Table For Eight

by Tricia Stringer

  Ketty glanced at her watch. He was late. He often had been when they’d been together but Ketty had put it down to juggling study and work. She’d been so busy herself back then it hadn’t mattered. When he did arrive he never seemed rushed, he’d join their little mismatched group of jazz enthusiasts, filling whatever space they were in with his presence. Always making sure they had drinks, the best seats, whisking her to the dance floor, or if they were alone at home – it was always her flat – he’d be full of talk about work, music, something that had happened, and when they made love it was passionate, demanding, wonderful. She shivered. And then the devastating end. Perhaps she was being too eager, sitting here waiting for him to arrive, but punctuality was important to her. It had to be, in her business. All part of the attention to detail and personal touches that were vital. How on earth that transposed to the online world was beyond her.

  She was just thinking she’d get herself a drink to steady her nerves when he appeared in the doorway. She held her breath and watched him look around, a small frown on his brow. The frown changed to a smile when he saw her and he headed in her direction. He wore clothes well, looking casual but smart in his black shirt, cuffs rolled back, and dark denim jeans. He was tall, and passed through the room with an air of self-assurance. Heads turned to look at him but his eyes were fixed on her. Only when he stopped in front of her did he appear to hesitate, perhaps, like her, unsure where to begin.

  “I was about to get a drink.” It was Ketty who broke the tension between them. “Oh, but here’s a waiter.”

  They ordered and Leo lowered himself to the soft padded chair opposite her, his back to the room. They stared at each other a moment.

  “These cruise people seem to have everything worked out don’t they.” He tucked his card back inside his shirt. “A very smooth operation I must say.”

  “Have you cruised before?” At least this was a topic Ketty felt comfortable with.

  “Never was on my radar. Josie wanted company. I wasn’t keen but she begged me to join her. She can be very persuasive, my sister.”

  “I find her good company.”

  “Oh yes, she’s always good company.”

  She wondered if he was mocking his sister but the waiter arrived with their drinks and Leo was quick to reach across to tap his glass against hers, regarding her intensely.

  “To you, my sweet Kathy. You look just the same except your hair, like mine, is a different colour. You’re as beautiful as ever.”

  Ketty chuckled to hide her pleasure that he should still think her attractive after all this time. “I do like the muted lighting in here.” She took a sip of her drink. His eyes didn’t leave her. She put her glass carefully back on the table. He hadn’t lost his movie-star looks and instead of grey hair like hers, his was what she thought of as a more distinguished silver. “You’re looking well, Leo.”

  “I’ve had some setbacks lately but…” He lurched forward, his hands resting on his knees. “Seeing you again, Kathy, it’s been like a panacea. And I love this dress.” He lifted his hands now holding them open. “You look so regal. You always did dress well.”

  Once more she felt satisfaction at his words. She’d spent some time after her shower deliberating on what to wear. In fact, she’d tried on several outfits. She liked to dress for dinner but didn’t want Leo to think she was making a special effort just for him, although part of her knew she was. The dress was soft grey brocade with a subtle red pattern, short sleeves, high neck, fitted waist, a day dress really but she had decided it was right for tonight.

  “Clothes are my business,” she said. “I enjoy getting the chance to dress up.”

  “You said you are a dressmaker.”

  “Yes.”

  “All that hard work and study you did back in Adelaide must have paid off.”

  “It did, and I learned so much more when I moved to Sydney.”

  “You must be doing well to survive there and in the current retail climate.”

  Ketty smiled. If only he knew how tenuous her hold on her business was. “It’s not easy but we’re managing.”

  “We?”

  “I employ five staff.”

  He leaned closer, his green eyes not so vivid these days but still as mesmerising. Ketty found herself telling him about building her business. Not the earliest days, but from when she found her current premises and employed first Ning and then Tien and then Judith, the renovations, more staff and even some of the foibles of her well-heeled clients, without revealing names of course. They’d laughed together and he’d mentioned he was retired now and suddenly it was time for dinner.

  “Josie is keen for us to sit at your table again.” His look was questioning. “Are you happy for me to be there?”

  “If you are.”

  Leo stood. “Shall we go together?”

  She glanced from his outstretched hand to his questioning look, reserved but with the hint of a smile.

  “Of course.” She accepted his hand to stand then fell into step beside him and their conversation continued to flow easily all the way to the dining room.

  Celia was pleased to see she was the first to arrive for dinner. She felt more relaxed tonight. Something to do with the bottle of wine she and Maude had shared before dinner and also Celia was fairly sure Ed was booked in the other dining room meaning she didn’t have to keep a watch for him here. She ordered another bottle of wine and hoped Leo might arrive soon so that she could get him to sit next to her.

  She took a mouthful of wine and pondered her day. Celia had done her best to charm Leo and she thought her attempts had been working. Pity he hadn’t wanted a drink once they got back to the ship. Celia had hoped Ketty would retire for a rest and Celia would have him to herself. She was desperate to cultivate the attention of a good-looking man and Bernard only had eyes for Josie last night. If he was no longer available Leo could be her plus one. Like Bernard he was several years older than her but a very good-looking man all the same, more distinguished than Bernard.

  Her heart sank when she saw Ketty and Leo arrive together. Perhaps it was a coincidence and they’d met at the door. She took another gulp of wine and put on what she hoped was a captivating smile.

  Christine arrived late to the dining room. She’d been sitting alone in the cabin for the last couple of hours assuming Frank would at least return so that they could go together to dinner but he hadn’t. Now she was annoyed he wasn’t at the table already, and the sight of her father with his arm draped across the back of Josie’s chair, leaning in close to her, didn’t help her mood. Christine stalked across the room.

  She took a deep breath relieved that at least the headache and nausea were gone. “Hello everyone. Dad.” She slipped into the seat beside him and kissed his cheek, totally ignoring Josie’s smiled greeting.

  “Where’s Frank?” Bernard looked at his watch. “We should order.”

  “I have no idea.” She picked up her menu. “If he doesn’t have the manners to arrive on time we should go ahead.”

  “Jim’s not here either.” Ketty glanced around. “Perhaps we should wait a few more minutes.”

  “Yes, let’s,” Celia gushed. “Now, Leo, you must tell me more about the trip to New York you mentioned. It’s somewhere I’ve always wanted to go.”

  Celia drained her glass and literally grabbed Leo’s attention by placing her hand on his arm. Her eyes were bright and her cheeks flushed. Christine’s stomach turned. What was with these oldies all falling over each other like lovesick teenagers while she and Frank, the only couple both young and married, were getting no action at all.

  Rupert refilled Celia’s glass and then the bottle was empty. Christine decided to stick to non-alcoholic drinks tonight and ordered a nojito. When it arrived her spirits lifted and she wished she had a flower in her hair and bare feet. The tall glass sported three different coloured citrus wedges and a sprig of mint. She took a sip and closed her eyes as the refreshing tang of the lime tingled over her tongue. A bu
rst of laughter from Josie, Ketty and Phillip made her begrudgingly open her eyes. Her father was telling his soppy jokes again and he was even including the wait staff.

  “Did everyone enjoy the island today?” she asked.

  “Yes.” Celia and Bernard both answered as one with great enthusiasm and Celia gave a strangled giggle and bumped against Leo who looked rather put out.

  “I appreciated having a look at the country beyond the beach,” Bernard said. “So interesting to see the people and the different landscape. But hell, driving flat out down the middle of the road was crazy!”

  Christine swallowed her chagrin and took a sip of her drink. “I wondered where you’d got to, Dad. I looked up and down the beach for you when we finally got there.”

  “Here comes Frank,” Celia said. “And Jim’s with him.”

  Christine watched her husband approach then felt a wave of heat spread through her as he chose the seat beside Celia rather than the one next to her. He wobbled a bit as he tried to pull out his chair and Jim corrected him with a helping hand.

  “Have you blokes been on the booze?” Bernard laughed.

  “Sorry we’re late,” Jim said. “We did have a few drinks and then tried our luck at blackjack. Time got away.”

  Christine gave a soft snort. “Let’s order.”

  “My fault entirely,” Jim said.

  “Did you win?” Ketty asked.

  Frank had a silly grin on his face and pressed a finger to his lips. Jim shook his head.

  “I’ll have to come with you next time,” Bernard said. “Show you how it’s done. You’d join us, wouldn’t you, Josie? Be my lady luck.”

  “Of course.”

  Bernard squeezed her hand.

  Christine waited for Frank to suggest that perhaps she could be his good-luck charm but he leaned in to talk to Jim.

  The waiters took the dinner orders. Conversation flowed but it didn’t include Christine. Her father was more interested in Josie than he was in her. He’d been like it ever since her mother died, always chasing after women, putting his floozies before his own daughter. And Frank. She looked across the table to where her inebriated husband was now giving Celia some detailed explanation about the coral he’d seen today while he was diving. Christine felt a stab of envy. He hadn’t bothered to tell her so animatedly about what he’d seen. Even Ketty was leaning a little closer to Leo who was speaking in such a low voice Christine couldn’t hear him. To hell with them all. She downed her nojito, poured a wine, took a big swallow and sat back in a silent pool of misery.

  Ketty was startled by a sudden chorus of happy birthday from behind Celia. Everyone stopped talking and turned to watch the waiters, who included Phillip and Rupert, gathered around the next table. A small sparkler crackled in a slice of cake placed in front of one of the other diners.

  “Oh, it must be someone’s birthday,” Celia gushed.

  “You don’t say.” Leo’s mutter was directed at Ketty, his look tetchy. He’d been on the receiving end of Celia’s ceaseless chatter all through dinner. Ketty understood his irritation but her heart went out to Celia, who’d worked her way through several glasses of wine. There was something amiss with her. Ketty was sure this wasn’t her normal behaviour. The song finished to cheers and laughter from the people at the next table and the staff returned to their work.

  “Beautiful singing.” Celia clapped her hands as Rupert and Phillip cleared the last of the plates.

  “Would anyone like the drink of the day?” Rupert asked. “It’s a Raspberry Collins.”

  “Oh, that sounds interesting,” Celia exclaimed.

  “I’ll join you,” Frank said.

  Christine glared at her husband. “I think you’ve had enough, Frank.”

  He flung himself back against his chair. “Is that so?”

  Ketty could see the others shifting uncomfortably in their seats just as she was. It was never wise to argue with someone who’d had a few too many but she could see from the scowl on Christine’s face she would not be deterred.

  “You won’t be in any shape to go out tomorrow,” Christine continued.

  “Ha!” Frank huffed. “You should know.”

  Christine rose to her feet and placed two hands on the table. “You’ll thank me in the morning.”

  “If I do as I’m told, you mean.”

  Ketty was mortified that the Romanos were being so openly hostile in front of everyone. She could see an equally uncomfortable look on Jim’s face at the other end of the table and she didn’t dare look sideways at the others.

  “What are you trying to say, Frank?” Christine’s face had turned red.

  “Keep your voice down, Christine,” Bernard growled.

  “I suppose you’re on his side.”

  “There is no side.”

  There was silence around the table. Ketty noticed the waiters and a few other diners glancing in their direction.

  “Perhaps we should all call it a night.” She rose steadily to her feet.

  “Now you’ve broken up the party.” Frank scowled at his wife.

  Christine turned a sad look on her father. “Perhaps I’ll see you tomorrow, Dad. Goodnight everyone.”

  Among subdued farewells the others stood, everyone except Frank and Celia. He was sitting arms folded with a face like thunder and she was red cheeked, eyes darting from one person to the next.

  “Josie and I thought we might go to the show,” Bernard said. “Ketty, Leo, would you—”

  “I’ll come with you.” Frank stood and swayed against his chair.

  Bernard stepped behind Jim and patted his son-in-law on the shoulders. “Might be a good idea to call it a night, Frank.”

  “Probably good advice,” Jim said. “I think I’ll get an early night myself.”

  Frank glanced from Bernard to Jim then down at the floor. His shoulders sagged. “Yes…well…okay.” He looked up again. “Thanks for your company, everyone. I’m sorry about earlier.”

  “Please don’t worry, Frank,” Ketty said. “We’re all friends here.”

  He leaned on his chair and shook his head, his colourful shirt mocking his woeful expression.

  “Things always look brighter after a good night’s sleep,” Ketty said.

  He turned and made his way slowly across the dining room. Ketty hoped she was right.

  “Now, what about the show?” Bernard drew Josie to his side and glanced around.

  “Not for me,” Jim said.

  Ketty was startled by Leo’s arm slipping around her waist.

  “Count us in,” he said.

  She twisted to look at him. There was a possessiveness in the way he returned her gaze. Then Ketty caught the startled look on Celia’s face. She was watching Leo intently, then abruptly leaped to her feet.

  “Me either,” she mumbled. “Suddenly I’m very tired. Goodnight.” She spun around, wobbled against the rail, regained her balance, took the step down carefully and walked away.

  Ketty extracted herself from Leo’s arm by moving to pick up her purse. She’d been looking forward to tonight’s show, but now Leo had made her feel uncomfortable. She moved ahead of the others towards the door where Celia had already made her exit. Poor woman. She must have been as surprised as Ketty when Leo had pulled her in close.

  Carlos appeared as she reached the maître d’s station.

  “Did you enjoy your meal, Miss Clift?”

  “It was delicious, Carlos.”

  “And everything is in order?” He raised one eyebrow and glanced over her shoulder.

  No doubt he’d seen the kerfuffle at the table even if he hadn’t heard it.

  “I think so.” She leaned in closer. “Let me know when you’re free next and we’ll have a chat.”

  He nodded, then said goodnight to the others who had come up behind her.

  Celia walked quickly up the marble staircase. She wanted to put as much distance between her and Leo as possible. What a fool she’d been. He and Ketty were obviously good frien
ds and he was simply being polite, putting up with her attempts to enthral him with her scintillating conversation and her Celebrity Celia impersonation—

  Damnation! She hadn’t been watching where she was going and now Ed and Debbie were only a few steps above her, heading down. She turned swiftly and scurried back down the stairs, glancing over her shoulder as she went. A shudder of panic went through her, now she couldn’t see them. Which way had they gone? She paused, searching the crowd, and caught her heel on the last step. Then she was flying, arms and legs flailing across the floor. It was as if time had slowed; she could see shoes, men’s black leather, women’s vibrant pink toenails peeping from glittering sandals, and she could hear gasps, and then a piercing shriek. It was her own, coming from deep inside her as her cheek collided sharply with the tiles.

  Fifteen

  For a few seconds Celia lay there. She was dazed, then amazed that nothing hurt, not yet at least. As the sound of her scream faded she heard the murmurs and worried voices around her. She twisted her head slightly to see Ed coming towards her, a look of distaste on his face. Debbie peered down, fingers to her lips suppressing a smile. Celia turned away hoping the floor would open and swallow her up.

  “Stay there a moment.” It was Ketty kneeling beside her. “Catch your breath then tell me if anything hurts.” A gentle hand rested on her back.

  “Move on everyone, thank you.” The authority of the maître d’s voice sounded somewhere behind Celia. She rolled to her side, her back to the crowd of feet and legs. She put a hand to her head and groaned.

  “What’s hurting?” Ketty asked.

  “I’ll call for the doctor.” The maître d’ again.

  “No.” Celia managed to sound firm. She tested her arms and then her legs. “I’m all right. Just a shock that’s all, nothing broken.”