Page 83 of Escape to the Sun

‘But what am I supposed to do? I left my phone on board – I can’t even ring anyone to let them know where I am.’

‘My cousin is a harbour master. I phone him. But first, let’s get you somewhere dry.’

Saul dropped Hannah at a local hotel and made his calls. As she dripped all over the lobby, a large towel wrapped around her shoulders, she asked him to thank his friends for their kindness, then saw a familiar figure heading across. The porter she’d met on the Ballygowan that very first day – the one who had shown her to her cabin when she thought everything with Ian was lost. Before she’d even met Louis.

Martin shook hands with Saul. Hannah thanked him again as he said his goodbyes and headed out into the rain.

‘We’re all staying here for the night, Miss Maynard. The Ballygowan had to retreat to deeper waters until the weather settles. We came ashore to locate you. I can only offer our profound apologies for the confusion.’

Hannah shook her head. ‘It’s my fault. I left my phone on board – if I’d had it with me none of this would have happened.’

Martin pulled his phone from his pocket. ‘Would you like to let anyone aboard know you’re safe and well and looking forward to a hotel stay on Barbados courtesy of Blue Line Cruising?’

Hannah stared at him. Did he think she should want to contact Louis?

Martin prompted her. ‘Mrs Herring – Ruth – was very worried about you.’

‘I don’t know her number – she put it into my phone, but I don’t remember it.’

Martin smiled, handing her his phone. ‘It’s already in here. Just press to make the call.’

Ruth’s shoulders relaxed as she answered the call from Hannah. As they chatted, Teddy flicked on the kettle.

‘And you’re sure you’re all right?’ she said for about the tenth time before the call ended. ‘Yes, OK. I’ll see you in the morning when we dock back in Bridgetown.’

‘Disaster averted?’ Teddy said, above the sound of the kettle whooshing.

Ruth nodded. ‘Disaster averted.’

‘Cup of tea?’ he said.

‘Yes, please.’ Ruth frowned as she texted the news to Millie. ‘What on earth will it be like when my actual kids leave home and I don’t know where they are?’

Teddy smiled. ‘It’s not great. Louis and I were already at odds and although he kept Mai updated it was like a lurch in my chest every time I wondered where he was. He might not believe I have his best interests at heart, especially after the debacle with Hannah and you, but what they think never changes how much we care.’

Teddy made the tea and passed her a cup.

‘Do you want me to speak to Louis? Make him understand it was all my doing, not yours?’

‘God, no, Ruth. I still don’t understand what on earth you thought you were doing. But even more of it is not what I want. Please don’t. Please allow Louis the opportunity to do what he thinks is best with the mess of a situation you’ve created.’

‘And will you speak to him?’

Teddy’s expression clouded over. ‘Please stop meddling. You’re still at it. I genuinely thought meeting you again was a second chance for us, but I think I was guilty of sugar-coating my memories.’

Ruth slipped her cup onto the little desk beside her. ‘It’s not meddling, Teddy. It’s concern. Maybe I could express it better, but I only ever mean the best for everyone. What would be the point of Louis and Hannah starting something serious with the shadow of her ex still hanging over them? I just wanted her to be sure – that’s all.’

Teddy shook his head, then stood.

‘I’m not sure I can do this, Ruth. I really thought this time Louis had found someone special. I really wanted that for him. And in you waltz, messing things up for them like you did for us thirty years ago.’

Ruth sighed, nodding in defeat. ‘I made my bed, and I should go and lie in it. Quietly. Is that what you’re saying?’

‘I’m saying I can’t do this right now.’

‘What does that mean?’

‘I think it means perhaps you should leave.’