Page 17 of The Cruise Club

As Carmen leisurely made her way through the water, a voice called out. ‘Well done, you survived!’ Looking up, she saw Theo sitting beside the pool. Wearing casual shorts and a T-shirt, he held a cocktail in his hand. ‘All a bit too energetic for me.’ He smiled.

Carmen felt pleased to see Theo and paused in her swim. ‘Hello, did you have a good nap?’ she asked.

‘Ah, I’m sorry about that, I struggle to sleep at night and sometimes find myself dozing during the day. I hope I didn’t drown out the talk with my snores.’

‘Not at all, I was engrossed,’ she replied, tilting her head. ‘You look happy, are you feeling brighter?’

Theo chuckled. ‘I am,’ he said, ‘there’s no smoke in my eyes now, and this drink is helping things along nicely. Why don’t you hop out and join me?’

Carmen doubted that she could hop anywhere after her recent exertions.

She wondered if Betty was awake and was about to turn down the invitation but as she looked at Theo’s kind face, she decided that Betty could wait.

Carmen couldn’t remember the last time a man had wanted to share her company, and she wasn’t about to let Betty spoil things.

It would be churlish not to enjoy a drink with Theo.

‘Give me a minute while I fetch my robe.’ Carmen hoped Theo wouldn’t see her aged costume as she moved through the water and climbed out of the pool.

‘I took the liberty of ordering for you,’ Theo said when Carmen joined him.

‘Lovely,’ she replied as she lifted a fruit-filled cocktail stick and took a bite. ‘This looks interesting, what is it?’ She lifted her glass and began to drink.

‘A pina colada, made with rum and pineapple, it’s my favourite. Now tell me, what’s a delightful lady like yourself doing on a cruise full of old codgers?’

Carmen was about to insist that she was an old codger too, but realising that she was thirsty, she gulped the drink.

The sudden effect of almost half a glass of rum made its way swiftly into her bloodstream and, for the first time since she’d boarded the Diamond Star , Carmen felt herself fully relax.

‘I write cosy mysteries,’ Carmen blurted, ‘my leading man is called the Rainbow Sleuth.’

Theo clapped his hands together. ‘I love it!’

‘Well, I’m afraid the Rainbow Sleuth has done a disappearing act and I’m having a bit of a writer’s block.’

‘You mean you stare at the screen, and nothing happens?’

‘Exactly,’ Carmen nodded. ‘I thought that this cruise would help clear my mind and having Ruskin Reeve onboard, to give a talk and workshops, might inspire me.’

‘And has it?’

‘Yes, after the talk I rushed to my laptop and found that words were filling the page.’

‘Excellent. Mission accomplished.’

‘Not really, my mother interrupted and now I’m back to the writing block.’

‘Here, let me clean your glasses,’ Theo said, reaching for a napkin, ‘you’re all steamed up.’ He began to polish, turning the heavy rims between his fingers. ‘Are these varifocals?’ he asked.

‘Yes, I’m as blind as a bat without them.’

‘It sounds like your mum is a problem,’ Theo said.

‘I came on the cruise to get away from my mother.’ Carmen finished the creamy cocktail, and Theo ordered another.

‘And did you?’

‘Not a chance. All my life she’s been a constant shadow, trailing in my wake and bossing me about. Making friends or forming a relationship is almost impossible.’

‘Well, that’s a pity. Surely you have some time of your own to write?’

‘Rarely. I live with Betty, unfortunately, and if I threaten to do my work, she suddenly becomes ill and incapable but conscious enough to warn me that if I don’t pull my weight, she’ll leave her estate to a cats’ conservation charity.’

‘Does she like cats?’

‘Hates them.’

‘Meow, that’s tricky,’ Theo mused.

They continued their conversation, even joking about the perils of having an elderly dependent parent, with Theo confiding that Ruari’s father had been demanding. Carmen noticed that Theo’s fingers stroked an expensive gold bracelet, in a slim simple design.

‘Was that a gift?’ she gently asked.

‘How perceptive,’ Theo said. ‘It was a present from Ruari, I wear it all the time, especially during appearances.’

‘Appearances?’ Carmen looked puzzled.

‘I’m a guest speaker on the ship, here to give a talk.’

‘How exciting! What are your subjects?’

‘Well, as a chef who has cooked here and there, I ramble on about my travels.’

‘I’m so stupid!’ Carmen burst out. ‘What must you think of me? You’re the famous Theo, from McCarthy’s Kitchen Adventures , I’m so sorry I should have known. And to think that I have two of your wonderful cookery books too!’

‘Please don’t stress, there’s no reason why you should know me and these days, I’m considerably more rotund than my last television series.’ Theo smiled kindly and patted his belly.

Carmen was enjoying Theo’s company and wanted to ask much more but realised that she’d been away from Betty for over two hours.

‘I’m so sorry, but I must check on Mum,’ she said.

She was about to thank Theo for the drinks and say goodbye, when Ruskin appeared, wearing a monogrammed towelling gown that gaped to reveal swimming shorts.

Carmen watched as he stopped and stared at Theo.

‘Theo McCarthy,’ Ruskin began, ‘I’m not in the habit of sending my audience to sleep.’

‘Ah, I’m sorry about that.’ Theo grinned.

‘Rest assured, I will find a front-row seat for your session and return the favour.’

‘Ah, Ruskin, I was away with the fairies. I am beyond apologetic, but you have a fan right here. This lady thought you were outstanding.’

Horrified that Ruskin might see her old swimsuit, Carmen wrapped her robe tighter.

‘I hope you enjoyed my talk?’ Ruskin turned to Carmen.

‘Y… yes,’ she stammered. The sun was bright, and as Carmen held her hand to her brow, she was conscious that her damp, untamed hair frizzed wildly around her hot and now flustered face. ‘It was fascinating,’ she added.

Carmen wanted to tell Ruskin it was the most motivating and inspirational dialogue she’d heard in years.

Within minutes of him uttering his closing statements, she’d rushed to her cabin to write.

But Ruskin, showing no desire to spend time in her company, turned away before she could summon the courage and find the right words.

Flinging his gown to one side, he dived neatly into the pool and began precise repetitious strokes as he pounded up and down.

Carmen picked up her bag and as she turned, she saw Peter pacing across the deck. He held up his hand and waved.

‘There you are,’ Peter said, almost breathless in his haste, ‘I’m sorry to disturb you, but your mother has guest services on speed dial and insists that she’s unable to move. I need your help to assist her.’ Peter shrugged and appeared apologetic.

Carmen sighed. ‘Of course,’ she replied. There was no doubt in her mind that Peter knew that Betty was a malingerer and made Carmen’s life difficult.

‘Sorry to dash,’ Carmen said to Theo.

‘The cat is in her cabin, and the mouse can’t come out to play,’ Theo said. ‘Til we meet again.’

‘Meow.’ Carmen smiled.

At last, she had an ally.