Table For Eight

by Tricia Stringer

  “You go and meet your dad.” Frank cut into her thoughts. “You don’t need me to be there.”

  “What about your breakfast?”

  “I’ll have a swim first. I’ll meet you by the pool later.”

  “You should eat.”

  “For goodness sake, Christine, I’m not a kid.” He flung back the sheet and stood, his naked body a silhouette against the blue of sea and sky outside. “There’s nonstop food here. I can eat whenever I like.” He turned away and dragged on a pair of shorts.

  Christine was surprised by his anger. Frank was usually so placid. Yesterday he’d become cranky when they’d gone for a walk around the ship. He’d noticed the pendant her father had bought her straight away and thought it a ridiculous amount of money for what he called a trinket. She’d been hurt by that. Then he’d wanted to sit on one of the sun lounges on the back deck, have a drink and watch the view but, still feeling miffed, she’d said she’d prefer the pool bar out of the wind. They’d argued again. She looked at him now as he dragged his fingers through his hair. Perhaps he was tired like she was.

  “All right,” she said. “I’ll see you in about an hour.”

  He didn’t answer.

  “Frank?”

  “Yes.” His tone was sharp and he didn’t look around.

  Christine let herself out and made her way along the all-but-deserted corridor. The maid, Maria, spoke to her as she passed but Christine was on a mission. She paused to knock on her father’s door but there was no answer. Not that she’d expected there to be. He’d gone to bed early last night so he should have been awake first thing. At least he hadn’t gone with Celia. She made Christine sick the way she fawned all over Bernard. And that Ketty woman was little better with her smart quips and sparkling smiles. Christine hoped her father wasn’t going to indulge in any holiday flings. He’d openly flirted with Ketty and Celia but thankfully they weren’t Bernard’s type at all. That’s if his girlfriend, gushy Gloria, as Christine had called her, and the women that had followed her were anything to go by. He was attracted to loud flashy women, so different to her mother.

  Christine pressed the button for the lift. There were five of them but she could see from the illuminated numbers none were near her floor. She took a deep breath and set off up the stairs. By the time she reached the top she was puffing loudly. She paused to catch her breath as the glass doors to the pool deck opened and her father stepped inside. He was dressed in a polo shirt and shorts, his gold necklace shone against his tan and he had a pool towel draped over one shoulder.

  “Good morning, Princess.” He kissed her cheek and she could smell the chlorine on his skin.

  “Have you been swimming already?” she asked.

  “You know I like to swim first thing.” He glanced around. “Where’s Frank?”

  “Back in the room. He’s not ready for breakfast yet.”

  “I thought eight would be a bit early for you. You’re meant to be on holiday, you know.”

  She threaded her arm through his. “I’ve hardly seen you yet. I didn’t want to miss meeting you for breakfast.”

  “Let’s eat then, shall we? That swim has worked up an appetite.” Bernard drew her along with him into the buffet.

  They were finished and almost ready to leave before Christine broached the subject she’d been planning to discuss with her father.

  “Frank and I want to do renovations.”

  “Wasn’t it expensive last time you got a quote?”

  “Yes, but we’ve come up with a few changes.” She reached across the table for his hand and gave him one of her wide-eyed looks. “If you helped us out we wouldn’t have to borrow the money.”

  “You’re talking big bucks, Princess.”

  “You’ve got plenty, Dad. Your house is paid for and you enjoy a good lifestyle.”

  “Because I don’t waste money on things that won’t bring me a return.”

  “I’m your only child.” Christine sniffed and sucked in her bottom lip.

  “I know you are, Chrissie, and because of that it’s important I give you sound advice.” He squeezed her hand and let it go. “It would not be wise to throw good money after bad and renovate your current house.”

  Christine could feel a knot of anger twisting in her stomach but she swallowed hard. She had to keep calm. “You often said a good renovation added much more value.”

  “Not in the case of your place. It needs knocking down and starting again. I told you a few years ago you should quit it and move further out and closer to the beach. You could get a newer bigger house with a decent yard for the same mortgage and it would be a better lifestyle.”

  “It’s not a house, it’s our home. Besides, being near the beach isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.” Her dad didn’t understand a house was more than a saleable commodity to be swapped for another.

  “Have you run that past Frank and the kids? They love the water.”

  “How would you know what they love, Dad, you hardly see them.”

  “Anna and Lucca holiday with me once a year. You could send them more often.”

  “Melbourne to Brisbane flights are expensive.”

  Bernard’s jaw clenched. “I shout them one a year. Perhaps you could pay to send them up.”

  “Or you could come and visit us more often.”

  “You’re never home. I think last time I visited I only saw you at evening meals.”

  The knot in Christine’s stomach twisted tighter. “I work long hours and the children are busy with school and sport and music, but it’s still good to have you stay.”

  “Melbourne weather doesn’t suit me any longer, nor does sleeping on the fold-out couch in the lounge.”

  “That’s one of the reasons for the reno, you see.” She managed a smile. He wouldn’t deny his only child. He owed her this. “You could have a guest room and en suite all to yourself.”

  He flopped against the back of his chair. “You always were persistent, Chrissie, I’ll give you that.”

  The knot slipped away. She’d won him over. It hadn’t been as difficult as she’d thought. “You’re the best father.”

  He stood up, came to her side of the table, bent and kissed the top of her head. “Don’t lay it on too thick, Princess. The answer’s still no. I’ll catch you later.”

  Christine’s jaw dropped as she watched him stride away. She stood as a waiter came to ask if she was finished. Ignoring him completely, she swept out. She was not done with her plan yet, not by a long shot.

  Bernard paused once he reached the pool deck and took a deep breath of fresh air. He’d thought Christine would ask him for money sometime on this cruise. He’d often given her handouts over the years and he’d been happy enough to buy her the necklace, but he hadn’t been expecting to be asked to pay for renovations to their house. He had more than enough to give her but that wasn’t the point. It didn’t matter how much he gave her, she always wanted more and renovating that little inner Melbourne house in the manner she wanted was over-capitalising. At least they’d dealt with it now and he’d done his duty for the day, breakfasting with his daughter. He hoped not to see her again until dinner. Give her time to cool off. She’d had a face like thunder when he’d left.

  He glanced at the Rolex on his wrist then made his way past the fully occupied sun lounges towards the back of the ship. Almost there, he paused. Ignoring the few other people strolling past, he focused on the ocean. The fresh sea air swept over him and the sun was warm on his back. He stretched, feeling like a lizard absorbing its energy. He could get used to this easy existence. Especially if his next rendezvous worked out the way he hoped.

  Yesterday he’d attended a get-together for singles and there had been several women he’d chatted to. Two had joined him for drinks at last night’s singles get-together and taken his interest. One had been a bit on the shy side but the other was a rather attractive sixty-something woman with a ready laugh and a sparkle in her eye. They’d arranged to meet at the pool a
nd spa area this morning. It was an adults-only zone so he was hopeful it would be less crowded and it was also well out of sight from passing foot traffic. After his awkward breakfast with Christine he was looking forward to chatting with someone with no strings attached.

  He rounded the corner to the entrance and his smile returned. She was already seated at the bar, a panama-style hat perched on her head, a see-through shirt hinting at dark bathers underneath, and she was alone. Last night her brother had been with her. Bit of a pretentious bloke. Bernard hadn’t taken to him so he was pleased she had come on her own. On the bar in front of her there was a lime green drink with an umbrella poking jauntily from the top. She looked up and he grinned. Josie was his kind of woman he could tell. His day was improving one hundred per cent.

  “Good morning.”

  Ketty looked up from her magazine to see Celia taking a seat beside her in the day spa waiting room. “Hello.” She smiled. “Isn’t it a beautiful day?”

  They both glanced towards the huge plate-glass windows looking out over the expanse of ocean beyond. The water was a divine peacock blue today. Ketty imagined it as fabric rippling softly through her fingers, knowing no fabric she’d ever seen held quite the same colour or lustre.

  “Gorgeous.” Celia turned to the woman who had taken a seat beside her, her hand clutching the familiar clipboard. “Maude, this is one of my dinner companions, Ketty.”

  “Hello.” Maude waved her pen at Ketty. “So, you’re part of the group that kept Celia from dancing last night.”

  Celia threw Ketty a desperate look. “We all kept talking till quite late, didn’t we?”

  Ketty nodded. “Yes, we lost track of the time completely. Easy to do on a cruise ship.”

  “Mrs Harris?” A young woman in a white coat stood in front of them.

  “That’s me.” Maude grimaced. “But I haven’t finished the form yet.”

  “That’s all right.” The woman smiled, revealing a perfect set of pearly white teeth. “Bring it with you and we’ll get started.”

  “I hope you’ve got strong hands, dearie,” Maude said as she followed the masseuse.

  Ketty looked back at Celia whose cheeks had coloured deep pink.

  “I’m sorry to draw you into my fib, Ketty. Thank you.”

  “I’m sure you had good reason.”

  “Not that good, I’m afraid. It’s easier than telling the truth.”

  Ketty wanted to ask but people often said more if you remained silent.

  Celia went on. “I didn’t want to dance and Jim, well, when he offered to go for a walk on the deck I took him up on it.”

  Ketty waited.

  Celia’s eyes widened. “I’m not interested in Jim…not as a…” She flapped her hands. “I’m not looking for a man.”

  “I think it was very kind of you.”

  “You do?”

  “I think Jim’s in need of a friend. Male or female, it doesn’t matter.”

  Ketty stared at Celia. The other woman looked down at her hands then back at Ketty. “Yes, I think you’re right. I was a bit concerned about him so I was pleased he was happy for company, you see.”

  Ketty nodded and remained silent.

  “The first night I went out onto the promenade deck after dinner. I saw someone perched…well, not perched exactly, more like leaning over with a foot on one of the rails. It gave me a start and then I realised it was Jim.”

  A lump formed in Ketty’s throat. “Did you speak to him?”

  “Yes. Although he didn’t answer at first. It was as if he was far away. It took him a while to acknowledge my presence.” Celia gripped her hands tightly in her lap. “And then…well, he slipped. I grabbed him so he didn’t fall in.”

  “Slipped?”

  “Overbalanced or something. I’m not sure. He looked shocked and then he said he’d been watching the sea, that he used to sail and he loved the ocean. I felt a bit silly then. He’d probably been simply watching the water but there was something about him, that made me not want to leave him. I told another little fib to get him to walk me back to my deck.” Celia chewed her lip.

  Ketty smiled. “Seems you’ve told a few little white lies.”

  Suddenly Celia doubled over, moaned and clutched her head in her hands.

  Ketty put a hand to her back. “Whatever is the matter?”

  “It’s all getting too hard.”

  “What is?”

  “Miss Clift?”

  Ketty looked up. Blast. Another white-coated woman was waiting expectantly. “That’s me. I’ll be right with you.” She looked back at Celia who had lurched upright, her face twisted with worry. “Is it Jim?”

  “No…yes. Yes, that’s it.” She had a wild look in her eyes. “It’s just Jim. That’s all.”

  Ketty studied her closely.

  “We had a bit of a chat last night about bowls and where we live, football teams, music.” Celia’s face brightened. “We have a mutual dislike of ABBA music. There is an underlying sadness about him, though.”

  “He’s only been widowed a couple of years. Grief is different for everyone and can’t be rushed. I do hope this holiday will give him some new happy memories.” Ketty stood up, aware the masseuse was checking her watch.

  “Yes.” Celia had resumed the aloof look she’d had on the first night at dinner. “Enjoy your massage.”

  “See you at dinner. Don’t forget it’s formal night tonight. Dress-up time.”

  Ketty felt a little thrill as she followed the masseuse into the small room with its soft lighting and her thoughts turned to formal night. She made many beautiful gowns for other people but there was rarely a reason for glamorous dressing in her own life. Formal nights gave her the opportunity to wear gowns she would never have the opportunity to at home and she loved it.

  After the usual questions, the young woman turned on the background music and left her to prepare. Ketty slipped out of her loose dress and into the spa robe. She made herself comfortable on the table, inhaled the sweet scent of lavender and geranium and focused on the soothing sounds of the flute. The masseuse returned and Ketty settled back as the warm fingers began their magical work. She wanted to slip into total tranquillity but she couldn’t shake the thought of Jim standing on the rail. She would need to keep a closer eye on him, and encourage Celia to do the same.

  Ten

  Night Three – At Sea

  Ketty studied her appearance in the mirror. Her black satin top had a boat neck and buttoned down the back, sitting just below the band of the straight silver skirt, which finished above her ankles. She had altered the top herself after discovering it in a vintage flea market and it fitted her like a glove. The skirt had been made from a piece of leftover fabric. Her black pumps were one of the few pairs with heels she owned these days. How she used to love heels. Nowadays she worried about wobbling over and breaking an ankle.

  She gave a little snort. “How sensible you’ve become, Ketty.” She shook her head at her reflection and turned way.

  Her pearl necklace was laid out on the desk. She picked it up and opened the clasp. It had been her mother’s. Her dear dad had given it to her when they’d been sorting her mother’s things after her death. Now he was gone as well. They said pearls should be worn often but hers rarely came out of their velvet box. Thank goodness for formal nights on cruise ships. The catch was a fiddle but she got it in the end, once she’d put her glasses on.

  Once more Ketty looked at herself in the mirror. Happy with what she saw, she picked up her clutch, then looked back at her reflection.

  “If only there was someone else to appreciate it,” she muttered. Then, berating herself, she flung open the door and nearly walked straight into a passing couple. They looked like they’d stepped from a movie set. She was blonde, dressed in a long floaty black dress, fitted at the top to flatter the bust. Ketty knew the dress well.

  Her door slammed shut behind her.

  “Ketty!” Josie’s voice was pitched high with excitement.


  Bernard’s face mirrored Ketty’s surprise. He looked from her to Josie. “You two know each other?”

  “We’re old shipboard friends,” Ketty said.

  “I didn’t realise we had rooms on the same deck. How convenient.” Josie’s laughter was warm. She looked positively dazzling in the dress Ketty had made for her after her last cruise, and Bernard looked so different in a black jacket, bow tie and cummerbund at his waist. Very dashing.

  “I was walking Josie to the captain’s welcome.” He offered his other arm. “Are you heading down? I’d love to escort two beautiful ladies.”

  The diamonds at Josie’s neck sparkled as she leaned closer. “Do join us, Ketty. You look so glamorous.”

  Ketty could barely drag her eyes from the pair. They made a handsome couple. “I’d be delighted.” They moved on together to the seductive sound of rustling fabric. Ketty glanced across at Josie’s wide smile and saw the adoring look she gave Bernard. Ketty smiled too although she couldn’t help but wonder what Christine’s reaction would be.

  Downstairs the crowd was strengthening as people gathered along all levels of the atrium, making the most of the chance to wear their finest clothes and their brightest jewels, and partake freely of the captain’s hospitality. Bernard led the two women into the throng where dozens of waiters in tails, wearing white gloves, carried trays filled with glasses of sparkling champagne.

  “Here’s to the two most beautiful women aboard.” He raised his glass. Josie and Ketty both tapped theirs against his and their eyes met. Josie’s vivacity was contagious.

  “To us,” Ketty said, her mood much improved.

  “We have to have our photo taken with the champagne tower.” Maude grabbed Celia’s hand and began to weave her way through the crowd.

  Music played, cameras flashed, voices and laughter filled the air. Celia’s head swivelled in every direction. Surely every passenger was gathered in the one area. Ed was bound to be here somewhere.

  She stopped, jarring Maude to a halt. Both their glasses of champagne rocked precariously.

  “I don’t want to, Maude.”