Table For Eight

by Tricia Stringer

  “She wanted your money, Dad.”

  “What did that matter?” He tossed his napkin on the table. “Happiness isn’t about money, Christine.”

  “Then why did you diddle Kath?”

  The colour that had been building in his cheeks drained away. He slumped back as if the fight had gone out of him. She felt bad about raising the Kath thing but her father had forced her into this corner. She was not giving up on her home. She’d invested more than money into it over the years. Everything that was important in her life was based there. She would make Frank understand.

  She drew a quick breath. “I won’t say anything to Josie but I think it’s best if the fling ends once you return home, and I do want my cut.”

  “The renovations.”

  Christine smiled. At last they were on the same page.

  Bernard shoved back his chair and lurched to his feet. “I think we’re done here.”

  “We could have an after-dinner drink.” She wanted to smooth things between them. There were still the logistics of how much and when to be worked out. It would be awkward if they parted in bad spirits.

  “I think we’ve spent enough time together, Christine.”

  She flopped back in her seat as he strode away, her resolve fading. He would give her the money she wanted but she hoped she hadn’t paid a much higher price for it than she’d intended. Still, the cruise wasn’t over yet. Plenty of time to make up with her father. He would come round, he always did. She smiled at her success, eager now to tell Frank they could renovate instead of move.

  Twenty-six

  Ketty hadn’t intended to eat the final course tonight but the others had all ordered something so she’d asked for the strawberry pavlova, which had been served with passionfruit coulis and a chocolate cigarette. The sweetness still clung to her tongue. She nestled back against her chair as Phillip cleared her plate. She felt comfortable, content with life, and she knew that was in part due to Leo’s presence. Tonight she’d allowed her outer shell to slip away.

  Leo sat on her right, relaxed against his chair, listening to something Jim was explaining, the fingers of his left hand tracing slow circles on the table between them. She was acutely aware of the movement, her eyes drawn to his long fingers, his neatly clipped nails. How long ago it seemed that those hands had held her, loved her. The skin was wrinkled now like hers, the tendons like ropes criss-crossed with deep blue veins. Now it seemed each moment she spent in his company reminded her of the good times they’d had, rather than the bad. She lifted her hand, wanting to place it on his, to feel his touch, but another hand tapped her left arm.

  “Ketty, you’d give Celia one of your fabulous makeovers, wouldn’t you?”

  Josie looked at her expectantly while across the table Celia’s expression was wary.

  “Celia already looks lovely.” Ketty had been pleased to see her wearing the bright red top again. It gave her such a lift and makeup hid most of the bruise.

  “Of course she does,” Josie said. “But I’ve been explaining how you set me up with the best colours and styles to look out for.”

  “I wouldn’t want to put you out,” Celia said.

  “It wouldn’t put me out.” Ketty smiled encouragingly.

  “Ketty loves it.” Josie leaned back towards Celia. “You saw that wardrobe of hers. It’s full of treasures.”

  “I do love to make suggestions and share some of my collection,” Ketty said. “But I wouldn’t want you to think I was somehow casting judgement on your dress sense, Celia.”

  “I’d be happy of the help. I’ve always kept my wardrobe simple.”

  “It still can be,” Ketty said. “As long as what’s in it suits you. That beige dress is the perfect cut for you but the colour washes you out. Not many people can get away with beige. It’s a case of right style, wrong colour.”

  “Trouble is, when you find a style you like you can’t always get the colour you want.”

  “That’s where Ketty Clift Couture comes in,” Josie spoke grandly.

  “What’s Ketty Clift Couture doing now?” Leo asked from her other side.

  “Nothing really.” Ketty smiled at him. “Just a ladies get-together.”

  “You’re famous, my love.” His warm hand gripped hers and the look in his eyes rolled back the years yet again.

  “How about we have an afternoon, on one of the cruising-home days?” Josie’s grin was wide.

  Ketty suspected her delight was as much about the way Leo was watching Ketty as about the fun to be had with a makeover.

  “You’ll love it, Celia,” Josie went on. “And I can show you the eyeliner tricks I was telling you about.”

  Leo squeezed Ketty’s hand. “Ready to go to the show?”

  “Yes.” Ketty glanced at the others. “Are we all going?”

  “I’m meeting Bernie there.” Josie stood. “Do you have plans, Celia?”

  “No!” Celia’s response was emphatic. “Yes.” She ducked her head. “At least…I’m meeting Maude for a nightcap. We haven’t seen much of each other today.”

  “What about you, Jim?” Ketty had laid her earlier glum thoughts about grandchildren to rest. She felt gloriously happy tonight and wanted Jim and Celia to feel the same.

  “I’ll do my usual deck walk.” Jim glanced at Celia but she was rummaging in her bag. “Not sure if I’m in the right frame of mind for a comedy show.”

  Celia leaped to her feet. “I must go.”

  Jim rose slowly from the table.

  Ketty felt a pang of disappointment. She’d thought the two of them had been getting on so well and now they were stiff with each other. She watched as they walked away, together but apart. Then Leo’s arm went around her waist and she drew her thoughts back to her own re-blooming relationship.

  “Off to the show?” He offered his other arm to his sister and behind his back, Josie gave Ketty a wink.

  Celia made her way purposefully towards the lounge at the rear of the ship. She wanted to give Jim time to get out on deck and the others time to reach the theatre before she ducked back downstairs to her room. She’d made no plans to meet Maude. In fact they’d only seen each other briefly today, for which Celia was thankful. She didn’t want Maude quizzing her about Jim again.

  It had been so difficult being with him today and trying to hide her feelings. It reminded her of when she’d first fallen in love. She’d been a late bloomer but at sixteen she’d fallen for the brother of her best friend. He was older and not at all interested in her and Celia had twisted herself in knots trying not to show how she felt, but her friend had worked it out. Celia still remembered the embarrassment of her friend teasing her and then telling her brother. Needless to say they hadn’t remained friends but Celia’s cheeks still burned at the recollection.

  She slowed when she reached the photography area. Photos from each event or port were on display and she stopped in front of today’s Lifou photos and couldn’t help but search for the one of her with Ketty and Jim. Her heart leaped at the sight of it. Jim was in the middle, pulling them close. Celia looked startled, Ketty’s head was tipped back laughing and Jim was looking directly at the camera, which had caught his brilliant smile. Ketty was right, he was a handsome man. She bent closer. Particularly when he smiled. It had been hellish sitting next to him at dinner, with her feelings for him so strong but knowing she had to keep them at bay. A walk on the deck with him tonight would have been wonderful but terrible all at the same time.

  She turned away from the image and slowly made her way back to her cabin. When she opened the door she was surprised to see Maude was inside.

  “Oh, Celia, thank goodness.” Maude grabbed her arm and tugged her into the middle of the room. “I was wondering how I was going to find you.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  Maude’s face was flushed and her eyes had a wild look. “Nothing, exactly. Not for me anyway.” She sat on the edge of her bed. “Sit down.”

  Celia sat, their knees almost touching.
She looked at Maude and a bad feeling churned inside her. Surely Maude wasn’t going to try to set her up with Nigel again or someone else. “What is it?”

  “Can you stay out of our cabin for a few hours?”

  “Now?”

  “Yes.” Maude gave her a nudge with her knees. “I need the cabin to myself.”

  “Why?” Celia saw the look on Maude’s face and felt the heat rise in her own. “You’re not bringing a man in here.”

  “Please, Celia.” Maude gripped her hands. “Just for a few hours. Pete and I want to be together and—”

  Celia whipped her hands away. “He’s married, Maude.”

  “His wife doesn’t meet his needs.” Maude lifted her chin, her look defiant. “And I’m taking the opportunity.”

  Celia had a sudden image of Ed. Is this how he had been? When he left her, it was her body that had missed him most. Not purely sex but the intimacy. It had hurt deeply to think he’d been with another woman when she’d believed they were happy. She thought of Pete, his hands on Maude, and then Anne with her bad leg, tucked up in bed alone.

  Maude’s brusque laugh cut into her thoughts. “I’ve embarrassed you.”

  “No.” Celia eased herself up into the space beyond the bed. “You’ve simply reminded me how fickle men can be.” She crossed to the door.

  “Just a few hours, Celia,” Maude called behind her. “He’ll be gone by midnight.”

  Celia didn’t look back. She let herself out into the corridor and strode back towards the stairs.

  The theatre lights went up. All around Jim people stood, laughing and talking. He’d ended up going to the comedy show after all and he’d enjoyed it, had found himself laughing hard at times, but now as he watched people leaving he felt the familiar pain of loss: no Jane at his side to enjoy it with. He probably should have gone with Ketty’s group but once Bernard joined them Jim would have felt on the outer. Josie and Bernard were very taken with each other and he could see Ketty was becoming more and more entranced with Leo.

  Jim remained in his seat towards the side of the theatre as the last of the other patrons moved out. Both Ketty and Celia had been easy company these last few days. He could relax with them and it was a pleasant feeling. He did wonder about Celia though. She’d been jittery all day. He’d enjoyed their dinner together the previous evening and he thought she had too. Perhaps he’d talked too much about Jane, but then Celia had told him about her marriage break-up. Something had definitely changed between them though, and just when he thought they were getting on rather well. Then he’d pulled her close for the photo up at the lookout. She’d flinched and he’d realised straight away he’d done the wrong thing. He’d felt awkward and had berated himself for being so forward. After that he’d tried desperately to keep a cool distance between them. Tonight he’d done his best to keep things casual but there was something he’d wanted to ask her.

  When he’d arrived back on board this afternoon there’d been a message for him from his son. Anthony had expected to be finished in time to fly to Noumea and meet him as a surprise but it hadn’t been possible. He’d organised two tickets on a catamaran cruise for the next day so he hoped his father would be able to take someone else along instead. It had been on the tip of Jim’s tongue to ask Celia over dinner but he didn’t like to in front of the others and then she’d rushed off before he could mention it. He’d been puzzled to hear she was meeting Maude for a nightcap. Perhaps it was an excuse. The only entertainment he offered was a walk on the deck. She’d been kind enough to keep him company but how dull that must have been for her. After the first night and his incident on the railing he’d probably become her ‘someone in need’ project. He couldn’t expect anything more than that from her.

  Jim stood, worked his way along the row and turned up the aisle. Most of the crowd had filtered out now but in the middle of the theatre in the back row a lone figure remained seated. As he drew nearer he was surprised to see it was Celia. Her eyes were closed. He paused wondering if he should speak to her. Perhaps she was waiting for Maude.

  Her eyelids flicked up and she looked at him, startled.

  “Jim?”

  “Enjoy the show?”

  “Yes…I hadn’t planned to come but…well, Maude…she’s—” Celia’s cheeks coloured. “It’s difficult to explain.”

  “Well, it’s late.” Jim went to move on. She’d made it clear earlier she wasn’t looking for his company.

  She glanced at her watch. “Oh, it’s not midnight yet.”

  She looked so anxious he felt suddenly protective.

  “Are you turning back into the scullery maid?”

  She frowned.

  His try at lightening the mood had fallen on deaf ears. Celia was very distracted.

  “Are you all right?” he asked.

  She huffed and stood up. “I’m perfectly fine but I can’t turn in yet. Do you fancy a drink?”

  “Certainly.” He didn’t feel like one but he sensed Celia needed company after all.

  They walked out to the bar where they both chose a brandy and settled in to the comfortable lounge chairs. Celia glanced at her watch as the waiter set their drinks in front of them.

  He raised his glass. “Cheers.”

  She leaned forward and tapped hers against his. They took a sip each and settled back. She stifled a yawn.

  “It’s been a long day,” he said.

  “Yes, we did a lot of walking. I’m feeling quite tired.”

  “We should drink up then, let you get off.”

  She glanced at her watch again. “Oh, no. It’s not time yet…at least I’m not…” She put her hand to her head and let out a sigh. “Damn, I’m not good at this sort of thing.”

  “What sort of thing?”

  She glanced up and discomfort was written all over her face. “Subterfuge.”

  “What’s going on?” He was intrigued now. Celia was squirming in her chair.

  “I can’t go back to the cabin till after midnight.”

  He studied her, waiting for her to continue.

  She looked around. There were only a few other people in the bar and they were nowhere near. She leaned in closer.

  “Maude’s entertaining…in our cabin…a man.”

  Jim was stunned. It was the last thing he’d expected Celia to say. He wanted to laugh but she was too distressed. “I guess she’s made a close friend.”

  “Very.”

  “But you don’t approve?”

  “I wouldn’t care what she did but…” Once more Celia glanced around. “He’s a married man.”

  “Oh, I see.”

  Celia sat back and took another sip of her drink.

  Jim was not surprised, upset or shocked like Celia clearly was. He’d known several men, and women for that matter, who’d found a willing colleague or local on work trips. Still, it was hard on her having to give up her room.

  He checked his watch. It was only a little after eleven. “What do you plan to do until then?”

  “I don’t know.” She waved her glass in the direction of a dark corner of the bar where there was a small couch. “Do you suppose anyone would notice if I curled up in a chair?”

  “I could keep you company.”

  “That’s so kind of you Jim, but it’s late. And the thought of returning to my cabin after Maude’s been…” She wrinkled her nose. “You know.”

  “You can’t stay out all night.” Jim was worried for her now, but also concerned what he was about to suggest might only upset her more. “I hope you won’t take this the wrong way but I have an idea.”

  She put her head to one side watching him. She looked so trusting in that moment he was overwhelmed with a feeling of protectiveness for her.

  “I have quite a large suite. It has a couch in the living room.”

  Her eyes widened. “You’re offering me your couch?”

  “Not exactly. My son was supposed to travel with me so the bedroom has two single beds. You could use the fresh one and
I could sleep on the couch.”

  “Oh, Jim.” She was back to looking agitated again. “That’s very kind of you but I couldn’t.”

  “Why not? You can’t spend the night sleeping in the bar. I have a spare bed and you are without a room.” He gave her an encouraging smile to mask the disbelief that he felt at his suggestion. “I realise you don’t know me all that well but I assure you my intentions are honourable.”

  “Oh, Jim,” she said again. “That is so sweet but I couldn’t…” She stifled another yawn.

  “That’s it. Of course you can, even if it’s just to put your feet up for a couple of hours until you can return to your own room.”

  Her look was still full of indecision.

  “Please accept, Celia, otherwise I’ll feel obliged to stay here with you and then neither of us will get any sleep.”

  “Are you blackmailing me?”

  He was relieved to see a small smile on her lips.

  “If needs be.”

  “All right. Just for an hour or so and then I’ll go back to my cabin.”

  “Whichever, it’s fine by me.”

  They drained their glasses and made their way out of the bar. Jim welcomed the sense of anticipation now, it was a warm feeling and he understood he looked forward to Celia’s company – even if it was in slightly awkward circumstances.

  Twenty-seven

  “What a lovely night.” Ketty leaned on the rail and looked out into the inky sky sprinkled with a million glittering stars. The waves rolled and splashed against the hull below her and the steady thrum of the motors was constant and reassuring.