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She had also taken off the navy-blue blouse and chucked it into the bottom of the wardrobe on top of Tom’s cardboard folder. Instead, she had borrowed something of mine; a pink and white striped shirt which gave her an unexpectedly ‘sexy secretary’ vibe. She looked marvellous.
‘It’s only just before seven,’ I said. ‘But we have the length of the ship to walk, and in these shoes, it’s going to take a long time. Perhaps we should have worn trainers?’
‘I am wearing flats,’ Diana said. ‘I’ve learned my lesson.’
‘Oh yes, the evening sandals you chucked away. I wonder if anyone found them?’
We made our way along the long corridors, which were becoming familiar now, and up in the lift to the top deck. Here there were some of the senior officers’ quarters, the bridge and of course, the captain’s cabin. The door was open, and a white-jacketed steward was waiting to greet us with a tray of filled champagne flutes.
Diana and I exchanged a meaningful look and accepted one each.
‘It’s alright to have fun. Remember? Perhaps we can be sensible tomorrow,’ Diana murmured.
The captain’s cabin made all the glories of our Picasso suite look rather tame. There was a large sitting area decorated with prints of sailing ships, two sofas covered in blue linen covers, and several comfortable-looking chairs where some of the other guests were already seated. Through an open door I could see a dining room, where a dark wooden table was set with a buffet.
The captain came forward when he saw us and bowed gracefully over our hands.
‘Mesdames, how charming to see you again. Mrs Wedderburn, could I just give you this message from Dick about the talk you are going to give.’ He handed over a crisp white envelope stamped with the BVP crest. ‘Please let me introduce you to everyone.’
There were eight of us altogether. The other guests were two couples from Texas – the wives had seemingly brought all the jewellery they owned with them.
‘Betsey and Blake DeGroot, who are joining us again from Houston and their friends Cynthia and Stone Marco.’
We all shook hands politely, me trying not to stare at Betsey’s emerald necklace which had stones the size of broad beans and must have cost a fortune.
‘Howdy,’ Blake said, wringing me by the hand, ‘I’m Blake DeGroot.’
‘He’s big in bananas,’ Betsey added.
‘I certainly am,’ Blake said proudly.
Next to me I heard Diana make a gulping noise as though she was trying hard not to laugh.
‘And this is my dearest friend, Cyn, and her husband, Stone. Stone’s big in nuts,’ Betsey said, causing me to splutter and pretend my champagne had gone down the wrong way.
‘Well, isn’t this just the darndest thing? We have been checking our travel log – Betsey keeps one. Where we’ve been and who we met. And what we did, so we can catalogue our photographs. She discovered we sailed on the Pirandello with your late husband three times,’ Stone said. ‘He ran a very tight ship. Always immaculate, nothing got past him. Cyn and I always wondered if he was like that at home?’
‘Well, he had his moments,’ Diana said.
We exchanged a quick glance. I now knew something of the truth behind this evasive statement. And I felt another pang of sympathy that yet again, Casper was taking centre stage. Not actually here of course, but certainly here in spirit.
‘And what do you do now, Diana?’ Betsey asked. ‘Tell me all about yourself.’
She had the easy charm and perfect hair of a practised society hostess and I warmed to her immediately. It was nice that she should focus on my sister, not just ask about Casper and his illustrious career.
‘I was a teacher some years ago,’ Diana said, ‘but I’m retired now.’
‘So important,’ Cyn cooed, ‘teachers are angels, aren’t they? After all, the liddle ones are our future. And you, Jill?’
I pursed my lips. ‘I’m married to Eddy, who has just retired from a long career in international finance.’ Eddy had in fact been a bank manager. ‘And I worked for the government, dealing with travel restrictions, but obviously I’m not at liberty to discuss that, I’m sure you understand.’
I had worked for the civil service, with responsibility for some obscure department of the Passport Office. But telling people that usually made their eyes glaze over or start on about how long it had taken them to get their passport renewed. Our new friends looked at me with new respect.
‘Sure, sure,’ Stone nodded, ‘isn’t that wonderful. Keeping our borders safe.’
‘Trying to,’ I agreed, attempting to look inscrutable and knowing.
‘And how are you both enjoying the journey so far?’ Betsey asked.
