Page 79 of Escape to the Sun

‘What does it mean?’ Nathan asked.

‘I’m not sure,’ Ruth said, frowning. ‘But whatever it is, we don’t need to worry. We’re already on board.’

‘Mum – I want to go and check on Portus…’ Millie said, tension in her words.

‘Why? He’ll be fine,’ Ruth said, realisation dawning as she studied her fidgeting daughter. She wanted to know what was happening, but Ruth doubted the crew would want civilians clogging up the bridge.

‘No. I want to make sure.’

‘I really think we should let them concentrate…’

Her words were directed into the air Millie had been inhabiting moments before, and by the time she caught up, Millie was already at the door to the bridge. The scene inside the area was frenetic. Bridge crew were studying maps and charts on screens, making phone calls, checking paper printouts, staring out of the windows with binoculars. Louis was in the centre of the action, his concentration total.

Then one of the officers spotted them, stood like the three stooges in the doorway, pointing at them and suggesting, rather loudly, that someone should ‘deal with them’.

Ruth swallowed as more gazes swung their way, including Louis’. He headed across, burying his stressed expression.

‘Hey, Millie,’ he said, quietly and calmly. ‘Are you OK?’

‘Just worried about Portus.’ Millie sounded young and vulnerable.

Ruth felt a lump forming in her throat. ‘I’m so sorry, I couldn’t stop her.’

‘It’s no problem. Portus is fine. He’s having a snooze right now – leaving all the hard work to the humans, as usual. There’s nothing to be worried about – we just need to move the Ballygowan out of harbour for a bit because there’s some bumpy weather heading this way.’

‘Are you sure?’ Millie asked. It was the question on Ruth’s lips, too, so she was glad Millie had asked.

‘Absolutely. Did you get a message on your phone?’ He smiled as Millie nodded. ‘We just need to be absolutely sure we know where everyone is; we don’t want to leave anyone stranded on the island, do we?’

Ruth noticed a muscle ticking in his jaw.

‘Are we coming back to Barbados?’ Millie said.

‘Once the weather has passed, we’ll be right back. We just don’t want the ship to knock against anything in the harbour. The owners would be really cross with me if the paintwork got damaged.’

He was making light of the situation; Ruth had no doubt. The urgency with which everyone was moving behind him didn’t reflect his words.

‘I didn’t think the Caribbean got bad weather at this time of year,’ Nathan said.

‘No. It’s very unusual,’ Louis conceded. ‘That’s why we’re making sure we get the ship out to sea – it might sound weird, but in open water you won’t even notice the waves in this ship.’

The children seemed placated by his words, but Ruth studied him for other micro-reactions. Was he being completely honest? Then another thought crossed her mind.

‘Where’s Hannah?’ she said. ‘And your father? Are they safely on board?’

‘Keisha…’ Nathan said suddenly. ‘They were planning on having supper on the island. I need to phone her…’

‘Tell her family to contact passenger services,’ Louis called after Nathan as he headed for the corridor. ‘They can advise – get them somewhere on island to stay overnight if necessary.’

‘But what about Hannah, Captain Louis? And your dad?’

‘Have you checked on Teddy?’ Ruth asked.

‘He’s on board.’

The reply was curt. It was clear Louis hadn’t softened his stance where his father was concerned – although he had checked on his well-being.

‘And Hannah?’