Reader Starter Set: Women's Contemporary Fiction

By Ruth Hay

Characters you will love, women you can identify with, stories you will never forget. In this Reader Starter Set, you get three "first in series" novels from Ruth Hay's women's fiction series.

Sea Changes, Seafarers Book 1

"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.

Auld Acquaintance, Prime Time Series Book 1

Auld Acquaintance is the story of a woman in her 60s who has lost her confidence through life events, including a divorce. Anna has a part-time job in a library, and a group of good friends, but her hopes for a brighter future are growing dim. 

Unexpectedly, she receives a legal letter informing her that she has inherited a piece of property in Scotland. Her first instinct is to ignore this letter as she has no knowledge of the person named as the owner. 

Anna's friends persuade her to travel to Scotland and stay until she can decide how to dispose of the farm house near Oban. So begins an adventure which opens up prospects for Anna and introduces her to a new environment and new people who help her.

Seven Days There, Seven Days Series Book 1

When friends reunite after years apart, what secrets will be revealed?

Valerie Westwood never expected to outlive her husband.

It was time for Valerie to start again but, first, she needed the consolation and comfort of her old friends.

She would find a way to bring the women together in a place so special that it would unlock the past and give all of them a glimpse of a new future.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ruth Hay
• Release date: Mar 7, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524283377

Book preview

Reader Starter Set

Reader Starter Set

Contemporary Women’s Fiction

Ruth Hay

Ruth Hay

Contents

Introduction

Also by Ruth Hay

Sea Changes, Seafarers Book 1

Epigraph

About This Book

The Seafarers Series

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Auld Acquaintance, Prime Time Series Book 1

About This Book

Introduction to the Prime Time Series

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Seven Days There, Seven Days Series Book 1

About This Book

Epigraph

The Seven Days Series

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

About the Author

Copyright

Introduction

Characters you will love , women you can identify with, stories you will never forget. In this Reader Starter Set, you get three first in series novels from Ruth Hay's women's fiction series.

Sea Changes, Seafarers Book 1

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.

Auld Acquaintance, Prime Time Series Book 1

Auld Acquaintance is the story of a woman in her 60s who has lost her confidence through life events, including a divorce. Anna has a part-time job in a library, and a group of good friends, but her hopes for a brighter future are growing dim.  Unexpectedly, she receives a legal letter informing her that she has inherited a piece of property in Scotland. Her first instinct is to ignore this letter as she has no knowledge of the person named as the owner.  Anna's friends persuade her to travel to Scotland and stay until she can decide how to dispose of the farm house near Oban. So begins an adventure which opens up prospects for Anna and introduces her to a new environment and new people who help her.

Seven Days There, Seven Days Series Book 1

When friends reunite after years apart, what secrets will be revealed?

Valerie Westwood never expected to outlive her husband.

It was time for Valerie to start again but, first, she needed the consolation and comfort of her old friends.

She would find a way to bring the women together in a place so special that it would unlock the past and give all of them a glimpse of a new future.

Also by Ruth Hay

Visit www.ruthhay.com

for links to all of Ruth’s stories: the Prime Time series, the Seafarers series, and the Seven Days series!

---

Prime Time Series

Auld Acquaintance

Time Out of Mind

Now or Never

Sand in the Wind

With This Ring

The Seas Between Us

---

Seafarers Series

Sea Changes

Sea Tides

Gwen’s Gentleman

---

Seven Days Series

Seven Days There

Seven Days Back

Seven Days Beyond

Seven Days Away

Seven Days Horizons

Sea Changes, Seafarers Book 1

Epigraph

"Full fathom five thy father lies;

Of his bones are coral made;    

Those are pearls that were his eyes:

Nothing of him that doth fade,

But doth suffer a sea-change    

Into something rich and strange. "

The Tempest

William Shakespeare

About This Book

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.

The Seafarers Series

Seafarers Series

Sea Changes

Sea Tides

Gwen’s Gentleman

---

Like Upstairs/Downstairs on a cruiseship!

~ NYT and USA Today Bestselling Author Zoe York

---

Visit www.ruthhay.com

to get the first two books in this series!

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 of the British Raj.

Pleasant conversation accompanied the tinkle of china cups and saucers and an almost audible sigh of relief enveloped the passengers as they relished this respite from the hot sun. Emily and Gwen had selected a table for four in hopes they would be joined by another couple. This tactic worked equally well at the evening dinners and had proved both profitable and interesting in the past.

While they had the table to themselves, they compared notes again. Emily had noticed that the worried young woman she had observed in the morning had remained in her lounge chair huddled over her laptop until the rising sun shone directly into her eyes. Then she had moved. Emily followed at a discreet distance and saw her slip into the Library. It was impossible to enter the small area without being obvious so Emily had continued her pleasant stroll around the decks smiling at all who looked in her direction.

So you were unable to get close enough to see what she was writing, confirmed Gwen. Too bad, but there’s plenty time to unlock that little secret. Anything else of note?

Emily gently slipped a slice of lemon into her china cup and referred to her notebook while her tea cooled. I did meet several very delightful couples. In the line-up for the barbecue (the pork sandwich was truly melt-in-your-mouth, by the way), I talked to a man and woman who are Seafarer fans like us and who have plans for a much longer voyage in the future. He seemed unsure whether he would like this idea but she was positive it would be an ideal way to spend their retirement years.

I saw you having that conversation, Em. I was on the deck above trapped with one of those boring couples who have been everywhere and seen everything and can’t wait to tell you every single detail about it to prove how well travelled they are.

Emily nodded sympathetically. It was one of the hazards of cruising. These couples latched onto other cruisers and monopolized their time while criticizing every aspect of their current trip. Emily hoped Gwen had extracted herself from them swiftly so that the couple would not pursue them for more updates from their extensive travel adventures.

Oh, I booked our favourite dinner table tonight with the Activities Director. She’s a new person called Sue-Ann. She seems very amenable and helpful and was impressed that I knew how to access the computer system to read the upcoming special events listings. I reserved seats for all the free lectures including one about medieval history by a visiting professor.

At this juncture, Gwen pushed her chair closer to her sister and whispered in a conspiratorial manner.

I can’t wait to tell you something else I overheard, dear. It was incredibly lucky to be in the right place at the right time and it may well be the most exciting story of this entire cruise.

Emily glanced at her sister’s face and saw the heightened colour of her cheeks. This was unusual. Something exceptional must have happened to make Gwen react in this way and force her to reveal a secret in a public place. Emily bent closer.

I had popped into that spacious bathroom facility on the upper deck. You know, the one with the marble fitments and the waterfall basins? I was about to leave the stall when I heard voices speaking urgently so I sat down on the toilet seat before the automatic flushing system could alert them to my presence. I think there were three women. They spoke rapidly as if they had very little time but I was able to get the gist of their concerns. It seems they are part of a group of workers who won a lottery.

How did you gather that? Did you find out where they were from?

Just a minute! I am telling you everything I know. I think they were American from the Detroit area by their accents but that’s not what is important. There were men in this lottery group also. The women were talking about how they would persuade the men to use their winnings to punish the owners of the business they worked in.

Why would they want to do that? If they won enough money they could simply stop work altogether, couldn’t they?

Well, I didn’t get too much more of the story. They left before I could see them, but you have to admit it has the beginnings of a mystery to be solved.

I suppose so, Gwen. The problem is going to be how to identify the women when you don’t even know what they looked like.

That’s true, of course. We’ll just have to listen carefully for their voices and look for a group of people going around together.

Emily thought their chance of encountering those women again was highly unlikely. Groups of travellers on a cruise ship were not at all unusual. She decided to leave this pursuit to her sister.

Just then an older couple arrived at their table and asked if they could share. The sisters put on their most welcoming smiles and invited the handsome couple to sit.

3

Denise

What was I thinking ? How could I have imagined it was possible to write on a cruise ship? There are happy, laughing people everywhere and here I am, miserable as sin. I can’t concentrate in the bright sun and my mini cabin feels like a jail cell with the walls closing in on me.

Who talked me into this lunatic idea? It must have been Colin catching me at a weak moment and there have been plenty of those lately, goodness knows. He said it was a shame to waste a ticket. Shame isn’t the half of it!

Oh, God! It’s far too soon. I feel raw on the outside as well as on the inside. If anyone so much as touches me accidentally, I’ll explode into a million tiny pieces.

How will I survive the next weeks? The journal writing idea was supposed to give me a focus and let me vent my feelings. Colin was so sure it was the answer. But what does he know about this kind of anguish? He’s in a steady relationship with David. They are a great couple. I suppose they have had their disappointments in life but I doubt it’s anything like mine.

I can’t go on like this. I am drowning in pain. This was supposed to be so different for me.

Help! There’s a loved-up couple waltzing by with their arms around each other. That should have been me and ------------ no! I won’t even think his name.

I have to get away from here. There must be some quiet space on this ship where I can stay out of sight and concentrate on writing; anything to help me forget about myself for a few minutes. I am so afraid I am sinking into an abyss.

Ah! It helps to get up on my feet and move around. I can take deeper breaths and the panic subsides a bit. If I walk fast enough I don’t have to acknowledge any other passengers or even look too closely at them. I’ll keep going till I see a likely spot.

There’s a food court area near a pool. Lots of people in swimsuits are lining up for food. Too much humanity. I need to get away from here. Wait! I haven’t eaten anything today. If I slide round to the sandwich table far from the barbecue line-up, I can grab something and take it with me.

Good! That worked out. No need to talk to anyone. I can keep moving and read the signs on the stairways. Better to quit the upper decks where most of the holidaymakers are gathering. There must be quiet places down below.

At last! Library. Perfect! A smallish room with bookshelves and a coffee machine. Yes!

There’s some old guy in a corner studying his laptop and mouthing words to himself. Doesn’t look as if he wants to talk to anyone. If I move to the opposite corner table, put down my stuff very quietly then pour a coffee and tiptoe back, he probably won’t even notice me.

Oh, the food helps and I feel energy rushing around me from the caffeine fix.

Perhaps I can survive this after all.

One day at a time.

Still no interruptions. I’ll try to write for a few minutes and see what happens.

---

Men are deceivers all. Someone must have said this, or some woman definitely did.

Sisters, beware a fine looking man with a charming smile. He’s up to no good.

Of course I did not know all this when I met the male in question. The annoying part is that

I had long given up the usual haunts of the thirty-something woman. Bars and blind dates and even online services had been tried and discarded. I was almost resigned to my solitary status when he turned up out of the blue.

The truth is, I didn’t recognize him as a prospect for romance right away. He was a plumber, for

Pete’s sake! Useful for sure, but not likely to be impressed by my early morning attire.

At least he turned up on time and fixed the water heater so I could have a shower and get to work. He was down in the basement and our communication was mostly yelling back and forth from the depths while I put my lunch together in the kitchen.

There was no reason to ever see him again except for the water heater springing a leak two days later. My phone call was pretty irate. I insisted on the same idiot returning to do the job properly this time. I was not to know the ‘idiot’ was the boss. When he turned up in a suit with another guy in overalls, full of apologies, I began to get the picture.

He said he had been filling in for a worker whose wife went into labour unexpectedly and it had been a while since he had done a hands-on plumbing job. He insisted I watched the process with him and approved the work on the spot.

Of course I felt bad about the way I had railed at the poor woman answering his office phone, so I felt obliged to stand there trying not to tap my foot impatiently while he calmly explained the intricacies of temperature and insulation. He probably could tell I was not exactly enthralled and that was why he asked me out for a coffee to compensate for taking up my valuable time.

Huh! Nothing too valuable about my time. I was a lowly office worker in a cubicle with twenty

other slaves at the mercy of a vicious timekeeper and an internet system that just loved to break down whenever a supervisor strolled by on the hunt for inefficiency.

Yup! That was how he suckered me in to his web of deceit.

Kindness and coffee.

What a lethal combination!

---

That’s odd. Thinking back to the beginning has soothed my nerves a bit. Maybe it’s the peaceful atmosphere here among the books.

The old guy seems to have disappeared.

Perhaps I can hide out here for the duration of this awful cruise.

4

Samuel

The 0500 roll call at the lifeboat muster station was both good and bad for Samuel.

He received a brief commendation for his speedy reaction the previous day but the looks he got from the other crew in his group reminded him of jealous glances from kids in his high school classes on the rare occasions when his teacher complimented him for something.

He tried to focus on the additional safety instructions but he was only half-awake and already dreading another long day with old Passmore.

The officer led the group downstairs to the deck level nicknamed I-95. Even at this early hour the long corridor that supplied the services the public never saw, was humming with activity as carts zoomed along laden with soiled linens from the restaurants. Entire freezers full of fresh food was despatched by freight elevators to the upper levels ready for the day’s menu specials.

Samuel’s group was shown a staff dining room for new hires and told not to venture into other dining areas where more experienced crew would gather. As soon as they sat down at a long table bolted securely to the floor, a pair of tall black men entered through a service door and silently placed dispensers of juice and coffee on the table at regular intervals. No sooner had the carafes been circulated than platters of bacon, waffles and fried eggs appeared followed by fruit, yogurt and a selection of cereals.

The table was soon covered and the group needed no invitation to pass around plates and get started on a marathon eating session.

Must be the sea air that makes you hungry, ventured Samuel to his neighbour between bites of waffle soaked in rich syrup. A nod was the only reply and it was soon apparent that this was a short work break that was going to end before all the food could be consumed.

The officer returned and tapped his watch to indicate the meal was over. A quick stop to wash up was permitted, and another lecture about never using the facilities provided for paying customers was reinforced, then Samuel was handed over to the tender mercies of Mr. Passmore and the rest of his group dispersed to other duties.

Today’s cruise education was focused on passenger relations and acquaintance with areas of the ship.

A rapid tour of a mere fraction of I-95’s facilities gave Samuel an indication of the scope of the hidden world of cruising. He saw the vacuum system that drew all the ship’s waste to a central processor. Happily there were no nasty smells as the processing through several stages removed water and dried solids until they were sealed in composting bags for disposal after landing.

Most up-to-date process in the world, stated Passmore with obvious pride.

What interested Samuel more were the recreation staff facilities like a nightclub, casino, wifi computer area and billiards room. He wondered when he would be trusted enough to make use of these facilities. Was he to be towed around by Passmore for the whole voyage? Did the old guy not have other new staff to babysit?

Over here, continued his guide as they merged into a quieter area at the end of I-95, is the place you don’t want to be. Samuel looked at the door labels printed in several languages below a large

Do Not Enter sign. ‘Prison’ was printed on one door and next to it ‘Morgue’.

He started back at the thought that a stay in the ship’s prison seemed to lead directly to the morgue.

Passmore laughed at his shocked expression. Yup! Sonny, we cater for everything from birth to death on this ship. Samuel realized this was the purpose of the visit. An attempt to shock the new boy was part of the morning’s entertainment for Passmore.

The fun over for the time being, they retraced their steps, passing the noisy section where washing machines and huge tumble dryers roared ceaselessly. Samuel noted that the workers here wore ear protectors and never looked up from the conveyor belt of wash, dry, press, fold and stack.

He was grateful when the subterranean tour ended and they emerged from a hive of activity into the light of day and the comparative quiet on the upper decks.

He had hardly taken two deep breaths when his guide stated, "Your first test starts now, Sonny boy.

Stand here and make sure no unauthorized personnel use this staircase. Think you can do it? I’m off duty for an hour. Don’t bugger it up."

With that, the old guy turned on his heel with more energy than he had displayed so far, and disappeared through glass doors that opened automatically, leaving Samuel open-mouthed with a thousand questions unanswered. He immediately grew enraged that a test was to be administered, yet he knew nothing about the parameters.

He looked around at his surroundings. The staircase curved upward to a higher deck and had a polished metal railing that looked expensive. He could see nothing above to indicate the importance of the guard requirement. He was located in a short hallway that appeared separate from longer hallways he had seen. If this area was secluded why would he need to challenge anyone who entered? Surely the passengers who knew about this stairway entrance would be those who were authorized to use it?

He leaned against the ornate newel post at the base of the stairs and wondered what on earth he would say if someone appeared. Would ‘good day, sir or madam’ suffice? How would he know if they were supposed to ascend to the hidden place above?

A quick glance at his watch revealed that only four minutes had passed. This was going to be a very long hour. He worried that old Passmore might not return at the appointed time. This situation was a disaster in waiting.

Waiting was what he did. There was no chance of sitting down. The automatic doors would open and reveal his presence before he could hope to stand up and look alive. He hoped he would not drift into sleep and fall in a heap. It was quiet enough to encourage sleep and he felt very tired.

---

He was beginning to lose consciousness when an interruption came from an unexpected direction.

Steps sounded above him and he glanced up to see a young girl in a neat uniform descending the steps.

She was holding a tray expertly balanced in one hand and seemed in a hurry.

Haven’t seen you before, she commented. Let me get rid of this and we can talk for a minute. Leon’s on the warpath this morning. Someone forgot to pick up this tray from a stateroom.

As Samuel watched, she scurried over to a wall panel and touched it to reveal a concealed pantry. She pushed the tray onto a base and it vanished downward. He could imagine the contents disappearing into the depths below and being unloaded by some lowly worker.

So, what’s so special about this staircase? I’ve been set to guard it and I have no clue why.

Oh, that’s the sacred domain of Lord Leon. None shall enter without the magic pass.

Samuel had to look closely at the girl’s face to decide whether or not she was just messing with him. She did seem to have a smirk around her mouth but she had pretty blue eyes that were indicating fun rather than sarcasm.

Right! Now tell me what really goes on up there.

I’ll take you on a tour some day and you can see for yourself. Not today though. Leon is the Head Butler and his word is law. When he’s on the warpath it’s best to stay out of his way.

What makes him so damn important, then?

She doubled over with laughter at this question and then put her hand over her mouth with an upward glance to make sure no one was listening. You’d better not let any officers hear you talking like that! Leon Dellagrande is in charge of the executive suites on the top deck. Only the very rich can afford them and Leon is the Superman servant who supplies all their needs. Passengers compete to be in one of his suites just so they can boast about having him at their beck and call. This is a private stairway to heaven if you like. Only the privileged can ascend but it’s only rarely used. These wealthy clientele have their own personal elevator.

Samuel shot a look at the girl’s name tag and read ‘Vanessa’. She caught his glance and said quickly, My name is Alice but they changed it to something fancier. Got to go! See you later Samuel. Is that your real name?

Before he could answer, she was running lightly up the stairs with the short, dark blue skirt of her crisp-looking uniform swishing around a pair of very attractive legs.

He thought she was a different kind of female; cute for sure, but also someone with a sense of humour and an unusual way of talking. He hoped he would see her again but the chances of this happening were slim to nothing.

He sighed. So the old guy was fooling about the ‘test’. Typical!

Well at least he had a sensible question to ask if anyone appeared through the glass doors.

He could say, Are you heading for the executive suites, sir or madam? That should separate the ultra rich from the only normally wealthy passengers.

---

Right, my lad! Did you embarrass me at all? I noticed the ship was still steaming ahead on her way across the Atlantic to the next port so you could not have done anything too drastic.

Samuel could barely summon a smile at the weak joke. He decided to play Passmore at his own game.

Didn’t his father always say, ‘If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em, son!’

Well, he began, "There was one small incident with a distinguished-looking gentleman who introduced himself as Mr. Leon, I think it was. He was impressed with my ability to stand at attention.

I told him I was acting on Mr.Passmore’s orders and he just nodded and went on his way."

Samuel chuckled inside as he saw the blood drain out of the old guy’s face. Clearly he was contemplating the result of offending the head butler. Passmore said nothing but his expression indicated a smidgeon more respect for the new ‘Sonny’.

Samuel made a mental note to try and find Alice/Vanessa again. He owed her a drink for that timely piece of information. It looked as if Passmore might be more careful in the future about his assignments for Samuel and that could only be a good thing.

---

The rest of the long day dragged on. Samuel was shown several areas of the ship where he might be positioned on what Passmore called ‘meet, greet and direct’ duty. It was important that passengers could always find prompt, polite attendants who could help in any way. There were stations for this job in all the main entertainment areas, near the cafes and restaurants and outside the gym and spa levels. Samuel was provided with an ap for the company’s iPhone, pre-loaded with the day’s scheduled activities and events. Passmore allowed him a break of five minutes to navigate his way through the program then sent him on his way to circle around the designated areas and relieve whoever was stationed there.

You’ll soon find your way about. Pay attention to what’s going on. I’ll be watching you from time to time. You can quit at 1700 hours. Meet me here at 0600 tomorrow morning.

5

Gwen and Emily

Dressing for dinner in the Rainbow Room required careful consideration. The sisters had a limited wardrobe and years of practice had taught them how to maximize every item.

Mix and match was their mantra. The objective was always to appear wealthier than they actually were. During the long winter months, Gwen searched online for the latest fashion trends and next season colours to perk up their outfits. Emily was a proficient seamstress and she often trolled around the many charity shops in nearby towns for vintage clothing that was out of date but originally made from superior materials. These finds were then cut apart and reassembled into scarves, blouses or skirts that she knew would never be replicated on board ship.

There had been occasions when admiring women had asked who was their designer of choice. Emily merely blushed but Gwen’s reply was that they favoured a new English Atelier whose work for the mature lady was only beginning to be appreciated. When chided by her sister for making this statement, Gwen asserted that it was very close to the truth.

Tonight, Gwen’s ensemble consisted of a two-piece black outfit with a long nylon sleeve and a panel of the same material flowing from the waistline. Heavy gold jewellery at neck and ears added the luxury look. What the observer could not see was that the sleeves and panel were removable, the two basic black pieces could be worn separately and the gold was only imitation.

Emily wore a sapphire blue, silk dress, cut close to the body. The strands of pearls around her neck drew the eye downward to the velvet belt that encircled her slender waistline. The dress would appear on another evening minus the belt and pearls, under a navy silk overcoat with bell sleeves and a wide neckline. The accompanying jewellery would be silver-toned and feature a heavy metallic cuff.

Versatility was the name of the game.

Gwen had selected a table to the side of the Rainbow Room from which the sisters could survey the entire room and watch the entrances. They chose the second sitting as they had usually seen all the entertainment performances that drew the newer cruise customers. The later meal time provided an opportunity to survey mostly older couples who preferred to eat in the quieter dining room and go straight to their cabins for a nightcap and bed.

As the sisters had spent a leisurely day, they were planning to devote an hour to the Trocadero Nightclub in hopes of seeing the Silver Fox and renewing acquaintance with him.

Gwen and Emily were pleased to be accorded special attention immediately after being seated in the dining room. The Maître d’ made his way over to their table and welcomed them back with expressions of delight at their continued loyalty to the Seafarer Cruise Line. He promised them a remarkable meal and called a waiter over to their table, making sure that they would have perfect service.

Gwen was particularly happy to receive this mark of respect and noticed other diners discussing them, no doubt wondering who these important women could be.

---

The lavish meal lived up to expectations. The colours playing around the walls changed every ten minutes or so and subtly altered the room’s ambiance. The sisters chatted comfortable until they were interrupted by another visitor to their table.

Ladies! What a sincere pleasure to see you both again. The hint of a Scottish accent alerted them to the arrival of Mr. Passmore, one of their favourites.

Well, we had to know if you were retiring this year, Alexander, replied Gwen with a twinkle in her eye. You promised to invite us to your going-away party, remember?

I do indeed remember, Miss Harrison, but I‘m afraid I must disappoint you. The party will not be this year, but soon enough, I’m thinking.

You deserve a rest after all your years with the company, Mr. Passmore, added Emily, softly. She was not such a fan of this officer, finding him too obsequious for her taste but she had been brought up to be polite to everyone.

Well then, I’ll be leaving you to your dinner, ladies, and may I say how lovely you both look tonight. Quite the belles of the ball, I declare!

With a tip of his cap the older man straightened up and made his way carefully around the tables and exited through the kitchen service doors.

I think that little encounter proves how worthwhile it is to attend to our appearance, my dear. It is thanks to your efforts, Em, that we look so remarkable tonight.

Emily gracefully accepted the compliment but she wondered if making themselves so noticeable was a disadvantage in their game of uncovering secrets.

---

Alexander Passmore stopped briefly in the busy, hot, restaurant kitchen to fill a plate from the trays heating above the service counters. He nodded to the