Outside, we had seen people on the dock untying the ropes which bound the ship to the quayside, and then imperceptibly the ship began to move away. We were off to our next island and to celebrate we were servedekmek kataifi, a delicious mixture of sweet custard and mascarpone cream decorated with crushed almonds and pistachios. I took a small spoonful, the cool, creamy taste lingering on my tongue.
‘Good job there aren’t any walnuts,’ I said, realising he was watching me, and he nodded, seeming touched that I had remembered.
‘Indeed.’
After dinner there was going to be musical entertainment in the lounge bar. We had been told a member of the crew was a talented guitarist, and most people drifted off to listen to him and continue to take advantage of the free drinks.
So it was that Jack and I were left behind in the dining room, drinking little glasses ofteranino, a sort of wine and fruit brandy mixture, which was delicious. Anna and Harriet had gone off, obviously trying and failing to be discreet about leaving us on our own.
‘So are you finding out everything you need to know about this ship?’ I said.
‘I think so, I can’t find much wrong with it,’ he said, ‘although there seems to be an occasional problem with the water temperature in the shower.’
‘Oh! I had that too,’ I said, ‘that first evening.’
‘I mentioned it to the captain and he was very apologetic. He said he would look into it. Though what he could do is anyone’s guess.’
‘Hit the pipes with a hammer?’
‘Maybe. And the food is very good, apart from the problem on the first night. But I think we can forgive him that.’
‘It is good, isn’t it?’ I said eagerly.
I was feeling a bit flushed from my liqueur. At least I assumed that was what was bringing the heat to my cheeks.
Around us I was aware that the crew were starting to clear the other tables, and we were the only ones left in the dining room.
‘We’d better move,’ I said, ‘or we might end up covered in dust sheets.’
‘Do you want to go and listen to the guitar playing? I’ve heard the captain’s wife Anjelica is going to sing too.’
‘Actually no,’ I said, feeling unexpectedly decisive. ‘If we carried on talking to each other and laughing we would be bound to be reprimanded by someone. Probably Anjelica, she seems a bossy type. I’d rather be up on deck, getting some sea air. Even if it is a bit windy.’
‘Would you mind if I came with you?’
‘Of course not,’ I said.
‘Would your friends think I was monopolising you?’
I laughed. ‘I doubt it, knowing them. We’ve already had a full week together; it wouldn’t do any harm.’
* * *
We went up onto the top deck where the air was cold and fresh, the ship ploughing on sedately across the Adriatic. Along the coast we could see distant lights from little towns, occasionally the closer light from another boat. There were a few people up there with us, walking around, talking above the noise of the wind and the engine. It was invigorating and rather exhilarating. It was nothing like home.
For the first time in a very long while, I felt comfortable within myself. Confident. I didn’t have to prove anything to anyone. If Jack and I wanted to be in each other’s company it was a mutual decision. Neither of us seemed bored or exasperated, wanting to be somewhere else. Perhaps, after all, it was possible to feel relaxed in a man’s company.
I could approve of myself, I could decide exactly how to spend my time and I didn’t have to make any excuses. It was nice that he was there with me, but if he hadn’t been, I would still have come up here, breathed in the cold, sea-scented air and looked forward to the next day and the day after that.
‘Thank you for this,’ I said after a while.
We were standing at the rail of the ship looking across the dark sea.
‘I haven’t done anything,’ he said, sounding slightly puzzled.
‘Oh yes, you have,’ I said.
‘What?’
