forour full sea day before arriving in gorgeous Grand Turk. If you choose to stick close to the ship, they have a beautiful beach only steps away from the port.” Millie rambled on about a few of the highlights and mentioned their other port stops before announcing the singers and dancers.
The team flew through a medley, a teaser of songs, before she introduced the magician who entertained the guests with a handful of clever tricks.
As soon as she wrapped up the evening show, she headed home to grab a quick bite to eat. Her pup greeted her at the door. “There’s my buddy. Are you hungry? I know I am.”
She fixed them both a plate of food before coaxing Scout out on the balcony. Having left the Miami port hours earlier, the Siren of the Seas was moving full steam ahead through the open water.
While she ate, Millie breathed in the magic of the open ocean. Nothing but balmy breezes and calm seas, at least for now.
After finishing her quick meal, she ran back downstairs to introduce the second show. Millie noticed the Belly Busters were seated in the front row VIP seating area, cell phones in hand ready to record.
The headliner show, a repeat of the first, for those who had early dining, went off without a hitch. After it ended, Millie lingered, greeting a few of the elite guests she knew on a first-name basis.
The theater cleared, and she stopped by her office to tidy up for the night.
Knock. Knock.
Millie looked up to find Felix standing in the doorway. “Got a minute?”
“For you, I have two.” She waved him in. “I was just straightening up before heading home for the night.”
They chatted briefly about the sea day schedule of events.
“I’m starting it off by spending it with my bestie,” Felix said.
“Who?”
“You.”
Millie shuffled through her papers. Sure enough, she and Felix were co-hosting the Belly Buster’s food exercise. “The Belly Busters. They’re a trip.”
“Danielle mentioned that they’re a handful.”
“Handful might be putting it mildly. We’re dealing with some real characters.” Millie told him about the annoying song playing on repeat and how the women basically railroaded over the top of Astrid, the host.
“I guess you need a powerful personality to be a big eater,” he said. “I’ve never watched an eating competition, at least not live.”
“Neither have I.” Millie logged off her computer and stood. “I can say one thing for certain aboutbeing cruise director—there’s never a dull moment.”
Little did she, or Felix, know the Belly Busters were going to keep them on their toes in more ways than one.
Chapter 6
“This is a massive feast.” Millie ran a light hand along the table, decorated with a festive fall cornucopia tablecloth and filled with so many Thanksgiving dishes that even the pilgrims would be jealous. Another separate table was filled with Italian dishes…fettuccine, spaghetti and meatballs, ravioli and deep dish lasagna.
