She rolled her eyes and sucked on her vape. ‘I’m not sure you’ve got the rhythm, love. No offence.’
I laughed and gave her a hug, which was all boobs and trying to avoid her foundation.
‘Think about it.’
I was sad to walk away from my holiday sister – not that I needed any more sisters – but I’d felt like we’d bonded. Or was it just me who felt like that? Barb would do the same gig with the next group of guests and forget all about me.The transient life of cruising crew. Working on the ship for months at a time, performing under the spotlight night after night. Never really having any privacy. Your life on show for all to see – every minute of every day.
I wandered back to my room, more out of habit than anything else as the cleaners were already in there getting it ready for the next person. It was time to give my sea legs a rest and change my cruising status todisembarked. Despite the relentless activities schedule and Heidi breathing down my neck, the past few weeks had somehow made me feel extra holidayed and extra rested. If I hadn’t been here because of work, PR would have been the last thing on my mind. What a funny thing cruising was. A blip of time where a microcosm of society goes on a boating holiday together. And soon we’d all be gone again, like dandelion seeds on the wind blowing in different directions. Light, tiny and quickly forgotten. I turned the corner and froze at the sight of Leo standing outside my door with a plate of pastries and a tropical crush. I wasn’t ready to face him yet, so I tiptoed back out of sight and waited until he gave up, my heart thumping with sadness, already broken in two.
Twenty-seven
Esmeraldaslowed to a standstill, chuffing smoke into the air as the crew ran around throwing ropes and the engines shut down. I was glad to be back on British soil – well, almost. Our big cruising adventure was finally over, and we were back in Blighty. Back to real life and real work. How depressing. I’d been hiding in the loos to avoid bumping into Leo and had emerged cautiously as Thiago announced we’d reached the shore. Heidi had been right all along: he’d been trying to distract me from the pitch and I’d fallen for it hook, line and sinker, and I hated myself. I stood at the back of the pool bar, silently observing the other passengers as they lined the decks and readied themselves to disembark. It was a mighty sight to see everyone in one place and humbling to be one among so many. Leo was stood with Zach and Brooke, the three of them watching as the drawbridge eased down and people inched closer, ready to make a run for it. He kept checking his phone then glancing around and had already sent me three texts.
Leo: Where are you? I want to say goodbye properly.
Leo: Have you fallen overboard? Drop me a pin and I’ll come and find you.
Leo: I’m starting to worry. Are you OK?
I debated ghosting him but didn’t want him calling out the RNLI.
Me: Just coming.
Leo: Thank God. Don’t do that to me. We are by the drawbridge.
I forced a big smile and marched over, channelling my inner Barbie Queue. I was a professional woman and could ab-so-lute-ly handle this situation. Bryce was in my ear –You’ve one hundred per cent got this. You know exactly what to do. I’d say a quick toodle-oo and be on my way.
‘Hey, you three, I thought I’d missed you!’ I said, grinning from ear to ear. ‘Where have you been?’
‘Same spot as always, sweetie,’ Brooke said. ‘In the coffee lounge.’
Leo frowned. ‘Where have we been? Where haveyoubeen?’
I carried on smiling, ignoring the question. ‘So, this is the end of the road then, huh?’
‘It sure is,’ Brooke said, giving me a hug. She was so small and fragile – I could easily have lifted her off the ground and popped her in my pocket.
‘Thank you for being such a fabulous hostess and letting us experienceEsmeraldafirst-hand. It’s been an incredible trip.’
‘Not at all. It’s the Excalibur way – expect nothing less.’
Zach shuffled awkwardly, while Leo tried to catch my eye. ‘It’s been great getting to know you both,’ I said, deliberately shaking Zach’s hand first.
Leo gave me a strange look. ‘You too,’ he said, waggling my hand like a leaf of limp lettuce. ‘Pass on our regards to Heidi. I hope her emergency… got resolved.’
I met his confused expression with a tight smile. Firm and professional – he deserved nothing more. ‘Sure thing.’
The rows of cars waiting to board ferries at Dover port brought the reality of home flooding back, not to mention the biting-cold wind and drizzle. The taxi rank wasn’t too far away; I just needed to locate my luggage and I’d be on my way. I headed for the conveyor belt where Arlo was dishing out suitcases and waited patiently in the queue. I could see mine on the trolley behind him, but he was stressed enough with everyone shouting and pointing so I took a step back to let the paying customers get in there first. Then I felt a tap on my shoulder.
‘What was all that about?’ Leo whispered in my ear.
‘All what?’
‘You blanking me then walking off!’
‘How is me shaking hands and saying goodbye blanking you?’
I wanted to be anywhere but here right now, but there was no escape.
