The Holiday Cruise

by Victoria Cooke

‘Yeah. She’ll be okay,’ he said dismissively.

  I sensed from his tone that there was more to it. ‘Is she interested in going with you?’

  ‘No.’ He let out a small humourless laugh. ‘She’s applied for another contract and wants to go and see her family before it starts.’ He walked back over to the others. I stayed at the bar for a moment. George wasn’t working, which was a shame. I’d have liked to discuss my plans with him now I’d come clean.

  One of the waiters I’d spoken to in the recreation room a few times walked past and smiled. I smiled back, remembering that I had spoken to lots of staff members and guests that I didn’t know. It was a small thing, but it confirmed I’d be okay travelling alone. After a few moments, I took my drink back over to our corner.

  Feeling lighter than I had in a long time, I decided to go for a walk along the promenade deck alone. It was one of the many things I’d miss about working on a ship. I loved the refreshing feeling of the moisture in the wind – it did nothing for my hair but felt lovely against my bare skin.

  I leant on the rail and looked out to sea. We were sailing up the coast of Italy, and I could see the twinkling little lights from other, smaller boats in the black abyss. I sighed happily. I was glad I came on the ship. I’d loved every minute of it, but I knew it was time to move on. As we’d finished our drinks earlier, Pete had suggested meeting up in Thailand and I really hoped we would.

  ‘I thought I recognized that dress.’ I heard a voice behind me and glanced down at my dress – it was the red one I’d worn in Rome. I looked round to see Ben, dressed in a white shirt and beige chinos, holding a glass of red wine.

  ‘I thought you’d be watching the comedian tonight in the lounge bar,’ I said.

  ‘I didn’t fancy it. I’m still a bit sore.’ He patted his stomach.

  ‘It was quite a spectacular belly flop,’ I said. ‘Did you win?’

  ‘Sadly not. I was second on the cheer-o-meter scale to the guy who did the Superman impression. Personally, I think the competition is rigged.’ He leant on the rail next to me. The lights on the ship behind us cast a warm glow across his profile.

  ‘You’ll win something before you leave,’ I said warmly.

  He nodded and looked out to sea. ‘So tomorrow is Venice.’

  ‘I think you’re going to love it. It’s one of the most uniquely beautiful places I’ve ever visited.’

  ‘I don’t suppose you’d like to join me?’ he said. I opened my mouth to speak, but he softly pressed a finger to my lips. ‘I know I keep pestering you, but the truth is: I’m not needy. I’m a grown man who is more than capable of visiting a few European cities to sightsee alone. It’s just that … I really enjoy your company.’

  A tingle ran down my spine. I didn’t know what to say. I felt the same way, and I really wanted to go. ‘I’m working until five p.m.,’ I said. The ship was staying in Venice overnight, so there was nothing to stop me going ashore after work. Since I’d decided not to sign another contract, I figured I could live a little more dangerously. ‘I could come after that … I enjoy your company too.’ I bit my lip as butterflies flapped furiously around my stomach.

  ‘Can I take you for dinner?’ He slid his elbow along the rail and nudged me gently.

  ‘I don’t see why not, as long as there’s gelato afterwards,’ I said, smiling.

  ‘I suppose so.’

  ‘Then I suppose you’ve got yourself a date.’ I smirked.

  ‘That sounds perfect,’ he said. ‘I’m going to have to go – I told my dinner friends that I’d meet them in the pub after I’d been for a little fresh air. When and where shall I meet you tomorrow?’

  ‘In St Mark’s Square. There’s a bell tower called St Mark’s Campanile; you can’t miss it.’

  ‘I know the one. I’ve been swotting up on Venice. Shall we meet at the foot of the tower?’

  ‘Yes, say, six-thirty?’

  ‘Perfect.’

  When I arrived at my cabin I wasn’t surprised to find Kristy hadn’t returned. I booted up my laptop and Skyped Jen. I was tense as I waited for her to pick up. It was time to tell her my plans, now I’d made my decision.

  ‘Finally!’ I said as soon as it connected.

  ‘What? I was catching up on Grey’s Anatomy and couldn’t find my iPad. What’s up?’ She snuggled into the sofa as though she expected it to be a long call. She looked different – her hair was cut neatly around her chin and the colour was a glossy chestnut.

  ‘Have you had your hair done?’

  ‘Yes, do you like it?’ She moved her head from side to side, swishing it about to give me a better look. ‘Sheila did it earlier. Apparently she fancied a change.’ We both laughed.

  ‘Well it looks fab, sis. Sheila knows what she’s doing.’ Come on, Hannah, you’re procrastinating. I’d lost my nerve all of a sudden.

  ‘Thank you. Anyway, to what do I owe this pleasure? It’s hardly like you to want to make small talk nowadays.’

  I took a deep breath. ‘Okay, well you know how my contract is ending next month?’

  ‘Yes,’ she replied, drawing the word out.

  ‘Well, I haven’t reapplied for another,’ I said, then waited for a reaction.

  Jen clapped her hands together. ‘Yay, so you’re coming home?’ she asked excitedly. I took another deep breath. Jen noticed I wasn’t smiling. ‘What is it?’ The smile dropped from her face.

  ‘I’m not coming home.’ I proceeded to explain why I’d made my decision and why this was the right time to go. She nodded along, obviously in shock.

  ‘Wow, I don’t know what to say, Han. Are you running away from life now? This was supposed to be a little break, to get over Daniel, which I thought you’d done. Surely it’s time to come home now and face your responsibilities?’

  ‘My responsibilities can wait another year or so; they’re stagnant. The tenants are happy in my house – which I still can’t afford to live in myself, by the way – and the shop is paying for itself housing crap for Graham’s business. It won’t change if I go away for a while, and it won’t change if I come home so what’s the big deal?’

  ‘The big deal is …’ She paused and I caught her sniffle. ‘Is that I miss you, okay?’ I caught a tremor in her voice. ‘You know Graham is away a lot, and you’re my best friend,’ she said before rubbing her forehead with a sigh. A few moments of silence passed. ‘I’m sorry, you’re right. It’s a great opportunity, and the timing is perfect.’

  ‘Look how fast the past eight months have gone,’ I said, consolingly. ‘I’ll be back in no time, and think of the views you’ll get when I Skype you from the beach somewhere exotic. You could even come and meet me somewhere tropical.’ I grinned.

  ‘Maybe.’ She smiled back. ‘I’ll be worried about you though – alone.’

  ‘I’m a grown woman,’ I protested.

  ‘I know, but you’re still my little sister.’

  I thought about telling her how I’d handled that mugger, but she’d worry more. ‘A friend of mine is going travelling too. We will probably meet up if we can, and I’ll use a proper agency to book everything. I’m not reckless.’

  ‘I know you’re not. I was just looking forward to seeing you soon, that’s all – even if it was just for a few months between contracts.’ She waved her hand dismissively. ‘Never mind, tell me about your travels. Where have you been since we last spoke?’

  ‘I went in to Rome again the other day. It’s such a beautiful city. You and Graham should definitely go. We spent all day walking around immersed in ancient ruins and beautiful history …’

  ‘We?’ she cut in.

  ‘Yes, me and Ben. Do you remember the guy who’s on his honeymoon?’

  ‘Yes,’ she replied warily.

  ‘I’ve kept him company on a few of the trips. It’s no big deal and I know what I’m doing, before you ask.’

  ‘As you said before, you’re a grown woman. But not one who’s immune to getting hurt again.’

  ‘It’s
not like that,’ I objected. ‘We just enjoy each other’s company, that’s all.’ When I said those words to Jen, it didn’t sound like a valid reason the way it did in my head, or when Ben said it yesterday. It sounded like denial. Jen raised an eyebrow; she clearly thought the same.

  ‘I don’t want to nag …’

  ‘Then don’t,’ I said firmly. She was putting a serious dampener on my excitement.

  ‘Just be careful.’

  ‘Of course.’

  I wanted to hang up in frustration, but I also really wanted Jen’s company so I hung on and changed the subject.

  ‘Now tell me about the village. Is there any gossip I should know about?’

  ‘Not much really. Jean has introduced a new Panini on the menu at the café, inspired by you. It’s Italian – meatball and mozzarella. I’m sure I saw Sheila carrying a cruise brochure too. I think I talk about your travels too much.’ She chuckled.

  ‘Ahh well, it’s nice to hear a bit of Italian culture has hit the village on my account.’

  ‘So I really won’t see you next month?’ Jen asked, her humour suddenly evaporating.

  ‘It will cost more to fly back to the UK. I can grab a much better deal from Barcelona or Paris and I have pretty much everything I need. I’m just going to buy a backpack and ship my case and a few things I won’t need home.’

  ‘I’m excited for you. I am.’ She smiled sadly.

  I spent the rest of the evening researching places to visit, flights, and cross-referencing it all against my bank balance. Maybe, just maybe, there was a chance I could pull it off.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Venice. It’s a city unlike any other and one that I could never tire of. Stepping from the water taxi and onto the Piazzetta that links to St Mark’s Square always filled me with a warm sense of excitement. Even more so today. I took in the people sipping extortionately priced coffee outside the cafés as beautiful music from the street musicians filled the air.

  I passed The Doge’s Palace and headed towards the Basilica and the clock tower. Apparently, the clock tower was so tall that it had, in the past, been used as a beacon to guide ships home. It was quite fitting that it was guiding me towards Ben. When I got to the foot, there was a huge queue of people waiting to ascend the tower to take in the magnificent views. I walked around the other side, looking out for Ben.

  ‘Hannah! Over here,’ I heard him shout before I saw him jogging towards me. ‘I’m glad you wore a bright yellow dress, otherwise I might not have spotted you,’ he said, smiling. He was dressed casually in dusky pink chino shorts and a fitted white polo shirt. His sunglasses were pushed up onto his head now that the dusky evening sky had cloaked the sun.

  ‘Have you had a good day so far?’ I asked as we headed towards the arcade.

  ‘I certainly have. What can I say but you were right: it is a stunning place.’ He linked his arm through mine as we walked across the terracotta and cream chequered floor of the arched arcade. The shops were lit up, invitingly so, the jewellery and colourful glasswork catching my eye as we passed. ‘It’s the perfect place for a honeymoon,’ he joked.

  ‘Let’s get off the beaten track a little,’ I said as we reached an opening in the arcade. We came out at one of my favourite hotels: Cavalletto & Doge Orseolo. I’d never actually been in the hotel; I just loved how you arrived by gondola and moored up outside the entrance. ‘I’d love to stay at this hotel one day,’ I mused as we stood outside The Hard Rock Café, looking across the water at the orange-coloured building with gondolas bobbing gently in front.

  ‘I’m sure you will one day. I quite fancy the thought of it myself, a cocktail in Hard Rock followed by a short swim to the hotel lobby.’ He grinned.

  We meandered through the narrow winding streets, crossing canals and relying precariously upon my sense of direction and limited memory until we came to the Rialto Bridge. As we ascended the stone arch, we stopped to take in the turquoise waters of Grand Canal. There were water taxis and gondolas sailing up and down, even though the tourist crowds had begun to disperse. Many of the bridge’s shops had already begun to pack up and close their graffiti-covered shutters but the odd tacky gift shop was still open.

  I decided to stop and get a magnet for Jen; I’d send it over with my stuff. After I’d paid we walked to the outside of the bridge, admiring the lights of the boats and restaurants in the dusky evening.

  ‘I have an idea,’ Ben said suddenly, taking my hand and leading me over the bridge to where several gondolas were moored alongside men in stripy tops.

  ‘Don’t be silly. Those cost a fortune,’ I said, although there was a part of me that would have loved to go on one, just to say I had.

  ‘It’s my honeymoon treat,’ he said. ‘Come on, don’t upset me in Venice.’ He pulled me towards one of the gondoliers. Moments later I had one arm on Ben’s shoulder and one hand in the gondolier’s as I tried to balance whilst stepping in to the wobbly black plank of wood they called a boat. Once I’d managed to sit myself down, Ben stepped in with a little more grace.

  ‘I think my weight kept it steady for you,’ I joked as he sat in the seat next to me. There wasn’t much room and our bodies were pressed together. We stretched our legs out in front of us, and pretty soon we were on our way, the sounds of the water lapping the boat and the distant chatter from the bridge making a perfect soundtrack.

  Our arms were squashed together uncomfortably, so Ben lifted his and placed it around the back of the seat behind me. I had flutters in my chest and a compelling urge to snuggle into the nook under his arm. I didn’t, of course.

  ‘Do you think we have to pay extra for “O Sole Mio”?’ Ben joked.

  I looked up at the gondolier, who looked positively fed up after what I assumed would have been a long and busy day. ‘I think you’ve more chance of winning a key ring on the ship than getting him to sing.’ I smiled.

  The boat took a turn down a smaller canal, and for a moment we were the only people there, gliding in the dark silence. Buildings lined the sides of the canals, and there were no walkways; the only light came through the slats of window shutters and from street lamps on the small arched bridges we went under. It was so beautiful tears pricked my eyes.

  Without thinking, I succumbed to my urges and snuggled in to Ben’s arm. He moved the arm that was behind me off the back of the chair and slid it gently onto my shoulders, and cupped my arm with his hand. I froze. What was I thinking? I panicked, not daring to look at him or speak.

  ‘This is something else,’ he said. He squeezed my arm a little, and I melted inside. The light stubble on his chin brushed the top of my head as he turned to face me. His other hand brushed a piece of hair away from my face, and his eyes locked on mine. He tilted my head upwards and placed a gentle kiss on my lips, lingering for a moment before moving an inch or so away. He rested his forehead on mine and closed his eyes, and then he placed a hand on my face and leant in to kiss me again. It was still gentle, but this time it grew more intense.

  I responded, powerless to stop. It wasn’t like the meaningless kiss in Magaluf that I could walk away from laughing. This wasn’t the type of kiss anyone could walk away from. We were making a huge mistake.

  We were interrupted by the gondolier clearing his throat to indicate we were back at the moorings and we pulled apart. Ben grinned at me and nuzzled his face into my hair. ‘Worth every cent,’ he whispered. My heartbeat quickened and my limbs felt light and tingly. We’d made a huge mistake, but I wanted more.

  Ben got out of the boat and held out a hand to help me off. ‘Well, that was unexpected,’ he said as we walked away. I nodded shyly, feeling my cheeks flush. He wrapped an arm around me. ‘So …’ He laughed nervously. ‘Do you fancy dinner?’ I didn’t want to break the moment by sitting in a restaurant, and in all honesty, my appetite had left with my common sense. At that moment, all I wanted was to walk the streets of Venice with his strong arm around me until the sun came up.

  ‘If you’re hungry, this lit
tle restaurant here looks nice.’ I motioned towards one of the pretty establishments that sat on the bank of the Grand Canal. He looked at it for a moment.

  ‘Now that the city is so quiet, it almost feels like we have it to ourselves,’ he said softly. ‘How about we just enjoy it and find a slice of pizza or something?’

  ‘You read my mind,’ I replied. ‘I think there’s a place near the bridge.’

  We walked back to the bridge and turned right before coming across a small, glass-fronted pizza takeaway. The night was still and quiet, and we barely saw anybody pass. I waited outside while Ben went in. As I waited, I leaned back on the glass, looking at the tall, old yellow building in front of me. The green wooden shutters were closed on every window. It seemed to be reminding me how I should have been closed off to Ben, but my shutters were wide open. Would it be so bad to have a holiday fling? What harm could it do?

  My thoughts were broken when Ben returned, balancing two pizza slices with two bottles of beer. There wasn’t a bench nearby so we walked with our pizza in hand until we arrived at a pretty little square called Santi Apostoli. A canal ran through it, and a bell tower and trees added to the Venetian feel.

  ‘You know, picnics are illegal in Venice,’ I said, breaking the silence.

  ‘So I promised you a romantic dinner in Venice and instead you get pizza on a bench and the possibility of a criminal record.’ He pulled a roguish grin. ‘Well, they say women can’t resist a bad boy, and I think picnicking in Venice raises the stakes.’

  I laughed. ‘You’re such a rebel!’

  We finished our slices and drank our beer in silence. I leant against him on the bench, and for a moment we sat, just taking in our surroundings.

  ‘Have you noticed how little walking we do when I’m in charge?’ he asked, cutting through the stillness.

  ‘Laziness isn’t an attractive quality in a man you know!’ I teased.

  ‘Oh, and what is then?’ he replied.

  ‘You know, skinny, blond, non-stalkerish men.’ I grinned.

  ‘I’m regretting buying you that pizza now.’ He shook his head mockingly before taking a bite of his pizza. ‘So, have you thought any more about your career plans?’ The question caught me off-guard slightly, as I’d forgotten I’d mentioned it to Ben.