Chapter Thirty-Four #2
Ever the professional, Simon continued. ‘If the lucky winners would like to return to the stage after the show, there will be a photograph with Captain Lindholm.’
Tucking the card back in his pocket, he continued by saying that it had been a pleasure sailing with everyone, and he hoped that guests had made many memories of their time on the Arctic cruise.
‘We hope to see you all on another voyage soon. But now, please put your hands together for An Audience with the Captain!’
Captain Lindholm appeared in the wings and strolled onto the stage, where two chairs surrounded a small table.
Lady Eleanor, with Margaret by her side, was seated next to Joy, and as Simon and the captain settled, Joy whispered, ‘Will you miss this?’
‘No, my dear, it’s time I went home, I feel that I need to connect with Richard if only in a spiritual sense.’
Lady Eleanor sighed, her gaze drifting into the distance. To Joy, she seemed suddenly weary; the earlier sparkle at the thought of returning home had quite vanished. Before Joy could inquire further, however, the event commenced.
Captain Lindholm opened by discussing the Emerald Dream, sharing her tonnage and technical details of her engines. He entertained everyone with amusing facts and informed guests that they had consumed 39,000 eggs during the trip and 500 kilos of cheese.
Simon patted his tummy and quipped, ‘Not all the cheese ended up in my sandwiches.’
When asked about cruise ships polluting the oceans, the captain explained the latest environmental regulations and how the Diamond Star Line ensured full compliance, and that one day the ship would be completely carbon neutral.
He acknowledged accountability, stating that the captain’s decisions are final.
If something were to go wrong, it is the captain who would be held legally responsible.
During audience questions, Kenneth asked the captain about the most unusual sea creatures he’d ever encountered.
The captain grinned. ‘Submarines,’ he replied, prompting a round of laughter. Another guest wanted the captain’s opinion on the social aspects of cruising, particularly when thousands of passengers descended from large ships onto small islands.
‘I hope that it becomes regulated,’ Captain Lindholm replied. ‘Ideally to just one ship per day.’
Margaret stood up and called out, ‘Have you ever lost someone at sea?’
The captain replied that thankfully, he hadn’t, then paused, ‘Although I did once have a passenger claim her husband was missing, but it turned out he was in another cabin, with someone else’s wife.’
Simon concluded the evening by asking the captain if he would do it all again.
Captain Lindholm slowly nodded. ‘In a heartbeat,’ he said. ‘The sea is magical and mysterious, she humbles you and once cast in her spell, you realise that she is the gateway to all things on Earth. I have the best job in the world, and for that, I am truly grateful.’
There was a brief pause as everyone absorbed his words, then, as if sensing the close of a wonderful journey, loud applause filled the room in an unspoken farewell to the shared adventure.
A crew member appeared, carrying a hamper, and Simon beckoned Barbara and Kenneth to the stage for photos with Captain Lindholm.
Guests began to disperse, and Joy, taking Henry’s hand, smiled and said how enjoyable the evening had been. They turned to bid goodbye to Lady Eleanor and walked with her to the foyer, while Margaret went on ahead. Joy noticed that Lady Eleanor moved slowly, and her faltering steps seemed unsteady.
‘Can I help you?’ Joy held out her hand. ‘Are you feeling unwell?’
Suddenly, Lady Eleanor’s legs gave way, and she crumbled to the floor. Dropping to her knees, Joy wrapped her fingers tightly around the old lady’s hand. Guests nearby fell silent and paused, their faces a mixture of worry and unease, unsure of whether to intervene.
Henry rushed to her side. ‘Margaret’s run to get a medic,’ he said, his voice filled with concern.
‘Stay with us, Lady Eleanor, help is coming.’ Joy’s voice was steadier than she felt, and as she spoke, a chill crawled through her spine.
Back in a different room, Joy saw Tom’s face and remembered the memory of that Mediterranean morning and hurrying to his side. No one knew fully what she had lived through, and what she had … endured.
But shaking her head, Joy blinked the image away. Not here!
This wasn’t then. This was now.
Joy refocused her attention on Lady Eleanor, willing her to hold on. ‘I’m with you and I’m not going to let you go,’ she whispered as though her grip would anchor her to life. ‘Stay with me, please …’
Time seemed to stretch, and Joy bent lower, her free hand brushing a strand of silver hair from Lady Eleanor’s forehead. She listened and was relieved to hear a shallow breath. ‘Breathe with me,’ she said softly, ‘in and out, that’s it.’
‘Help is here.’ Joy heard Henry’s reassuring voice and looked up to see a medic pushing through the gathered crowd. Relief flooded through her, but as she began to rise, the old lady’s eyelids fluttered, and her frail grip tightened around Joy’s fingers with surprising strength.
‘Thank you,’ Lady Eleanor whispered, her voice barely audible. ‘For staying.’
Joy froze. Something in those two simple words pierced through her.
She couldn’t reply and merely nodded as the medic knelt and took over. Stepping back, she felt a ghostly presence brush against her like an icy chill. She shivered, and when she looked up, Leticia was there.
Silent and still, Leticia watched her. Their eyes met, but Leticia didn’t speak, and Joy felt her breath catch in her throat. Joy’s past had become her present, and Leticia knew.
Somehow, impossibly, she knew.