Chapter Twenty-Three
Though the sea surrounds us, the spirit of a Christmas cruise brings us home.
Christmas Day in the Arctic and the Emerald Dream set a southerly course to make its way to the next stop in the port of ?lesund. Guests awoke to a warm and cheerful greeting over the PA from Captain Lindholm, on the Bridge.
‘Merry Christmas everyone, and on behalf of myself and the entire crew, I wish you all a happy and enjoyable Christmas Day.’ The captain’s tone was almost melodic. ‘This voyage may find you far from home, but you are sailing amongst friends, and we are honoured to share this special time with you.’
He continued to inform everyone that the day would be spent at sea where the sea state was slight with a Force Four moderate breeze.
Passing the intercom briefing to Simon, the captain signed off and the cruise director highlighted the day’s activities that would include a champagne breakfast, carol singers in the lounges and a lavish Christmas meal, not forgetting an appearance by Santa Claus on the Lido Deck.
Tonight’s entertainment in the Triton Lounge would be The Emerald Dream Crew Show.
‘Join our crew for heart-warming, contemporary and traditional performances,’ Simon explained. ‘And don’t forget everyone,’ Simon reminded cheerfully, ‘join the crew in your festive finest and celebrate Christmas Day in style!’
Seated at his desk in his office following his announcement, Simon’s tone changed.
He wasn’t having the best start to his Christmas Day and his festive finest fell far short of the jovial effect he’d hoped to create.
The sequinned waistcoat that the ship’s wardrobe supervisor had unearthed felt far too tight, and the red velvet blazer, paired with black satin-sheen trousers, suggested circus ringmaster more than Christmas cruise director.
He pulled on the lapels, willing them to meet, when Penny, his assistant, knocked on the door.
‘Come in,’ Simon called out, sounding as weary as he already felt.
Dressed as an elf in green velvet, Penny looked adorable. ‘I’ve just had a message from Mrs Montgomery Jones that she’d like to see you,’ she said, ‘and she’s on her way down.’
‘Oh damn,’ Simon cursed and pushed back his chair. ‘Please keep that dreadful woman away from me.’
‘She says you’ve arranged for them to sit at the captain’s table today?’ Penny held a clipboard in her hand and appeared puzzled. ‘But I don’t have them on the list.’
Simon shook his head. ‘You’ll have to make room, or we’ll never hear the end of it.’ Inwardly, he knew that if Barbara didn’t get her way, the outcome would be too career-destroying to think about. ‘Just don’t put her next to the captain,’ he added.
‘No problem, I’ll juggle the seating plan.’ Penny nodded. ‘By the way, you look very … festive,’ she giggled.
‘Festive humiliation,’ Simon muttered, tugging at his velvet cuffs, ‘I just need a top hat and a striped tent.’
As he navigated his way through the ship, Simon took care to steer clear of Barbara, knowing that she would soon be preening and bragging about her invitation to anyone unlucky enough to be within earshot.
With practised ease, he offered warm greetings to passengers who’d risen early to make the most of the champagne breakfast, many of whom were wearing Santa hats and Christmas jumpers.
Stopping occasionally to exchange Christmas pleasantries with those dressed in more colourful seasonal attire, Simon plastered on a smile when his outfit drew amused comments.
Reaching the Lido Deck, he took a seat in the adjoining bar and ordered a coffee.
He dug into his pocket where his amulet nestled and let his fingers rub gently over the engraved symbols.
Nearby, energetic guests were waiting for Kyle’s early class named Jingle Bell Rock & Stretch.
He noted that Nora, her orange hair pulled into a sharp ponytail, wore a close-fitting tunic and had sewn baubles onto the bodice, which bounced as she moved.
Sid meanwhile, had donned leggings that highlighted his varicose veins.
Wrinkled at the knee, they reminded Simon of gnarled tree roots.
Music suddenly burst through the speakers, and everyone turned to see Kyle, riding an inflatable reindeer, jog across the deck. ‘Morning, gang!’ he called out as Michael Bublé crooned that it was ‘beginning to look a lot like Christmas’.
Simon blinked and rubbed his eyes. Was Kyle really wearing a gold lamé leotard, pointed elf shoes and matching hat?
As everyone began their stretches, Kyle dismounted.
‘Lengthen those limbs!’ he called out and began to strut around the class, reaching out to ease the elderly passengers into positions they hadn’t performed since they were in high school.
‘Wings like an angel, Nora,’ he encouraged as he raised Nora’s arms into a wide arc. ‘Release that tension, babes.’
Kyle turned to Sid and ran his knuckles up and down the older man’s spine.
Sid’s eyes popped, and Simon felt sure he heard something crack.
A little while later, Kyle led the class in a chorus of, Slade’s ‘Merry Xmas Everybody’. Instructing them to speed walk in a conga around the pool, he slipped away and made his way over to Simon.
‘Everything all right?’ Kyle whispered.
The golden glare of Kyle’s torso and too-tight tube-like outfit was almost too much for Simon, and he longed to reach out and pull the fitness instructor into an embrace. ‘Everything is fine,’ he softly replied.
‘No repercussions? We’re not about to be exposed?’ Kyle tapped a foot up and down, and the bell on his pixie shoe jingled.
Simon thought that Kyle would be exposed to a police indecency raid if he were wearing his outfit anywhere but the ship, but the passengers seemed to like the young man’s revealing clothes. ‘It’s all in hand, no further damage, the price has been paid,’ Simon reassured.
‘Thank goodness,’ Kyle let out a deep breath. ‘We’ll have to be more careful next time.’ With a cheeky wink, Kyle pursed his lips into a teasing pout, then pirouetted and moved away.
Next time? Simon felt his heart thump.
He murmured a thank you to the server as a fresh cup of coffee was placed before him, then absently ran his fingers over the heart-shaped amulet. A private smile tugged at Simon’s lips.
Maybe, just maybe, his search for a soulmate wasn’t in vain.
The Emerald Dream sailed slowly through the fjords, and in their suite, Leticia and Jim nestled against the pillows in their king-sized bed and stared out of the window to the dark mysterious world outside.
‘It’s so surreal,’ Leticia reached for Jim’s warm hand.
‘A perfect Christmas morning,’ Jim replied.
‘Mmm …’ Leticia nodded, enjoying the quiet beauty of the moment.
‘When the time comes, promise me you won’t grieve for too long.’ Jim squeezed Leticia’s hand. ‘You have so much life ahead of you and I want you to make the most of every day.’
Leticia rested her head on Jim’s shoulder, and he shifted gently to wrap an arm around her.
His embrace was so familiar yet didn’t feel the same.
Jim’s frame was leaner and his grip softer, as though the illness had been stealing him away by degrees.
Leticia ached for the strong, agile man who’d once swept her into his arms without effort and hid the sorrow that rose at how fragile he felt against her now.
It struck her how easily they spoke of his illness, and she was grateful for that ease.
It would be simple for her to shush him and insist that life would go on as usual.
But Leticia knew better. There was no normal, and when The Beast returned, its power would be beyond her reach.
All she could do then would be to ease Jim’s pain and make his remaining days as gentle as possible.
She was aware of the extra effort it took at times.
As his strength ebbed, frustration would flicker, brief but unmistakable, like clouds passing across a once clear sky.
‘Promise me, no treatment,’ Jim said softly. ‘We’ve discussed this. No hospitals or false hope.’
Leticia edged closer and kissed his cheek. ‘You got it, my darling. Just me and you.’
She knew it would be cruel to deny his wishes, no matter how much she wanted him to cling to every day of life.
But the image of his baby daughter, Grace, lying small and still in a stark hospital cot, surrounded by the sterile silence of death, was carved into both their memories, and it was too raw to forget.
Leticia knew what she had to do, and Jim would leave Leticia in the comfort of their home.
He hugged her closer, and they lay quietly, both accepting the truth that their time was running out, yet grateful to each other for the mutual understanding that came with their deep love.
There was a knock on the door, and Leticia sat up. Room service had arrived with their breakfast. Swinging her legs out of bed, she adjusted the straps of her silk negligee and stood.
‘I much prefer your lovely gown to your Christmas onesie,’ Jim laughed as he watched his wife sashay across the room.
Leticia wriggled her bottom suggestively.
She opened the door to a smiling steward who entered the suite wheeling a trolley laden with fresh fruit, pastries, orange juice, and a chilled bottle of champagne.
Leticia wished the steward a happy Christmas and thanked him with a generous gratuity.
She placed the trolley beside their bed, and after assisting Jim into a comfortable position, poured the champagne.
‘A toast,’ she said brightly, ‘to Christmas.’
They clinked glasses, and their eyes met.
‘To us,’ Jim whispered, ‘let’s hold on to happiness for as long as it lets us.’ His gaze lingered lovingly. ‘Happy Christmas my darling, Leticia.’