by Pam Rhodes
“Captain Johannson!”
Neil immediately recognized the voice cutting across their conversation, heralding the arrival of Carole.
“How kind of you to invite us! I am Carole Swinton, Director of Music at St Jude’s Church in Burntacre, and this is my husband Garry, Chairman of the Parish Council.”
Releasing his hand from Iris’s grasp, the captain greeted the newcomers politely. Neil and his group watched as Carole gushed and Garry launched into some detailed explanation with the bemused captain, who found himself gently but definitely led away into their private conversation.
“Hors d’oeuvres?” An immaculately tailored waiter offered a plate of colourful bite-size treats. Iris’s varnished fingernails hovered for several seconds before she made her choice.
“These nibbles are nice, Daisy,” said Brig, who, as an old naval man, had also been invited to the gathering. “Shall I pick up one or two for you?”
“I’d like to choose my own, thank you.”
“Did you ever go to sea?” Brig asked, turning to Arthur, who hadn’t let the fact he was in his wheelchair stop him wearing an impressive array of medals.
“I was in the artillery,” replied Arthur. “Only saw the sea once, and that was on D-Day.”
“You were never really on boats, then?”
Arthur wasn’t given a chance to respond before Brig continued. “We went to hell and back. These people who never left home, how can they possibly understand what we went through? They can’t. They don’t know about the brotherhood that exists between a man and his comrades. I’m Brig Young, by the way. Whatever my wife calls me, Brig was my name with the boys – and when you’ve been through what we went through, it’s what they think of you that matters most. Brothers in arms, we were – in Borneo, of course. As a military man yourself, you’ll know what that meant…”
“Not really,” said Arthur. “I don’t know anything about boats. I’ve been fishing once in a while…”
“Submarines. I was in subs…”
“Oh, not a life I’d have liked,” said Arthur.
“No, you have to be a real man for a job like that. Very tough to get in, you know! Many try; only a handful of the best are picked…”
Arthur didn’t comment, quickly realizing that this was a monologue for which no response was required.
“Twenty years I was in the service. The sea’s been my life. We had it hard, though.” Brig’s arm waved expansively around the captain’s suite. “No luxury like this. None of this modern technology. We relied on teamwork, instinct and courage. No namby-pamby could ever become a submariner. He wouldn’t have lasted an hour with the work we had to do!”
“Brig!” barked Daisy.
“Sorry,” she said apologetically to Arthur and Pete as she led him away, still talking as he left.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” announced Captain Johannson, “welcome aboard The Pilgrim. We are delighted to be hosting this special Christian cruise around the British Isles, and it is good to meet those of you who are contributing to the ministry and music that I know means a great deal to many of our passengers. I would now like to hand over to our cruise director, Ramon Moreno, who will ensure that everyone here is introduced to the members of the entertainments team who’ll be working with you.”
“The cruise director? That’s the one with the voice that sounds like expensive chocolate, isn’t it?” whispered Sylvia, touching the arm of Val Fellowes, who was standing beside her.
“I bet he’s gorgeous with a voice like that,” replied Val.
For a moment, the two women were uncertain where his voice was coming from as they listened to him greet the assembled crowd. Moving to one side so that they could see better, Sylvia and Val were soon staring at each other with open mouths.
“He’s tiny!” hissed Val. “Not even five foot, I reckon…”
“That voice,” retorted Sylvia, “in that body! Well I never.”
Ramon was indeed small in stature, but it took no time at all for him to convince the visitors that, as cruise director, he was extremely entertaining. He was funny and charming, and it was soon clear that most of the ladies in the room were hanging onto his every word.
“You will already have seen The Pilgrim Band,” he explained in his delightful Spanish accent: “all top professionals who provide the music for the wide variety of evening entertainment we offer on board. Of course, most of them are busy entertaining our guests at this time in the evening. However, should you require their help during any of your events, they are at your disposal. On a daily basis, though, our extremely talented cocktail pianist, Andrew, who is himself a church organist, has volunteered to be on hand to help in any way, especially if you need to find or print out any particular hymns, music or words. I believe you have two organists of your own amongst your group?”
“Yes,” replied Neil, indicating Brian and Clifford, who were standing together. “Brian Lambert’s the musical director for our worship together, and Clifford Davies will be taking charge of the music for the gospel choir we’re hoping to form.”
“Have you had a good response to that?” asked Ramon.
“About seventy people came up after our welcome meeting,” said Clifford. “Our first rehearsal is tomorrow night, when we’re all back from our visit to Orkney. We’ll have a better idea then whether the choir’s going to work.”
“Well,” said Ramon smoothly, “I have an announcement to make. The international recording star Rhydian joined the ship just before we set sail this evening. We are very fortunate to have an artiste of the calibre of Rhydian performing on our ship. He is, of course, a devout Christian, and he is very much looking forward to sharing the whole experience of this trip for the few days he’s with us.”
“How long is he staying?” asked Carole, her eyes shining with interest.
“He’ll be rehearsing on board tomorrow when we’re docked at Kirkwall in Orkney, then he’ll be performing for us all in the Discovery Lounge the following evening on Saturday. He will be leaving the ship the next morning when we reach Dublin.”
Neil looked round as excitement rippled through the crowd. For the first time, he noticed that Pam Rhodes and her husband Richard were standing on one side of the room. She gave him a friendly wave when she noticed he was looking in her direction.
Neil gave a small gasp of surprise. Standing behind Pam, almost as if he was trying to disappear into the corner, was the man he’d been speaking to that afternoon on the beach at Lindisfarne. Now he was smartly dressed in the uniform of a senior member of the crew. Who was he, then?
“Now, my friends,” continued Ramon, looking towards his assistant cruise director, “my assistant, Jane Thurlow, is the person to ask if you need any help at all. In the meantime, dinner is now being served in the restaurant. Would you like to make your way down to take your seats?”
“Hello, Andrew,” said Clifford as he passed the young cocktail pianist. “It sounds as if we may well be working together.”
“Well, I’m probably not up to your standard, with all your years in the business, but I’m happy to help if you need me.”
“Are you going down to dinner?”
“I’m not usually allowed to dine in the passengers’ restaurant, but this week’s different, as my parents are on board. This is my mum and dad, Maureen and Bill.”
“We chose to book this cruise so we can see Andrew in action,” explained Maureen, her eyes gleaming with pride as she shook hands with Clifford. “This contract on The Pilgrim is his first professional booking. Well, to be honest, it’s the first time he’s been away from home. We’ve missed him dreadfully and worry about him being far away with such a lot of responsibility…”
“Mum…” interrupted Andrew, who was plainly embarrassed.
“Well, son,” added his dad, “we’ve coughed up for all those music lessons since you were five years old. We’re just here to see if our investment has paid off!”
“Dad…”
; But Bill was in no mood to stop. “He’s a brilliant pianist, you know – can play anything either from music or memory. And he knows all the real songs: the good stuff like Cole Porter and Irving Berlin. No wonder they’ve snapped him up. They recognize talent when they see it.”
“I’m sure they do,” smiled Clifford. “I’m looking forward to paying a visit to the cocktail bar later this evening.”
“Well then, please join us,” enthused Maureen. “We’ll be there.”
Andrew’s mum and dad left the captain’s cabin, and Clifford chuckled to see their son throw his hands up in mock despair before following his parents down the corridor.
As the room started to clear, Captain Johannson caught sight of the officer standing in the corner, and called him over to be introduced to Neil’s group, who were still chatting together.
“Ladies and gentlemen, before you leave, may I introduce you to Brad Osbourn, our ship’s doctor?”
Neil sensed Brad looking at him, desperately willing him not to react. Then, after a general greeting to the whole group, Brad excused himself and quickly walked away.
CHAPTER 4
KIRKWALL, ORKNEY
Bless, O Lord,
The earth beneath our feet,
The path whereon we tread,
The people whom we meet.
Based on an old Hebridean prayer
“A word in your ear, Neil.” Bishop Paul spoke as the two men left together after leading the early morning worship.
“I’ve been cornered on several occasions by a rather formidable lady from your Burntacre congregation…”
“Don’t tell me. Carole Swinton.”
“Her husband has a very direct personality too.”
Neil sighed. “Those two certainly are a force to be reckoned with in a small parish like ours.”
“Well, they’re making their presence felt on board too. She plainly wants to take charge of the music, but the team we’ve put in place are really experienced, and they’re more than capable of providing everything we need here.”
“I must say, she does have a nice voice.”
“So do a lot of people.”
“And she certainly makes a good job of knocking our motley crew of singers into some semblance of a choir.”
“Hmm,” grunted the bishop. “Well, we need to think of something to smooth her ruffled feathers before she drives us all to distraction. I don’t suppose it’s worth reminding her that St Cuthbert famously said, ‘Do not ever think yourselves better than the rest of your companions who share the same faith’?”
Neil grinned. “Probably not. I can’t see her thinking that is relevant to her in any way.”
“Well,” said Bishop Paul, smiling back at him, “I chose you for this trip because I know you’re a man of great resource and ability…”
“Passing the buck, eh?”
“Definitely. I shall leave the matter in your capable hands.”
“Thanks,” groaned Neil, as the two men set off, each in the direction of his own cabin.
“I heard him this morning.”
“Who?” asked Marion, as she and her two friends followed some distance behind Neil.
“Where was he?” Sheila was deeply engrossed in her conversation with Betty.
“Who?” repeated Marion.
“I don’t know where he was,” replied Betty. “I asked our steward and he said he was probably up on the top deck where the tennis court is.”
Marion tried again. “Who are you talking about?”
“Well, I can see why he’d take himself as far away as possible, especially when he’s obviously doing exercises.”
“Who?” shouted Marion so loudly that Betty and Sheila looked at her in astonishment.
“Rhydian, of course.”
“He was singing this morning.”
“What a superb voice.”
“It could fill the whole ship.”
“Never heard anything like it,” finished Betty with a flourish.
“Has anyone actually seen him yet?” asked Marion.
“I really don’t know,” replied Sheila. “But I’m hoping he might be at breakfast. Even a superstar has to eat.”
“Well, I’m no superstar,” retorted Betty, “but I am starving. Are you coming?”
The three ladies were sitting down with their plates loaded from the buffet when Jill came over and asked to join them.
“Of course,” said Sheila. “We didn’t see you last night. What happened when you got back to your cabin? Have you smoothed things over with Rob?”
“He hasn’t said a thing to me since the coaches arrived on Lindisfarne yesterday morning and we had words.”
“You mean when he stomped off to the pub rather than look around the island with you?” said Sheila.
“Is he coming on the trip this morning?” asked Betty.
“Honestly, I’ve no idea. We’ve both got tickets, but he just kept his head under the covers and totally ignored me when I told him the time and offered to bring him back a cup of tea.”
“He can get his own, then,” said Betty.
“So how are you feeling now?” asked Marion. “Is his silence upsetting you?”
“Do you know, I think I actually prefer it to his constant snide remarks. He’s done nothing but criticize me for years.”
“You stood up to him yesterday,” said Sheila. “He wasn’t expecting that.”
“Well, you all stood up to him. I just went along with it…”
“But you didn’t back down,” said Betty. “You haven’t gone running back to him, apologizing and accepting blame for everything he throws at you.”
“It’s a terrible atmosphere, though,” said Jill forlornly, “being in a small cabin on top of each other without a word passing between us. I’d been looking forward to this cruise so much. I thought it might rekindle our relationship, even be a bit romantic – but there’s no chance. He’s as rude and awful to me here as he is at home. It’s not just that he doesn’t like me any more. He acts as if he really despises me. Honestly, I can’t think what I’ve done to make him feel that way. I do everything I possibly can for him, not just because he demands it, but because he’s my husband and I want him to be happy.”
“It sounds as if there’s no pleasing him,” said Sheila. “As my old nan used to say, it’s being so miserable makes him happy.”
“You were in the main restaurant for dinner last night, weren’t you?” asked Marion. “I thought I saw the two of you on a table across from ours.”
“Well, we walked down together and even sat next to each other, but he turned his back on me so he could talk to the man beside him, and I was left to chat to the lady next to me. Heaven knows what they must have thought of us.”
“Look, Jill, one thing I’ve noticed ever since I’ve known you, and that’s quite a few years now,” said Sheila, “is that you say sorry in practically every sentence. You apologize for everything to everyone, even when there’s absolutely nothing you should be apologizing for.”
“I don’t, do I?” Jill frowned as she answered. “I’m sorry…”
Everyone burst out laughing, including Jill, who suddenly realized what she’d said.
“The thing is,” Sheila went on, “you’ve got so used to Rob telling you you’re useless at everything, you’ve started to believe it. But you know, you’re an extremely capable woman. Look at how well you’ve brought up your kids, and your house is immaculate. Even the garden looks as if it’s been pruned with manicure scissors, and I know that’s all down to you.”
“You are woman! You are invincible,” grinned Betty.
“You’re a wife,” said Sheila more gently, “and you’ve had all the confidence knocked out of you by a husband who feels big by making you look small.”
“So you’ve got to stop apologizing for being the wonderful woman you are,” added Marion, “and let that husband of yours see you’re made of stern stuff.”
“Oh, I’m really not. I’m b
oring. Rob thinks so, and he’s right. I feel boring. I bore myself.”
Sheila was looking at Jill thoughtfully. “You know, tomorrow afternoon we’ve all booked ourselves in for a pamper session at the beauty salon downstairs. We’re going to have our hair done, a manicure and make-up ready for the formal evening tomorrow. Do you fancy coming with us?”
“How much will it cost?” asked Jill, her face worried.
“Actually, it’ll cost you nothing,” said Sheila, “because the three of us are going to treat you.”
“I’m sorry. I couldn’t possibly accept that…”
“Christians have a duty to give,” said Marion, taking Jill’s scratched hand in her own, “but it’s also our Christian duty to learn to accept gracefully. Let us do this for you. Do it for yourself because you deserve it. Do it for Rob, so he can see what an attractive and wonderful woman he’s married.”
There was a conflicting mix of doubt and temptation in Jill’s expression.
“Go on,” challenged Betty. “We dare you. Dare to be different.”
“You’ll have fun, if nothing else.”
Jill chuckled, and once she’d started, laughter bubbled up from deep inside her until they were all laughing out loud.
“Yes,” she announced. “I’m going to give it a go – and if Rob doesn’t like it, tough.”
Neil, Iris and Harry joined the rest of the Dunbridge group assembled in the Discovery Lounge ready for their half-day trip on Orkney.
“May I have your attention, please?”
Jane Thurlow’s announcement brought a lull in the chatter, as the passengers waited to hear which coaches they should be on and what time they’d be leaving.
“Welcome to Kirkwall in Orkney. This port has been welcoming cruise ships to its shores for many years now, earning a reputation as one of the most popular cruise ship destinations in the United Kingdom. And that’s not surprising when you see the variety of interest this group of islands has to offer visitors.
“Many of you are aware that Orkney is famous as a habitat for birds and wildlife, with several conservation areas across 750,000 acres of wildlife reserves. Those with tickets for the six-hour Orkneys Wildlife excursion should make their way down to the quayside now, where your coaches are waiting.