Chapter Five
In the motion of the ocean, may the sea be your strength.
‘Good morning, everyone! This is Simon, your cruise director, and I’m hoping you’ve all enjoyed a restful night and are now waking to the bracing sea air as we sail towards Norway. Whether you are a seasoned cruiser or setting sail for the first time, we are thrilled to have you with us.’
Simon’s cheerful voice echoed through the ship’s public address system, reaching passengers in cabins, corridors, and public rooms. In the buffet restaurant, amidst the chink of crockery and cutlery, diners paused mid-bite to listen, their breakfast momentarily forgotten as Simon’s jolly tones brought the day to life.
‘We have a full programme onboard today,’ Simon continued, ‘and for those participating in our Killer Darts, may I remind you that it’s the only activity where it’s permissible to throw something sharp, so try not to stab other competitors.
’ Simon paused. ‘Only joking, of course!’ he quickly added with a chuckle.
‘The book club meeting will be held in the Botanical Room, and those chapter chasers amongst you will be pleased to hear that today’s book for discussion is The Sinking of the Titanic. ’
Several diners stared at each other, their expressions a mixture of concern.
‘Well, that sounds ominous,’ a woman was heard to say, while another wondered if it was wise to read a novel with such … depth.
‘For the Women’s Institute ladies who booked the cruise through the magazine WI Life, we’ve added a meetup for you today,’ Simon informed, ‘and this gathering will take place shortly, in the Ocean Bar at ten-thirty.’
In the buffet restaurant at her table for one, Joy listened to Simon as she buttered a slice of toast. She wondered if the bar would be open so early in the day and if cocktails and wine would replace the ladies’ tea and cake.
A former Women’s Institute member, she’d always enjoyed the activities and contemplated joining the meeting.
Simon’s enthusiasm continued as he explained that there was an art class in the Emerald Art Studio and an additional Christmas quiz in the Deck Café at two o’clock where complimentary mulled wine would be served.
Joy noticed several pensioners reach for pens to make a note of the quiz time.
With complimentary drinks there was sure to be a stampede.
Simon concluded by mentioning that as the ship sailed further north, the weather might get a little bit bumpy and advised passengers to be careful when moving about the ship.
‘Now, everyone, on behalf of Captain Lindholm, and all the crew,’ Simon almost sang as he ended his announcement, ‘please be sure that you have a wonderful day aboard the amazing Emerald Dream.’
Joy, with Susan’s orders ringing in her ears, determined to motivate herself and decided that her day would begin with a walk around the ship.
She’d start at the top and work her way down.
When a steward offered more coffee, Joy politely declined and, pushing back her chair, she left the restaurant to take the stairs to the Sports Deck.
It was too cold to head outside, so Joy amused herself by pausing in the Observatory, where several passengers had already bagged the best seats to spend the morning gazing out to sea.
A couple of heads were dipped, and as she moved away, Joy heard the soft, rhythmic purr of an elderly man enjoying a nap.
Next, she saw that the sports courts were deserted, but when Joy stopped by the Emerald Art Studio, she noticed a woman setting up easels and arranging brushes in pots.
‘Are you joining us?’ the woman called out.
She wore a paint-splattered smock, and her vibrant red hair was fluffed out like a halo.
Her eyes were dramatically lined with vivid green kohl and an empty cigarette holder perched between the fingers of one raised hand, as she paused to stare at the newcomer.
Jo saw that the artist’s gypsy-style dress flowed from her smock to the floor and skimmed her toenails, which were painted a sparkling blue.
‘Lucinda Green,’ the woman continued before Joy could reply. ‘I’m famous. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn from the best.’ She placed the cigarette holder in her mouth and pouted.
‘Well, I hadn’t planned …’
‘Well, you should. Don’t dawdle the day away.’ Lucinda turned on her espadrilles and, ignoring Joy, moved to an easel.
Startled, Joy decided that a morning with Lucinda, though informative, might not be entirely what she’d planned.
The woman was like a walking theatre production, and Joy had no desire to participate in Lucinda’s first act.
The Lido Deck beckoned, and heading down the stairs, she passed a well-equipped fitness centre where an instructor, smart in logoed tracksuit, asked if she’d like to join the morning circuit training.
‘Er, not today, thank you,’ Joy replied and hurried on.
A wonderful aroma of eucalyptus and lavender drifted along the corridor, and Joy realised she was almost at the Atlantis Spa.
Deeply inhaling, she remembered the exorbitant cost of treatments from the Emerald Dream brochure, but feeling drawn to the spa like a gentle embrace, Joy decided that during the cruise, she might treat herself.
A man wearing a towel wrapped around his waist came out of a changing room. His naked, corpulent torso was pale, and as he passed Joy on his way to the pool, his sliders slapped against the tiled floor.
‘Don’t be late for Kyle’s Frost the water is lovely, isn’t it, Jim?’ Leticia raised her hand to his face and stroked gently. In return, Jim kissed her fingers.
‘Did you sleep well?’ Joy asked.
‘Like logs, didn’t we, Jim?’ Leticia smiled lazily at her husband, then turned to Joy, ‘Did you?’
‘Not really, but it doesn’t matter, I never sleep much these days.’
‘I’m a good listener if you ever want to talk about your husband,’ Leticia said softly.
Startled, Joy was taken aback. Leticia had peered straight into Joy’s subconscious, naming aloud the one subject Joy never expected anyone to mention.
‘Only if you feel comfortable, of course,’ Leticia smiled.
No one ever asked Joy about Tom anymore.
People avoided the subject, as though her husband’s death was something best left untouched.
Joy knew it was discomfort or fear of saying the wrong thing.
Or perhaps it was the thought that conversation might stir up aching memories, and people didn’t know how to deal with Joy’s pain.
Neighbours often crossed the street or darted away to avoid Joy, unaware their reaction only worsened things.
Death could be so alienating.
Even Susan swerved the subject of her father’s death, suggesting that the trauma had passed, and it was time to move on.
But here, in the most unusual circumstances, was a woman who appeared to have a sixth sense.
Joy had never mentioned Tom, but Leticia, her face softening, seemed to understand.
Joy stared at Leticia and an unspoken sign passed between them when Leticia reached out, her fingers brushing Joy’s arm, squeezing gently in solidarity.
‘This jacuzzi is so good, but I think we may have had enough.’ Leticia studied Jim’s skin, which appeared slightly prune-like. ‘Time to get dressed.’
Joy stood back, her eyes wide, as Leticia rose from the water like a goddess emerging from the deep.
Voluptuous in a jewelled and sparkling swimsuit, water cascaded down her gleaming body.
With the grace of an athlete, she placed her hands beneath Jim’s shoulders and gently lifted him from the jacuzzi and helped him walk towards his chair.
‘Pass me a couple of towels,’ Leticia called out as she carefully placed one foot slowly in front of the other while linking Jim’s arm, determined not to slip.
Joy reached for a stack of blue and white guest towels and handed two to Leticia.
‘Perfect, thanks,’ Leticia told Joy as she dabbed Jim’s skin gently. ‘We’ll hopefully see you later. Perhaps you’ll join us for the Christmas quiz?’
‘I’d like that,’ Joy said, surprising herself with her prompt reply.
The ship suddenly swayed as it encountered a swell of waves and Joy watched Leticia steady herself while she manoeuvred Jim away. Guests nearby turned as one, as Leticia’s swimsuit sparkled and she moved gracefully in an almost choreographed motion to the waves outside.
Behind Joy, the pool deck buzzed as Kyle exercised in time to the music. Wearing a headset, he called out commands. ‘Splash like your ex is watching!’ he yelled.
Perched on the edge of the pool, gripping her foam noodle, Nora kicked the water, then paused to glance skyward, her smile almost serene.
‘Oh, I hope he is,’ Nora shouted. ‘Especially as I’m having so much fun.’
Kyle continued to strut and dance, encouraging his class, and for a moment, everything seemed to blur as Joy painfully thought of Tom. The deep smell of chlorine, tinged with the eucalyptus, still hung in the air, but the space beside her was empty, a constant reminder that she was alone.
With one last glance at the party in the pool, Joy turned and walked away. Waiting by the lift to descend to her cabin, she remembered Leticia’s invitation to the Christmas quiz.
I must make the effort, Joy thought, and with a sigh, stepped inside.