Chapter Eighteen #2
Barbara was in her element. It was the Ocean Cocktail Party day – an exclusive affair for guests who were members of the Emerald Dream Platinum Club.
The cruise line made a point of entertaining its highest spenders, ensuring that their loyalty remained as sparkling as the champagne served at the mid-morning event.
Barbara stepped onto the red carpet of the Observatory Bar and swept in, gliding ahead with effortless poise, barely glancing back as Kenneth trailed in her slipstream, dutifully bringing up the rear.
Greeting familiar faces from previous cruises, Barbara air kissed and cooed civilities.
Earlier that morning, she’d treated herself to a coral-coloured, knee-length cocktail dress from the ship’s exclusive boutique.
The dress was tight on her tummy and thighs, and she’d had to squeeze into a pair of Spandex support shorts to enable the zip to fasten.
Decorated at the neck with tiny jewels, the dress had cost a bomb, but Barbara didn’t care.
This was her stage, and she intended to shine.
Kenneth had bravely remarked that there had been no need to break the bank, especially as she already had a whole closet of perfectly suitable outfits.
With his usual lack of tact, he’d added that the dress was too tight, and given her short stature, she looked like a space hopper and ought to ask for a refund.
He was rewarded with a sharp elbow to the ribs.
Looking dapper in his official uniform, Simon joined the party and announced that Captain Lindholm had been delayed but still hoped to join them.
Barbara’s smile faltered. But she recovered quickly, expressing her disappointment with a gracious, ‘Oh, that’s a shame.
Kenny and I were so looking forward to catching up with the captain, weren’t we, Kenny? ’
Kenneth, midway through his second glass of champagne, gave a startled grunt when his wife’s elbow nudged sharply into his side. ‘Such a shame,’ he mumbled, and promptly drained his glass.
But Barbara sensed an opportunity and reached out to lightly stroke Simon’s arm.
‘We haven’t received our invitation to the captain’s table yet,’ she said with a practised smile.
‘I know it’s just an oversight and there will be places at the next captain’s table.
I’m sure a resourceful fellow like you can rectify this mistake. ’
Simon was saved by the timely arrival of Leticia and Jim. ‘Ah,’ he greeted them, ‘Mr and Mrs Scott, welcome!’
Jim was having a difficult day and was confined to his chair, carefully manoeuvring it with his handheld control. Despite his discomfort, he smiled at Simon and held out his hand. ‘Thank you for all your assistance, Simon. Everything you do for us is sincerely appreciated.’
Simon’s chest puffed out, and he shook Jim’s hand.
The Scotts were a wonderful couple, and he wanted to ensure their cruise was the best that it could be.
‘It’s my pleasure,’ Simon beamed, ‘and everything is arranged for this evening’s excursion for your visit to the Sámi reindeer-herding family.
’ Knowing that Jim would be unable to manage the uphill walk in thick snow, Simon had organised a complimentary snowmobile.
‘What a coincidence!’ Barbara trilled. ‘Kenny and I are on the same excursion. We’ll all have to stick together when we meet the reindeer.’
Leticia and Jim offered polite smiles.
Barbara, sensing an opportunity to undermine Joy and begin her sabotage plan, slipped her hand lightly through Leticia’s arm and leaned in with a conspiratorial whisper.
‘I wanted to ask what you thought about our grieving widow?’ she murmured, eyes narrowing.
‘I heard her husband left her with nothing, and I can’t imagine what she’s done to afford a cruise like this …
’ Her voice dropped to a spiteful undertone.
‘I think she’s playing us all, and we need to keep an eye on her.
Do you suppose she’s making a play for the captain? ’
Leticia stared at Barbara. She was lost for words and momentarily speechless, but before she could find a suitable reply, Barbara pressed on.
‘All this nonsense about having an invitation to Lady Eleanor’s soirée – if only Lady Eleanor knew the truth about Joy!’ Her voice dripped with faux concern.
Before Leticia could ask what exactly Barbara was implying, Simon announced, ‘If everyone would care to step into the Observatory Viewing Room, Bill Zhang, our very own astrophotography expert, is ready to meet you all with signed copies of his book, and to give an exclusive insight into the stars and possible sightings of the Northern Lights tonight.’
Barbara saw that Leticia hesitated, though was unaware that Leticia was toying with a response to put Barbara in her place. But Jim had reached out to take his wife’s hand, clearly excited to meet Bill Zhang.
Barbara sighed. The galaxy could wait and who needed a copy of the most boring book one could place on their coffee table? She would hang back and catch the captain.
The corner of her mouth curled into a smug smile as Barbara watched Leticia and Jim move away.
It was working. A few carefully chosen words, albeit fictitious, a hint of fabricated gossip and Barbara’s concerns were voiced, and soon, whispers about Joy would begin and take on a life of their own.
Barbara was planting the seeds that would take root and spread, and the schoolteacher would be put firmly in her place.
Smirking, Barbara leaned over to reach for a glass of champagne.
A small celebration, for now.
But as she stretched out, Barbara felt the seam on her dress slowly give way, releasing the overstretched fabric.
Barbara froze. Her Spandex support shorts burst out of the seam as the dress lost the battle.
With as much dignity as she could muster and grateful that the room had emptied, she looked anxiously around for her husband.
But Kenneth, keen to go stargazing, had followed the other guests.
With a flaming red face, Barbara searched around.
She snatched a napkin from the table, but it barely covered the bulge of flesh escaping from her dress.
Damn! Not only had she had a wardrobe malfunction, but now she would miss the captain.
Gritting her teeth, Barbara was tempted to lash out and kick a chair, but as her eyes scanned the room, she saw a newly opened bottle of champagne and grabbed it.
With no alternative and needing to deal with the disaster, Barbara let out a groan of frustration and hurried back to her suite.