Shattered at Sea

by Cheryl Hollon

  Feeling like a coward, she retreated to the elevator. Savannah didn’t really want to answer their pointed questions about the whereabouts of Edward. They were always accepting and supportive about her relationship with Edward, but entirely too curious. Avoiding them was easier than answering a barrage of questions. She made her way to her room.

  * * *

  When morning dawned, she met Edward and the Rosenberg twins in the foyer of the main dining room for breakfast. Edward gave her a side hug. “How’s your cabin?”

  “Perfectly fine,” said Savannah. “Not as luxurious as your digs, but a little noisy. Even with the door shut, I can hear everything that happens in the hallway. But, as soon as I fell asleep—nothing. Where’s Ian?”

  “I expect that he’s a bit delicate this morning.”

  Savannah frowned. “Delicate?”

  Edward grinned. “That’s Brit for suffering a hangover.”

  “How long are we going to wait for him?” said Rachel, tapping the face of her watch with a beautifully manicured fingernail. “This sea air is whipping up my appetite.”

  “We agreed to meet for breakfast, right?” said Faith.

  Edward frowned. “He didn’t come back to the cabin last night, but I more or less expected that he would find a shipboard companion—perhaps not this fast, but it’s only going on nine o’clock.”

  Faith piped up. “But in our family, on time meant that you were actually late. We’re always—”

  “—at least ten minutes early,” finished Rachel.

  “Let’s get a table for six and see if his new friend will be joining us.” Savannah hooked Edward by the arm and they were seated.

  Their waiter gave them each a menu and glanced at the two empty seats. “Are you waiting for the rest of your party or do you want to order now?”

  Edward said, “We’ll order now. We’re not sure if they’re having breakfast.”

  Edward leaned over to whisper in Savannah’s ear. “He didn’t take last night’s meds. He really needs to take them.”

  Savannah reached over to put her hand in his. “He’ll show up. Don’t worry.”

  Rachel unfolded the linen napkin and placed her cutlery on each side of her breakfast plate. “He was up on the top deck with us late last night.”

  “It was actually early this morning,” said Faith. “We’ve been a little jet-lagged and thought a little wave watching would help us relax.”

  “It certainly did. Once we got to sleep, we didn’t wake up until a bit past seven,” said Rachel. “That’s very late.”

  “I think it was the sea air and the fact that we didn’t actually sleep at all on the two flights from Tampa International Airport.”

  “Hang on, I’ll ring him up. I still have my international calling plan.” Edward pulled out his phone and waited. It seemed to go to voice mail, because Edward said, “Ian, we’re at breakfast in the main dining room. Catch us up when you can.”

  “What about leaving a message on the cabin phone, too?” asked Savannah.

  Edward nodded and left the same message.

  The food was fabulous and filling with everyone ordering either eggs benedict, omelets, or freshly prepared Belgium waffles. The orange juice was freshly squeezed and the coffee hot and strong.

  “I could get used to this kind of service,” said Savannah as she drained the last of the orange juice from Edward’s glass.

  “We could get another glass, you know.” He looked around for their server.

  “No, I’m good, but aren’t you concerned about Ian?”

  “You read me like a book,” said Edward. “I’m not worried especially, but he’s pretty social and seems to have taken a shine to you. I’m surprised he’s not here making you laugh.”

  “Do you think we should find him?” Savannah put her napkin on her plate and stood.

  Edward looked at his watch. “Well, it’s going on ten o’clock and he should have surfaced by now. I know he hasn’t been in the room. His, um, vitamins haven’t been touched. He’s still young enough to bounce back rapidly from a party night.”

  “How should we do this?” Faith and Rachel said at the same time. They looked at each other, and each of them bit their lips.

  Rachel picked at one of her beautiful fingernails. “I think we should make a serious attempt to find Ian. It’s worrying me.”

  Faith picked up the concern. “I had a hard time falling asleep last night after we talked to him. Let’s try to find him now so we all can enjoy our cruise.”

  “Let’s do all the normal things first.” Savannah put her hand in a stop position. “We’ve left phone messages, but we haven’t put a note up on the message board.”

  Edward frowned. “What message board?”

  “There’s one down on deck 3 right in front of the Guest Relations counter. Eric told me about it as a method to keep up-to-date on any Hot Shop demonstration time changes. Let’s do that. It’s right here on the same deck as the main dining room.”

  “Great plan,” said Rachel.

  They walked toward the front of the ship and found the standing bulletin board.

  Rachel picked up a blank sticky note and a pen from a slot in the stand. “What should I write?”

  Faith blurted out, “Ian, get in touch, now!”

  Rachel reared back from Faith. “That’s too harsh. That won’t work with a”—she looked directly at Edward—“young man in a delicate condition.”

  Savannah said, “Just write down this: ‘Ian Morris. Please get in touch as soon as possible. Leave a message in our cabin.’”

  “Good,” said Rachel. She wrote that neatly on the note and placed it on the message board.

  Edward looked at the note, took the pen from Rachel, and signed his name at the bottom.

  Savannah tilted her head to the side. “Since there are four of us, we can cover quite a bit of ground at a time. Let’s start on the top deck and we’ll each take a quadrant and meet back at the center elevators and go on doing that until we find him.”

  “There is, of course, the obvious chance that he’s in a stateroom with a paramour,” Rachel paused for effect.

  “Or he could be on one of the dozen elevators while we’re searching,” finished Faith.

  “Even so, we really must give it a go,” said Edward. He rubbed his hands together like he was trying to get warm. “Brilliant! Let’s get started.”

  They made their way to the center elevators and punched in the top floor. Since each of them concentrated on their own section, it only took about ten minutes for each of them to finish their search and go down to the next deck.

  After they had searched the top three decks and met back at the elevators, Savannah could tell that Edward was beginning to get worried. He wasn’t an over-protective sort, but no sight of Ian was giving them all something to be concerned about.

  “This is getting a little bizarre. We should have found him somewhere up here,” said Edward. “Like every Brit I know, he loves the sun and we should have found him lounging by one of the pools.”

  “That’s true, all right,” said Savannah. “But he might be doing some shopping with his new lady.”

  “He also might be in the casino,” said Faith.

  “Does he like to gamble?” asked Rachel.

  Edward rubbed his temples with both hands. “You know, I don’t think he’s ever been in a casino. That would be a new experience for him.”

  “Right.” Savannah grabbed Edward’s hand. “Not time to panic, yet. Let’s go down to the casino deck, and if he’s not there we’ll scour the shops.”

  The four of them rode the elevator to the deck where the casino was located.

  “Can you guys search the casino?” asked Rachel.

  “I can smell the cigarette smoke from here,” said Faith. “We’re not so young anymore and we don’t want—”

  “—to risk an upper respiratory infection. We’re, of course, a little bit susceptible after that long flight,” finished Rachel.

/>   “Of course,” said Savannah and Edward at the same time. Savannah grinned at Edward.

  “It’s catching.” She punched him in the arm with a soft fist.

  They turned to the four quarters of the deck and each returned in less than ten minutes. There was no need to report their news verbally. They each walked up one flight of stairs and silently searched the main promenade deck.

  By now it was after eleven o’clock and the daily character parade was in full swing. All the children on the ship were lined up behind barrier cords. Each child was desperately trying to get the attention of their favorite cartoon character by waving and screaming the name at the top of their powerful lungs. No adult can match the painfully high-pitched scream of an excited three-year-old.

  The little search team reassembled in front of the central elevators. All but Edward. The twins were oddly silent and merely shook their heads in perfect unison to give Savannah the results of their search.

  Savannah felt both worried and sick. Could the worst have happened? Could he have fallen overboard? If he was religious about taking his meds, then why did he miss a dose? There must be some compelling reason for his absence other than a liaison.

  Savannah turned to the Rosenberg twins. “You ladies have been so helpful. You go have some fun. We’ll see you later.”

  Rachel reached out to hold Savannah’s right hand. “We’re here if you need any help.”

  Faith reached out to hold Savannah’s left hand. “Don’t hesitate to call us if you need any help. Any help at all.”

  “This might be none of our business, but this could turn into exactly what it looks like,” said Rachel.

  “Yes.” Faith put her hand on Savannah’s arm. “We had a dear friend who managed to conceal a fatal illness from everyone close to her.”

  “In her mind, she had already imposed on the kindness of her social circle.”

  “And she couldn’t ask for one more accommodation.”

  “So she booked herself a Caribbean cruise out of the Port of Tampa.”

  “And she never returned. The family took that same cruise on the first anniversary of her suicide and they had a memorial service in the ship’s chapel.”

  “You never really ever know anyone.”

  “Ever,” said Faith.

  They both hugged Savannah.

  “We’re going back to the suite,” Rachel said. “I’m feeling the need for a little nap.”

  “Not only that,” said Faith. “You want to be pampered by the wonderful Albert. I have to admit, however, that a short nap on the balcony sounds wonderful.”

  “Oh, by the way.” Rachel placed a hand on Savannah’s arm. “I know how much turmoil is swirling, but don’t forget we’ve signed everyone up for the Charity Walk.”

  Faith nodded. “Yes, we’re probably going to just donate the money if things aren’t resolved, but think positively—maybe this mess will clear up in time.”

  “Are you waiting for Edward?” asked Rachel.

  “Yes, I am. You don’t need to keep me company.” Savannah paced in front of the elevators. What was taking Edward so long?

  At that moment, Edward appeared and joined the huddle. “I finished early and then went down to check the room. He hasn’t been there. I don’t know what to say. Ian’s been a little wild lately, but that’s to be expected after so much work to get his university degree.”

  “Try calling him again,” Savannah suggested.

  Edward pulled out his phone and swiped left on the most recent number. He put the phone to his ear and listened. “Hi, Ian. Listen, chap. I’m beginning to get a bit worried. It’s not like you to skip your meds. Give me a call when you get this or call our room and leave me a message. I’m not mad. I’m worried. ’Bye.”

  Savannah took a deep breath. “We need to report this to the officials. They will know what to do from here.”

  Edward bent his head down. “I’m sure he must be somewhere on board. Maybe we should wait a bit longer.”

  “I disagree!” Savannah covered her mouth. “Oops, I’m sorry, honey. I didn’t mean to be so forceful.” She walked into his arms and squeezed him tight. He put his head into the crook of her neck. They stood like that for more than a minute.

  Rachel coughed. “Do you still need us?”

  Edward broke away quickly and Savannah stepped back as well.

  “Ladies.” Edward proceeded to kiss each of them on their rosy powdered cheeks. “You’ve helped us so much, and you’ve done more than we can ask of you. We’re going to report Ian as missing to security and see what happens. We can’t thank you enough.”

  Faith pressed her lips into a thin line. “Now, don’t you go and be all independent here and forget your friends. We want to know what happens.”

  “Yes, you must let us know what they say,” said Rachel.

  Although she found it difficult, Savanah smiled. “We will let you know as soon as we know something, but don’t wait for us.”

  After escorting the Rosenberg twins safely to the elevator, Edward turned back around and looked Savannah in the eyes. “I’m not feeling very good about this.”

  “Then, let’s stop talking and do something.” She grabbed him by the arm and headed to the services desk.

  Savannah practically ran down to the other end of the two-story promenade and approached the customer service counter. Three staff members were behind their stations, but there was a line of more than twenty customers.

  Edward stopped short and Savannah nearly tripped over backward.

  She turned. “What’s wrong?”

  “What if he’s sleeping off the night in his new friend’s cabin?”

  Savannah grabbed him by both hands and looked directly into his clear green eyes. “Then the life lesson he’s going to learn here is that you let your friends and family know where you are or they’re going to tear a cruise ship apart looking for you. Right?”

  A funny grin played across Edward’s face. “Absolutely right. He knows better and if not, he soon will.”

  The line moved with agonizing slowness, but eventually they were in front of a young black man named Joel whose nametag listed him as from Jamaica. “Welcome. How can I help you, please?”

  Edward turned to Savannah and raised his eyebrows. Savannah sighed and turned back to the man behind the counter. “Joel, we can’t find a member of our party. We’re very concerned. He was on the top deck last night, but none of us has seen him since. Is there a way for you to check on him?”

  “Have you tried leaving a message on the door of your cabin?”

  “No, but—”

  “Have you left a voice message on his phone?”

  “Yes, but it’s going straight to voice mail.”

  “Have you asked your porter if he’s seen him? They usually know everything about their guests.”

  The noise of the parade was beginning to rise as the band and dancing performers approached their end of the ship.

  “No.”

  “What about a text or an e-mail?”

  Savannah shook her head, unable to hear him over the parade. “What?”

  Joel leaned closer to her and raised his deep voice. “What about a text or an e-mail? Also, we have a message board behind you. You could leave a message there.”

  “We did that.” Savannah practically screamed.

  Joel smiled with perfect teeth offset by beautiful black skin. “It is only going on noon. You are probably missing him between decks. I wouldn’t worry.”

  Savannah looked over to Edward and frowned. “He’s right,” she yelled. “There are a few more things we could try.” She turned back to Joel and shouted. “Thank you, we’ll try a little longer, but just in case, where is the security office?”

  “The security office is on deck 2. I’m sure you’ll find him soon.” Joel repeated his blinding smile and looked over her shoulder at the next guest in line.

  She pulled Edward away from the customer service desk and they walked out onto the promenad
e deck. The crowd was in the throes of the parade finale and the noise level was too high to talk.

  He frowned and led Savannah to the stairway. “Joel’s right. Let’s do everything he suggested. If Ian doesn’t turn up for dinner tonight, then we’ll have no choice but to go to security.”

  “Because they’re going to suggest the same things, aren’t they?” said Savannah.

  “Right, but if he saunters into the dining room like a carefree cad, don’t be surprised if I don’t knock him into next week.”

  Chapter 8

  Tuesday at sea

  “You seem distracted. What’s wrong?” Eric asked Savannah while they were preparing for the next hot glass demonstration.

  “Sorry, it’s a family problem.” Savannah began swiping a cloth over the surface of the stainless-steel table called a marver that stood near the glass partition closest to the audience. They used the marver table for shaping the glass that had been gathered on the end of the blowpipe. It was also where they rolled the glass frit onto the glass gather.

  “Come on, we’re your family, too.” Eric picked out the two frit colors he wanted to use for his piece and put the container on the shelf under the table.

  Alan popped over from checking that they had enough blowpipes in the warming oven. “Yeah, that’s a rule here at sea. We’re a family. If Eric didn’t look out for me, I would have been fired by now. Trust him.”

  Savannah nodded and turned to Eric. “It’s probably nothing, but we can’t find Edward’s cousin. No one in our group has seen Ian since right after midnight on the first night of the cruise.”

  Eric was looking at tubes of stringers. He finally chose one and placed it beside his frit containers underneath the table. “He’ll turn up. Lots of young guys underestimate their liquor tolerance on their first day of the cruise.”

  Alan sauntered over and added a container of frit to the collection under the table. When he stood up, he grinned. “I still do!” Alan looked quickly at Eric. “But I try really hard to remember that drinking is not good for me.”