Table For Eight

by Tricia Stringer

  “Hello.” Josie came to a stop in front of her. “Have you seen Bernie?”

  Christine gritted her teeth. She hated it when people shortened his name even though her own husband often did it. “He asked me to keep an eye out for you. He’ll be back in a moment. He bought a drink for you.”

  “He’s a good man.” Josie perched on the empty stool and reached for the colourful drink. She took a sip then replaced the glass on the bar. “Did you have a good day?”

  “Yes, until I hurt my back.”

  “Oh, that’s no good. Ketty injured her arm.” Josie glanced around. “I hoped Leo might be here by now and let us know how she is. He had to take her to the medical centre when we got back. Poor thing got her elbow slammed in the car door.”

  Christine took a breath. Even when she wasn’t here Ketty demanded attention.

  “You do look like your dad when you make that face. The family likeness is strong.” Josie locked her gaze on Christine.

  “Do I?” Christine smiled sweetly back. “People who know us always say I look like my mother.”

  “People say that about my sons but I think they’re clones of their father. I can never find any likeness to me.”

  Christine continued to smile through gritted teeth. “So, Dad said you are a divorcee?”

  “Yes. Not once but twice.” Josie waggled two fingers in the air and laughed.

  “That must have been a difficult time.”

  “Not once they’d settled me with their money.”

  Christine’s eyes widened.

  Josie laughed louder. “I’m joking.”

  Maybe, Christine thought, but interesting that she would raise the topic of money.

  “Actually your dad and I have been talking about investment property.”

  “Have you?”

  “He’s very knowledgeable about the market in Brisbane.”

  Very, Christine thought. She wondered who had brought it up, Josie or Bernard? She decided to change the subject. “Do you have grandchildren?”

  “No, and I’m not sure I ever will. Two of my sons are still single and the other and his partner are too busy for children.”

  “That’s a shame.” Christine caught sight of her dad approaching from over Josie’s shoulder. “Dad adores his.”

  Bernard came up behind Josie and slipped his arms around her waist. “What do I adore?”

  “Your grandchildren.” Josie leaned against him as he kissed her cheek. “As you should.”

  Christine did her best to keep her smile in place, when all she wanted to do was groan. Really, how old were they and behaving like young lovers? Once more she was reminded of her own lack of success in that department.

  “What is your surname?” she asked Josie.

  “For heaven’s sake, Christine.” Bernard frowned at her. “I hope you haven’t been quizzing Josie the whole time I’ve been gone.”

  “That’s all right, Bernie. It’s Keller.” Josie chuckled. “I’ve married a plain Brown and then a fancy Duponte but decided to make a clean break with the past and return to my maiden name. My three sons however have stuck with Brown. What else would you like to know?”

  “Where do you live?”

  “Really, Christine.” Bernard glared at her from his stool on the other side of Josie.

  “Brisbane.” Josie patted his knee. “Not all that far from your dad as it turns out.”

  “I see.” Christine didn’t like the sound of that at all.

  “And you’re in Melbourne?” Josie said. “Such a long way from Brisbane. Bernie said you don’t get up to see him all that often.”

  Christine glowered at the woman. Was she having a dig? “I work long hours and the children are busy with school and sport and music.” She pulled a tight smile and turned to her father. “He’s always welcome to come our way.”

  “You’re never home,” Bernard said.

  “Well, at least we’ll have some private catch-up time soon.” Christine smiled sassily at Josie. “Dad’s taking me to that nice restaurant at the front of the ship. Just the two of us. You understand, don’t you? We don’t see each other all that often and we haven’t had a proper catch-up since we came aboard.”

  “That’s lovely,” Josie said.

  “Tomorrow night.” Bernard squeezed Josie’s shoulder. “I haven’t told you because we only just organised it.”

  “That’s all right, Bernie. We’ll have other nights. And we have plenty more days to spend together. You should devote a few hours to your daughter.” Josie nestled closer to Bernard and gazed back at Christine with a smug smile.

  Christine stiffened. The bitch had all but made a declaration of war.

  “Leo’s coming.” Josie leaped to her feet and lifted her arm in a wave. “I hope he’s got good news. How’s Ketty?” she asked as soon as he reached them.

  “They don’t think the arm is broken but they’re going to X-ray it just in case. They took her into a cubicle and there was nothing more I could do.”

  “I hope she’ll be all right,” Josie said.

  “They gave her some painkillers. She’s in good hands.” Leo gave his sister a nudge. “And the doctor said your first aid was well done. I’ll go down again before I get changed for dinner and see how she is.”

  “It’s so nice to see you two getting to know each other again,” Josie said.

  Christine straightened on her stool, remembering at the last second to wince. “Again?”

  Leo turned the full force of his charming gaze on her. “Ketty and I, or Kathy as I knew her, were friends in our younger days. We lost touch and then, here we are, meeting up again on this cruise.”

  Christine did recall something being said the first night Leo and Josie had turned up for dinner. “Were you close?”

  He cleared his throat. “We were both interested in the jazz scene at the time.”

  “You were getting along well at the waterfall this afternoon,” Josie said. “I think it’s so romantic.”

  “Leave the man alone, you women.” Bernard clapped a hand on Leo’s shoulder. “You look like you could do with a drink. A beer?”

  “I’ll have a martini, thanks Bernard.”

  Christine’s eyes narrowed. Leo’s response had been more a command than a request and her father obliged. There was quite a difference in price between a beer and a martini. She eased herself from her chair and put a hand to her back.

  “How are you feeling, Princess?” her father asked.

  “I’m starting to fade. I think I’ll go back to my room and stretch out before dinner. Too much sitting seems to make it worse. Frank and I were thinking we’d grab a quick bite in the buffet tonight and turn in early.” They hadn’t actually discussed it but Christine was fed up with vying for attention from her father. She’d pinned him down to dinner tomorrow night so tonight she was determined to seduce her husband.

  “Take care.” Josie slipped her arm casually through Bernard’s.

  “Yes, take it easy, Princess. See you tomorrow then.”

  Before she’d had a chance to turn away, the three of them had dismissed her and were discussing Ketty. That busybody of a woman stole the limelight even when she wasn’t there. Christine walked carefully towards the lifts in case one of them did bother to watch her. She was actually going to go to the dress boutique as soon as the ship left port but she hadn’t mentioned that. At least she’d found out some information about Josie. With a bit more digging she’d find her weak spot like she had with Bernard’s previous women.

  Twenty

  Night Five – At Sea

  Jim leaned over the rail of the smaller front deck intent on watching the men on shore cast off the ship’s ropes. He was bemused by the whole process. The three men hefting the thick ropes that held the ship to the shore were casually dressed in t-shirts, shorts and thongs. Not a fluoro vest in sight or boots of any description. Beyond them families gathered outside the fence to watch and wave as the ropes were cast aside and farewells were calle
d, echoing from the vegetation-covered cliff behind, and the ship swung away from the wharf.

  The door behind him opened and Celia stepped out. He hadn’t been sure if she’d come.

  She’d changed into a long red shirt over white pants and the gentle scent of a sweet perfume wafted with her arrival. She smiled and Jim brightened in response. He offered the glass of wine he’d been holding in his left hand. “I got you a drink but it might be a bit warm now. You don’t have to have it. I wasn’t sure what you’d feel like.”

  “That’s very kind of you. Wine’s perfect, thank you.”

  Celia took the glass and he held his beer towards her.

  “Cheers,” he said. “Happy cruising.”

  She tapped the glass against the neck of his bottle and took a sip. She sighed. “That’s good. Just what I felt like.”

  “I’m glad.” Jim took a sip of his beer and realised he meant it.

  “Look at that view.” Celia was watching the port as the ship slowly swung out to turn its nose to the sea. “It’s a beautiful place. I’d love to come back again.”

  “And swim?”

  “Don’t remind me.”

  They both grinned and leaned on the rail, silently enjoying the changing vista until they were past the islands and moving towards the golden rays of the setting sun and the open sea.

  Jim took his phone from his pocket and snapped a picture. He hadn’t taken many but the sunset over the water was certainly noteworthy. He needed a few more snaps to show Tammy when he got home.

  “Oh, I forgot to tell you,” Celia said. “I ran into Christine on the way here. It seems she’s done something to her back and is in a lot of pain but she also mentioned Ketty had been taken to the medical centre. Something about hurting her arm but Christine didn’t think it was bad.”

  “I wonder what happened?”

  “I thought I’d pop down to her room in a while to see if she’s there.” Celia looked out over the ocean. “She was so good to me the other night. I feel a little guilty.”

  “Why?”

  “I thought her a bit of a busybody to begin with. I was so caught up in…well, in my own problems, I thought her conversation too personal.”

  “We had a long chat this morning before you joined us. She’s not a widow but lives alone.”

  “I think she had an affair a long time ago and it’s burned her for life.”

  “From what she told me she’s moved on. I wish I had some of her self-determination.”

  “I for one think you’ve got it in spades.” Her look turned fearful. “I thought I was going to die today. I’d heard so much about how poisonous sea snakes were and not to go near one.” Her lips trembled and tears pooled in her eyes. “I was so scared.”

  Jim put out one arm and she fell against him. He felt the familiar prickle of panic begin in his chest. Jane had been scared too and he hadn’t been able to help her.

  Celia snuffled quietly against his shoulder. He held her stiffly, reminded of the days and weeks after Jane’s death; so many of her friends had sobbed in his arms. All he had felt was numb. Now he still had no idea what to do with a tearful woman.

  Celia straightened and stepped back. She brushed the tears from her cheeks with her fingers.

  “I’m sorry, Jim. I don’t know where that came from. I’ve had a bit happening lately, it must have all piled up.” She took a tissue from her pocket, blew her nose and glanced around. “Here I am making a fool of myself in public.”

  Jim glanced around too. There had been several others on the deck when he’d first come out but only one other couple had stayed on once they left port, and they were locked in each other’s arms on the opposite side. “It’s only me really,” he murmured. “I don’t think those two know we’re here.”

  Celia dabbed at her eyes and looked past him. “Probably not.”

  He was relieved to see her smile return.

  “It’s just that I keep mucking up. This cruise is not turning out at all how I imagined.”

  Jim felt the same. On the first day, once he knew he couldn’t escape, he thought he’d spend most of his time in his cabin. Now he discovered he was beginning to look for company. “Is that good or bad?”

  “Good in some ways, not so in others.” She huffed out a sigh and looked out to sea. “I’m avoiding Maude.”

  “You don’t enjoy her company?”

  “Oh yes…no…well, it’s not that I don’t enjoy her company, just not so much of it. I hadn’t realised how different we are. We’re partners at bowls and we have the odd meal out or coffee together back home. We get on all right there, but here she wants me to do what she’s arranged and that often includes Nigel and his other friends. I’m embarrassed by her open flirting with Pete. He’s a married man and his wife is on the cruise. It all leaves me feeling most uncomfortable. I don’t…at least I…oh, damn.” Her face contorted into a stricken look. “I’m sorry. I’ve said too much.”

  “I don’t mind. It might help you to speak with her later if you get it off your chest now.”

  Her face softened. “Thanks, Jim. You’re very kind but you don’t need to rescue me twice in one day.” She lifted her empty glass. “Would you like another drink? I feel I could do with one.”

  “Yes, I would.” Jim opened his mouth to say more, closed it again as she turned to the door. He pulled it open for her. “I was thinking I’d go to the early session of tonight’s theatre show,” he blurted. “Would you like to come?”

  “I would, yes.” She glanced at her watch. “That’s soon, isn’t it? I’d like to see how Ketty is first. Shall I meet you at the bar outside the theatre?”

  He nodded. “Let me take your glass.”

  “See you shortly.”

  Jim let the door close and went back to the rail. Beneath him the deck rose and fell gently as the ship met the swell of the ocean and the wind ruffled his hair. He watched as the last glow from the sun slipped into the water and was filled with a sense of anticipation. A feeling he hadn’t experienced in a long time. It was as if he was sailing towards something rather than away from it.

  Celia checked the names beside the doors as she walked along the corridor of the deck one level above hers. She knew approximately where Ketty’s room was but not the number. Up ahead a steward pushing a trolley draped with a cloth stopped at a door. He tapped and called out.

  “Room service, Miss Clift.”

  Celia smiled and strode ahead, arriving as Ketty opened the door. The older woman was wearing a deep purple silk robe and a garish blue sling kept her arm to her chest. She looked elegant even with her injury.

  “I’ve arrived with the food,” Celia said.

  The waiter gave them both a big smile and Celia followed him into the cabin. He wheeled the trolley skilfully past the bed and into the space beside the desk.

  “Don’t worry about setting it out,” Ketty said as the man began to lay out cutlery. “I’ll manage.”

  “Just call us if you need anything at all, Miss Clift,” the steward said as he made for the door.

  “I will, thank you.” Ketty smiled at him. “You’ve all been very kind.”

  Celia waited for him to let himself out then she turned to Ketty. “How are you?”

  “I’m fine.” Ketty sat on the bed and waved Celia to the chair.

  “What happened?”

  “My arm got caught in the car door as we were about to head back to the ship.”

  “Did it do much damage?”

  “Not broken, thank goodness. Just a bit sore and sorry for myself. Bit like you the other night.”

  “Don’t remind me.” Celia put her hand to her cheek. “It’s enough I have to see the bruise every time I look in the mirror.”

  “It’s certainly spread and got darker. You should ask Josie to help cover it up if it bothers you. She’s a whiz with make-up.”

  “I might if it gets any worse. How does your arm feel?”

  “They gave me some pain relief so I’m quite comf
ortable. I’m sure I’ll be a hundred per cent again by morning.”

  “You’re so strong, Ketty.”

  The older woman studied her intently. “So are you.”

  “I went to pieces today.”

  “I would have too if it had been me with a snake at my back.”

  A shiver wriggled down Celia’s spine at the memory. They lapsed into silence.

  “I should go,” she said. “I don’t want your dinner to go cold.”

  “It’s only a salad.”

  Celia glanced at the tray loaded with several lidded plates. “There are a lot of dishes for a salad.”

  “They sent me some extras in case I got hungry later.” Ketty straightened out the lids. “And some cake. I thought I’d give myself a treat.”

  “Good idea.” Celia stood up. “I’m meeting Jim for the show.”

  “I’m glad.” She paused, looking steadily up at Celia. “Say hello from me and tell him I’m fine.”

  “I will.” Celia turned away, relieved to be released from Ketty’s scrutiny.

  The older woman stood and moved to the door ahead of her blocking her way.

  “How’s it going with Maude and Nigel?”

  “I’ve spoken with Nigel. He took it rather well I think, so that’s a relief.” She wrinkled her nose. “But I haven’t had a chance to have a private word with Maude yet.”

  “You’ll feel so much better once you’ve done it.” Ketty placed her hand on Celia’s arm and gave it a little squeeze. “Be firm and make it clear what you’d like to do. This is your holiday as well as hers. Just imagine I’m on your shoulder as you talk.”

  “Hmmm,” Celia said. “There’s an interesting thought. Between you and Jim I’ve had lots of moral support.”

  Ketty looked her steadily in the eye again. “I’m glad you and Jim are getting along.”