Page 80 of Old Girls on Deck
‘Let’s not waste a moment of the time we have left,’ she said, ‘on this holiday or afterwards. Let’s do interesting and silly things. Let’s say yes to the next adventure, yes to the possibilities, yes to all the things we wanted to do and didn’t.’
I hugged her back, my heart filled with unexpected happiness. When this holiday had been discussed, I had hoped it would allow us to enjoy time together. I hadn’t for a moment imagined it would have this effect.
By the time we had got our act together, had a little snooze and got dressed, it was early afternoon. We investigated each other’s wardrobes and made some pointed comments about the amount of navy blue (Diana) and hectic patterns (me) that we owned. We agreed that we would go shopping together soon, and as Diana put it, think outside the box.
‘Is this all because of Raphaël?’ I asked.
We had taken advantage of Alfred by then and ordered some cheese and onion sandwiches.
‘Absolutely not,’ Diana said. ‘I’ve been thinking about it and I realised that sexy as he is, I don’t need to launch myself into anything. It’s just really nice to feel that someone finds me good company.’
‘I think you’re good company or I wouldn’t have invited you on this trip,’ I said.
‘Not that sort of good company. The sort when you know a man is attracted, is looking at you as an individual. Those funny little glances, that unspoken interest. I haven’t felt that for a very long time. It makes me think about myself differently I suppose. I realised the other night when I couldn’t sleep, that I had never in my entire life really lived alone before. I’d gone from home to university, to a flat share, and then living with Casper. It’s a strange thing to wake up every day and know it’s just me there. I can understand the burden of loneliness that people talk about, and I know I’m lucky; I have you and some good friends, and I have Sam. For so long I have been either Casper’s wife, or Sam’s mum and then Casper’s widow. I think there is more to me than that, don’t you? Isn’t it about time I started being me?’
‘Yes,’ I said, ‘definitely.’
This too was very surprising. It was as though something fundamental had changed and the sister I remembered from my childhood was returning, full of enthusiasm and always laughing about something.
‘Well then. I’m going to try. And I’m going to start today. In fact, these cheese and onion sandwiches are an example. I absolutely love them, but Casper didn’t. He said they gave me onion breath.’
I laughed. ‘Come on, Stinky. Let’s get dressed and go and find you a hair appointment.’
‘I’m going to get my lip waxed too. I was looking in the mirror the other day and realised I might be growing a moustache. I’m going to wear that pink shirt I bought in the ship’s boutique, and I have some fairly new jeans. I haven’t worn jeans for years…’
‘Let me guess. Casper didn’t approve of them?’
‘He said they were for young people and workmen. And he said it drew attention to my – you know – bottom.’
‘Nonsense,’ I said, ‘you have a great figure, it’s time you showed it off.’
I left Diana in the spa, swathed in a blue and white wrap, and went off to find a cup of tea in a nearby cafe which had the décor of a fin de siècle Parisienne tea room. I had to admit the Avanti was very well planned, one was never very far from somewhere to eat or drink. No wonder my trousers were getting tighter by the day.
‘Ah, there you are. I’ve just been having my constitutional around the ship.’
I looked up to see Evelyn, looking very bright in a flowery yellow dress and straw sunhat. She was sporting a thick support bandage on her injured foot.
‘Evelyn. How is your ankle?’
‘Oh fine, it’s a bit sore, just a silly sprain. I went to see the ship’s doctor. Such a nice man, he’s from Mumbai. He has three children, and he misses them terribly. Isn’t this weather a treat? So much better than England in the rain. What are you up to?’
I waved at her to join me, and she sat down, almost immediately attracting the attention of a waitress.
‘Hello Stella, how pretty you look today. I’d really love a cup of Earl Grey, and do you have any toasted teacakes or am I too late?’
Having reassured Evelyn that come what may, she would find one, Stella scuttled off.
‘So have you both recovered from our little unplanned excursion?’
‘I think so, actually it had quite an effect on Diana. She’s gone to have a haircut, and she’s talking about cosmetic surgery, although I don’t think she means it.’
‘I had a face lift years ago,’ Evelyn said. ‘I looked as though I had done ten rounds with Henry Cooper, and Douglas was furious. And in the end, it didn’t make that much difference. But I did have a tattoo after he died.’
‘Did you! Good heavens, what did you have done?’
‘Well, I was going to have a motivational phrase on my lower thigh, where only I would see it. Do one thing every day that scares you. But when it came to it, it was so painful, and I was such a fuss pot about it that the poor chap couldn’t finish the whole thing. So instead, I just have Do one on my leg, which perhaps works just as well. What they will think in the mortuary when I finally croak it is anyone’s guess.’
I spluttered with laughter into my tea and Stella returned with a pot of Earl Grey and a toasted teacake the size of the plate, which Evelyn proceeded to slather with butter. I wondered what Eddy would have said if he could see her.