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‘Yes, of course.’

‘Well, let’s get cracking!’

A little while later, Anne appeared, carrying an ice bucket. ‘I told the delightful lad behind the bar that we are celebrating singledom in our sixties and he said he wished his mum was more like me.’ She deftly popped a cork from a bottle of prosecco and began to pour.

‘That’s timely.’ Kath took a brimming glass and held it up. ‘These bubbles are like little diamonds,’ she said, ‘and Jane has just found a wonderful cruise on a ship named theDiamond Star.’

‘What?’ Anne’s blue eyes were wide. ‘Are you both up for it?’ She stared at her friends. ‘I was expecting to put up a fight.’

‘We’re in!’ Kath raised her glass.

Jane held her drink in one hand and phone in the other. She squinted at the screen as she began to narrate her Google search. ‘“TheDiamond Staris a small ship that prides itself on luxury cruises for the over-fifties.”’

‘Perfect,’ Anne said, ‘but are there any spaces?’

‘Yep, I’ve checked on the online booking system and reserved inner cabins, that’s all they have left, and we only have twenty-four hours to confirm and pay in full.’

‘Go on,’ Kath instructed.

‘“Once onboard theDiamond Star,”’ Jane said, quoting from her phone, ‘“your Christmas cruise begins, and you can relax knowing that all your favourite traditions will be taken care of.”’ She took another slug of prosecco. ‘“With touches of luxury and sparkle, you’ll enjoy delicious food, festive fizz and feel-good experiences.”’

‘Wow,’ Anne said, ‘bring it on.’

‘And I won’t have to peel a single sprout!’ Kath thought of all the years she was glued to the kitchen, working over a hot stove, preparing the large family meal.

Jane lowered her phone. ‘I’ve saved the details but as it’s only a week or so away, can I suggest we meet at mine for coffee tomorrow and make plans to set sail?’

‘I’ll drink to that.’ Anne beamed.

‘Me too,’ Kath agreed, and they chinked glasses.

‘To theDiamond Star.’ Jane grinned.

‘And all the lovely fellas who sail on her.’ Anne smiled. Her eyes were alight with anticipation as she joined her friends, and they toasted the exciting adventure ahead.

ChapterTwo

Selwyn Alleyne sat in the living room of his home in Carlington Crescent in Lambeth and tapped his neatly manicured nails on the polished surface of a walnut table as music from a nearby stereo blasted one of his favourite tunes. It was a reggae beat played and sung by his hero, Bob Marley. Selwyn nodded when Bob rose with the rising sun, as three little birds pitched up on his doorstep, singing sweet songs. When Bob reached the chorus, Selwyn rose from his chair and began to dance.

‘Don’t worry, ’bout a thing,’ Selwyn sang, his arms raised, eyes closed, ‘every little thing gonna be all right.’ The song played on, and Selwyn was lost in the moment, his face upturned, body swaying.

When the song ended, he reached across the table until his fingers connected with a glossy brochure. The cover portrayed a gleaming cruise ship channelling its way through a deep blue ocean. ‘I’m going to enjoy some sunshine.’ He smiled and stroked the embossed gold lettering:Cruising on theDiamond Star. Propping it against a vase of fading silk flowers, Selwyn walked over to a bevelled mirror that hung on a chain above a mantel. At six feet tall, Selwyn dipped his knee to catch his reflection as his fingers toyed with the knot on a bow tie that peeped between the collar of a cotton shirt, newly purchased and neatly pressed. Selwyn reached for braces that stretched across his chest and gave the scarlet elastic a tweak. Moving one hand to his full head of hair, greying at the sides, he flicked a heavy knot of dreadlocks between his shoulder blades, then turned his face to stroke the rich dark skin, which crinkled in laughter lines at the corners of his eyes.

A silver frame was perched on a shelf. It held a photograph of a couple in wedding outfits, young and smiling, their arms interlinked. Their expressions oozed happiness, and Selwyn studied the sepia image. He held a finger to his lips and, with a kiss, pressed it to the woman’s face. ‘Sweet dreams, Florence,’ he whispered.

Outside, a horn tooted, and Selwyn hurried to the window. Lifting a net curtain, he looked out to see a taxi. Acknowledging the driver with a wave, Selwyn closed thick velvet drapes and looked around the room to ensure everything was in order. He picked up a jacket and placed a red Fedora on his head as he stepped into the hallway, where suitcases sat on the polished parquet floor. Selwyn patted his pockets and reassured himself that he had his passport, money, and tickets. Setting the alarm, he called out to the house, ‘Stay safe while I’m away.’ He rattled the door handle to ensure it was locked and, lifting the cases, handed the larger to the driver, who placed it in the cab.

‘Heathrow?’ the driver asked and began to pull away.

‘Yes, please,’ Selwyn replied.

‘Are you going anywhere interesting?’

‘The Caribbean, my friend, the beautiful islands.’

‘First time?’ the driver asked and eased his vehicle into a heavy traffic lane.

‘First time on a cruise,’ Selwyn replied.