Claire Gulliver #04 - Cruisin' for a Bruisin' (6 page)

Millie, who had detoured to the bar to order coffees for them arrived and took another chair. “Lucy, we thought you were going to sleep the morning away.”

Lucy shook her head and took another sip of her coffee. “Don’t I wish, but there was way too much going on in the corridor to sleep very long. What’s with all these morning people?”

She was still a little grumpy. She needed her coffee to get started. “What have you two been doing and where’s Ruth? Is she sleeping in too?”

“Hardly! We had breakfast, did the crossword puzzles, checked out the spa, the library and computer room before we lost Ruth to a group in the card room, who needed a fourth for bridge. We’re going to the lecture on Victoria before lunch. I thought you’d probably show up for that.”

Lucy nodded. “Yes, I plan to attend, but I’m starving.” She glanced at her watch. “Oh, well, hopefully my growling stomach won’t disrupt the lecture. How was breakfast?”

“It was wonderful. You don’t sit at your dinner table, they seat you as you come in and you share the table with whoever else is there,” Claire explained, but then Millie jumped in.

“We met this couple, Pat and John, who have cruised many times. In fact, they took this same ship to South America in January so they know just how it works. They told us about the daily crossword puzzles as well as some tips about the shore excursions. They were very nice, weren’t they, Claire?”

Claire nodded her agreement, handing her plastic card to the waitress who brought the coffees. “Lucy, do you need another?” She indicated to the waitress to charge her card including another for Lucy. They had each been issued a plastic card on boarding to use in lieu of money as well as an access key to their cabins. It was really a handy system and Pat had explained over breakfast the same cards would be used to swipe through a machine on leaving and returning to the ship at docking so the cruise line could always keep track of who was on board and who was not. It was simple to tuck the card in your pocket, so it wasn’t necessary to carry a purse or wallet while on board.

“Well, Lucy, did you have fun last night? I was so out of it I barely knew when you came in.”

“It was late. Millie pooped out, then Ruth, so I ended up with some people I met at the dance. We sat at the bar for a while, too long probably. But it was a fun start to our cruise. Oh, and I met the maitre d’. You know, the one who greeted us going into dinner last night?”

Claire’s eyebrows rose. “I remember him, of course. And I also remember how good looking he is.”

Lucy smirked, nodding. “Isn’t he? His name is Antonio Marcelous. He’s Italian.”

“Didn’t Ian, Sean and Dr. Walmer stay to dance?”

“Ian stayed a while. He’s a marvelous dancer as your mother could tell you.”

Claire looked at her mother curiously. Seeing her slight blush she chided, “I thought you said you left early.”

“I did. Well, earlier than Lucy and Ruth, but I danced plenty. My feet were telling me, enough!”

“I saw Dickie enjoying himself with some of the younger people. They all left fairly early. I think Dickie may consider us too old for him, although he’s probably older than you, Claire. In fact, I was thinking of him as a candidate for you.” She looked pensive. “I don’t know if that will work.”

Claire shook her head, she didn’t think she was Dr. Walmer’s type and she really had no interest in testing those waters.

Millie checked her watch and then finished her coffee. “If we’re going to that lecture we’d better go get a seat.”

Lucy gathered her things, looking around to make sure she had everything in her canvas tote bag. “Where is it?”

“It’s in the theatre. I guess they expect a crowd. Come on, it’s on the deck above us. I think we can take the stairs faster than using the elevator.”

“Pull.” The shotgun barrel came up, followed the clay plate and then blasted it into tiny pieces which fell into the sea in the wake of the ship.

“Pull!” Another target was demolished.

Ian shook his head in admiration at his brother’s skill. “Whoa, I guess you must have fed the family well from your hunting trips. Maybe living in that Podunk town in the middle of nowhere was a good experience.”

“You bet it was, and not just because of the game I shot. The people are solid, their lives are simple, their values sound. You would have done well to visit more often.”

Ian stepped up to the rail, shouldered his shotgun and yelled, “Pull.”

Finally, Ian gave up his attempt to best his older brother and they handed the shotguns back to the attendants and headed across the deck toward the door.

The day was overcast, the wind cool, but here the Plexiglas barriers about the rail buffered the wind creating a balmy oasis. They passed the table where they sat talking last night, now peopled by passengers who liked to eat outdoors. A buffet had been set up inside to serve a casual lunch. People could sit outdoors or indoors to eat. Obviously, this was a popular spot and not just for the smokers, who had limited areas on the ship to enjoy their habits.

“Let’s check out the buffet.” Sean was much more interested in food than his brother was. But Ian followed him inside and helped himself to some of the offerings.

“I can’t believe you can eat all that after the breakfast we had.”

“Hell, that was five hours ago and then we spent an hour in the gym before skeet shooting. I have to keep my strength up. Eat up, little brother. I’m sure you can work it off before dinner.”

Ian smiled. He admitted to being a little over zealous about maintaining his weight. But it was part of his livelihood. He didn’t dare let his weight hold him back or slow him down. And he did strength training religiously, not because he liked to show off his muscles, but because he needed those muscles for the work he did.

“So, are you still mad at me? Are you still thinking you want to forget about all this luxury and go home when we reach Victoria?”

Sean took a sip of his coffee and looked at his brother. “I’ll stay, if only to make sure you get through this safely. Not that I approve of what you’re doing. I think it’s a crazy risk, but you’re a grown man and capable of making your own life decisions.”

He could see the relief in Ian’s eyes.

“What did you think of it, after the shock, of course? It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

Sean shook his head. “Actually, I thought it looked a little sad. Pap wouldn’t have let it get in that shape. He had more respect than that.”

“Sean, you ever think what Pap’s life would be like if he hadn’t lost that hand of poker? What it would have been like for us to grow up if Pap had been the owner of the
Heart of Persia
?”

Sean said truthfully, “I can’t even imagine it. I tell my grandchildren, it’s not what you have: it’s what you do with what you have. Pap spent too much time and energy making up for the loss of the
Heart
. And frankly, I’ve wondered if that one decision to risk it wasn’t what started a whole string of incidents that were destined to end in his disaster. Don’t you?

“If he owned the
Heart
would he have continued stealing jewelry? And if he hadn’t, would you have stayed with it all these years?” Sean mused, thoughtfully.

“And for sure he wouldn’t have gotten involved in that plan to retrieve it, which resulted in his death. If only he had passed on that one, he wouldn’t have died of gun shot wounds.

“You know only a couple of years ago there was a story about it on one of those news shows. It’s like it will never, ever go away.”

He looked at his brother seriously and continued, “Ian, Pap’s proclivity for jewels, especially those not belonging to him, has shaped both of our lives and not for the better. Frankly, you’ve been infected with the same malady he had. The
Heart of Persia
is not yours. Give it up. You’ve managed to stay free all these years while accumulating a nice bank account. Why risk a comfortable life for the ownership of something Pap wanted? How smart is that?”

Incredulity spread over Ian’s face. “Give it up? You’re the one who is crazy? Didn’t you see the gleam? Didn’t it wink at you and promise you the riches Pap wanted us to have. There, except for the turn of the wrong card, is our heritage. It should have been ours. And it will be!”

“Ian, I loved Pap. He was a super guy and a wonderful father, but he was a crook, a jewel thief, Ian. And you’re making too much of this
Heart of Persia
.

“And Pap made too much of having it. He had it in his hand. The one precious stone he owned honestly, but he still risked it on a turn of the card. He deserved to lose it. Don’t you see that? If he hadn’t lost that hand, he would have risked it again, and again, until eventually he would have lost it. He was that kind of a guy, Ian. He loved the risks. And he loved telling the stories and making up ‘what ifs’ to drive himself crazy. And now you’re doing it.

“Think about this. Think about the risk of what you’re about to do. And compare it to the rewards. Will owning it give you that much pleasure? You can’t ever let anyone see it or know you own it. What fun will that be?

”And of course, that will only be if you succeed. What if you fail? What if you get caught? What then! Years in a cell, thinking about the mistakes you made; the money you have salted away and can’t use. Look what happened to Pap, what kind of end to your life is that?”

But Ian wasn’t listening. He had made up his mind. Sean’s common sense advice was of no use and so finally Sean stopped trying to make his brother reconsider his plans. He turned his attention back to his plate, hoping things would turn out the way his little brother wanted them too.

“Oh, there you are.” Pearl Meriwetter plopped down in the empty chair at their table, her husband hovering behind her. “Oh, I’m so excited. In the shower this morning I finally realized why your name sounded so familiar.” She took a big gulp of air and gushed, “You’re Lucy Springer, the writer, aren’t you?”

Lucy’s eyes widened in surprise. Then she nodded and smiled.

“I’ve got your book,
Daffodils in the Cotswolds,
at home. My friend gave me a copy and I just love it. Imagine her face when I tell her you sat at our table.

“See Harold, I told you I was right. I wish I had your book with me so you could sign it. This is so exciting. Are you going to Butchart Gardens tomorrow? Will you be writing a book on those gardens? Is this a working trip for you? Will you lecture on the cruise?”

Lucy put up her hands as if to ward off Pearl’s enthusiasm. “This is just a vacation for me. With my friends.” She gestured to Millie and Claire. “I do intend to see the gardens. Who in their right mind would miss them? But no, I don’t intend to do a book. I’m afraid it would take a bit more research than a shore visit on a cruise to prepare for a book.”

“Oh, of course. What was I thinking?” Pearl giggled. “But I can’t wait until tomorrow. I hope we’re on the same tour bus.”

Lucy shook her head. “I’m afraid not. My friends and I are hiring a car so we can spend as much time as we want at the gardens and still see some of Victoria before having tea at the Empress. But perhaps we’ll see you at the gardens and for sure we’ll see you at dinner, so we can talk about what we saw in the gardens. They’re supposed to be spectacular.”

The disappointment on Pearl’s face quickly turned to joyful anticipation at the thought of dining with Lucy for the rest of the cruise. Her husband gently reminded her they were on their way to the second lecture on Victoria, due to start any minute, so she reluctantly left.

Lucy laughed. “Just my luck. There’s probably only one of my fans on this ship and she’s sitting at my table and recognized my name.”

“Well, actually, it is good luck. You probably have several fans on board. Really, it’s too bad you didn’t know about this cruise earlier so you could have arranged to do some lectures on board. I bet they would be very popular. And don’t forget you need all the fans you can get, and I hope they all come to Gulliver’s to buy your books.”

“Ladies, I’m going to the napkin folding demonstration, so I’m going to disappear.” Millie stood up. “If Ruth appears, tell her I’ll meet her at the races later this afternoon.”

“Races? What races?” Lucy hadn’t checked her schedule.

“That couple at breakfast told us about them. They said they were a hoot and we should check them out so we plan to do that. They’re scheduled at four in the lounge outside the theater. Want to join us?”

”Maybe. I’m thinking of a swim now. You interested?” Lucy asked Claire.

“No, I’m going to do my email. I promised I’d stay in touch with the book shop in case there were any problems. And then I’m going to find a nice comfy corner and read my book about Alaska. See you later.”

“I thought we should rotate our seats. That way we will all get a chance to know each other better,” Pearl announced brightly indicating the chair next to her for Lucy.

Lucy sat down and Claire sat next to Lucy. Ian and Sean were on her right side, then her mother at the end, opposite Pearl. Ruth sat on the other side of the table to Millie’s right, then Dr. Walmer, Mrs. Bernbaum, who was across from Claire today, and finally Harold.

Claire smiled and nodded to everyone as she noticed how nice everyone looked. It wasn’t formal, but it was dress up night and obviously people had come prepared. All the men wore ties and jackets. Dr. Walmer was in a navy pinstripe suit. Harold looked uncomfortable wearing a tie while his jacket pulled a little over his generous stomach. Ian wore a navy blazer with panache and Sean looked smashing in his gray suit. And the ladies had all done their best. Pearl was in a smart looking suit, with a lime green short-sleeved jacket trimmed with navy over a navy skirt. Lucy was wearing a full skirted silk flowered dress that was very attractive. Millie had on one of her favorite knit dresses, two pieces in a dusty gold color that was very flattering. Ruth was wearing one of her fashionable dresses, sleeveless, low cut and very short. Mrs. Bernbaum was wearing a burgundy dress, again the dress was good quality, out of date and swimming on Mrs. Bernbaum’s shrunken frame. The large garish pin was displayed prominently on her shoulder as if it was all that was holding the dress on Mrs. Bernbaum. Obviously it was her favorite piece of jewelry. Claire was wearing a dress she had bought last fall for her trip to Washington D.C. It was a soft Jersey-like material which traveled well and was comfortable as well as flattering.