Page 44 of The Cruise Club

Carmen was preparing for the evening ahead with Theo and stood in her bathroom under the soft glow of the light above the mirror.

The face that stared back seemed unfamiliar, and she felt she was seeing herself in a different light.

Her skin was slightly tanned and glowing, and her eyes sparkled confidently.

Even her hair appeared softer, lightened by the sun.

In such a short time, the plain and drab woman who’d boarded the ship seemed to have vanished, replaced by someone she hardly recognised but liked. A lot.

It was wonderful to be on this cruise, feeling its magic take hold and bring her to life.

A pendant nestled at her throat, and as it caught the light, Carmen reached out to touch the engraved pattern, silently thanking Theo for his kindness.

Stepping back, she smoothed her evening dress, marvelling at how it hugged her figure.

Fran’s impeccable taste was still a revelation, and with the help of the boutique’s assistants, every outfit her new friend had chosen mirrored the changes Carmen was feeling.

Even her mother had undergone a transformation, and spending time with Holden had softened Betty beyond recognition. Carmen could hardly believe the change, for her mother had been brusque and impatient for as long as she could remember.

Earlier, as Carmen helped Betty dress, there had been an unfamiliar ease in her mother’s demeanour. Reaching for the long-handled comb to smooth Betty’s hair into place and spray it with lacquer, Carmen braced herself for the usual sharp remark about being too rough.

Instead, to Carmen’s astonishment, Betty murmured, ‘Thank you, dear.’

Carmen nearly dropped the comb. Had she heard correctly?

Her mother had thanked her! She’d watched Betty’s reflection in the mirror, searching for some trace of annoyance, but Betty’s face was soft and as Carmen fastened a pearl necklace, her mother smiled warmly then reached out and patted her daughter’s hand, with a gentle, reassuring touch.

A lump formed in Carmen’s throat. Who was this woman, and what had Holden done to her? Whatever it was, Carmen wasn’t sure if she should be wary or relieved.

‘Where are you dining tonight?’ Carmen asked.

‘We’ll eat in the Terrace Restaurant. Holden has reserved a window table,’ Betty replied, pinning her brooch and slipping rings onto her fingers.

‘You seem to have grown very fond of him,’ Carmen said softly. ‘Do you think he might propose?’

‘Oh, Carmen…’ Betty giggled like a girl. ‘Don’t be so silly.’ But as she reached for her cane, she paused and looked at her daughter. ‘But then again… I have very strong feelings for him, and stranger things have happened. It might be fun to have a change at my time of life.’

As Carmen slipped into her jewelled sandals and picked up her clutch, she hoped that Betty would find happiness with Holden.

Carmen wouldn’t allow herself to think of her own feelings for Ruskin, but as she flicked off the lights and opened the cabin door, she couldn’t help but think that between Betty and herself, at least one of them had found love.

Perched on a chair in front of a mirror, Dicky sat in his dressing room rehearsing his punch lines.

His face broke into a well-practised smile, and he chuckled at his reflection as though hearing the audience’s rapturous applause.

Beside him, his outfit for the evening, prepared by the wardrobe department, was neatly laid out.

The bathroom door opened, and Melody appeared.

Gripping her silky gown, she moved across the room to sit beside Dicky.

Her fingers searched through the array of cosmetics until she selected her Kryolan paint stick and held it out.

‘Here, try this. It will get rid of those dark shadows,’ Melody said.

‘Cheers,’ Dicky replied. He dabbed it lightly under his eyes.

After Dicky had generously paused the start of his act to ensure that Melody received more applause and a standing ovation from the audience in the Neptune Theatre, an amicable rapport had struck up between the two performers.

Now they treated each other with respect, sharing conversation and discussing improvements to their acts.

Melody talked about her friend, Danni Del Rio.

The memory still haunted her, but she admitted now that Danni’s fall from the balcony in Benidorm had been a tragic accident.

On reflection, Dicky wasn’t to blame. Danni had alcohol issues, and although Melody had tried to get her to slow down, Danni lived a chaotic life, and it was inevitable that, ultimately, her ending would be messy.

‘I’m sorry,’ Dicky said, ‘it must have been very painful for you to watch her decline.’

‘It was and still is when I think of her. Danni burned brightly. Too brightly.’ Melody fastened a sparkling bracelet to her wrist. ‘How’s your wealthy widow?’ she asked.

‘Remarkably amenable since I took your advice and got the courage to break the news that I’d lost the gold chain. I thought she’d have a meltdown, but instead, it turns out she’s more concerned that I might misplace myself.’

Melody chuckled, her fingers teasing her hair under a nylon cap before reaching for a towering blonde wig. ‘Perhaps the chain was a fake?’

‘Hardly, I was with her when she purchased it.’

‘She must think a lot of you?’ Melody arched an eyebrow as she tweaked her hair into place. ‘Maybe you mean more to her than a piece of jewellery.’

Dicky leaned back, a grin playing on his lips. ‘She’s fallen for me all right, they always do.’ He shook his head. ‘Ironic when you think about it as I’ve made a career of telling jokes about middle-aged dating disasters and ridiculing old age.’

‘So, what’s your next move?’

‘My usual move. What happens on the cruise stays on the cruise.’ Dicky shrugged.

‘When this journey ends, so does the relationship.’ He swivelled in his chair, suddenly thoughtful.

‘The thing is, though, she makes me feel good, even when my jokes bomb.’ He lowered his head and stared at his hands, ‘I know she’s a bit older than me, but I think I’m starting to fall for her. ’

‘Bloody hell, Dicky!’ Melody’s mouth dropped open, ‘That’s not in the script. Love ’em and leave ’em is the motto on any ship.’

‘Yeah, I know, and I also know I’m just a temporary fling for her. There are a thousand Dicky Delaneys out there, sailing the seas, available for anyone wealthy enough to buy a few hours of their time. She’ll move on to someone else as soon as she boards the next cruise.’

Melody was quiet as she began to apply eyeliner. Then, as she dusted her cheeks with shimmering highlighter, she said, ‘I don’t know what to say.’

‘Don’t stress, I’ll get over it, and in the meantime, we have a show to put on.’ He stood and, reaching out, unhooked Melody’s outfit from a rail. It was a dazzling concoction of fringe, sequins and rhinestones. ‘Tonight, Melody Moon, you are Dolly Parton!’

‘And you need to get changed.’ Melody smiled, nodding towards Dicky’s outfit.

‘Fifteen minutes, Kenny and Dolly!’ a voice called out.

Dicky and Melody exchanged a look of solidarity, and with a firm nod to the other, finished their preparations for the show.

There was a gentle murmur of conversation and the clink of glasses as Carmen and Theo sat in the Terrace Restaurant and enjoyed their evening, dining with several new faces, at a large circular table.

Guests delighted to be in Theo’s company urged him to tell tales of his time on television and in escapades during McCarthy’s Kitchen Adventures .

As Theo told an amusing story of making ostrich egg omelettes on an open plain in the Serengeti, in Tanzania, while several ostriches got perilously close to his cooking pots, Carmen looked around and noticed Betty and Holden, sitting at a corner table by a window.

The glow of candlelight enhanced Betty’s face, and her usually sharp features softened as she leaned slightly forward, her hand nestling in Holden’s.

Carmen watched with quiet astonishment.

Betty had been the dominant one all of Carmen’s life, setting the rules for her daughter and delivering the last word in a tone that could cut through steel.

But now, her mother was unrecognisable, clearly doting and hanging off Holden’s words, it was almost bittersweet that Betty had found love on the cruise despite her years.

Carmen raised her glass. She knew that she should be pleased for Betty, but at that moment, she could only feel relief.

If there was the slightest chance that Betty had the opportunity to sail off into the sunset with Holden, Carmen would encourage it.

The prison gates were opening, and Carmen saw the possibility of life without Betty.

‘If he proposes,’ she whispered, ‘I hope you accept.’

After dinner, Theo and Carmen went to the Neptune Theatre and found a seat near the stage.

When the lights dimmed, the show started, and the Diamond Star Dance Troupe began to entertain the audience.

Starting with a sultry tango, the dancers moved across the stage with precise steps, executing daring lifts and dramatic spins.

The females wore revealing, flowing red gowns, while the men performed in sleek tuxedos.

Carmen joined in with the audience, clapping along to the high-energy rhythm of the music.

Her eyes widened as a spotlight followed a solo tap dancer, whose rapid-fire footwork created a whirlwind with each flawless move.

For the grand finale, the dancers transformed the stage into a carnival spectacle in feathered headdresses and vibrant costumes, they spun and twirled like flames leaping and dancing in a fire, closing their show with a high octave performance.

‘That was wonderful,’ Carmen said to Theo as they applauded.

Peter came onto the stage and thanked the dancers. Raising his hand, he smiled and said, ‘Tonight, everyone, for one night only, we have a very special act, and I’d like you all to join me and give a big hand as we present a Diamond Star tribute to… Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton!’

Multi-coloured lights danced across velvet curtains that slowly drew back, and the band began an introduction medley of country music.

Hand in hand, Dicky and Melody walked forward.

Dicky was convincing as Kenny Rogers. With a perfectly trimmed snow-white beard and wig, and wearing a suit with a western-style tie, he carried the aura of the country music legend.

Beside him, Melody, as Dolly Parton, was spectacular.

Her blonde wig towered and fell gently on her shoulders and her sequined dress emphasised a shapely figure.

Gliding across the stage, when she spoke, her voice perfected Dolly’s southern drawl.

‘Good evenin’ y’all,’ she said, flicking her curls. ‘I’m not offended by any dumb blonde jokes because I know I’m not dumb… and I know I’m not blonde.’

‘Well, Dolly,’ Kenny replied, ‘I’m still tryin’ to figure out if I’m dumb and using the wrong shampoo.’ He smiled and stroked his pure white hair.

Dolly adjusted her exaggerated bosom and began to sing, and Kenny stood back as the sound of ‘Jolene’ filled the auditorium.

Their act continued with ‘Jackson’, a duet by Johnny Cash and June Carter.

The pair continued to move seamlessly through several more numbers, and each song found the crowd clapping along.

The performance ended with a track familiar to all.

‘ Islands in the stream… ’ Dolly and Kenny sang the final chorus, encouraging the audience to join in, and as the music faded, they took a bow. To everyone’s delight, confetti cannons erupted, showering the crowd with a cascade of paper petals and colourful streamers.

‘That was brilliant!’ Carmen shouted to Theo above the applause as Dolly and Kenny left the stage.

‘A great evening, shall we find somewhere for a nightcap?’ Theo asked. ‘Perhaps the piano bar,’ he suggested and taking Carmen’s arm, led her out of the Neptune Theatre.