“Look at you getting all flustered. I’m teasing. I thought this cruise would be good for him but he’s not been much fun so far.” Josie swept up the panama hat she’d dropped beside her chair. “It was lovely to chat. Let’s catch up again for a meal next time.” And with a wave she was gone, leaving Ketty open-mouthed in her wake.
She put a hand to her cheek. Flustered? A raft of emotions surged through her but flustered wasn’t one of them. Irritation that Josie thought she needed a man and then concern that perhaps she should look for company. Worry as she recalled her business problems even though she was trying her best to keep them at bay. Sadness that this could be her last cruise – what would life be like without the anticipation of another cruise? She lifted her shoulders. Where was the woman who had overcome loss, adversity, disappointment to build a business from nothing? The woman who had played the field, had enjoyed several relationships, travelled and was comfortable in her own skin. Is this what getting older was doing: draining her confidence, highlighting small issues, making them loom larger?
A gust ruffled the sarong she’d thrown over her legs to protect them from the sunshine that was creeping across the bottom of her lounge. She reached down to cover her toes again and pushed her troubling thoughts away. The breeze was stronger now than it had been earlier but it kept Ketty cool, tucked away in her cosy nook. She’d spent the morning getting some sun, swimming, reading her book before lunch and then she’d taken a stroll around the deck. There had been a few familiar faces from other cruises, prompting friendly waves and welcome hugs. She hoped to find someone she knew to join her for the trivia game later that afternoon. Then she’d run into Josie and forgotten all about trivia.
Ketty settled back against the sun lounge. This was one of her favourite places and at this time of day she had the shade thrown from the deck above. She always found it mesmerising to watch the sea bubble out behind the ship in a churning green and white trail and she wasn’t alone. Several people lounged against the rail staring out to sea. Today the ocean was so calm that if you closed your eyes it was hard to imagine you were moving at all.
This morning she’d woken refreshed despite her late night. Now she drained the last of her gin and pushed away the final concerns that her talk with Josie had raised. Cruising was already working its magic. Troubles could so easily be left behind if you succumbed to the lure of this floating paradise. Unless of course you brought them with you and allowed them to fester.
She narrowed her eyes against the glare as she observed the couple who strode up to the rails. They barely glanced at the view before they began to talk, their faces grim. It was Christine and Frank, her dinner companions, and they didn’t appear to be having fun. Ketty could only catch snatches of their conversation blown on the wind. Finally, Christine motioned wildly with her hands then strode off. Frank’s shoulders slumped, he looked out to sea then slowly wandered on in the direction his wife had taken. Ketty tutted to herself. Poor Christine didn’t even look like she was on a cruise holiday, wearing all that black. She was a little overweight but the shirt tucked into the short skirt only accentuated her extra kilos.
Sunshine reached Ketty’s legs again. Once more she adjusted her sarong then pushed her sunglasses against the bridge of her nose and wriggled into a more comfortable position. Her book lay beside her unopened. This was always a perfect place for one of her favourite cruising hobbies – people watching.
“Hello, Miss Ketty.”
She turned to the bronzed figure standing on her other side. And here was dinner companion number three. Bernard towered over her. He wore a pair of swim shorts and that was all, apart from a gold chain at his neck. A swirling pattern of greying hairs covered his toned chest. He was a fine looking man, albeit an aging one.
“You’re enjoying the sunshine,” she said.
“And you’re not.” He waved a hand towards her sarong-covered legs.
“My skin can only take small amounts of exposure each day but I love being out in the fresh air.” She smiled. “How has your first day at sea been?”
He sat on the edge of the sun lounge Josie had recently vacated. “Expensive.”
“Really?” He didn’t strike Ketty as a shopper. Perhaps he was a gambler.
“I went to the jewellery shop with my daughter.”
“Oh.”
“She has expensive taste when it comes to spending my money.”
“I see.” Ketty thought about the scene she’d just witnessed with Christine and Frank. Perhaps he didn’t approve of Bernard’s spending.
“The rest of the time I’ve been by the pool reading and admiring the many pretty views.” He winked. “Just as delightful here.”
“I think you’re a bit of a lad, Bernard.”
“It’s been a long time since I was a lad, Miss Ketty.” He chuckled; a warm husky sound. He lifted his legs to the chair and lay against the backrest, hands behind his head.
“How do you know I’m a ‘miss’?”
“No rings on your fingers.”
“I could be a widow. Divorced.”
He turned. “Perhaps but I think not.”
It was hard to see his eyes beyond his dark glasses but Ketty could feel his scrutiny. What a funny afternoon it was. First Josie uncovering her worries about the business and now Bernard asking about her personal life. She wasn’t used to having people analyse her. It was usually the other way around.
“What about you?” she deflected.
“I was married. My wife, Della, died nearly twenty years ago.”
“Della’s a pretty name.”
“She was a pretty woman.” He turned back to the view beyond the ship. “Unfortunately, the diagnosis took a long time to uncover and the illness dragged out.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I couldn’t be. It was a release for her in the end. I was lonely after she went. We had a healthy relationship.” He peered over the top of his glasses. “If you get my drift.”
“I do.”
“Hah!” He slapped his thigh and jabbed a finger in her direction. “I thought as much. There’s more to you than meets the eye, Miss Ketty.”
Ketty smiled. “So you didn’t marry again?”
He leaned closer. “I’m still in the market.”
“Your flirting is wasted on me, Bernard. I’m not in the market, as you say.”
“A good-looking woman like you?”
She chuckled. “Your flattery is appreciated.”
“You can’t blame a man for trying. As long as my daughter’s not around, at least.”
“She doesn’t approve?”
“After Della died I took up with another woman. Gloria was a lot of fun. She made me laugh again. Let’s just say Christine didn’t deal with it well.”
“That’s a shame.”
“Gloria and I were very happy for quite a while but it didn’t work out in the end. Nowadays I keep things simple. It’s easier.”
“I know what you mean.” Ketty had been keeping things simple in the love department all her life since Leo. She cursed inwardly at her self-indulgent thoughts and sat up. “Do you enjoy trivia, Bernard?”
“I do.”
“There are a couple of sessions each day in the main lounge. I like to go in the afternoons, keep the brain cells active. Would you like to join me?”
His brow creased. “What’s the time?”
“I’m not sure but it’s not until four o’clock, there’s plenty of time.”
“No.” He sat bolt upright and swung his feet to the deck. “I’m meant to be meeting someone around three.”
“I suspect you’d better get a move on then. It would be close to that now.”
He stood, looking down at her. “I don’t know if I’ll make trivia today but perhaps tomorrow.”
“If it suits. Never make plans too far ahead on a cruise.”
“You’re a gem, Ketty.” He hurried off then stopped and waved. “See you at dinner.”
She opened her mouth to say she w
ouldn’t be there but he was gone. Oh well, it didn’t matter. Ketty settled back into her lounge. She’d stay a few more minutes and then go in to change before she headed to the afternoon trivia session. The back of the boat was quite breezy now and there weren’t many people sitting on the sun lounges let alone looking at the view.
A man walked slowly across the deck in front of her. His head twisted her way but he wasn’t looking at her. Ketty recognised him though. It was Jim who’d sat next to her last night. That was companion number four. The only one she hadn’t seen out here was Celia. Jim stopped at the corner of the deck and gripped the rail. His shoulders sagged and his head drooped. Ketty packed up her things and walked towards him.
“Hello, Jim.”
He looked around, startled as she leaned on the rail beside him.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to surprise you. I’m Ketty. We met at dinner last night.”
“Yes, I remember.” His look belied his words.
He turned back towards the ocean. Ketty did the same.
“It’s an amazing view from here isn’t it?” she said. “All that water as far as the eye can see.”
“Yes.”
“Are you enjoying the cruise?”
It took a moment for him to respond. “My son was supposed to come with me but work called at the last minute.”
“That’s a shame. You must miss him?”
“He’s in the oil and gas industry so he works away a lot. The cruise was my daughter’s idea. She thought it would be good for me.”
Jim’s side profile was grim, his jaw locked.
“How long have you been a widower, Jim?”
“Two years.”
She barely heard the whispered words.
“I understand your sorrow.” She put a gentle hand on his shoulder.
Slowly he turned, searched her face with his ragged look. “You’ve lost someone?”
“Yes, much longer ago for me.” But she wasn’t a widow. She had never been married.
“How did you survive?” he asked.
“Not very well to begin with. I didn’t have family; my friends were all happy newlyweds.” Her parents were still alive then but she’d kept it from them, sure it would have broken their hearts to discover all she’d gone through. Her only sibling, her brother, Phil, had been overseas. It had been her dear friend Felicity who had taken her in and looked after her. When Ketty had left Adelaide, she’d renounced the shattered Kathy Clift, taken on the name Ketty and created a whole new life for herself in Sydney.
“You said you were young, you didn’t remarry?”
“I’ve had some good friends, Jim. They haven’t led to marriage.” She let the softest of smiles lift her face and fixed her gaze steadily on his. “But my life has been very happy. I know everyone says it but time truly is a great healer.”
Jim flinched as if she’d poked him. “I’ve got to go. I’ll see you tonight.”
“But I won’t be…oh never mind.” Her words were lost in the wind as Jim disappeared around the corner of the deck. “Dear, dear,” she murmured. Jim Fraser was going to take a lot of work. Not only that but he was making her relive old pain that ran deeper than a lost love. Ketty gripped the rail, stared out to sea and reminded herself she was here to enjoy, not dig up the past.
Eight
Night Two – At Sea
Celia sifted through the shirts she’d brought with her. She was looking for something that would complement the marine blue pendant she’d received at the shopping spotlight show. From the bathroom behind her Maude’s off-key voice belted out some kind of ABBA song compilation. Maude had brightened up considerably since breakfast. They’d caught up with each other at lunch where they’d shared a table at the buffet with Maude’s dinner table companions, Pete and Anne.
After lunch the others went to play bridge leaving Maude and Celia to entertain themselves. It had been slow going with Celia keeping her eyes peeled for both Ed and Bernard. She’d stuck to the shadows where possible and scanned each new area they entered. They’d taken a few laps of the promenade deck, explored the upstairs decks and the various pools, checked out the different bars and eating areas on offer, and booked themselves in at the day spa; Maude for a massage and Celia for a manicure. Then they’d sat on the upper deck and enjoyed a strawberry daiquiri, in Maude’s case two, before they’d headed inside to listen to a pair of Irish singers and then returned to their cabin to prepare for the evening. Celia had enjoyed the day immensely. Thankfully there had been no further sighting of Ed, but sadly none of Bernard either so she was no closer to inveigling him into her plan.
The sound of the shower stopped but Maude’s singing continued. Now she was on to ‘Dancing Queen’. Celia hadn’t told Maude about the shopping seminar. It had mostly been about the jewellery, which was well beyond her budget, but she’d been happy to receive the pendant.
She slid a long-lined three-quarter sleeve white top over her crepe pants and ran her hands over her trim hips. During her forties Celia had put on some extra kilos. One of the positives from Ed’s walk-out had been she’d lost weight – meals were simpler, she’d spent a lot of time walking – and she worked hard not to put it back on again.
The pendant was laid out on the desk. She lifted it, reached behind her neck to do it up then regarded herself in the mirror. The blue stone reflected the blue of her eyes and her trousers. The mirror also showed the crow’s-feet at her eyes and she was still not used to the blonde colour in her hair which hid the silver. It had been slowly changing from the original blonde for years and hadn’t bothered her until she’d planned this cruise. She turned her head from side to side. She still looked old. No wonder Ed had traded her for a younger model.
The singing stopped, the bathroom door burst open and Maude stepped out followed by a cloud of steam.
“That feels better,” she said.
Celia turned to face her.
“Well, look at you.” Maude paused towelling her hair. “You look a million dollars. Have you got a hot date?”
“Of course not.” Celia scooped up her bag and stuffed her room card inside. She was glad Maude had said so though. Perhaps Bernard would see what Maude saw rather than the reflection Celia noted in the mirror. Tonight Celia hoped she would have the chance to work on Bernard. She’d even practised her flirty moves again when Maude first went in the shower and she thought she was improving. “I think it’s lovely to have an excuse to dress for dinner.”
“You’re right there.” Maude shrugged out of her dressing gown and wiggled her way into a multicoloured dress. “Although you might need to change those shoes later. Don’t want you breaking an ankle while we’re dancing.”
“Dancing?” Celia looked down at her strappy sandals. The heels were a little higher than she usually wore but she had blisters from last night’s closed-in pair. The Celebrity Celia look was proving hard on her feet.
“After dinner. There’s an ABBA dance party up on deck.”
“That starts at ten, doesn’t it? I think I’ll be ready for bed by then.”
“Oh no.” Maude gripped both her arms and gave them a jiggle. “You are not slipping away early tonight. How are we going to find you a man if you hide in your cabin?”
“I don’t hide.” Celia eased her arms from Maude’s grasp.
“You keep peering around corners and looking over your shoulder and I’ve never known anyone to wear dark glasses and a sunhat as much as you do.”
“I don’t want to get sun damage.”
“Inside?” Maude gave her a sceptical look then started applying her make-up. “It’ll be fun tonight. Everyone from Pete and Anne’s group will be there, including Nigel.”
“Who’s Nigel?” Celia knew as she’d asked the question she didn’t want to hear the answer.
“Nice guy. Bit quiet but he seems to have money, he’s single and he’s not bad looking.” Maude paused from applying her eyeliner to tick off three fingers. “There’s the prerequisites marked.”
>
“Why aren’t you chasing him then?”
“First of all, I don’t chase.” She turned back to her make-up. “And second of all he’s not my type. I like them with a bit more spunk.” She wriggled her eyebrows up and down at Celia in the mirror.
“Time for dinner,” Celia said and moved off towards the door. “Shall I meet you at the atrium bar after the meal?”
“I’ll be there.” Maude wagged a finger at her. “You make sure you are. No excuses.”
Celia let herself out into the corridor and walked quickly towards the stairs. She had enough on her plate trying to cement her plans for Bernard without getting involved in Maude’s matchmaking.
“Miss Clift.” The maître d’s eyes rolled in mock surprise. “We don’t usually see you here after the first full day at sea. Have you changed your ways since we last travelled together?”
Ketty inclined her head. “Sometimes the element of surprise is needed, Carlos.” She leaned closer, her next words for his ears only. “Four nine eight, level ten, for our nightcap?”
Carlos gave the briefest of nods. He turned to beckon a waiter. “Table fifteen for Miss Clift.”
“It’s all right, Carlos.” She waved the waiter away. “I know my way. I’ll leave you to get on.”
He drew himself up importantly and turned to the next guests. They would have a good chat later.
She had met Carlos on her first cruise aboard the Diamond Duchess. Funny she’d thought her life was going in such a different direction back then. He had been a head waiter. She and her girlfriend hadn’t used the dining room much but when they had Carlos had been their designated waiter, so full of charm and mischief. She had recognised him on her very next cruise when the two of them had conspired to matchmake for two passengers at Ketty’s table.
Carlos wasn’t supposed to mix with passengers but they’d managed many a secret catch-up over the years, usually in her cabin for a nightcap and a chat. There had been a cruise once a long time ago when she’d wondered if they were going to cross the threshold from friendship to lovers but the return of her travel partner had interrupted them and they’d never gone that way again. Ketty thought it for the best. She enjoyed Carlos’s friendship but he lived so far away. She looked forward to seeing him whenever they ended up on the same ship.
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