Chapter 34
The first thing I do when I’m back on the ship is collapse on the bed, face first. Not only am I exhausted, but my head is still spinning from seeing Mum.
I’m aware that more than one cruise ship exists at any time but did our ships have to dock at the same place at the exact same time?
Some would call this a sign. I call it really bad fucking luck. I text Naomi.
You around?
Not really. Just washed both dogs and now dealing with the aftermath. You OK?
I just met Mum in Italy with her new boyfriend. I’m still in shock. If you need me, I will be at one with the sea.
My phone has never vibrated so violently in its life. I answer before it explodes in my hand.
‘Are you for real?’ she exclaims. ‘You sure it wasn’t just a nightmare? I had a nightmare once that my mum tried to punch me, but her hands were made of marshmallow and so was my face.’
‘Nope, no dream. It was her and her new boyfriend. She acted like I’d turned up on purpose or something. Then came the whole why are you travelling alone, you need a man bullshit.’
I hear Naomi laugh.
‘And then, when Ellis turned up, she was all I thought you were alone, you terrible, secretive—’
‘Wait. Captain Ellis was there?’
‘Oh God, not you too!’
‘What? I was only enquiring.’
‘We were on the same excursion,’ I inform her. ‘We hung out. That’s it!’
‘Well, I for one am glad you’ve made a pal.’
‘Thank you.’
‘Philip was once my pal. You know, before we shagged each other into—’
‘Don’t you have dog water to attend to?’
She obviously finds herself very amusing this evening. I wait for her to stop laughing.
‘I’m kidding,’ she insists. ‘It’s cool you have someone to kick around with. I’m saying no more.’
I say goodbye before she has the chance to take that last statement back.