Chapter 8
“I have everything you requested, Miss Millie.” Amit whisked her across the galley to a long row of tables. “Thirty have signed up.”
“Within an hour of me sending out the revised activity app,” Millie said. “We also have a waiting list in case someone doesn’t show.”
Annette wandered over. “Amit’s been prepping for his debut baking class from the moment you asked him to help fill the schedule.”
“This will go off without a hitch.” Amit made a flat line with his hand. “No catastrophes, flash fires, calls for the hazmat team.”
“Easy breezy,” Millie said. “Gloria and her friends were among the first to sign up.”
Annette arched her eyebrow. “Including your cousin Liz?”
“She’s not much for cooking, baking, or anything involving domestic duties.
Plus, I have a bingo session at the same time.
I’m sure she would much rather play bingo than fold croissants.
” Millie’s app chimed. “The attendees are meeting me in the hallway. I’ll bring them in as soon as everyone arrives. ”
“See you in a few.”
Using the side entrance, she stepped into the hallway where she found a cluster of people waiting.
“Are you here for Amit’s chocolate croissant making class?”
“We are. I’m thrilled to take part in a baking class,” a woman exclaimed. “A yummy one to boot.”
“As soon as everyone shows up, we’ll head inside.” Millie stepped forward, greeting the new arrivals and instructing them to wait with the rest of the group.
Familiar faces appeared. Gloria and the Garden Girls picked up the pace when they spotted Millie.
“I hope we’re not late,” Lucy said.
“You’re right on time.” Millie quickly counted heads. “We’re waiting on three more, and then we’ll go in.”
“I haven’t been in a commercial kitchen since I sold Dot’s Restaurant,” Dot said. “It will be fun to sink my hands into some dough.”
“Pastry dough to be precise,” Millie said. “The croissants are surprisingly easy to make. Hopefully, you won’t be disappointed.”
“The end result matters most. Easy or hard, I’m sure we’ll savor the endeavor.”
“I was a little sad we missed South Seas Cay but am looking forward to finally having a beach day in Grand Turk,” Margaret said.
“I noticed Liz wasn’t on the signup list,” Millie said.
“She’s playing bingo.”
“Liz has bingo on the brain,” Ruth said. “Not to mention she’s not a fan of domestic duties.”
“I figured as much.”
The stragglers appeared. Millie greeted them and backed up, opening the galley’s swinging door. “Follow me, please.”
The group entered single file, weaving their way past kitchen workers who were cleaning up after lunch service.
Annette lingered off to the side, quietly watching as Amit welcomed the guests. “Good afternoon. Thank you for joining me. My name is Amit Uddin. I am the bakery chef for Siren of the Seas.”
The participants politely applauded.
“Today we will be making chocolate croissants using only four ingredients. Simple, delicious and easy. The trick, as you will soon see, is in the roll.” Amit invited the group to the prep station. “My assistant, Barty, will be handing out aprons.”
Barty, Amit’s replacement as Annette’s “right hand man” scurried toward them. In his haste, he collided with the corner of the cabinet. He stumbled and started to fall.
Annette lunged forward, catching the stack of crisp white aprons before they hit the floor.
Barty quickly recovered, apologizing profusely.
“You were only trying to be efficient,” Amit kindly replied.
After a quick hand wash, the guests got to work, breaking the bars and sneaking samples.
Millie grasped Annette’s arm and pulled her aside. “Do you think having Barty assist Amit was a good idea?”
“I didn’t have the heart to tell him he couldn’t help his friend,” Annette whispered in her ear. “Both are klutzes, but to be honest, I figured how much can go wrong with a four-ingredient recipe?”
“True. At least knives and an open flame aren’t involved.” Millie lowered her voice. “How is Barty doing?”
“Much better. The only time we have issues is when he gets excited. I’m thrilled to report accidents are few and far between.”
As soon as the croissants were placed in the oven to bake, Amit and Barty worked as a team, passing out cups of coffee and tea while they waited.
The timer chimed, and Amit removed them from the oven. “I made a few extra, Miss Millie and Annette, if you would like to try them.”
“Thank you, but I’ll pass.” Millie patted her stomach. “I need to cut back on the sweets.”
“I’ll take one.” Annette thanked Amit for the decadent treat and promptly took a big bite. She closed her eyes, savoring the warm, melted chocolate. “You used dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate this time.”
“I did,” Amit said. “You have sampled both now. Which do you prefer?”
“The dark.”
“Now I’m curious,” Millie said. “I don’t know how it could possibly taste better than the croissant I had the other day.”
Annette offered her a bite.
Millie nibbled the edge. “Yummy. Although I think I prefer the milk chocolate version.”
The cooking class ended and Millie wrapped it up by thanking the participants. Gloria and her friends hung back, waiting for the galley to clear.
“I’m not sure if you remember my cousin, Gloria from Michigan.” Millie introduced the women to Amit.
“I do, but only a little bit,” he said. “It must have been a long time ago.”
“Ages, or at least a few years.” Gloria held up her empty plate. “Your chocolate croissant recipe is pastry perfection.”
“Liz missed out on this one.” Lucy dabbed at the last drop of chocolate and licked her finger. “I’m going to try making these when I get home.”
“Me too,” Dot said. “Ray loves chocolate.”
“You’ve created a culinary masterpiece,” Margaret said. “I can already feel the pounds packing on.”
“I’m ready to do a few laps on the walking track,” Gloria said. “After we’re done we’ll go find Liz.”
Millie walked them to the door, promising to catch up with them later during her break. She returned to help Amit, Barty and Annette clean up. “Thanks again for hosting the baking class.”
“I enjoyed it very much,” Amit said. “It went off without a hitch.”
“No fire extinguishers or medical personnel required,” Annette joked. “I believe you’ve broken the klutzy curse.”
Amit and Barty high-fived each other.
“Time for me to take on trivia.” Millie exited the galley, passing by Ocean Treasures, the ship’s main gift shop.
Cat stood near the window, arranging a display of Tortuga rum cakes. Noticing Millie, she darted out into the hallway. “Hey, Millie.”
“Hey, Cat. How’s biz?”
“Busy. You know how it is when we miss a port. The passengers are in the mood to shop.” Cat shifted her feet. “I would ask how your day is going but I already have a pretty good idea.”
“It’s all hands on deck.” Millie told her about the chocolate croissant making class. “Amit has found his passion.”
“He loves his job. Barty seems to be working out well too.” Cat changed the subject. “How are your cousins and friends enjoying their cruise?”
“So far, so good,” Millie said. “I’m hosting a craft class a little later. Why don’t you hang out with us and tap into your creative side?”
“I could use a break. Where and when?”
“The library.” She gave her the time.
“Count me in. I’ll see you then.”
Millie hustled to the bar outside the casino and set up for a round of trivia. A small competition ensued, with two parties getting all but one answer correct. As she passed out the prizes, cards for the coffee shop, she realized why. “Becky. I thought you looked familiar.”
“My husband and I are on the second half of our back-to-back cruise.”
“No wonder you knew the trivia answers.” Making a mental note to ditch the rest of last week’s questions and replace them with all new ones, she stacked the supplies in the cabinet.
Millie steered it off to the side, thinking now would be a good time to check in with Guest Services to see if there were any complaints.
Thud, thud. Fast steps echoed. Several crew members, dressed in security uniforms, ran past. She turned her radio up, thinking she’d missed an important announcement.
Suharto appeared, moving at a rapid rate.
Millie called his name.
He abruptly stopped. “Hey, Millie.”
“What’s going on?”
“The bridge received a distress signal. Siren of the Seas is in the process of dispatching a rescue crew.”