“Tonight’s lineup will be equally as sleep-deprivation worthy,” Millie joked.
“Which is why I’m on my way to beddy-bye.” She left. Ruth, Lucy and Margaret weren’t far behind.
“Bingo is calling my name. Toodles.” Liz scurried off, leaving Gloria and Millie alone.
“I’ll help you clean up.”
Millie and her cousin collected the craft supplies and placed them in the cabinet.
“What’s on your schedule? A nap, some sun or joining Liz for bingo?”
“I might sneak out onto the lido with my e-reader.”
“A perfect way to relax and kick back.”
Gloria stood off to the side while Millie checked to make sure the cabinet was locked. “Will you be getting off in Grand Turk with us?”
“I planned to. There’s a gorgeous beach only steps away from the port.” Millie mentally ran through her upcoming schedule. “We’ll be docking early. What time do you think you’ll want to head to shore? Word of advice…the beach chairs fill up fast, so the earlier you get off the better.”
“How does nine sound?”
“Perfect. Tomorrow is a full sea day.”
“You’ll be busy, I’m sure.”
Noting the look of disappointment on her cousin’s face, a sudden thought popped into Millie’s head. “Why don’t you hang out with me?”
Gloria brightened. “Like job shadowing?”
“Sure.” Millie made a time out with her hands. “Before you answer, I must warn you it won’t be relaxing.”
“I would love to. Do you need to clear it with the boss?”
Millie laughed out loud. “Donovan Sweeney is my boss. He won’t care.”
“If you want me, I would love to tag along for the day. How early do you start?”
“Let’s meet in the buffet at seven. We’ll grab a quick bite to eat before we hit the ground running.”
“I’ll be there. This will be the highlight of my cruise,” Gloria predicted.
“I wouldn’t get too excited,” Millie chuckled. “It’s not as glamorous as it seems.”
“To be honest, it doesn’t matter. Getting to hang out with my favorite cousin is what I’m looking forward to the most.”
Millie blinked back sudden tears, touched that Gloria didn’t care what she did as long as she spent time with someone she loved. “Me too. Making memories, my dear cousin. We’ll be making memories.”
Chapter 14
Millie arrived at the main entrance to Waves buffet early the next morning and found Gloria already waiting for her. “I forgot to tell you to wear comfortable shoes, but I see you’ve dressed for lots of steps.”
“Ready and raring to go.” Gloria scanned the room. “Hardly no one is here.”
“It’s a sea day. Come back at eleven and you’ll find the buffet is the busiest place on board, other than the pool deck.” Millie handed her a clean plate and silverware. “You’ll need protein and enough sustenance to last until after noon.”
The women filled their plates with quiche, eggs Benedict, slices of bacon, wheat toast, and fresh fruit.
Gloria passed by a display of decorative glass containers of yogurt and grabbed one on her way to the table.
