Page 78 of Escape to the Sun

Louis looked genuinely tired, too, unsurprising as the driftwood frames he’d been holding were substantial. ‘Of course not. They look awesome, April – I hope they do well for Hope.’

‘Me too,’ April said, drawing closer. ‘If enough of them sell at cruise prices, she’ll be able to get a specially adapted van so she can get about without relying on other people all the time. I’d like to achieve that for her, if we can.’

April clutched at his arm, then Hannah’s as she thanked them again and swept from the space.

‘So,’ Louis said, turning to Hannah. ‘How did your day go?’

Hannah frowned. ‘Louis, we need to talk.’

Louis knew what those words were code for. This wasn’t his first rodeo. He didn’t want to have it happen in public though, not after the Vivaldi disaster of the previous evening. So, they slipped off the ship, walking on the dock by the lights shining from the Ballygowan. Bridgetown wasn’t the most beautiful Caribbean port they would visit, but perhaps the Tarmac and storage containers were appropriate, would match the conversation he feared was incoming.

‘I’m sorry I left early last night,’ Hannah said, her intense frown deepening, but with a level of distance he hadn’t seen since the very early days of the cruise. ‘It wasn’t the bravest thing I could have done, but I needed time to think.’

‘And have you?’ he asked.

Hannah nodded, her bobbed hair momentarily hiding her eyes. He longed to push it aside; to run his fingers round to cup her face so he could kiss her, but her snatchy movement as she ran a hand through her hair left little doubt about her frame of mind.

‘I’m not being fair on you. Or Ian. Or on myself,’ she said abruptly. ‘I headed into this thing with you on false pretences. It’s only right that I try to explain. If you’ll let me?’

‘It’s not as though I didn’t know your situation was – and remains – complicated, Hannah. I suppose I was hoping that what we were feeling for one another might be strong enough to work through it all, you know?’

‘I truly thought it was over, with Ian. I did. I’m not that kind of a person, you know, to string two men along at the same time. Please don’t think that of me.’

‘I don’t.’

‘And I’m sorry I got so cross in the Vivaldi. I felt cornered. I thought you were pressuring me, and I just erupted.’

‘You left before I had the chance to say I minded you going because I could see how upset you were. Wanted to have the chance to talk it through with you – although perhaps the Vivaldi wasn’t the best place to do that.’

Hannah looked at him, then, properly gazed at him, sadness pouring itself across her features.

‘I think you’re amazing, Louis. I really do. But…’

And there it was. One little word – the slayer of dreams.

‘But I’m not amazing enough.’ He frowned, struggling to suppress his frustration, the wave of disappointment threatening to engulf him.

‘It’s not that, Louis. It’s just there’s so much else at stake here, my whole life back home… The last ten years… None of my time on the Ballygowan is real, is it? It’s not my real life…’ She twisted away, an exasperated breath escaping her lips. ‘It’s all too difficult… And you⁠—’

‘I get it, Hannah. You don’t need to spell it out. I’ve heard it all before. It’s fine. Listen, I should be getting back. Enjoy the rest of the cruise, won’t you. And I hope it all works out for you and him.’

Louis turned on his heel, leaving her standing on the dock, and headed back to the Ballygowan before she could see the tears threatening his eyes.

Back on board he headed for the bridge. Where else would he go? It seemed his career was the only aspect of his life he could rely on. But he knew something was wrong the moment he set foot in the space. Bridge crew scuttled around, and Maria made a beeline for him the moment he appeared.

‘No need to panic, but we’ve had reports of some freak weather heading this way,’ she said.

Louis frowned. The whole reason for cruising in the Caribbean in December was the negligible possibility of ‘disorganised’ weather events. Hurricane season ended with the conclusion of November. Were even the weather gods against him?

‘How long before it gets here?’ he said.

40

The text buzzed through on Ruth’s phone at the same time as Nathan’s. They read them simultaneously, Ruth checking Millie was within sight, even though she knew her daughter was only metres further along the deck, determined to spot a dolphin from their moored position in harbour.

‘Does yours say the same, Mum?’ Nathan said as Millie pulled her phone from a pocket and checked it.

Ballygowan urgently required to leave harbour. Alert passenger services if you are still on shore. Embark by 1900 unless advised otherwise.