Page 137 of So, I Met This Guy . . .

‘Excuse me . . .’

Their way was blocked by a waiter with a huge cart piled high with glazed pastries.

‘Quickly, this way.’ Flick stepped sideways, only to be blocked by another.

‘No, this way.’ Maggie gestured towards the far side and a clear route.

It was like being in the old-fashioned video games Maggie used to play as a child with her brother Charlie. Every direction they took, they were obstructed. If not by a dessert trolley, by a wine steward wheeling in an ice bucket or a member of the waiting staff carrying a tray of plates.

And now suddenly guests were getting up and leaving as the theatre was about to start. And Maggie and Flick found themselves in a swarm of people trying to make sure they didn’t miss the beginning of the musical production of Mamma Mia.

‘I love it in the film when she sings “Honey Honey” . . .’

‘Hurry up!’

‘Ooh, yes, but my favourite scene’s got to be “Lay All Your Love on Me” . . .’

‘We’re going to lose him!’

And when they finally reached the table, ready for their big confrontation scene, they were greeted by nothing but dirty napkins and empty glasses, one of which bore Birdy’s bright fuchsia lipstick. And the sinking realization that in a floating city of nearly six thousand people, he could be absolutely anywhere.

Tangier

Day Twelve

Two more days to go

The Grand Tour

The joy of being on a cruise is going to bed at night and waking up to find yourself in a different port every day. Often a different country entirely. And with it the prospect of being able to get off the ship and explore a new locale with total freedom. Which meant there were four thousand excited passengers who woke the next morning to discover the Galaxy Goddess had docked in Tangier, a city famous for being the gateway to Africa.

Correction: four thousand passengers minus two.

‘Shit,’ cursed Flick, as they sat at the all-you-can-eat buffet having breakfast. ‘I thought once we were on the ship there’d be no escape. That it was a done deal.’

‘He might not get off the ship,’ countered Maggie, stirring sugar into her flat white, but even she sounded unconvinced. After last night, she was feeling frustrated and doubtful. They’d been so close.

‘But what if he does?’

‘Well, he’ll have to get back on again.’

‘What if he doesn’t? What if he saw you last night at the captain’s table and thinks you’re going to blow his cover?’

‘He didn’t see me. Neither did Birdy. They both had their backs to us and must have arrived later, otherwise I would have spotted them when we walked in,’ she reassured.

Maggie took in Flick’s worried expression and the way she was shredding her croissant into pieces, none of which were going in her mouth. She’d never seen her look this anxious and her heart went out to her.

‘Trust me, he has no idea we’re on this cruise ship,’ she said firmly, silencing her own fears. Flick had been through such a lot. Losing her mother, discovering the true identity of her father, breaking up with her boyfriend. She needed to be strong for her.

Flick looked at her gratefully, then tutted.

‘Can you believe it? I had to agree to meet the press officer at ten. She wants to give me a tour of the ship,’ Flick was saying now. ‘So I’m tied up all day. It was either that or do that talk for the passengers. This seemed like the lesser of two evils.’

‘But that’s perfect,’ encouraged Maggie. ‘You can scope out the ship and I’ll check out Tangier.’

‘OK.’ Flick nodded, then paused. ‘Maggie?’

‘Yes?’