Table For Eight

by Tricia Stringer

  “What do you think about this place?” Frank interrupted her thoughts.

  Christine dragged her gaze to the iPad screen. “It’s a house.”

  “It’s got four bedrooms, a study, two-car garage and a pool.”

  “Why are you showing me?”

  “It’s in our price range and close to my new work.”

  She glanced from the screen to Frank. He looked so pleased she chose her words carefully. “I thought we’d agreed to stay where we are?”

  Frank put the iPad on the seat between them and took both her hands in his. “I’ve emailed my application, Chrissie. I really want this job.”

  She swallowed her annoyance and tried to smile. “If you get the job, we don’t have to move. I told you Dad will fund the renovations.”

  Frank squeezed her hands gently and jiggled them up and down in his. “And I told you I’m not accepting any more money from Bernie. We don’t need his help.”

  “Let’s not worry about it now.” Christine felt the low burn of anger in her belly but she congratulated herself in keeping her voice casual. “I think it’s time we went back to the ship. I fancy a spa.” She leaned in and brushed her lips across his cheek.

  Frank’s eyes widened and before she could move away he kissed her, his lips warm and urgent against hers. “Good idea.” His words were almost a groan.

  She smiled as she stood and slipped her hand into his. “Let’s go.”

  Bernard raised his glass to Josie’s. “Cheers.”

  They both took a sip of their champagne cocktails and Bernard glanced around. The late afternoon sun shone through a gap in the clouds and reflected off the pool. The splashing of swimmers and chatting from others stretched out on sun lounges on the deck below them was obscured by the lively music coming from the speakers. He’d picked this spot on an upper deck out of sight of the general crowd in the hope that, while they were a little out of the way, there was also enough noise for them not to be overheard. He’d wanted to take Josie to his balcony but by the time they’d walked back to the terminal and caught the bus back to the ship, she’d lost patience with him and demanded he say what he needed to say.

  “So?” Josie placed her glass firmly on the table between them, sat back and folded her arms. “Tell me what’s going on.”

  She was still cross with him. He just hoped she’d be prepared to hear him out.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t find you last night and again this morning.”

  “You’ve apologised several times already, Bernie. Get to the point.”

  He took another quick sip of his drink. “Dinner with Christine last night was quite a revelation.”

  She gave a slight shake of her head but she said nothing.

  “I have to go back in time to explain. Christine was our only child and…we…I treated her like a princess. She took her mother’s death badly. She was only twenty when Della died. Still at uni. It was a terrible time for her.”

  “For both of you, I’m sure.”

  He nodded. “I loved my wife but I was so lonely. I began looking for someone to fill the void in my life, someone to replace what I had with Della. I met Gloria and she was just what I needed. I sold the house and bought another so I could make a fresh start. When I look back maybe it was too soon for Christine. She hated Gloria, made her life miserable when I wasn’t around. Gloria suggested we move to Brisbane. That was a few years on and Chrissie was living with Frank by then. They were engaged and bought their house. I had acquired some investment properties in Brisbane so I sold up again and moved, but when we got there our relationship waned. I thought maybe Chrissie had been right.”

  “Right about what?”

  “She’d said Gloria didn’t love me and was only after my money.”

  “How to boost a man’s ego.” Josie gave a wry smile. “And was that true?”

  Bernard shook his head. “Gloria had been doing it tough when I met her. I knew that. I didn’t mind looking after her financially. When we eventually parted I thought the relationship had run its course and it was because we were wanting to go in different directions. What I hadn’t realised until years later was Chrissie had been meddling. She’d chipped away at poor Gloria’s confidence until she’d had enough. Our break-up had nothing to do with finances.”

  “Do you think Christine’s behaviour is purely about the money?”

  “A few days ago I would have said no but now…” Bernard felt the hurt all over again for his daughter’s scheming and callous behaviour.

  “Perhaps she’s being protective of you.”

  “She takes it too far.”

  “I agree but I have to warn you, I have three sons you haven’t met yet. I can assure you if we continue to see each other they’ll want to meet you, check your intentions.”

  Bernard reached for her hand and was relieved she let him put it to his lips. “I look forward to it.”

  Josie continued to regard him with a serious look. “I’m not prepared to show Christine my financials but I am more than capable of looking after myself in that department. She can rest assured I don’t want you for your money, Bernie.”

  He lowered her hand to the table. “I’m afraid there’s more to it than that.”

  Once more Josie’s gaze met his but she no longer held her jaw rigid as she had when they’d first sat down. She took the strawberry from the top of her glass and paused with it halfway to her lips.

  “Go on,” she said.

  Christine stepped away from the rail and her view of the layers of decks below and made her way slowly back to the interior doors. There was a sick feeling in her stomach and an ache in her chest. She’d been watching her father and Josie together. She had come looking for her father in the hope of catching him alone and had discovered them seated further along the deck. She’d stopped, leaned on the rail as if watching the people below but kept her eyes on her father and his girlfriend. Their backs were slightly turned to her but they were so intent on each other they hadn’t once glanced up.

  The warm glow that had enveloped her when she’d left her cabin, where she and Frank had finally consummated their holiday, dissipated.

  Ketty opened her eyes and took a minute to remember where she was. Slowly she sat up from her bed and looked towards the window. A dull half-light filtered through the sheer curtains. The sun must have recently set. She reached for her watch. She’d been tired after she’d returned from her trip ashore, exhausted from the emotion of the talk with Leo and Josie, and had planned to eat in her room.

  Now she felt well rested and the thought of eating alone in her cabin no longer held its appeal. It was her birthday after all, even if the only other person aboard who knew was Carlos. She glanced at her watch again. There was still an hour until dinner and more than enough time to shower and change. She sat on the edge of the bed a moment and wondered how she would deal with being seated at the same table as Leo after today’s disclosures.

  But there were more people than Leo at her table and she wanted to see them all, hear about their day. She’d grown fond of them all, except maybe Christine. That poor woman made herself difficult to like. Nonetheless Ketty had to keep trying. She lowered her feet to the floor and crossed the room to her wardrobe. Company would be the best thing for her tonight.

  Thirty-two

  Night Seven – At Sea

  Carlos wasn’t at the door when Ketty arrived a little late to the dining room. She glanced around and saw him at a distant table. She smiled as she watched him discussing something with great enthusiasm, his hands dancing in the air. It was strange to think that she should regard him as a constant in her life. She would miss Carlos and their catch-ups, no matter how irregular they’d been over the years.

  She moved on, making her way to the table, and only hesitated briefly when she saw Christine and Frank already seated, Christine in Ketty’s preferred place at the other end of the table.

  “Good evening, Ketty.” Christine beamed at her.

  She fel
t a little chill slither down her spine. The other woman’s look was meaningful, almost malevolent.

  “Hello.” Ketty looked from Christine to Frank, whose smile was welcoming as usual.

  Ketty chose to sit beside him. She pulled her shoulders back as Phillip placed her napkin across her lap.

  “Gin and tonic, Miss Clift?”

  “Thank you, Phillip.” She smiled up at him.

  “Hello everyone.” Celia’s greeting was effusive.

  She sat next to Ketty with Jim on her other side. Phillip had just organised them when Bernard arrived with Josie on his arm.

  “Good evening, all.” Bernard glanced around the table.

  There were murmurs of greeting from everyone except Christine who was glaring at Josie, looking as if she’d swallowed something unpalatable. Bernard barely acknowledged his daughter. Josie was the one to take a seat next to Christine.

  “Is it our turn to buy the wine?” Frank asked. “I’ve lost track.”

  “We’ve had a turn.” Christine’s tone was dismissive.

  “Must be me,” Josie said.

  Ketty saw the look she gave to Bernard. Whatever had been bothering them must be sorted and yet, as the drinks were ordered, Ketty felt tension in the air. Perhaps it was just her. She glanced at the one remaining empty chair and wondered if she wasn’t projecting her own feelings regarding Leo’s arrival but she pushed that thought aside. Bernard told Phillip a joke and soon the cheeky waiter had everyone smiling. Except for Christine.

  Ketty noticed her narrowed gaze was fixed on Josie. A chill settled on Ketty. Something was turning in Christine’s brain and she had the feeling it wasn’t pleasantries.

  “That’s a beautiful bracelet.” Christine wiggled a finger towards Josie’s wrist. “Is it new?”

  “Thank you. Yes it is.”

  Josie clasped her hands together on the edge of the table. The bracelet was gold with several different coloured stones that sparkled as they caught the light when she moved.

  “Did it come from the boutique on board?” Christine asked.

  “Yes.” Josie smiled at Bernard. “Your father—”

  “Good heavens, Dad,” Christine cut in. “We looked at those. They were very expensive.”

  This time Ketty saw the flash in Josie’s eyes as she turned to Christine. “I was going to say your father kindly helped me pick it out. My sons gave me some money to buy something special for my birthday and I treated myself with the difference.”

  “A beautiful bracelet for a beautiful lady.” Bernard gave Josie a dreamy look.

  Ketty was surprised how much she was reminded of Leo. They were not dissimilar. Both good-looking men, although Leo had not been the flirt that Bernard liked to be. He’d seduced her with much more subtlety…Oh damn! She wasn’t as comfortable with her feelings as she’d thought. Here she was thinking of Leo when she’d believed she’d firmly put him to rest. She glanced around but there was no sign of him heading their way.

  “It certainly is very pretty,” Celia said. “Is your birthday during the cruise? They seem to be singing someone ‘Happy Birthday’ every night here.”

  “No, it was a few months back,” Josie said. “My boys were very generous.”

  The conversation halted as the waiters arrived with their drinks.

  “Here’s to you all, my dears.” Bernard raised his glass of red to a chorus of cheers from around the table. “I don’t believe Leo is joining us tonight so we can order.”

  Ketty glanced down at her menu but not before she saw the gentle smile Josie sent her way. Perhaps it would be easier if he wasn’t here, for tonight at least.

  Over dinner the talk flowed as they shared what they’d all done in Noumea. No one wanted sweets but Bernard ordered another bottle of champagne and one of the red wine. Ketty noticed Christine had changed to red during the main meal, downing two glasses and was back on the champagne again now despite her husband’s concerned look.

  The younger woman had gone quiet since the dessert menus had been whisked away. Ketty had also noticed Frank’s arm was draped around his wife’s shoulders between courses or his hand was on hers. They were both being more tactile than she’d seen them before. Josie and Bernard appeared to be back on track. She was also pleased that Celia and Jim were more relaxed tonight as well. Ketty hoped the cruise was finally working its magic on all of them. Her thoughts strayed again to Leo.

  “Tonight’s show is supposed to be good,” Celia said. “Is anyone going?”

  “I’d like to.” Jim smiled at her.

  “Look at you two,” Christine said. “What could have put a smile on your faces, I wonder?” She waved her glass in the air.

  Ketty felt a sense of foreboding.

  Christine swirled her glass so the contents swished precariously close to the top. “Let’s see, maybe spending the night together must have done it.”

  Celia gasped. She glanced from Jim to Ketty then looked down at her lap. Her cheeks glowed red.

  Jim stiffened. “Why would you take delight in besmirching Celia’s reputation?”

  “Why worry about reputations at your age?” Christine raised her glass. “You two should go for it. That’s what Dad would say, wouldn’t you, Dad?”

  Bernard stared at his daughter, giving the slightest shake of his head. No one spoke.

  “Mum wasn’t even gone twelve months before he moved someone into her bed.”

  “Chrissie.” Frank put a hand on her arm but she ignored it.

  She shifted her look from her father back to Josie. “You want to watch out. He’ll be looking for a new model before long.”

  “I think you’ve said enough.” Josie shot back. “You’re embarrassing everyone along with yourself.”

  “Not you, I’m sure. You’re as tough as they come.” The spite in her words bit hard. “Taking your last husband to court for everything he was worth.”

  Josie’s eyes narrowed. “You know nothing about it.”

  “Oh, but I do. It’s amazing what you can find on the internet.” Christine leaned forward, staring at her father. “She took him to the cleaners, Dad. You’d better be careful.”

  “What’s got into you, Chrissie?” Frank’s shocked tone mirrored the faces around the table.

  “Lighten up, all of you.” She took another big mouthful of champagne. “I just think you should all be honest. You’re all keeping secrets, pretending to be people you’re not.”

  Josie’s eyes flashed with anger. “You’d best be very careful.”

  “Or what?” Christine laughed. It was a hollow sound. She peered at her empty glass and Phillip promptly refilled it.

  “Please, Christine.” Frank tried to stop her from drinking more but she pulled away from him.

  “They all think they’re better than us, Frank, but none of them are that special.”

  “What are you talking about?” Bernard’s tone was tinged with anger.

  Ketty watched as Christine’s dark eyes flicked from her father to Josie and then came to settle on her. She knew as certain as night turned to day that she was next on Christine’s hit list.

  “I think we should all call it a night,” Ketty said.

  There was a glint in Christine’s eyes. “Ah yes, the lonely busybody. I wondered how long it would take for you to stick your nose in. I thought you minded other people’s business because you had none of your own but that’s not true is it, Ms Clift?”

  Ketty held her gaze knowing there was nothing she could do to stop Christine now.

  “It seems our sweet Ketty is not so sweet after all.”

  “Chrissie.” Frank’s warning fell on deaf ears.

  “She had an affair with our missing table-mate. Where is your Leo tonight? Don’t tell me you’ve had a falling out after rekindling your affair. Although now that he’s no longer married I suppose it’s technically not an affair.”

  Ketty felt the combined scrutiny of the rest of the table shift to her but she didn’t look away from Christine�
�s triumphant smile. She lifted her chin. “I’m sorry you feel the need to share conversation that was not meant for your ears.”

  “What’s this all about, Princess?” Bernard asked.

  “Ha,” Josie spat. “The perfect title. How dare you smear Ketty and Leo? But it’s what you’re good at isn’t it – making up stories about other people. You always have to be the centre of attention—”

  “You bitch.” Christine flung the remaining contents of her glass. The pale liquid splashed down Josie’s white silk shirt.

  There was the tiniest pause then the gasps and exclamations all came at once. Ketty saw it all implode around the table as if she was watching a stage show. Josie rose to her feet. Bernard quickly did the same, putting a protective arm around her. Phillip appeared with a cloth. While they were all talking at once and the commotion centred on Christine and Josie, Ketty quietly slipped away.

  “Good evening, everyone. Is everything all right?”

  Celia looked up to see the maître d’ standing at the end of the table, his hands resting on the back of a chair. His question was dropped lightly but his face was serious. She glanced around at the others. They had all turned their attention to him, even Christine.

  Phillip fussed around them, straightening cutlery, picking up napkins that had slipped in the ruckus.

  “Bit of an accident with the champagne,” Frank offered.

  The maître d’ turned his steely stare on Phillip who ducked his head.

  “It wasn’t Phillip’s fault,” Celia said and attracted a glare from Christine.

  “Where is Miss Clift?” Carlos asked.