Page 36 of The Cruise Club
Sid and Fran held hands as they stood on the ship’s starboard side, gazing at the jagged land that rose dramatically before them.
Fran wore a bright cotton dress, the floral skirt full, billowing around her legs.
Clustered at the base of Stromboli, they could see a smattering of whitewashed buildings, and Fran pointed out the spire of a church.
‘People must live on the island,’ she said, reaching for her phone to take a photo.
‘Aye, it says in the guidebook that it has a population of around four hundred folks,’ Sid commented, ‘and they are geared up for tourism. Stromboli is a popular travel destination.’
‘I’m not sure I’d like to live so close to a volcano,’ Fran shook her head.
‘There are eruptions every ten to twenty minutes, but all low-level apparently.’ Sid gazed ahead, hoping to see a burst of lava flow down the side of the mountain.
‘It’s known as the Lighthouse of the Mediterranean, and you can visit Stromboli by ferry.
There are beaches of black sand, and guides will take you on a hike to witness the eruptions safely. ’
‘That might suit Don. He has an adventurous spirit.’ Fran grinned as Don and Debbie joined them.
‘Adventurous spirit?’ Don questioned. ‘Just as long as it doesn’t cost more than a pint at my local.’
A group of maintenance engineers appeared and acknowledged the passengers gathered by the railings. They wore white boiler suits bearing the Diamond Star logo and held up their phones to capture the unforgettable sight of a volcano.
‘I hope you lads have left someone in charge down below,’ Don said, ‘or else we’ll be using paddles to get past Stromboli.’
Debbie rolled her eyes. Smiling at the engineers, she edged her way between them to join in with the sightseeing. A few moments later, Carmen appeared with Theo, who was taking charge of Betty.
‘Room for a few more?’ Theo called out and spun Betty’s chair into position.
‘How lovely to see you.’ Fran beamed and hugged Carmen. ‘And don’t you look the business in your new outfit.’ She stood back to admire Carmen’s capri pants and matching lacey vest. ‘Your gorgeous hair is getting lighter, and I must say again how much that cut suits you.’
Carmen smiled. ‘You’re a star, Fran, you’ve transformed me, and I love my new look.’
Seeing his hero, Sid held out his hand to Theo. ‘Hello again, it’s good to see you,’ he said.
‘I found these two loitering by guest services,’ Theo explained, ‘clearly lost. They wanted to know the best place to take in the view.’
‘I wasn’t lost,’ Betty snapped. ‘I don’t know why everyone is crowded on deck to see a blackened hill.’
‘It’s a volcano, Mum,’ Carmen explained, ‘a very special sight and one of the highlights of the holiday.’
‘Well, it’s done nothing to highlight my holiday, and I hope that we arrive somewhere better than this very soon.
I didn’t shell out good money to stare at a blank horizon all day.
’ Betty gripped the railing and raised herself from her chair.
Leaning out, she scanned from side to side, curious to study the onlookers.
‘Has anyone seen Holden?’ she asked. ‘I’m having lunch with him today.
’ Turning back to the ship, she shoved forward.
‘I’m doing my stretches,’ Betty said and began to wave her arms. ‘My doctor says I must try to move my poor old bones despite the excruciating pain.’
Staring at her mother, Carmen shook her head. Betty appeared to have forgotten her frailty. Now, using her cane, she crept along the deck with the agility of a cat burglar, any pain dispersing as fast as the smoke from the volcano. Her wheelchair had been abandoned in her quest to find Holden.
Theo noted Carmen’s concern. ‘Shall I go after her?’ he asked.
‘No, she’ll be back as soon as she needs sympathy. But with any luck, she’ll hook up with her lunch date and be gone for the afternoon.’
The ship had slowed, and everyone stared at Stromboli. In stark contrast to the clear blue sky, wisps of blueish-grey smoke began to billow from the summit as though the volcano had started to wheeze.
‘It looks restless to me,’ Don commented. His brow was furrowed as smoke swirled upwards, darkening the sky.
Fran turned to Sid. Tilting her head, she studied her husband. ‘Are you all right, love?’ she asked. ‘You look a little pale.’
‘Aye, my damn indigestion playing up again,’ Sid replied with a sigh. ‘Give my back a pat, will you?’
Fran began patting Sid’s back then rubbed her hand in a circular motion. ‘Any better?’ she asked after a few minutes.
‘Don’t worry about me, my sweetheart, just enjoy the volcano.’
Reassured, Fran smiled at Sid, but as she turned, a sudden explosion made everyone jump back from the rails.
Ash and lava flew high into the sky, and, grateful to be at a safe distance, onlookers watched in awe as the fiery red and gold torrent lightened the darkened sky above the summit of the volcano.
Fran heard Sid cry out and smiled, pleased that he was enjoying this wonderful experience.
But the sound of the thud that followed caused her to spin around.
Startled, everyone moved back, and Debbie gasped.
Sid lay on the deck, as still as a statue, his face pale and his hand clutching his chest.
‘No!’ Fran cried. ‘ No! Not my Sid…’
Theo rushed forward and knelt beside Sid, taking hold of his wrist to check his pulse. ‘It’s okay, Sid, try not to panic; help is on the way.’
Theo looked up, his eyes searching for Carmen. Their unspoken words sent Carmen rushing off to find assistance.
Fran fell to the floor, her hand clutching Sid’s. ‘Someone help him, please,’ she urged, her face streaked with tears.
‘It’s all right, sweetheart,’ Sid mumbled, ‘don’t worry, I… I’ll be right as rain in a moment.’
Perspiration broke out on his brow, and Fran dabbed at it with the soft fabric of her skirt. ‘Oh, you daft old fool, you’re scaring me,’ she said, gently kissing his cheek and brushing the few strands of hair from his forehead.
‘Make way!’ a voice called out moments later, and Kyle appeared. He wore bright red spandex Speedos, his sliders slapping as he sprinted down the deck with a medical kit slung over his shoulder. Gripping his two-way radio, he yelled, ‘Medics, to the viewing deck! Starboard side. Passenger down.’
Don leaped back, wide-eyed, and stared at Kyle. ‘I feel like I’m on the set of Baywatch …’ he said as Kyle reached Sid and flung a rainbow-coloured towel to the floor.
Theo knelt beside Sid and looked up at Carmen, who gave a shrug and whispered, ‘He was the first crew member I could find…’
‘Don’t worry darling, I’ve got you,’ Kyle soothed as he knelt beside Theo and leaned over Sid, padding the towel beneath his own knees. ‘First things first, you need to breathe in and breathe out.’
Theo thought Kyle was stating the bleedin’ obvious and resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Was that the best that he could come up with? He scanned the fitness instructor’s face for a hint of medical expertise, knowing he’d heard more inspired advice on daytime TV.
‘Is it his heart?’ Fran whispered.
‘Without a doubt,’ Kyle replied. ‘Prepare yourself…’
Fran almost collapsed, and Theo could scarcely believe what he’d heard.
If there was any more loose talk from Kyle, Fran would need medical assistance, too.
He reached out and gripped Fran’s hand and smiled encouragingly, resisting the urge to fling Kyle to one side.
‘It’s fine, Fran,’ Theo said, ‘stay strong, your man is going to be okay.’
Passengers watching the unfolding scene stood back as two uniformed nurses appeared.
Relinquishing his role, Theo breathed a sigh of relief as he let the professionals take over.
He stood beside Carmen as Sid was examined with swift efficiency and wired up to a portable monitor.
The nurses asked if the wheelchair by the railings might be used to transport Sid to the medical facility, and Theo moved forward to assist.
‘Good job I was here,’ Kyle said and neatly folded his towel.
Theo raised an eyebrow and stared at Kyle.
‘I don’t know what we’d have done without your towel-folding skills,’ he said.
‘You’re the unsung hero of the day.’ Placing his arm around Fran’s shoulders as Sid was secured in the chair, he nodded as Carmen picked up Fran’s bag, both knowing Fran would need their support.
Sid’s eyes were closed. He held a hand to his chest and as the passengers parted, the nurses moved ahead with Sid, to a door halfway along the deck. Everyone else turned when a voice suddenly screeched out:
‘CARMEN! Where are those people going with my chair?’