Page 34 of The Cruise Club

Carmen was wearing a floaty dress with beaded straps. Her hair was scooped up in a clip, and trails of wayward curls framed her face. ‘I love this outfit.’ She smiled. ‘Fran was so clever to pick it out.’

‘You look like mutton dressed as lamb,’ Betty snapped. ‘Are we going to stay here all day?’

‘Hello, Betty,’ Theo said, taking over and moving the chair forward. ‘It’s good to see that you’re enjoying yourself. Where’s Holden today?’ he asked.

‘He’s taking me to dinner tonight.’

Carmen and Theo exchanged a glance. ‘That’s the first I’ve heard of it,’ Carmen whispered, giving Theo a thumbs up.

The previous evening, Theo had called Carmen to ask if she would join him at Kyle’s Sunrise Senior Splashdown in the morning. Theo’s waistline was expanding, and he felt that he should attempt to do some exercise. But Carmen had declined and explained that she’d be working on her novel with Ruskin.

‘How was your morning’s mentoring session?’ Theo asked.

‘Full on and very helpful,’ Carmen replied. ‘Ruskin is showing me how to create a framework.’

Theo looked puzzled. ‘I can’t wait to hear all about it,’ he said, ‘but first, we must find the oratory. Apparently, Caravaggio’s masterpiece – The Beheading of St John the Baptist – is there and it’s one of his most significant works.’

‘Can’t we find a café?’ Betty complained. ‘I don’t want to see a lot of blood and gore. I’ve no idea why you’ve brought me here.’

Carmen was about to tell Betty that she’d hoped her mother would enjoy visiting one of the island’s most famous buildings, but Theo interjected.

Patting Betty’s shoulder he said, ‘Now, my love, just as soon as we’ve seen this famous painting, I suggest that we head to an exit and find one of the many eating establishments that I noticed on my way here.’

‘Not before time.’ Betty pursed her lips in a tight line.

‘I’m sure you’d like to try a delicious pastisi, filled with wild mushrooms and ricotta, and a refreshing glass of sangria, too.’

At the mention of sangria, Betty perked up. ‘Well, as long as you don’t linger by the painting,’ she said, ‘I am feeling quite thirsty, now you come to mention it.’

‘Perfect.’ Theo grinned.

Ruskin was making his way back to the ship.

He carried two marionettes that he’d found in a gift shop and thought the puppets made perfect gifts for his granddaughters.

Dressed in bright polka-dotted dresses with ruffled sleeves, and carrying tiny castanets, he looked forward to seeing the girls’ faces when they received their Spanish souvenirs.

Now, he was eager to have a swim before the ship’s pool filled with passengers returning from their day out.

He’d enjoyed travelling in a horse-drawn carriage around the sights of Valletta and it had been a most enjoyable form of transport and enabled the writer to view such sights as the Grand Master’s Palace and the ruins of the Royal Opera House, destroyed during the Second World War.

On previous visits to the island, Ruskin had visited many of the tourist hot spots, and today, he’d broken his sightseeing journey by stopping at a restaurant where he’d enjoyed a hearty lunch of slow-cooked traditional rabbit stew, a Maltese speciality, and two glasses of Gran Cavalier from Malta’s Meridiana wine estate.

He was feeling mellow as he strolled along a walkway, enjoying the late afternoon sun that glinted on the still waters of the harbour.

But the sudden sound of a horn made him jump to one side.

Turning to see what was making all the noise, Ruskin saw a vehicle heading towards him.

The wheels of the small land train slowed and soon came to a stop.

As carriage doors opened, the walking party from the Diamond Star began to pile out.

‘Damn,’ Ruskin mumbled as he found himself surrounded by passengers, who, like himself, were heading back to the ship.

He was about to pick up his pace when he noticed that Carmen had stepped out of the train and stood to one side as Theo assisted her mother.

Carmen was laughing as Theo attempted to jostle a folded wheelchair out of a narrow compartment.

Ducking from the old lady’s silver-topped cane, Theo stared at Carmen with mock frustration.

How lovely she looks… Ruskin thought as he watched the scene.

Carmen’s hair, escaping from its clips, cascaded onto her shoulders as she bent forward to assist her mother. She was wearing a pretty dress, and the fabric caught the light, creating an almost translucent effect that hinted at the curves beneath.

Ruskin was mesmerised by Carmen’s transformation.

How had he not seen the woman beneath her anxious and dreary exterior?

Whatever magic was happening to Carmen on this cruise seemed to be working.

Even the way she moved suggested that she’d shed a heavy burden.

Was it the sea air, the luxury of the ship, the daily outings to new destinations or something else entirely?

Whatever it was, she was drawing him in like a tide he couldn’t escape.

Ruskin’s determination to stay away from any romantic liaisons was weakening, and the more he fought it, the more he felt propelled to a place he wasn’t prepared to go.

‘I say, Ruskin!’ A hand touched Ruskin’s shoulder, and he spun around to see Peter standing before him. ‘I wondered if I could have a word. Do you have a moment?’ Peter glanced over his shoulder as he spoke. ‘It’s rather delicate, and I need your help,’ he added.

‘Er, yes, of course.’ Ruskin tore his eyes away from Carmen and stepped aside to a shaded spot. ‘What can I do?’

‘A problem is emerging on the ship, and I don’t want to create a fuss.’ Peter paused, carefully considering his words. ‘But you are a sleuth, someone who investigates crimes in your novels, and I wondered if you’d apply your skills and help me?’

Ruskin thought of Detective Inspector Blake and possible new plot lines. ‘It sounds intriguing – tell me how I can help.’