Page 27 of Old Girls on Deck
‘I do my best. It’s bad enough being my age without looking like an old fossil too.’
She finished her cocktail with a sigh of pleasure. ‘That’s better. So refreshing.’
‘What was it?’
‘A pink gin. Which is basically gin with a dash of attitude because Angostura bitters is 44 per cent proof. Always gets me in the mood for a party. Douglas used to say one gin good, two gins better. He was such fun.’
Evelyn looked around for a waiter, and one hurried to her side. She deposited her empty glass on his tray.
‘Do bring me another, darling. When you have a moment.’
‘Of course, Lady Evelyn,’ he replied with a respectful bow.
‘Everyone seems to know you,’ I said.
She raised her eyebrows. ‘They should. I’ve been on board for three months. Oh yes, it’s cheaper than being at home, I got a great deal with the cruise line because I’m a frequent flier, I played the Lady card, and I rented out my house at a very good rate. It’s far more fun than being in a retirement home. I went to visit a friend there once – Eleanor, although we always called her Bunny. She was one of my bridesmaids. It was lovely of course because it was very expensive. But so dull, darling. I think she was planning a break-out to go and see her daughter. I know she had a book on Italy open on her coffee table. And there were so many rules. I was never one for rules, they make me twitchy. Perhaps that’s why I was expelled from two schools.’
‘You’re a bit of a devil, aren’t you?’ I said, choking on my drink a little.
‘Absolutely. That’s more fun too,’ she smiled. ‘I’m afraid the barge of normality sailed without me many years ago.’
‘Do you ever get – well, lonely?’
She shook her head. ‘No, because there are always nice people like you and Diana to talk to. There’s always something to do or see. And everyone is in a good mood, which is an excellent start. There’s a doctor on board if I need one, and a hairdresser who trained with Vidal Sassoon. A spa if I need anything tweaking. And of course, the food is superb. And I’m still very greedy. Now then, tell me about Diana. It seems to me that she is rather troubled.’
‘I think that’s very perceptive of you. She lost her husband about five years ago.’
‘That always sounds careless. Do you mean she mislaid him, he ran off or he died?’
‘He died. She’s been a bit lost since then. I’m hoping this holiday will cheer her up and help her think about the future.’
‘How old is she?’
‘Sixty-one.’
Evelyn laughed. ‘An absolute child compared to me. I was probably already married to Douglas when she was born. Still she’s having a nice chat with the captain, I expect he’s telling her how wonderful her husband was and that’s cheering her up. But she needs something other than his memory to make her happy. And personally, I’d prefer to be told how marvellous I am, rather than forever live in the afterglow of someone else’s achievements. I’ll give it some thought.’
I had no doubt that Evelyn would come up with something, and for a moment we watched Diana laughing at something the captain had said. Evelyn’s eyes narrowed slightly and then she nodded towards Raphaël.
‘Hmm, that’s interesting. What’s the story there?’
‘Raphaël? He’s taking publicity pictures of us for the cruise line, I won this cruise in a competition you see.’
‘Ah, and they upgraded you when they found out Diana had come with you, that makes sense. And do I spy with my little eye a fledgeling romance over there?’
‘You may be right, but I wouldn’t hold your breath, Diana’s a slow starter.’
Evelyn paused with a sweet smile to accept another pink gin from a waiter.
‘Thank you, Giovanni. Oh, you can’t afford to be a slow starter at our age. There isn’t time for that.’
We edged closer to Diana so we could eavesdrop.
The captain was talking yet again about Casper, and Diana had a fixed smile on her face.
Perhaps she was indeed a bit fed up with listening to glowing tributes to Casper.
He made a small gesture towards the other guests, ‘I would like to spend all evening talking to you, but I’m sure you understand.’