The Arctic Cruise

Chapter One

To travel through Arctic waters is to witness nature’s majesty – where the mountains whisper stories, every sunrise brings wonder, and dusk drapes the world in mystery.

Joy Bradley stood at the window of her hotel room at the Inn on the Beach in Little Haven and stared out at the horizon. Despite the stillness of the sea, unease tightened her stomach, and her fingers dug into her palms as the weight of inevitability crept closer.

Beneath the early morning sky, a ship appeared, sailing smoothly towards the harbour. In the soft light, the rising sun caught the gleam of its hull cutting through the misty morning, and as it moved nearer, Joy imagined a predator closing in on its prey.

Was it too late to gather her cases and hurry from the hotel? Back to the home where memories still haunted her.

Taking steadying breaths, Joy closed her eyes and counted slowly. She could do this. She would embark on a holiday. It was a cruise that Tom had planned and something her daughter demanded when she thrust the glossy brochure into her mother’s hand.

Cast off on a Christmas adventure!

All aboard the Emerald Dream as she sails through Norway’s winter wonderlands to see the breathtaking Northern Lights. Celebrate Christmas beneath the glow of the aurora borealis, indulging in festive fun that will create memories to last a lifetime.

The dream cruise for their fortieth wedding anniversary. The memorable holiday that Joy had carefully planned with Tom. Christmas aboard a floating paradise to share the wonder of the Northern Lights doing what they loved best.

‘We’ll book an Arctic cruise,’ Tom had said as he’d scanned the brochure. ‘Let’s celebrate the milestone of our marriage and go somewhere snowy at Christmas – after all, we got married on Christmas Eve.’

But the much-anticipated anniversary was not to be.

As she watched the Emerald Dream enter the channel of the River Tyne, Joy remembered the warm September night beneath a Mediterranean sky strewn with stars when, to the gentle sway of the ship, Tom fell asleep in their balcony cabin.

He never saw a sunrise again.

Joy felt tears trickle down her cheeks. The pain of Tom’s death was still raw. Despite the months that had turned into more than a year, she’d never forgotten the agony of touching his cold skin and lifeless body. His death so sudden, leaving Joy in a widowed world she hadn’t been ready to enter.

Now, that world was a place she found difficult to leave.

Would Tom have wanted her to join this cruise?

To remember their years together and all their holidays at sea?

The idea felt almost unbearable. There was an ache in her chest that wouldn’t go away, and pain hung like a heavy coat.

It was only through the incessant nagging of Susan, their daughter, that Joy found herself about to board the cruise.

Tom had paid upfront for the Arctic cruise, and Susan insisted that Joy should still go.

‘Mum, I can’t come with you,’ she said. ‘You know how Hugh insists that his family spends Christmas with us. Perhaps you can find a pal to join you?’

Joy knew only too well that Christmas in Susan and her husband Hugh’s home was a highlight of the year.

Wild horses wouldn’t drag Susan away from the ritual her husband adored.

Joy thought of the bustling kitchen, with endless mouths to feed, and the hours Joy spent chained to the sink, only to return home utterly drained.

As for finding a travelling companion, she had no ‘pal’ in mind and, in truth, preferred it that way.

The thought of a double-berth cabin all to herself was oddly comforting.

Had Susan and Hugh had children, Joy would have leaped at the chance to join the Christmas festivities in London, despite all the hard work.

But Susan’s focus had always been her high-flying career, and Joy felt the ache of a missed opportunity.

She’d never have the chance to cradle a grandchild; that small, private pleasure had never come her way.

Now, the Emerald Dream was close by. So close, she could see passengers on upper decks who waved to those watching on the banks of the Tyne. Outside, a woman bundled in a quilted coat, returned the greeting excitedly as the magnificent ship cruised slowly towards the port.

At least someone is happy to see the Emerald Dream, Joy thought.

She walked to the bed and fastened her suitcase, then, reaching for her coat, thrust her arms into the sleeves and wrapped a scarf around her neck.

Checking that her gloves were tucked safely in her pockets, Joy heaved the case to the floor and took a last look around.

The room was so cosy and welcoming, with its seaside-pastel shades and mock porthole windows, that she felt reluctant to leave.

But Susan’s words echoed. ‘It will be good for you,’ she’d said. ‘Dad wouldn’t want you to be miserable. I miss him too, but I’ve managed to move on.’

Well, bully for you! Joy loved her daughter and knew she meant well, but Susan could sometimes be less than sympathetic. Susan didn’t wake every day to an empty space where her husband used to be and feel the panic that followed.

Joy felt weighted down, a feeling as heavy as the suitcase beside her.

Yet amid her grief something had shifted and the panic attacks that stalked her had faded.

She hadn’t had one in months and was at least able to leave the house to make this trip – something that had felt almost impossible in the aftermath of Tom’s death.

She made her way to the hotel reception, where jolly Christmas decorations hung, and a pretty tree laced with lanterns stood in one corner, while a miniature Santa sat beside the tree.

Its pointed hat was crooked, and its fur-trimmed coat a faded shade of red.

Santa’s smile was worn, his cheeks chipped, and Joy knew that Tom would have joked that Santa had seen better days.

Acknowledging the young man behind the desk, Joy settled her account.

She struggled to summon up any Christmas spirit as he ordered a taxi for her as she waited in the warmth of the hotel lobby.

Very soon, she would arrive at the port and, unable to face breakfast here in the hotel, Joy planned to settle in the ship’s departure lounge and read a book before the embarkation process began.

But as she traced the edge of her wedding ring on her finger, she wondered if this holiday would be the beginning of anniversary memories or another painful reminder of Tom’s death.

A few minutes later, the taxi’s horn beeped outside, and with effort, Joy forced herself to move.

Holidays were for leaving cares and woes behind, and the Emerald Dream awaited, but as she climbed into the cab and the vehicle pulled away from the hotel, she knew that no matter how far she travelled, some things refused to be left behind.

Leticia Scott was excited. After hurrying out of her hotel room at the Inn on the Beach in Little Haven, she was in awe of the magnificent sight of the Emerald Dream as it entered the mouth of the Tyne, passing the iconic red and white of the South Shields lighthouse, sailing slowly down the river to the port.

Passengers who would soon disembark stood on deck, and Leticia waved her hands. ‘Hello!’ she called out excitedly.

After a few minutes, the ship became distant as it continued to its destination, and Leticia gathered her quilted coat tightly and turned to the narrow path leading back to the hotel, bracing herself against the freezing Tyne wind.

Ahead, nestling by the sand dunes, she was intrigued to see a collection of sculptures.

The life-like human figures appeared to be conversing.

Captivated, she hastened her pace until she stood in the middle of the bronze munchkin-like characters.

‘What fun!’ Leticia laughed and saw that someone with a sense of humour had placed cosy knitted Santa hats and seasonal fur-trimmed scarves on the figures, as though protecting them from the harsh weather whipping in from the North Sea.

A notice board alongside explained that this was the Beach Ladies – a public artwork created by the artist Juan Munoz, and the ladies were to welcome visitors from both land and sea.

They reminded Leticia of Weeble toys with egg-shaped, weighted bottoms. ‘Just like me.’ She smiled.

She stared at their faces and ran her gloved fingers over their old-fashioned clothes, the surface smooth and cold.

‘Weebles wobble, but they don’t fall down …’ she sang.

Reminding herself that she must tell Jim about the sculptures, Leticia hurried back to the hotel just as a taxi pulled away from the front door.

Inside, the lobby was warm and welcoming, and as Leticia removed her gloves, she noticed a pretty Christmas tree, hung with colourful lanterns.

Beside the tree stood a miniature Santa with a pointed hat and fur-trimmed coat.

Leticia reached out to stroke Santa’s rosy cheek. ‘Happy Christmas!’ she whispered.

Turning to a young man in reception, Leticia called out, ‘Good morning, we’re checking out shortly.’

The young man returned her greeting then produced a bill. ‘Any plans for Christmas?’ he asked.

‘We certainly have,’ Leticia grinned. ‘We’re off to Norway on a cruise.’

Moments later, she tucked her receipt in her bag, reached for her keycard, and let herself into her room. ‘Jim, you’ll never guess what I’ve just seen …’

As the door closed behind her, Leticia looked towards the port hole window, where the morning sun suffused the room in a warm glow. Seated in his wheelchair, her husband looked peaceful, his eyes closed. The light caught the shine of his sleek black hair, and the lines on his face appeared soft.

How handsome he is! Leticia stood, drinking him in.

She watched Jim’s hands, resting on the arms of the chair. Hands that were no longer strong or active. Leticia silently cursed the illness that had caused Jim’s disability and swallowed the lump rising in her throat. Life had dealt her handsome husband a cruel blow.

Jim turned, his eyes now open and a knowing smile on his lips. ‘You’ve seen the ship,’ he said, ‘I’ve been watching you.’ He picked up his glasses and perched them on his nose to gaze at his wife.

‘Yes,’ Letitia replied, ‘I’m glad we were up early, I never expected such a wonderful surprise.’

‘It was quite a sight,’ Jim agreed, ‘and now the Emerald Dream will prepare for a speedy turnaround, with a brand-new passenger list.’

‘Including us.’ Leticia reached out to cradle Jim’s face and lovingly kissed him.

‘I hope I’m not too much of a burden.’ Jim frowned. ‘This damn wheelchair is so restrictive and hard for you to manage.’

‘Don’t be silly.’ Leticia brushed off the comment. ‘Now, we need to sort ourselves out, and I’m sure you’re ready for breakfast.’

As she tidied their room, Leticia told Jim about the Beach Ladies and how they reminded her of herself. ‘If there’s time before we check out, we’ll whizz over to them, and you can see for yourself,’ she said.

‘My whizzing days are over, my love, but I’d enjoy seeing the sculptures.’ Jim placed his hands on the wheels of his chair and attempted to turn around. ‘But first, I need the bathroom.’ Frustration etched itself on his face as the chair barely moved.

Some days were better than others. Some days Jim could stand and walk independently. But today was not one of those and, swift to react, Leticia took control.

Giving Jim space, she waited by the window and stared at the long sandy beach of Little Haven.

Despite the sunshine the temperature outside was just below freezing.

Several hardy swimmers were in the sea, and Leticia shuddered at the thought of the icy water.

In days long gone she knew that Jim would have joined the swimmers, enthusiastically grabbing opportunities, his energy unlimited.

But despite Jim’s condition being life-changing for them both, Leticia refused to be downhearted.

She embraced every day with hope and was determined that Jim did the same.

Their cruise was a much-anticipated Christmas gift to each other, a holiday to tick off their bucket list, and would be a wonderful break.

In the hotel restaurant, Leticia watched as guests ate their breakfast. She wondered how many, like herself and Jim, had chosen to spend the night before the cruise in a hotel.

The drive from Bath the previous day had been pleasant but long, and it made sense to have a leisurely overnight stop before boarding the Emerald Dream.

Jim was chatting to a couple seated at an adjacent table. The couple nodded as they listened to his words.

Thank goodness he makes the effort, Leticia thought, watching the exchange with a mixture of affection and relief.

She smiled as a server poured coffee and, sitting back, Leticia felt herself relax.

The cruise was truly beginning, and Christmas felt full of possibility.

Should they be lucky enough to witness it, perhaps the beauty of the aurora borealis would cast a spell that eased Jim’s pain.

Whatever the outcome, Leticia made a promise to enjoy every moment and make the most of this Arctic cruise, while ensuring that despite his fading strength, Jim did too.

Time was no longer a companion but more like a silent thief, stealing precious days that they once took for granted.

But when Jim turned to face her, she beamed, and taking his hand, her dark brown skin a striking contrast to Jim’s pale complexion, Leticia leaned closer.

‘Here’s to our dream cruise, my darling,’ she whispered, ‘and I simply cannot wait.’