Table For Eight

by Tricia Stringer

  Everyone had exclaimed in delight when Celia had stepped out of the bathroom. Now Ketty had gone back to painting Maude’s toenails – Maude had wanted them done after she’d admired the shimmering gold on her fingernails – and Josie was brushing up Christine’s hair. Celia stole another look at herself side-on in the mirror. The periwinkle dress glistened as if it had its own party lights. It fitted her snugly to the waist where it flared slightly and hung in soft folds. She was used to the lower neckline now, which was studded with diamantés and showed just a small amount of cleavage. She wore no jewellery except a pair of sparkling earrings dangling from her ears.

  “Sometimes less is more,” Ketty had murmured in her ear when she’d first put the earrings on and they’d both glanced at Maude, who once again sported her sequined gold dress but this time she’d added several pieces of Ketty’s jewellery to her outfit.

  Celia was happy with what she saw in the mirror. Josie had totally concealed the remnants of the bruise and fluffed her hair out so it had more bulk around her face. Celia thought she looked younger than the woman she’d seen in the mirror at the start of the cruise.

  Ketty came to stand beside her, smiling. “You look…”

  “Like a celebrity?” Celia cringed at the memory of her early days aboard when she’d been practising her moves in the bathroom. Thank goodness Ketty didn’t know about that.

  Maude began to laugh from her seat on the edge of Ketty’s bed, her feet stretched out drying the polish. “You called yourself that one night. I think you must have been talking in your sleep but you were almost singing it out. Celebrity Celia. You said it several times.” Maude’s stuttering cackle faded as she turned her attention back to a second container of earrings Ketty had dug out.

  Celia felt the heat in her cheeks.

  Ketty met her gaze in the mirror. “I think enchanting a much better description,” she murmured.

  “I wish we lived closer, Ketty. I’d love to visit your shop.”

  “Do you shop online?” Josie asked. “Ketty has a website.”

  “Oh, it’s terrible and not set up for online shopping,” Ketty said.

  “Your website is very good,” Josie said. “Leo was looking at it. He was impressed so I took a look too.”

  Ketty frowned. “He did say something about it.”

  “Where did I put my phone?” Josie glanced around. “I don’t have the ship’s wi-fi but I took advantage of the free connection while we were ashore. I snapped some screen shots of a dress I liked. I was going to ask you if you could make it in another fabric. I’d forgotten about it.”

  She plucked her phone from among her make-up then began to scroll. “There.” She held the phone out to Ketty, who had put on her glasses.

  “For goodness sake,” Ketty exclaimed then she laughed. “I certainly recognise the fabric.” She peered closer.

  Celia looked over her shoulder. The dummy in the picture wore a loose-fitting dress in a bright paisley-patterned fabric with a band of contrast colour across the bottom. Maude and Christine squeezed in for a look too.

  “The fabric’s a bit out there, isn’t it?” Christine said.

  “Mmm,” Celia said. “But I agree with Josie, I like the style.”

  “I’d look like a bag of lollies in something like that,” Maude said.

  Josie took back her phone. “I was surprised. I know your shop has lots of one-offs but I didn’t think you had an actual line of ready-made, Ketty.”

  “I don’t.” Ketty’s face was a picture of puzzlement.

  Josie selected another screen and enlarged the picture. “It says easy wash-and-wear dresses to suit travellers. Buy in store or online.”

  She held out the phone for Ketty again.

  “Well, I never.” Ketty shook her head. “That fabric was bought in error. I didn’t have a clue what I was going to do with it but it’s certainly easy wash-and-wear, and it looks like my ladies have turned it in to a new fashion line.” She looked up, her lips lifted in a smile. “And my young assistant, Lacey, has been true to her word and come up with a new website. And…an online shop! She was talking about it before I left but…” She glanced back at the phone again. “I can’t believe what an impressive job she’s done.”

  “Looks like your staff have been busy while you’ve been away.”

  “It does indeed.”

  Ketty hung the last of her dresses back in the wardrobe and Josie had packed up her make-up. Apart from the fairy lights and scattered scarves and jewellery her cabin was almost back to normal. She was a little saddened by that. This could well be her last cruise and so the last time she hosted one of her cabin makeover sessions. They had given her so many happy memories.

  Tonight was not the time for backward glances. Not that she allowed herself too many of those but this cruise had certainly conjured up a large number.

  Ketty glanced at her watch. “Nearly time to meet the men for drinks,’ she said. “How’s that hairdo coming along, Josie?”

  “One more pin and we’re done.” Josie poked a clip into Christine’s hair and the younger woman turned so they could all see.

  There were delighted comments from everyone. Ketty squeezed her hands together in pleasure. Brooding Christine had been replaced. Her hairstyle gave her elegance and the soft make-up, not so thick around the eyes, made them look larger, bringing out the chocolate brown. She was glamorous, radiant even.

  “You’re sure this dress is all right?” Christine asked as she stood and tugged at the skimpy neckline. “It’s the one I bought in the boutique but I didn’t realise how much boob shows.”

  “You look perfectly lovely but may I make a suggestion?” Ketty plucked something from the bed and went to Christine. She swept the black lace wrap around Christine’s shoulders and pinned it in place with a small diamanté brooch, then she stepped back.

  “I remember this.” Josie lifted a corner of the wrap.

  “So do I.” Celia had a faraway look in her eye.

  “It suits Christine so well, don’t you think?” Ketty said pointedly and they both agreed. She smiled at Christine. “Still showing off your creamy shoulders and the perfect amount of cleavage. I always think the trick is to hint at the beautiful bosom below, not bare it for the whole world to see.”

  Christine looked back at the mirror. “I feel like Cinderella.”

  “So do I.” Celia sashayed from side to side, her dress swishing with her. “This has been so much fun,” she said.

  “Yes, thanks for having us, Ketty.” Maude’s smile was wide. “It’s been all right doing this girlie stuff.”

  “It has,” Josie said. “Last time I did this with Ketty there were only three of us but we managed to laugh and drink our way through a pleasant afternoon. What was the other woman’s name?”

  “Mary,” Ketty said.

  “She was interesting. She took two cruises every year. Used to take the odd cruise with her husband and after he died she decided to do it more often. I wonder how she is?”

  “Mary’s well,” Ketty said. “We drop each other a line from time to time. She sent me a postcard from the Mediterranean this year.”

  “We should do that,” Celia said.

  “I’d be in for a Mediterranean cruise,” Maude said.

  “It would be nice.” Celia’s response held a hint of hesitation. “But I meant we should keep in touch. You and I will of course, Maude, but we should all swap email addresses.”

  “I’m not much of a user of email,” Ketty said. “Mostly it’s only for work.”

  “I think you might have to improve,” Josie said. “And I think your young assistant…what’s her name?”

  “Lacey.”

  Maude gave a snort. “Did you make that up?”

  Ketty shook her head.

  “I think Lacey will be the one to help you with that,” Josie continued.

  “Perhaps you’re right.” Ketty still hadn’t had her appointment at the internet cafe. After seeing the glimpses of her sit
e on Josie’s phone she was keen to find out more.

  “What are you wearing, Ketty?” Celia asked. “You’re the only one not changed.”

  “I thought I’d wear my red shantung tonight with the wide neck and buttons at the back. It’s part of my Jackie O–inspired collection and I haven’t worn it yet.”

  “Come on then,” Josie picked up her make-up case. “I’ll take this to my room and come back.”

  “I have to make sure Frank’s found the right clothes,” Christine said.

  Celia linked arms with Maude. “We’ll meet you down there. Maude and I are off to have our photo taken together.” She glanced at each of them. “We should have a group photo. A memento of our girls’ makeover day.”

  “Great idea,” Josie said.

  The door shut on them and Ketty paused for the briefest moment. The sparkle of friendship and good times lingered on, a warm presence in her room.

  She reached back with her good arm and slid the zip part way down her back then lifted the hem of her dress. She got it over her head, her injured arm still a little awkward since it didn’t go as high as the other, and felt a sharp tug in her hair.

  “Blast,” she muttered. The zip had caught.

  There was a light tap on her door. “Ketty.”

  With relief at the sound of Josie’s voice, Ketty managed to lower her hand enough to open the door.

  Josie stepped in. “What on earth are you doing?”

  “The blasted zip has caught my hair.”

  She felt Josie’s hands at work and then the sweet release of the zip and the dress was over her head and off.

  “Thank goodness you came back. I thought I was going to lose a chunk of my hair.” Ketty rubbed at the spot on her head.

  Josie gave her a weak smile.

  “Is something wrong?”

  “No…it’s…well, your stomach.”

  Ketty looked down. Her favourite French knickers had slid a little in all the kerfuffle and revealed the unsightly scar that went from one side of her abdomen to the other. She quickly pulled her underwear back into place and stepped into her dress.

  “I’ll need your help with the buttons as well.” She turned her back to Josie and felt her fingers go to work.

  “Is that from the hysterectomy?” Josie’s voice was so soft it was almost lost in the hum of the air conditioner.

  “Yes.”

  “I’m so sorry, Ketty.”

  “Why? It’s not your fault. Not anyone’s. The doctors did what they had to do, to save my life. I grieved for a long time then I knew I had to get on with living. That scar reminds me every day how lucky I am to be here.”

  Two hands gripped her shoulders and turned her towards the mirror where Josie’s look was one of admiration.

  “You are one amazing woman, Ketty Clift,” she said.

  Ketty swallowed the lump in her throat. She didn’t feel amazing. She felt quite ordinary. She’d had to learn to deal with that scar and she had. “Nonsense.” Ketty patted one of Josie’s hands then slipped away. “We all just do what we can.”

  “I am sorry though,” Josie said. “Leo says he’s coming to dinner tonight and he hasn’t had the chance to talk to you alone first. He badly wants to apologise.”

  “He must come. He’s your brother and he’s part of our table.” Ketty found she didn’t mind if he was there or not. “But perhaps I won’t sit next to him.”

  Josie smiled. “Of course not. Thank you for being so gracious. He doesn’t deserve it but I’m sure he’ll make it up to you before the cruise is over.”

  Ketty preferred not to think about that. She glanced at her watch. There was something she wanted to do before dinner. “I’d love your help with make-up please, Josie.”

  “I’ve taken my case away.”

  “Let’s make do with what I’ve got.” Ketty sat herself in front of the mirror.

  Josie was soon absorbed in her work, leaving Ketty to reflect. In her younger days the scar had been the reminder of no more children and had been like a flashing neon sign saying ‘barren woman’ to any man she’d become intimate with. The first man after Leo, she’d thought, could have possibly replaced the hurt in her heart, but he’d badly wanted his own children. It had driven them apart. Later it was of no consequence, as she chose partners who were simply relieved there was no possibility of children, and while she’d been happy, she’d liked none of them enough to make a permanent commitment. Now she realised she’d never let them get close enough. Meeting Leo again had been revealing. His actions, along with the information Celia had shared earlier in the day out on the balcony, had destroyed the myth Ketty had created. Now he’d been knocked firmly from the lofty heights where she’d enshrined his memory. Tonight at dinner he would be simply another diner at her table for eight.

  “There.”

  Ketty opened her eyes and studied her reflection. “Thank you.”

  She saw a woman of mature years who looked like she was ready for a night out. She stood up. But before she joined the others she was hopeful the young man at the internet cafe would have time to give her some help.

  Thirty-eight

  Night Eight – At Sea

  “I’m sorry we weren’t seated together over dinner.”

  “Leo.” Ketty turned in surprise at the sound of his voice. She glanced around the atrium and saw no one else she knew. “I’ve said my goodnights, as you know. I’m heading off to my room.”

  “Couldn’t we have one final drink together?” He put a firm hand on her arm. “Please Kathy. I need to apologise.”

  It was the last thing she wanted to do but Josie had said he badly wanted to make amends. She didn’t want to talk to him at all but to refuse would be churlish. “Just for a few minutes.”

  They took the curved marble stairs. Leo offered his arm but Ketty preferred to hold the polished rail as they ascended. From a podium beside the bar two men, one on piano and one on sax, played jazz music and a young woman in a sparkling dress sang. Ketty sighed. Of all nights and places it would be jazz.

  “Remember this song?” Leo murmured in her ear.

  “‘How High the Moon’.” Of course she remembered it. So many times she’d been in his arms when it was played and so many times she’d wished she still was, whenever she’d heard it since. But not tonight.

  Leo sang softly along with the words.

  They’d reached the top of the stairs and a waiter greeted them. “I’ll have a Scotch on the rocks, thank you.” Ketty showed her card.

  “I can get it, Kathy.”

  “Thank you, Leo, but I pay my own way.” She nodded at the waiter and moved to take a seat, making sure she had a single chair rather than one of the cosy couches available.

  She sat and watched as Leo spoke to the waiter and she saw him hold his card out. After her day spa treatment this morning she’d visited one of the self-serve passenger stations and printed a copy of her onboard expenses so far. It had surprised her to notice that whenever she and Leo had been together for drinks she had ended up with most of them on her bill. He had paid for very little since their first pre-dinner drink together.

  “Are you sure you wouldn’t prefer the couch?” Leo looked down at her, the charm of his smile completely lost on her now.

  “I’m fine here,” she said.

  He gave the slightest shrug of his shoulders and took the closest chair to hers.

  “Kathy, I’m sorry.”

  He looked at her expectantly but she gave him no response.

  “Josie pointed out that I may have appeared uncaring.”

  Still Ketty remained silent.

  “It was a shock to have you fling all that information at me in the cafe. It took me by surprise.”

  “I’m sure it did, Leo.”

  “I really am sorry you’ve had such a tough life, Kathy, but mine hasn’t been easy either.”

  The waiter arrived with their drinks. Ketty took a hasty gulp fearing she might scream if she didn’t have something else
to distract her.

  Leo raised his whisky tumbler in her direction. “To us, Kathy.”

  She put her glass carefully back on the table and sat up straight. “There is no us, Leo.”

  “We can put the past behind us and start again. I’d move to Sydney, I can help with your business.” He leaned in. “We’d be good together.”

  Ketty shook her head. He was confident even now. How had she been so blind?

  “What would you be bringing to this…” She rolled her hands. “Arrangement?”

  “Myself, my expertise. I find myself starting all over again financially as I said, but I’ll be back on my feet soon.”

  “How exactly?”

  “Investments. I know where the smart money is.”

  “And whose money would you be investing?”

  His looked away, took a sip of his drink then licked his lips. “Yours to begin with but—”

  She put up her hand. “Please stop, Leo. I know about your previous investments, as you call them.” She’d been late for the pre-dinner drinks because she’d been at the internet cafe. The assistant there had been very helpful. He’d found her website straight away and left her to scroll through. The opening page had left her awe-struck. It was a photograph of the front room of the shop and she’d had to look closely to recognise it. There were now only two racks, ranging along the internal wall. The front rack held a few gowns and day dresses, the colours graded. The second rack was harder to see but she recognised the bright patterned fabric of the front dress. Instead of the centre rack there was one shop model, draped in palest peach chiffon and silk. Even though the pictures were small, she immediately recognised the beauty that the changes to the space had brought. She should have decluttered years ago for this more svelte look. A few clicks on the other pages revealed some of the dresses Josie had shown her. She’d been delighted and humbled by the new web presence Lacey and her friend had achieved. Sadly she hadn’t had time to dwell on that. She’d gone on to do a different search.

  During the makeover afternoon when they’d had a few minutes on the balcony alone, Celia had told her how Jim had thought he’d remembered Leo and had done some internet searching while they’d been in Noumea. It had been all over the media in South Australia a year ago but perhaps not so prominent everywhere else. Christine had been right. It wasn’t difficult to find information on the internet.