“Why on earth not?”
“I don’t want to stand up there, that’s all.” There was a queue of people waiting to have their photo taken in front of a tower of effervescing champagne glasses, which had been set up on one of the landings between stair flights. Everyone standing up there was in clear view of the rest of the passengers. Celia didn’t want to risk Ed seeing her. “Besides the queue’s long. It will take ages.”
“Don’t be a wet blanket.” Maude took a sip of her drink. The gold-sequined dress she’d told Celia she’d found at an op shop clung to her every curve and sparkled in the bright lights. Celia felt like the proverbial wallflower beside her in a simple sheath dress.
Maude tugged at the hem of her own outfit. “I’m glad I brought this. Would you look at what people are wearing? It’s as if we’re at the Oscars.”
“There are certainly some magnificent outfits.”
Celia took another sip of her drink and looked around, feeling at ease with her back to a poorly lit corner. She was pleased to see that among the tuxedos, long lacy frocks, diamonds and even some tiaras there were simpler outfits like hers. Some men were in shirts without ties and there were women in casual dresses. She hadn’t been sure what to expect and had felt quite drab beside Maude’s dazzling outfit but she was also glad not to feel conspicuous. Far better to blend in.
“We haven’t scrubbed up too badly.” Maude struck a pose and Celia chuckled.
“For old ducks.”
“Who are you calling an old duck?” Maude gave Celia a mock pout then reached for her hand. “Please come with me for a photo. It’s not very often we look like this, girlfriend…hot to trot.” Maude wiggled her hips and nearly knocked over a man leaning on a walking stick as he passed.
Celia looked at each of the photographers with their backdrops depicting different scenes and each subject brightly illuminated for the camera. There were several set up around the atrium. She needed to be on Bernard’s arm – he was looking like a film star and a perfect companion for her, except he already had a woman on his arm, two if you counted Ketty. She’d seen them arrive. “Maybe another night. You go on.”
“All right.” Maude sniffed and weaved away through the crowd.
Celia felt a little bad she couldn’t go with her. They’d had fun getting dressed. It had reminded her of her boarding school days and preparing for a social. There had always been swapping of jewellery and make-up, giggling and posing in front of mirrors; a similar scenario to what had happened in their cabin earlier but with a slightly different spin as Maude had produced what she called a sucker-inner and had needed Celia’s help to get into it. Other than that Celia hadn’t contributed anything to Maude’s outfit but Maude had loaned her glittering beads to brighten up her plain black dress. She looked up to where a couple posed for a photograph with the champagne tower and sucked in a breath.
It was Ed and the child bride. He was looking handsome in a tux and she like a young film star in a shimmering emerald green strapless dress. Celia pressed back against the wall as a new wave of jealousy raged through her like a thousand burning fires. She fanned frantically at her face with her free hand. Damn Ed. She hated he could still make her feel this way.
“Hello, what are you doing hiding back here?”
“Ketty.” Celia gasped and the rage hissed out, leaving her with a prickling dose of irritation. “I wanted some space out of the crowd.”
“It can be a bit overwhelming with so many people filling the atrium.”
Celia frowned. The woman didn’t get the hint. She looked out over the press of people. “Maude’s having a photo.”
“And you’re not?”
“Not tonight.”
“Me either. I’ve had my fair share of them over the years.”
Celia glanced towards the champagne tower. Ed had gone. She looked around frantically trying to see where he was now. She jumped at the touch of Ketty’s hand on her arm.
“Would you like to sit down? I know where I can find us a seat.”
“No, thank you.” The last thing she wanted was to be alone with Ketty making small talk. She’d been on the verge of spilling her story at the day spa. How tempting to share her burden with this amiable woman. Or was she simply being nosey? Celia pulled her arm away and glanced around. No sign of Ed.
“It’s a quiet nook.”
Celia tensed. “I’m fine here, thanks.”
Ketty leaned closer, studying her intently. “Are you all right?”
“Of course,” Celia snapped then felt churlish. “I am a bit annoyed at Maude trying to set me up with a man, that’s all. I’ll see you at dinner.”
She spun away. Ed was strolling in her direction with his wife on his arm. She twisted, wobbled on one heel and dashed into the ladies loo.
“Let’s have a photo while we’re all dressed up.” Christine looked to Frank.
He shrugged his shoulders. “If you want.”
She bit back her sigh. She did want and she also wanted him to show some enthusiasm. Today had gone from bad to worse. After her flop of a breakfast with her dad, she and Frank had hardly agreed on anything. It had not been the relaxing day she’d planned. By the time he’d stomped off to the casino she’d been too angry to read her book or sit down with her laptop and she’d ended up pounding the promenade deck. At least they’d made polite conversation over a few drinks prior to this event starting. She looked around at the photographers. “What about the ocean sunset? Or maybe the tropical scene. That has the shortest queue.”
“Fine.”
He started off, leaving her to follow along behind. No sooner had they reached the end of the line than he took off his jacket.
“Frank.” Christine frowned and brushed at his shirt. It had creased in the case and there hadn’t been time to find an iron.
“I’m hot. I’ll put it back on for the photo.”
“You look so good in a jacket.” She meant it. There was something about Frank in a suit and tie that turned her on, like a fireman’s uniform did for other women. Heat flooded through her. Bugger! This was their third night aboard and they hadn’t yet consummated the holiday.
“I ought to look fantastic for the cost of it.” His face hardened with a frown. “It was a ridiculous price.”
“You’ll wear it again.” Christine used the jacket to fan her face then ran her hand over the fabric. It was wool, lightweight with a sheen to it like silk. “We’ve got your cousin’s wedding later in the year.”
Frank draped the jacket over his arm and waved at a passing waiter with a tray of drinks.
“Here we are.” He passed her a glass of bubbly and the smile returned to his face as he tapped his against it. “Cheers, big ears.”
“You sound just like Dad.” She scanned the crowd. “I haven’t seen him yet, have you? I was hoping he’d be in the photo with us.”
Frank shrugged, the sullen look back on his face.
“I hope he turns up soon.” She wanted to add without a woman on his arm, but she kept that to herself. She hadn’t told Frank about her attempt to get money from her father for the renovations. He’d made enough of a stink over the cost of the pendant Bernard had bought her. There was still plenty of cruise time left for her to work on Bernard. He’d said no but she hadn’t given up and she still had her trump card if necessary.
“Look,” Frank exclaimed. “That woman has something dead around her neck.”
“Shh, Frank.”
He shook his head with a glare of irritation. The lady wearing the fur around her neck swept by, oblivious. They shuffled along the queue. Christine studied her husband’s profile. He really was doing his best to annoy her at the moment. How had it come to this? Sometimes she felt as if she no longer knew him at all, as if they were two strangers cohabitating.
She thought back over the last few months. November and December had been busy and Christmas with his family was always a huge affair that went on over days, leaving them exhausted. New Year they’d spent
with friends. They’d only had time to talk in snatches and that had been mostly about organising their schedules so that one of them was always available to pick up, drop off and supervise children. Their couple time had become almost non-existent along with their sex life. Tonight she had to get that back on track. It was part of the reason for this cruise, but maybe she was too late. There was plenty of much younger eye candy where he worked. Was it possible Frank fancied someone else? She took a gulp of her drink this time. They said the wife was always the last to know.
“There’s Bernie.” Frank nodded over Christine’s shoulder.
She looked around and frowned at the sight of her father chatting animatedly to a woman.
“He’s scrubbed up all right for an old bloke.” Frank’s voice held a hint of awe as if he admired her father when Christine knew the opposite was true.
“The woman’s a good-looker.”
“She’s old enough to be your mother.”
“Surely I can still say someone looks good.” The annoyance was plain on his face. “It’s nothing to do with their age.”
Christine drained her glass. He hadn’t said anything nice about her black dress. Admittedly she’d squeezed herself into it and there were rolls around her middle but he’d liked it when she’d bought it a year ago for her work Christmas party and she’d spent ages blow-drying her hair, a luxury she rarely had time for these days.
“There’s a man with them.” Christine took in the cut of his tuxedo and the neatly brushed silver hair. “He reminds me of someone. The man who played James Bond, Sean, what’s his name?”
“Connery.”
She clicked her fingers. “That’s it. That chap’s not as old as Connery but he has that look about him. A very handsome man.” Two could play the admiration game.
“He’s old enough to be your father.” Frank’s voice dripped with sarcasm.
Once more Christine took a deep breath. “Oh look, it’s our turn.” She smiled at the photographer who beckoned them forward. “Put your jacket on, Frank.”
The captain was speaking from the balcony of the next level up in the atrium when Jim joined the back of the crowd gathered at the lowest level. A waiter offered him a drink but he declined. He had nearly waited until it was time for dinner before coming down, but once he’d dressed in his suit he’d become restless.
He glanced around. Everything sparkled, from the jewellery-clad women to the marble steps. People lined every balustrade on all levels. He was amazed to see so many men in tuxedos and women in evening gowns, and was glad he had a dinner suit to wear. The only other dress suit he’d owned was the one he’d worn to Jane’s funeral and he’d relegated that to the local op shop never wanting to see it again.
All faces were turned to the captain who looked resplendent in his white uniform with gold epaulets on his shoulders, a commanding presence. Jim had to strain to catch his words, which were laced with a distinctive Italian accent. No doubt he had done this many times before but when he held his arms wide and welcomed them aboard it was as if to his private home.
The end of the speech was followed by loud applause and then the murmur and chatter of the huge crowd as they began to disperse. He waited in the corner, in the shadows, until there was room to navigate his way to the dining room.
“Hello, Jim.”
Ketty was coming around a now-empty arrangement of chairs.
“Don’t you look smart,” she said.
Jim shuffled his feet. He was so out of practice at complimenting a lady on her looks. Jane would have poked him in the ribs. “You’re looking rather flash yourself.”
“I do so love to dress up. I lead a rather simple existence at home. What about you?”
“I wore a suit nearly every day of my working life. I’m a casual clothes man at home.”
“Well, I’m glad you donned a dinner suit tonight.”
“And at home my existence is very plain and solitary.”
Ketty smiled kindly. “I do understand but I’ve been on my own a long time. It does get easier.”
Jim couldn’t imagine that and yet here he was on a cruise ship.
“Sometimes we have to step outside of our simple existence and try something else, don’t you think?” Ketty cast her hand towards the space of the atrium. “Another reason I love cruising. I’ll go back to my quiet life soon enough. Might as well live it up while I can.”
He squared his shoulders a little and returned Ketty’s smile.
“Are you going in to dinner?” he asked.
“I am.” She looked around. “I came down with Bernard but I lost sight of him not long after we got here.”
He offered his arm. “Would you do me the honour of walking in with me?”
Ketty’s smile widened and she slipped her arm through his. “Why, Mr Fraser, I would be delighted to accompany you.”
Once again he flinched at the surprise of the soft warmth of another human touch, then he settled into the comfort of it and strolled along beside Ketty with more confidence than he’d felt in a long time.
Bernard had enjoyed Josie’s company for most of the day. After a swim and a spa this morning they’d had a late and lingering lunch together in the little Italian cafe where they’d had a quiet table to themselves. Josie had expressed interest in a salsa dancing class and he’d gone along, prepared to do nearly anything to keep her by his side, and then surprised himself by actually having fun. What wasn’t to like, having an excuse to hold her warm body in his arms?
Later they’d taken a drink on the pool deck where he’d been pleased not to run into his daughter, but then Josie had to leave to find her brother who was her travelling partner. Bernard hadn’t been able to settle after that, watching his clock until it had been time to collect her from her cabin as planned. When she’d opened her door he’d been momentarily blindsided by a surge of heat that had left him speechless. He’d almost drooled as his gaze had swept the dress that outlined her shapely body with just enough cleavage on view to leave him wanting more. Her brother had greeted him gruffly and left. Bernard had been glad to have her to himself but it only turned out to be for a few minutes before they’d run into Ketty who also knew Josie. Another surprise.
They’d lost Ketty among the throng in the atrium but had found the painful brother. Josie had wanted a photo with him, and now the three of them were sitting in the club bar where they’d had a good view over the atrium during the captain’s speech.
“I’d ask you to join us for dinner,” Josie said as she rose gracefully from her chair. “But our table is full.”
“Why don’t you join my table?” The words were out before Bernard had time to wonder if it was allowable to swap tables. Surely he could slip the maître d’ something to accommodate their needs. “We are a table for eight but we’ve had two empty seats so far. Perhaps they will be again tonight.”
“That would be enjoyable.” Josie smiled and looked to her brother. “What do you think? We could meet another group of people.”
He gave a shrug. “Fine by me.”
“There are a couple of single ladies at my table,” Bernard said. He knew the other man was on the lookout for a companion. If Bernard could line him up with someone it would mean Josie would have more time to be with him. “They’re nice women but not my type.” He winked at Josie.
She slipped her arm through his. “Let’s check with the maître d’ and see if it can be arranged.” She put her other arm through her brother’s and the three of them trouped down the stairs towards the welcoming aromas of the Marlborough dining room.
Ketty glanced at her fellow diners, Jim and Celia on her left and Frank and Christine on her right. Bernard hadn’t arrived yet, no doubt waylaid by Josie. It had been a surprise to see them together but she could tell they were smitten with each other and she was delighted for them.
Ketty suspected the Romanos had both enjoyed a few of the free drinks by the look of their laid-back behaviour. Jim also appeared a little more comfort
able tonight.
Only Celia looked around as if expecting something rather nasty to pop out in front of her.
The waiters hovered nearby.
“Doesn’t everyone look splendid tonight.” Ketty raised her hands in a little flourish. “Are you all ready to order?”
“A very worthy-looking bunch,” Frank said.
“Shall we wait till Dad gets here?” Christine looked around. “I saw him before the captain’s speech and then I lost track of him but he shouldn’t be far away.”
“I’m ready for a drink,” Frank said. “Surely we don’t have to wait for your father to have that.”
“It’s my turn to get the wine,” Ketty said as Christine glared at her husband. “Let’s get the drinks ordered and we can wait till Bernard gets here for the food.”
The wine was poured and Ketty was deep in conversation with Celia and Jim about the wide variety of South Australian wines when Bernard arrived at their table.
“Hello, everyone. I’ve brought guests.” Josie was still on his arm.
“Dad, I don’t think you’re allowed to rearrange the seating.” Christine was smiling but Ketty could see it was through gritted teeth.
“All taken care of.” Bernard beamed his big wide smile, held up his hand and waved two crossed fingers at them. “The maître d’ and I are like that. It’s all arranged. This is Josie and her brother…”
Bernard looked around as a tall man stepped up behind him.
“Ah, there you are,” Bernard said. “And her brother. I told him what delightful ladies we had on our table and he couldn’t wait to meet you.”
“You are a tease, Bernie.” Josie patted his arm and stepped aside. “This is my brother, Leo.”
The sip of wine Ketty had just taken caught in her throat. His hair was silver now and not as much of it, and there were more lines on his face, but he was still exceptionally good-looking.
“Leo,” she gasped then spluttered as the wine caught the back of her throat and spattered down her black top.
“Kathy?”
The noise of the dining room receded, replaced by a loud whooshing as the air went from her lungs, and she sagged back against her chair. A gentle hand rested on her shoulder and gradually the sounds of the dining room returned.
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