Table For Eight

by Tricia Stringer

  “As it should be.”

  “If I didn’t know better I’d think Ketty had something to do with it but I can’t see how.”

  Jim lowered his voice. “Maybe Ketty could steer Maude in Nigel’s direction?” He knew it was being a bit unkind to both Nigel and Maude but poor Celia had had a tough time because of both of them.

  “I don’t think Maude would appreciate it. Or Nigel, who got over me and has found the perfect partner, apparently.”

  “I’m glad. I can’t imagine how dull this cruise would have been without you.”

  “You would have made other friends.”

  “Maybe.” He studied her closely. “But none as nice as you.”

  She met his look, glanced away, chewed her lip.

  “We haven’t discussed what happens tomorrow,” he said.

  “I don’t want to think about it.”

  “You’ll disappear back to rural South Australia.”

  “I’ve a couple of days in Sydney first.”

  “That’s great.” His spirits soared then dropped. “With Maude?”

  “No. On my own. Maude has to get back but I have a ticket for a show.”

  Jim leaned forward a little. “My son booked us into a hotel in the city for a couple of nights. I had planned to cancel and change my flight home but now…well, perhaps I’ll stay on.”

  “We could go sightseeing together. My last trip to Sydney didn’t end well. I’d like to make some new memories.”

  “You two look pleased with yourselves.” Maude placed a plate loaded with several desserts on the table.

  Jim sat back and retracted his hand. “Making plans for tomorrow.”

  Maude gave a shrug and resumed her seat next to Celia. “My flight leaves around one so I’m taking the shuttle from the terminal to the airport. Then that’s it. Party over. Back to reality.” She took a bite of a mini pavlova loaded with strawberries and cream.

  “You’ll be back in time for the bowls carnival. That’s what you decided when we booked.”

  “Only because Beryl convinced me to be her partner.”

  “You’ll enjoy it once you get there.”

  “Home will be dull after this.”

  “I’ll be back in a few days,” Celia said. “I’ll be able to show you how to make that online photo album we talked about.”

  Both Celia and Jim watched Maude stuff the last piece of pavlova into her mouth. Jim turned to Celia. She was smiling at Maude. It was a kind and reassuring look, then she shifted it to him and he smiled back with a new warm feeling he was coming to enjoy. Anyone Celia Braxton called friend was a very lucky person indeed.

  Forty

  Night Nine – At Sea

  “Ah, Miss Clift, you are very prompt this evening.”

  Ketty smiled at Carlos. She was at the head of the line of diners waiting to enter as the doors opened.

  “Good evening, Carlos. I would rather like to sit at the top end of the table on my last night.”

  “Of course.” He inclined his head as she moved on.

  As anticipated the table was empty, and Ketty edged around the outside to the chair at the other end with its back to the column.

  “Good evening, Phillip, Rupert.” She smiled at both waiters and drew two envelopes from the small clutch bag she’d brought with her. “Thank you both for your excellent service.” She slipped an envelope to each of them.

  “Thank you, Miss Clift.” Their smiles were wide as they slid her gift discreetly into their pockets.

  “It has been our pleasure to serve you.” Phillip laid the napkin across her lap.

  “Gin and tonic?” Rupert asked with a grin.

  “Thank you, yes, and can you also bring a bottle of the white wine we’ve been having for later please?”

  “Certainly, Miss Clift.”

  Ketty glanced around the dining room while she waited for the others to arrive. Josie had called in to return a necklace during the afternoon and told her that Leo was planning to eat elsewhere. She had looked a bit sad about it but Ketty had been relieved. Tonight she selfishly wanted only happy memories of the final dinner aboard the Diamond Duchess.

  For her the last night of a cruise was usually a happy one, tinged with a little sorrow that she would be going home tomorrow; the sign of a good holiday, she thought. Now when she imagined returning home, it was with optimism. Obviously, things had been happening at Ketty Clift Couture while she’d been away and she was impatient to see them for herself.

  “Hello, Ketty.” Frank grinned broadly.

  She smiled as the Romanos filled the seats to her right, Frank beside her and then his wife. Christine handed her a small bag. “Thank you for letting me wear your lace wrap.”

  “You know, it was perfect for your dress, why don’t you keep it.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Of course. A memento from me of your holiday.”

  “But won’t you want to lend it to someone else?”

  “Sometimes my bits and pieces find new homes. I think the black wrap will do very well with you.”

  Christine blinked back tears. “That’s very kind.”

  Jim and Celia arrived next and sat on Ketty’s left. The two of them had a glow on their faces and a sparkle in their eyes that warmed Ketty’s heart to see.

  Bernard and Josie were only a few minutes behind them, leaving one last empty seat that Ketty avoided looking at. Phillip and Rupert moved around, distributing napkins, filling water glasses, telling a new set of jokes.

  Drink and food orders were taken and no sooner were the waiters away than Bernard leaned in and looked directly at Ketty.

  “When should you give them the tip?”

  “Whenever you like,” Ketty said. “Although with everyone here perhaps as you leave.”

  “Tip?” Frank looked to Christine. “We didn’t organise anything.”

  “Part of the cost of our cruise is shared to the staff in gratuities.” Christine sniffed. “I’m certainly not giving our room steward anything extra.”

  “My chap was excellent,” Jim said.

  “And mine,” Celia said. “And our waiters have been very efficient and good humoured. I’m happy to give them something extra.”

  “So am I,” Bernard said. “These two young blokes have families, Chrissie, and they don’t get a huge wage. I am sure any extra bit helps.”

  “I think we should,” Frank added.

  Christine looked a little contrite. “We can leave some money on the table when we go. Although it won’t be much if they don’t hurry up with our drinks. I’m parched.”

  In only a few minutes everyone had a drink and Bernard raised his glass towards Ketty.

  “We need to make a special toast tonight,” he said. “For your belated birthday.”

  “Oh yes, happy birthday, Ketty.” Celia smiled from down the table and the others echoed the sentiment.

  Once they were done Ketty wagged a finger. “Now, no more fuss about birthdays,” she said. “I have been very spoiled.”

  “Chrissie,” Bernard said. “You’re wearing the necklace. Where was it?”

  Christine and Frank glanced at each other and she put her hand to the heart-shaped pendant.

  “In one of my shoes,” Frank said. “I’d left them under the bench and we think the necklace must have dropped in. I found it tonight when we were packing our bags.”

  “So not stolen then,” Bernard said.

  Christine shook her head. There was extra pink in her cheeks.

  “I hope there won’t be any delays tomorrow,” she said. “We’ll be cutting it fine to make our flight to Melbourne.”

  “Are you taking the cruise ship shuttle?” Ketty asked.

  “Yes.”

  “They’ll have it in hand. You don’t need to worry.”

  “Jim and I had both arranged to stay on in Sydney for a few days,” Celia said. “We wondered if anyone would like to catch up for a meal.”

  “I’m flying back to Brisbane after lu
nch tomorrow,” Bernard said.

  “I can go for a meal,” Josie said. “But Leo’s going straight home.” She looked a little sad.

  “Would you join us, Ketty?” Jim asked.

  “I’d love to.”

  Their waiters whisked away the entrée plates and began setting out the main course.

  “It’s a pity you’re going straight back to Brisbane, Dad,” Christine said. “The kids are on holidays and I have to go back to work in a few days. You could have come to Melbourne and looked after them and spent some time together.”

  Bernard scratched at his chin. “You didn’t mention it before.”

  “It might not work out this time,” Josie said. “But I do hope Bernie and I can come and visit. If it’s helpful we could coincide with the next school holidays.”

  “The kids would love it and so would we, wouldn’t we, Chrissie?” Frank said.

  Christine was staring at Josie across the table in surprise. “Yes, we would, thank you.”

  “Anyway, I’m still on holidays this week,” Frank said. “And if I get this new job I might be able to take leave until my notice.” He smiled around table. “We’re going house hunting.”

  “Great,” Bernard said.

  “Let’s not jump ahead too far,” Christine said. “I can’t see how we’ll have time to look for a new house, get uniforms and books sorted for the new year. If we’re putting our place on the market there will be so much to do. You’ll have to clean out the shed, Frank, and Anna and Lucca will have to get rid of the stuff they’ve been hoarding in their bedrooms. I’m not going to do everything by myself.”

  Frank frowned and shook his head. “You won’t be.”

  “Humph!” Christine picked up her empty wine glass. “Is the bottle empty? Where are those waiters?”

  Ketty smiled down at her hands. It was probably too much to expect Christine to totally change her ways.

  Celia sensed something different about Jim. He’d asked her to go on a walk around the promenade deck as they’d done on several nights, but this time he was almost twitchy.

  “You’ll need to slow down a little, Jim. I don’t have my proper walking shoes on. These are only suitable for strolling.”

  “Sorry.” He gripped the arm that she had hooked through his, then he stopped.

  Celia halted beside him. “Is something wrong?”

  “No.” Jim shook his head. “Not at all.” He looked away.

  Celia glanced in the direction he was. There was nothing but inky blackness out there and the sound of the sea as it rushed past the side of the ship.

  “All right.” He spoke loudly, startling Celia. He was studying her intently but said nothing more.

  “All right what?” she asked.

  “I have to ask you something. You can say no. I don’t want to pressure you.”

  “What is it, Jim?”

  “It’s probably presumptuous of me but…”

  Butterflies were galumphing around inside her again. “Perhaps if you just ask.”

  “I’m so out of practice at this.” He gripped both of her hands in his.

  “Whatever this is, I think I might be too.”

  “Celia, you are the nicest person. I feel foolish now.”

  “Please don’t feel foolish, Jim.” She extricated one hand from his tight grip and rested it against his chest. “I think my heart is beating as fast as yours.”

  “I’ve ordered supper and some champagne in my room…for the two of us, if you’d like to join me. Only it’s such a nice suite and I’ve had it all to myself, except the night you stayed, and I thought perhaps we could enjoy a drink and some nibbles and sit on the balcony and—”

  “I’d love to.” It was such a relief to find out what he was asking. It was their last night aboard ship and she wasn’t ready for it to end.

  “Oh, great. Yes, that’s good. Shall we go there now?”

  “Why not?”

  Inside the suite, room service had already been and everything was set out waiting for them.

  “I shouldn’t feel hungry after that beautiful dinner,” Celia said. “But those canapes look good.”

  “Try them.” Jim popped the champagne cork and poured.

  Celia picked up a bite-sized salmon cake and dipped it in the saffron sauce before slipping it into her mouth. The flavours merged in a pop of savoury and sweet.

  Jim passed Celia a glass. “What should we drink to?” he asked.

  “More happy days ahead?”

  “Happy days.” He smiled then his eyes widened. “Wait.”

  Celia had her glass nearly to her mouth. He put his down.

  “I have something for you.” He went to the wooden wall cabinet and then was back in front of her holding out a small coloured box, his eyes alight with barely controlled mirth.

  “A gift? Jim what are you up to?”

  “Open it.”

  Celia put down her glass and slid the top from the box. Nestled inside was a turtle. She could see New Caledonia written on its back.

  “Oh, Jim.”

  She laughed as she lifted the turtle from its box and its head began to jiggle. She gave a brief thought to the expensive turtle still in its wrapping that Nigel had given her and knew that she’d treasure this quirky little souvenir far more. She sat it on the low table and glanced up. Jim was watching her closely, his look slightly amused. He was a handsome man, funny and kind. He made her feel happy too and perhaps a little bit daring.

  “That would have to be the second-best souvenir of the cruise,” she said.

  “What was the first?”

  “You.”

  Celia swallowed and leaned forward, finding his lips with hers. Slowly his arms slid around her and pulled her closer, and he kissed her back. Snuggled against Jim’s chest, Celia let out a small sigh.

  “Thanks, Celia,” he murmured.

  She tilted her head to look at him. “What for? I don’t have a gift for you.”

  “Making me laugh again. For me that’s enough.”

  Forty-one

  Alongside, White Bay Cruise Terminal, Sydney

  The sun shone on the harbour and glinted off the glass of the terminal as Ketty made her way along, towing her overnight bag. She couldn’t resist one last look back at the Duchess to try to work out which balcony had been hers.

  She’d sat out on it first thing this morning as the ship had quietly entered Sydney Harbour. She loved the view of the little bays and islands that dotted the harbour, the Opera House, dull under the early morning cloud cover, and the sight of the Manly Ferry leaving Circular Quay. The ship had cruised under the bridge without the fanfare of its departure and then on up to its mooring in White Bay. She was home.

  Before she’d closed her door on her cabin one last time, she’d wandered through it, tracing the surfaces with her fingers, saying goodbye. After her first cruise on the Duchess her life had fallen apart, there had been challenges, still would be ahead, but she felt after this final cruise on the grand old dame of the sea that her life was firmly back together and she had much to look forward to.

  There was a pinging sound from her bag, another text message. This morning when she’d put her phone on to charge in her cabin, several texts and a missed call had registered. The call had been from her brother and when she had listened to the message, he’d said, “It’s your brother, call me when you can.” It frustrated her that he could never leave a hint as to what his call might be about.

  The texts were a series sent by Judith and a couple from an unknown number that she discovered was Lacey’s. Judith’s had been sent daily with the total takings for each day and what was banked. Ketty’s eyes widened as the totals steadily grew larger. Except for the first few days, her business had been taking in much bigger amounts in her absence. Lacey’s texts were to do with her website and now that Ketty had seen it for herself she understood they’d opened online and picked up business immediately.

  Now, as she entered the terminal, her excitemen
t was building but the new messages would have to wait. She’d stuffed the phone in her bag and she wasn’t going to be bothered to stop here and rummage for it.

  She made her way through customs, found her case then stepped out into the open expanse of the terminal hall.

  “Ketty?”

  She looked up to see Greg striding towards her. Her eyes drank in his slightly dishevelled dark curls, his warm smile. It was unexpected but delightful to see her adored nephew.

  “Welcome back.” He drew her into his arms, wrapping her in a bear-like hug. “Crikey!” he stepped back. “I thought they were supposed to fatten you up on those cruise ships. You’re as thin as ever.”

  Ketty smiled. Greg was tall and rather well filled out. Many people would seem thin to him. “I ate my fair share.”

  “I like your hair. What a great cut.”

  “Thank you, Greg, but what are you doing here in Sydney?”

  “I told Dad I’d meet you.”

  “Is your father in town?”

  “And Mum. We’re hoping you feel up to having lunch with us. Let me take your case. I’ll drive you home first and you can freshen up.”

  She opened her mouth to protest.

  “For your birthday.”

  “You don’t need to fuss.”

  “I’m not. Mum and Dad were in town anyway and…well, there’s someone I’d like you to meet. I have a bit of news.”

  “I would love to see everyone. I’ve got gifts.”

  Greg opened the door and they stepped out of the air conditioning into a muggy Sydney morning. Ketty loosened the scarf she’d draped around her neck.

  “Dad tried to ring you before you left and I’ve sent a few texts.” He gave her a sideways glance. “Is your phone turned on?”

  “It is now. There was a message from your father but as usual there was no information.”

  They reached Greg’s car. He opened the door for her, put her bags in the boot then climbed in beside her.

  “Good cruise?” he asked as he turned on the ignition and cranked up the air con. A chocolatey smooth voice blared from the speakers. He turned it down.