Sea Changes: Seafarers, #1

By Ruth Hay

"Like Upstairs/Downstairs on a cruiseship..." 

A contemporary women's fiction novel that explores the secret lives of crew and passengers, thrown together on the high seas.

When these travellers begin their adventure, they encounter much that is strange, much that is hidden and much that can enrich their lives. 

So it is for Samuel, a new hire; Gwen and Emily, sisters who think they know what to expect; a group of factory workers who face major upheaval in their lives; a troubled soul adrift; a wealthy couple who see their retirement years much differently; a thief who looks for easy pickings and a woman who thought she would be enjoying her honeymoon. 

Sea Changes brings these characters together and transforms them into creatures renewed.

Continue reading the stories of these characters as they return to their ordinary lives...the series continues with Sea Tides and Gwen's Gentleman.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ruth Hay
• Release date: Feb 23, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524283353

Book preview

1

Samuel

R ight , Sonny! Keep your eyes on me.

My name is Samuel.

Look here, Sonny, you do exactly as you’re told and nothing else and we’ll get along fine.

This statement, or was it more like a demand, was delivered with a casual tone indicating that no previous new crew member had ever considered disobedience.

Samuel raised one eyebrow and decided a change of name was not worth fighting about. After all, his mother was the only one to call him by his given name. He had been Sammy at school, Sam to his girlfriends and Hey you! in the grocery store where he had last worked. Choosing to call himself Samuel was an attempt to establish a fresh start in life. He had hoped a more dignified name would create more respect somehow.

How’s that working for you? Not good, so far.

The rapidly-receding back of his supervisor was about to disappear into the crowd around the forward gangway. Samuel, mindful of his complete lack of knowledge of the usual embarkation procedures, hustled forward to take up his stance behind Mr. Passmore and attempt to learn whatever he could on this first day on the job.

The main lesson was that Mr.Passmore had an entirely different voice and manner when dealing with passenger enquiries. A syrupy tone emerged from that thin mouth, a sickly smile wreathed the sallow, wrinkled skin and the body language denoted deference and even great interest in the passengers' concerns.

Absolutely, madam, your luggage is on its way to your cabin at this very minute. Just follow the other passengers to the lounge for a reception and welcome cocktail. The crew at the top of the gangway will show you where to go. Have a wonderful cruise.

After hearing this speech repeated numerous times, Samuel began to wonder if he could twist his tall frame into the head-bending curve that seemed to be required. He already suspected he was incapable of the slight salute that seemed to accompany the words. It was almost obsequious. His idea in joining the crew of the Seafarer Line was to raise his standing in the world, not to reduce him to servant status.

Perhaps this had not been a good choice.

His father had insisted his inflated ideas came from too much TV watching, especially the shows that revealed lifestyles he was never likely to match in his small northern Ontario town.

There was some truth to his father’s assertions. But a kid can dream, don’t they say?

He had spent a summer on the tourist ferries on Georgian Bay and parlayed that experience into an application for the cruise line sailing out of Florida. It wasn’t only his parents who were amazed when he was accepted for an interview. Samuel was equally astonished and he read this as a good sign of future improvement in his life.

His father simply shook out his newspaper and mumbled something about people who didn’t know their station in life. If it was good enough for him to work in a factory why wasn’t it good enough for his only son?

Samuel could see the writing on the wall of that factory as clear as if the Bible’s ‘moving finger’ had written the future there in flaming letters. It didn’t take a genius to figure out the demise of Ontario’s

manufacturing base. There had been closures in towns much bigger than theirs. He did not intend to be thrown out of work in a factory before his life plans were underway.

He had looked around at the Canadian economy, via his dad’s newspaper, and found out that tourism was the one business that seemed to survive even serious economic downturns. America had a thriving cruise ship business and that was where he headed.

His attention began to wander as the line of passengers thinned somewhat. Who were all these lucky people with their gaudy clothes and eager smiles? Some looked like the old geezers you saw in lots of Florida towns. They hobbled along with the aid of sticks and had companions with them who looked only marginally fitter. Rich types, probably. Nothing better to do with their time and money than sail the seas in the lap of luxury.

Other couples were younger and had the look of honeymooners. Nice work if you can get it. They’ll not be seen around for a few days, I’d say.

Just then a group of sassy young women hustled forward. Old Passmore could hardly get a sentence in before he was drowned out by their laughter. They were pushing and shoving, daring each other to run up the gangway in sets of three. One gorgeous female with flaming red hair and a figure to-die-for, gave Samuel a wink. He would have moved swiftly forward to assist the young lady had not his supervisor chosen that moment to stick out his foot. Samuel tripped and landed on his knees in front of the redhead and matched her hair with his furious blush as he clambered to his feet and retrieved his cap.

The girls laughed all the louder and proceeded up the gangway making remarks about his appearance that caused him more blushes.

"That’ll be enough of that, Sonny! One more false move and your journey will end right here and now.

The passengers are to be treated with all deference and respect, even if they don’t deserve it."

The last phrase was delivered in a whisper and accompanied by a pinch on Samuel’s arm that stung.

Message received.

He resumed his position and saw the last stragglers approaching in a line. This group appeared to be travelling alone. No one spoke. They seemed to be following an older man who strode out with some confidence as if he knew exactly where he was heading. Samuel wondered if they were a tour group of some kind but Passmore nodded and grinned at the smartly-dressed man and saved his welcome speech for the followers who bundled up together to listen while the older guy strode off on his own.

The dockside was emptying of passengers now. Passmore lifted his cap, and briefly scratched his sparsely-covered scalp.

That’s it for now, Sonny. Find your cabin and change for the reception. And don’t be late!

But, aren’t there more passengers to come? The total should be around two thousand.

The tired expression on his supervisor’s face was quickly replaced by a look of sheer disgust.

"Sonny! Were you asleep for the entire week of orientation or are you really as dumb as you look?

Did you miss the other five gangways operating here? Thank God they had better service than this one.

As for the passengers in the deluxe suites, they had pre-boarding privileges and none of them would be exposed to your inexperience. Did you miss that gem of information also?"

Samuel began to object to this unfair characterization but his protests were cut off abruptly as a senior officer approached Passmore and in a split second the smile was restored to the old wrinkled face and a signal behind his back made it clear that Samuel was to exit fast. He scrambled up the gangway to the sound of deep voices sharing laughter and wondered if it was at his expense.

More like high school every minute. If you’re not in the cool guy gang, you’re nobody. Here the cool group is the oldies. I wonder if I’ll be here long enough to gain entry.

---

By dint of searching a cellphone application, Samuel found his cabin. He was sharing with someone called Mark Mendel and as he opened up the door he sent up a fervent hope that this Mark was a slender guy. The brief period Samuel had spent in the tiny cabin stowing his few personal possessions had made it clear there was almost no space to spare between the narrow bunks and the steel door.

A dim light filtered through water was the main illumination by day with a caged lamp bolted onto the wall as nightlight.

There you are, Samuel! I was beginning to wonder if you got lost. Hustle along now. There’s not much time till we’re on parade at the reception. If you want anything to eat we have to grab it before they start to serve the passengers.

Samuel breathed a sigh of relief. Mark Mendel was thin, young, dark-skinned, good looking in his way, and despite his relaxed posture on top of the bed, at least willing to use Samuel’s formal name and also to give him advice. He bent forward to shake Mark’s hand and questions spilled out of him.

"So glad to meet you! What’s with that Passmore idiot? How much time will I have to spend with him? He hates me already. How do you stand this? How long have you worked with this line?

Calm down, there! I’ll answer your questions but get changed first.

Samuel noticed Mark was already wearing the dress-white trousers and although he was lying back on top of his bed, he had his legs stretched out to prevent creases. The main information Samuel had garnered from the orientation sessions revolved around the importance of the correct uniform at the appropriate time. This was underscored by the fact that closet storage for the uniforms was the only generous feature of the cabin’s facilities.

Mark sat up and combed his shiny black hair carefully while watching his image in the full-length mirror attached to the back of the door while he talked.

"I was Passmore’s ‘Sonny’ a couple of years ago. He’s one of the oldest staff here. He’s worked for the line for years and is now given part-time duties. He may be related to someone important to justify this, I’m not sure. As you will discover, everyone here works hard and long. That’s why the staff are mostly young and why they don’t stay around too long.

You’ll be hanging on Passmore’s coattails until he gives the OK for you to take up limited duties on your own. I know he’s a pain in the ass but if you can keep your head you will learn a lot from the old guy.

I did. Now I am working in the purser’s office and it’s busy, but my work is defined so I know what to expect.

You’ll be dragging around the whole ship with Mr. Passmore. He acts as a kind of trouble shooter for the company so you’ll get to see plenty about how all this runs behind the scenes."

Samuel was adjusting his tie by the time his cabin mate’s speech concluded.

I am real grateful for your help, Mark. You are a pal. I feel better about things now and I’ll keep everything you said in mind. It won’t be easy, however.

Good! Now paste on that smile, we’re on show in a few minutes.

---

If Samuel had thought his dress uniform whites indicated he was to be front and centre of the Captain’s Reception Dinner, he was soon to discover his position at the back of a block of similar crew members indicated his lack of importance. First, he stood around while the lecture from the ship’s Staff Captain underlined the high standards that were expected of all crew by the Seafarers Cruise Line. Punctuality, politeness at all times, and disciplined service seemed to be the key words.

Might as well be in the navy with this stand-to-attention attitude.

There was a thrum of distant engines when the ship left the dock and the crew were informed that the passengers were assembling at their muster stations for the safety roll call.

Life jackets were handed out and each crew member was assigned a group and station then sent on his or her way by group, and warned sternly not to be late returning to the main dining room for the Grand Reception Dinner.

Samuel looked at his group of ten and knew no one. Some were Filipino by their speech and may have been catering staff. Their leader was an officer who moved rapidly to the forward stairs and spoke over his shoulder as he climbed.

Keep up! Memorize this route. Watch the colour-coding of the section. It corresponds to the colour of the lifeboats you are responsible for. No talking. There will be another drill at 5:00am tomorrow morning and I expect all of you to find your way to the station without extra help.

Samuel picked up his pace and looked around for the colour-coding the officer mentioned. A deep red stripe could be seen. He wondered what a colour-blind seaman would do, then he remembered the eye test that had been a part of the company interview.

The officer’s words were being translated by another group member for the Filipino men and nods of understanding greeted the rapid words.

The lifeboats were stored above the fifth deck level on cantilevered winches. Samuel’s group were instructed to stand underneath the boats at attention and watch while the officers demonstrated the correct procedure for wearing the life belts, where they should be stowed in the cabins, and what signals the ship would use to inform passengers to assemble.

It was made clear that the instructions were important but that no one need be alarmed by this required drill. Safety was the prime directive of the cruise line and incidents at sea were extremely rare.

Samuel cast his eye over the passengers in front of him. The message had been received but its meaning was interpreted differently by different passengers. He saw a middle-aged couple near the rear grasping each other in distress. The man seemed to be the more alarmed of the pair. His legs were shaking and his wife’s support was all that was keeping him upright. In contrast, a young couple snuck a kiss and whispered in each other’s ear. A woman at the front was tangled in her lifejacket straps and mumbled angrily while a deeply-tanned man approached her to offer help. Two couples chatted to each other during the instructions. They appeared to be bored with a familiar procedure.

Perhaps they were frequent travellers.

Samuel blinked to keep alert and glanced to the side just in time to catch sight of the nervous man sliding to the deck. His wife sank to her knees beside him and was too shocked to cry out for help.

Samuel acted on impulse and slid along the side of his group toward the couple. It felt important to help them but also to prevent a disturbance. He lifted the elderly man by his armpits and immediately heard a low murmuring that identified the collapse as mental rather than physical. A steady stream of anxious words emerged from his mouth. Samuel hefted the frail figure into his arms and stepped behind the nearest bulwark hiding the pair from the group. The next group along the deck were attending to their officers and did not notice.

"It’s what I feared. We’ll hit a rock like that Italian ship did. I warned you, Sally, I said this was a bad idea. We’ll never be fit enough to save ourselves. We’ll drown like rats, I tell you. We’ll drown!

Sally tried to hush the quavering voice but the litany went on and on while the old face grew whiter and Samuel wondered what to do next.

An officer approached and said, Quick thinking lad! The medics have been sent for. Pick him up and follow me.

The officer promptly turned his attention to the woman, took her arm and reassured her that all would be well. We’ll take good care of your husband ma’am.

He turned into the first exit doorway and led the way to an elevator that was concealed in a wall panel. All four entered and they were swiftly transported to a lower deck where a ship’s doctor was waiting with a stretcher. The professionals took over with a nod to the officer and the couple soon vanished into a suite of rooms. The woman glanced back over her shoulder and mouthed a fervent ‘thank you’ in Samuel’s direction.

What will happen to them? asked Samuel.

Oh, a sedative usually settles them down. There have been similar incidents ever since the Costa Concordia disaster. When the old folks hear about the changes and improvements all cruise lines have now implemented, they’ll feel better. The doc will book a tour of the safety features for them.

The officer led the way back to the elevator and as they ascended he gave Samuel a piercing look.

You’re new, aren’t you? He read the name tag on Samuel’s jacket and nodded.

Get back to your station. Lucky for us your actions were not noticed and a possible panic was averted today. Keep up the good work.

2

Gwen and Emily

W hat do you think , dearie? Is it as nice as last year’s?

Well, it’s no worse, at least, Gwennie. We can’t expect any better at the price we pay, now can we?

I suppose you’re right, Em.

Emily turned to look around the small inside cabin and sighed. Just once she would have liked to enjoy a luxurious cabin on the upper decks with private balcony and butler service. It was their one and only holiday of the year and the sisters both worked hard at a variety of part-time jobs to afford even this much.

She knew it was no use voicing this wish. Gwen would just say they had no need to be sleeping in an expensive cabin when they would be out and about all over the ship during the day time, sharing all the free benefits that other passengers paid for at a high rate.

Now, then, Emily, we’ll go for breakfast on the open deck this morning. I want to sample the new menu. I don’t think there will be too many there after last night’s drinking and feasting at the Grand Reception Dinner, but I think we should compare notes here about anything we observed already. It’s important to get our first impressions coordinated so that we start off with some targets in mind.

Emily nodded and fetched her small green notebook. Her sister might appear to outsiders as the bossy twin but Emily was usually the one who spotted the characters who made their annual cruise into an exciting adventure and provided the sisters with hours of analysis and speculation during the dull winter months in their quiet Hampshire village.

She opened up the fresh page with notes from the first day of the cruise and began to read.

I noticed an incident during the safety drill. An older couple a little further along from our station seemed to be having difficulties. They were hustled away quite quickly but the man looked positively ill.

Good! We can look out for them and find out their story.

Gwen made a brief note in her blue notebook and voiced some comments of her own.

I think I saw one of our old subjects on this cruise. Remember the fellow we tracked for a whole voyage about three years ago?

Do you mean the sleazy one with the tropical tan and the dyed hair who pursued every single woman on the ship and made a nuisance of himself?

That’s the one! I’ll point him out to you, Em, and you can tell me if I’m right.

Emily made a note and continued with her list.

I had a good look at the staff last night. It’s convenient to have most of them lined up for inspection on the first night. I did see some familiar faces, like that nice Mr. Passmore and the head waiter in the Carousel Restaurant who always kept a good table for us. Also, she paused for effect, although he wasn’t up on stage, I caught a glimpse of the Silver Fox.

Gwen looked delighted to hear this. The Silver Fox was one of their ‘regulars’, a charming, handsome older man whose job on the cruise was to dance with single ladies during the nightly evening dances. He often gave dancing lessons in the afternoons and Gwen had learned to foxtrot from him one year. He was a favourite of hers.

That’s a good start, Em. Not bad for the first day. There are hundreds more passengers to watch today. Isn’t it fun!

Her sister smiled encouragingly and tucked her notebook, with attached pen, safely inside the small purse she wore on a strap across her chest. Ready to go? I can’t wait to see the latest refurbishments to this ship.

The two women glanced into the wall mirror to ensure their summer dresses were uncrushed and their newly-trimmed hairstyles were neat and tidy. It was their practise to always dress a little above their station in life. They had observed that the perks of cruising were most often offered to those who looked as if they were not in need of them.

---

Breakfast went well. The sun and the sea breeze on the mezzanine deck brought the familiar lift of spirits that a well-deserved holiday always produced. They had the pick of tables at this early hour and were able to inspect the new staff as they were given instructions by the head waiter. They made sure they were in a good position to check out the passengers who straggled in for coffee looking somewhat the worse for wear.

Emily lifted her large glass of freshly-squeezed orange juice to her lips and whispered to her sister, Look over there, Gwen. There’s going to be trouble with that lot. Have you ever seen such outfits for this hour of the day?

Gwen pretended to drop her linen napkin and craned her neck as she retrieved it to see the quartet of very young women who occupied a table in the centre of the restaurant. They were wearing the shortest of shorts and skimpy little tops with much more skin than cloth showing. None of the girls appeared to have taken the time to run a comb through their hair. The one with red hair had a tangle of hair bunched at the back of her head. All four girls wore dark sunglasses although the sun had hardly reached the deck yet.

Looks like they intend to sleep the day away by one of the pools……………

……….and get drunk again by nightfall, I don’t doubt!

Neither sister intended to waste notebook space on such travellers as these. They had seen a growing trend of parties of young women taking cruises to celebrate all kinds of life events. Their behaviour was only too predictable. The sisters had learned to choose smaller cruise ships, less attractive to the families and noisy young people who wanted climbing walls and zip lines and constant competitions that spoiled the peaceful serenity of life at sea, but it was impossible to avoid some unsatisfactory elements.

The pleasant waiter filled their coffee cups again and the sisters relaxed. From the mezzanine railing they could spot passengers on the deck below which was a walking track for energetic types and also had comfortable deck chairs set out against the wall for those who preferred to lounge and watch the waves go by.

They were in the midst of examining the ship’s deck plan which they had downloaded from the internet some months before purchasing their tickets, when something caught Emily’s eye. She looked down to the walking track where a huddled figure was scanning the row of deck chairs. What caused Emily to watch this passenger was not her age or appearance but the way in which she clutched a laptop to her chest as if it were a lifebelt destined to save her life.

She was a woman in her thirties. Her hair was neither brown nor blonde, clipped behind her head in a careless manner with strands escaping to hang down at the sides of her pale face. She wore a blue sweater over cotton pants, both of which could have used the help of an iron. As soon as she spotted a vacant chair she plopped down in it and opened up her laptop with never a glance at the sparkling scene before her.

So which one do you like for lunch?

Gwen’s question broke into Emily’s thoughts abruptly.

Sorry dear! I was watching someone down below.

Gwen’s attention switched immediately to the direction in which her sister pointed. What did you see there?

It’s that woman with the laptop. She doesn’t look like the usual businessman on holiday against his will sneaking in some time with his e mail. She looks desperate.

Gwen laughed lightly. You have a real knack for spotting the unusual ones, Em. You would have made a good detective instead of a dental assistant. Put her down in your notebook and we’ll try to get closer to her and see what she’s up to.

A note was quickly made and the sisters returned to discussions about how they would spend the rest of this first ‘at sea’ day. Once the ship reached destination ports and the passengers disembarked for tours, it was difficult to track down the people who interested them. Transatlantic crossing days were vital to get an overview of their possible targets.

"First, we need to see the Activities Director and reserve our table for dinner. Then we can assess the new features on the ship. I marked those with a highlighter pen. After lunch at the casual barbecue, I think, we can split up. You go to the Library, Em, and see who’s hiding out there and I’ll roam around and meet a few passengers. We should get together for afternoon tea and compare notes again.

I have a good feeling about this cruise. What about you?"

Emily agreed with a nod. They would probably meet some charming couples as well as those who would provide fodder for further investigation.

Gwen’s ability to focus on objectives was the characteristic that had earned them these extravagant holidays. Occasionally, Emily wished they could just relax and enjoy the experience but her sister was usually right when it came to their life choices. Thanks to her planning, they had acquired a small house with no mortgage and a series of jobs for social services and local charities that provided the income to make their simple lives bearable. Lacking close family and spouses, they had few other outlets for their energies. Emily decided once again not to question her sister’s decisions. It was easier to go with the flow, as it were.

---

Afternoon tea, served beautifully in the lounge bar, was one of those pleasant ceremonies beloved by travellers of English extraction, and a daily treat for the sisters. Inevitably, they connected with commonwealth couples or wealthy Eurasians whose love of the custom dated back to the era