‘Well, can I have some too,’ I said hopefully, looking at her name badge, ‘Mila?’
Mila looked as though she might burst into tears and quickly poured me some.
I took it and pointed towards the man who had given me his empty glass.
‘Ah yes,’ Mila said, ‘I see.’
I went to talk to Evelyn and Harriet who were comfortably ensconced on armchairs with blue and white striped cushions.
‘I think he thought I was a waitress,’ I said, explaining the recent encounter.
‘Some men think all women are waitresses of one sort or another, don’t they?’ Evelyn said with a wink. ‘I was hoping that sort of thing had died a death by now.’
‘Aren’t the cabins gorgeous?’ Harriet said. ‘So well thought out. There’s lots of storage space. And the towels are lovely too.’
‘Have you tried the shower?’ I said. ‘The water temperature is a bit unpredictable.’
Evelyn nodded sympathetically. ‘Douglas and I rented a house in Madrid where the hot water cut out whenever I used the washing machine. It was very unpleasant. But occasionally useful to remember when he had annoyed me. Perhaps you should ask if something can be done about it?’
Another couple appeared at the top of the staircase to join the party. He was a tall, thin man in a suit and tie which seemed unnecessarily formal, and his partner, a woman in a floral shift dress and cardigan.
‘Ah, I’ve met them already,’ Evelyn said, ‘Craig and Dawn. A nice enough couple. He is a retired car dealer and she has a lot of allergies. One of those people who always has a tissue up her sleeve and is constantly worried about what’s in the food. I met Paige and Peter too, but they are honeymooners, a pair of sweeties. I don’t expect we will see much of them.’
‘And the man with the red face who thought I was a waitress?’ I asked.
‘Roy somebody. And his wife, Eileen,’ Evelyn said, ‘they may be enormous fun. Or they may not. I haven’t made up my mind yet.’
The man in the white uniform I had seen earlier was circulating around the sundeck, shaking hands and being charming, and at last he reached us.
‘Lady Evelyn,’ he said, bowing respectfully over her hand, ‘come stai?I hope you are settled in?’
Lady Evelyn? Well, I didn’t expect that.
‘Marvellous, thank you, Rocco,’ she said, smiling up at him, ‘and this is my goddaughter Harriet and her friend Lizzie.’
He fussed around us for a few minutes asking about our journey and what we were hoping to see on the trip. Unable to resist the lure of a man in uniform for long, Anna drifted up to join us and be introduced.
‘Such a beautiful boat,’ she said, ‘and everything looks so lovely. I hear it’s been recently refurbished.’
Captain Rocco smiled, showing a flash of gold on one of his molars.
‘Certo, madame. This is only the first year we have done this trip. A beautiful part of the world.Bellissima. And my wife Anjelica is joining us this time, which will be marvellous for her as well as for me. I spent the last few years sailing around the Greek Islands, and she has seen them all, so for the last few trips she didn’t come with me. We are just awaiting the last guests to arrive and one of the replacement crew, and then we will be able to leave.’
He looked around, his expression momentarily distracted at the sight of people he hadn’t yet greeted.
‘Ah!Ilsignor e la signoraMcDougal. Welcome!’
Mila hurried forwards to offer them a tray of champagne and when Mrs McDougal reeled back as though she had been offered strychnine, she went to find her some orange juice.
‘I see you have met Craig and Dawn McDougal and Roy and Eileen already,’ Evelyn said to Anna. ‘Do tell us all about them.’
Anna pulled a face. ‘Craig asked me what car I drove and Roy seemed a few drinks ahead of me. But they seemed very pleasant. Roy used to be a CEO of a finance company. He found it hilarious that he thought you were a crew member.’
‘He said he would make it worth my while,’ I said.
‘What an interesting prospect.’ Evelyn chuckled. And then her gaze went over my shoulder and her face lit up. ‘I say, I spy some more of our merry band and that one was worth waiting for, I think you will agree.’
I turned to see Jack coming towards us, tall and lean, elegant in a pale linen suit, his white shirt open at the neck. I felt an unexpected thrill and despite myself I had to admit he was very attractive, and it made me feel a bit silly for a few minutes.
