Back on track, p.7
Back on Track, page 7
Val tugged on his arm again. He waved cheerily as his wife led him towards the bar.
Birgit slid along and Tien and Lacey squeezed onto the lounge seat beside her. The two men sat on tub chairs pulled to the other side of the table.
“The boyos and I were having a drop to get us started,” Birgit said, then leaned closer and lowered her voice. “Everything’s free, can you believe it? Unless you want something fancy but their champagne’s a good one.”
“Another?” Rory reached for her glass.
“Why not?” Birgit drained the dregs and handed it over.
“What can I get you?” He looked at Lacey and Tien.
Tien sat up stiffly. “Nothing for me, thank you.”
Lacey had never known her to drink alcohol. “I’m fine too for the moment.”
“You’ll like the champagne, Lacey,” Birgit said.
“It’s not even eleven o’clock yet.” Tien’s tone was disapproving.
“We’re on holiday.” Birgit nudged Lacey. “Live a little.”
Lacey avoided Tien’s glare. “Okay, thank you.”
Rory headed to the bar and Birgit asked Rhys what his excursion picks were.
Tien leaned in towards Lacey. “Don’t let her influence you,” she muttered. “She’s far too free and easy, that one. You don’t want to do anything you’ll regret.”
Lacey wasn’t sure she’d regret one glass of champagne before lunch but Tien’s words dulled the brightness of the occasion. Rory had just returned with their drinks when Ning and Judith teetered into the carriage. Everyone walked with a slightly staggered gait to combat the sway of the floor beneath them. Ning collapsed to a couch opposite while Judith raised her eyebrows at the drinks in their hands.
“They’ve got a great selection of white wines,” Birgit said.
“It’s a little early for me.” Judith sniffed and lowered herself beside Ning, who edged away. Tien tutted under her breath.
Birgit was oblivious to the tension and asked everyone about their excursion choice for after lunch when they reached Katherine. It seemed they were all going on one of the Nitmiluk Gorge tours.
“It will be very beautiful there,” Ning said.
“And we’re safe from crocodiles,” Tien said enthusiastically.
Rory grinned. “Good to know.”
“We’re hoping to do the helicopter flight,” Rhys said. “We’re just waiting to hear from Jade if there’s a place for us.”
“That sounds amazing,” Lacey said.
“It’s a lot of money.” Judith folded her arms and sat back scowling as Rory and Rhys, whose backs were slightly turned to her, talked animatedly about their choice of tour.
Lacey took a sip of her champagne. The bubbles hit the back of her throat and exploded in a fruity tingle. She sipped again.
It wasn’t fair of Judith to snap at Tien who was naturally cautious. Lacey understood how the cabin changes, the newness of the train journey and Tien’s fear of scary animals might make her anxious. Lacey had her own permanent worry over money gnawing away at her, and the heated exchange with Judith back in the cabin had left her with a niggle that flared to anxiety when they were together. Lacey took a bigger swig from her glass. She’d been dubious about Warren’s advice but now she thought the champagne was just what she needed.
“Are you okay, Lacey?” Birgit’s hand waved in front of her face. Rory and Rhys had vacated their seats and Judith and Ning were moving to take their place. “I thought the champagne must really have gone to your head. We lost you there for a moment.”
“Sorry.” Lacey looked at the almost-empty glass in her hand. “I was thinking about something else.”
“I need your attention.” Judith glanced around the table and rested her gaze on Lacey. “All of you.”
Lacey swallowed the last of her drink. What was Judith going to speak her mind about now?
“There’s been a slight change to our holiday plans and I want you to be prepared,” Judith said.
“What is it?” Tien wailed.
Lacey glanced around and her heart sped up. Miss Ketty wasn’t in the lounge carriage yet.
“Don’t panic, Tien. It’s just that our generous employer has taken a guest into her cabin.”
Lacey blew out a breath. She’d been worried something bad had happened to Miss Ketty.
“A guest?” Ning frowned. “But all the staff are here.”
“The guest is not a member of staff.” Judith leaned in closer. “You may remember Ketty’s friend…” her nose wrinkled, “Carlos was also booked on this trip.”
“I thought he went back to Spain,” Birgit said.
“His poor dear parents died.” Ning nodded sadly.
“Yes, well, he’s cut his mourning period short and rebooked.”
“Ketty will be pleased.” Birgit grinned.
“Not exactly. Unfortunately there was a mix-up with his cabin and it wasn’t rebooked as he…well, as he’d thought.” Judith glanced at each of them in turn. “The only way he could be on this train journey was to take a berth in Ketty’s cabin.”
Lacey bit her lip so that she didn’t gasp like Tien and Ning. There was a surprised pause and then Birgit laughed. “Go, Ketty,” she said. “She’s the oldest of all of us and already has a man sharing her room.”
“You shouldn’t speak about Miss Clift in that way,” Tien hissed.
“It’s just a bit of fun,” Birgit said. “Ketty’s a woman of the world.”
“And your employer.” Judith spoke as if there was a full stop after each word.
She glared across the table and Lacey didn’t know whether to be relieved not to be the recipient of that dagger look for a change or to feel sorry for Birgit, who was trying hard to inject some fun into the moment. Something Miss Ketty would encourage, she was sure. Lacey glanced to the door but there was still no sign of her.
Judith’s glare unlocked from Birgit and slowly moved from woman to woman. “You all know how wonderfully generous Ketty is.” She spread her hands wide. “Here we are on this special holiday. She didn’t want her friend Carlos to miss out. They are simply good friends sharing a cabin, just like we are. I’m telling you now so that you don’t get a shock later.”
Lacey thought the way Judith had made her announcement was providing the shock value rather than the situation itself. She wondered if Miss Ketty knew this was being discussed.
“But how will she…” Tien frowned. “How will he change?”
“Oh, for goodness sake.” Birgit flung herself back against the seat.
“Being brazen with men might be something you accept,” Tien said, “but—”
“What do you mean ‘being brazen with men’?” Birgit’s nostrils flared. “What are you insinuating?”
“You’re flirting with those men,” Tien huffed. “Don’t you have a boyfriend at home?”
“My personal life is none of your business.” Birgit folded her arms tightly across her chest.
“Ladies, please.” Judith gave a soft clap of her hands.
The two women scowled at each other.
Lacey had to admit she’d wondered the same thing about Birgit, who’d been so excited to move in with her boyfriend earlier in the year. Now that she thought about it, Lacey hadn’t heard Birgit mention him for a few weeks. At that moment the door opened and Miss Ketty entered, followed by Carlos.
“They’re here,” Lacey murmured.
“Right. Now remember what I said, ladies.” Once more Judith’s dagger look swept the group. Lacey’s eye was drawn to the other passengers who were also looking towards the door. Even though their entrance had been low-key, Miss Ketty and Carlos made a striking couple. She was dressed in a stylish outfit from Ketty Clift Couture’s old travel range, a three-quarter sleeved cotton-linen top in a light shade of red that was a striking contrast to her grey hair. Beneath the shirt she wore wide-legged pants in a taupe-grey linen and on her feet flat espadrilles with jute rope trim. At her side, Carlos wore a two-tone blue striped polo shirt, neutral chinos were rolled up to reveal his ankles and on his feet were tan slip-on shoes.
Lacey waved to catch their attention. Miss Ketty had an anxious look, unusual for her – perhaps she was worried about what they’d all think of her cabin arrangements. Lacey pulled a wide smile, and as Miss Ketty made her way along the carriage she smiled back.
nine
Day One – Travelling South
“Here we go,” Ketty whispered through clenched teeth and was reassured by the warmth of Carlos’s hand against her back as they moved forward.
“They don’t look too scary,” he murmured back as they came to a stop beside the group.
“I’m sorry I’ve been so long,” Ketty said, then gripped the back of a lounge chair as the train swayed. “It gets a wobble up every now and then, doesn’t it? I haven’t got my train legs yet.”
Tien leaped from her seat. “You must sit down.”
Ketty shook her head and waved her back. “You stay there. We’ll find a seat in a minute. You all remember my friend Carlos who visited over Christmas?”
There were a few muttered responses, which Ketty found odd, then Birgit shot out her hand. “Of course we do. Welcome aboard, Carlos.”
They shook hands and Carlos acknowledged the others with a brief inclination of his head. “Hello, everyone.”
“We hear you nearly missed out on the trip,” Birgit said. “Glad Ketty had a spare bunk.”
Ketty glanced at Judith. Her lips were pursed in that look she got when she was trying not to speak but judging by the range of expressions from startled to shocked, it was too late. She’d obviously already filled in the others. Beside her, Ketty sensed Carlos’s unease. He hadn’t been keen on her plan to share. He’d never been prudish but today she’d had to do a lot of talking to stop him from leaving the train once he’d seen the cabin they were sharing. Thankfully the train had departed the station and she’d talked him round.
The women around the table glanced from Ketty to Carlos but no-one spoke.
Ketty had turned seventy-one a few months prior and yet she felt as if she’d just been chided by her father for being disrespectful, as if she were a little girl again caught poking her tongue out behind her mother’s back. A knot of defiance formed within her. She was not about to be judged by her employees.
“Have you been taking in the scenery?” she asked and stooped a little to look out a window.
“Yes,” Lacey said brightly. “It keeps changing so much.”
Judging by the empty glasses Lacey and Birgit had enjoyed the free champagne but there was no sign the other three had partaken.
“After the morning we’ve had I think we’re due a welcome-aboard drink.” Ketty looked to Carlos.
“Good idea,” he said. “Champagne?”
“I can recommend it.” Birgit tapped her empty glass.
Ketty glanced around the group. “Can we get anyone else one?”
Before they could answer Jade called for everyone’s attention and Carlos and Ketty found vacant seats a little further away along the opposite wall of the carriage.
Jade explained the seating arrangements for lunch. Ketty was dismayed to realise there were only tables of four.
“But there are seven of us,” she murmured to Carlos.
“Trains are configured differently to cruise ships, dear Ketty. Perhaps we can be a table for three and a table for four opposite each other.”
“Oh, that’s a good idea. Should we ask Jade?”
“She looks a little under pressure at the moment. She’s asked us to wait to be called.”
Indeed Jade had, but immediately she stopped speaking several people had approached her clamouring for attention. Ketty was surprised to see Judith was one of them.
“Why don’t we go with the flow for lunch?” Carlos said. “And then see what can be done for dinner.”
“The words of experience.” Ketty grinned. “Oh, Carlos, don’t you miss those first nights of a cruise? It was always such a buzz to arrive and be met by you, to have a waiter guide me through a fine dining room with those immaculately set tables, the white tablecloths, the sparkling glassware and the gleaming silver cutlery. The discreet table decorations, the glamour and attention to detail.” Ketty squeezed her eyes shut and imagined herself there.
“Ha!”
Ketty opened her eyes. Carlos was shaking his head.
“I miss the enchanting ambience,” she leaned closer, “and meeting new people.”
They were interrupted by Jade calling Birgit and Lacey’s names.
“Looks like some members of your team are doing just that.”
Ketty glanced over in time to see Rory and Rhys, the double Rs as Birgit called them, filing along with her and Lacey towards the dining car.
Judith made her way to Ketty.
“Takes a bit of getting used to walking with the train in motion, doesn’t it?” Carlos said as Judith reached out and grabbed the back of the seat.
“I assume we’ll acclimatise,” she said primly then focused on Ketty. “Since the tables aren’t bigger than groups of four and you have Carlos for company, the steward said she’d seat Ning, Tien and I together for lunch.”
“Yes, of course,” Ketty said, feeling a little as if she’d been picked last for the team. “That makes perfect sense. I’m going to ask her later if she can work us a bit closer together for this evening perhaps.”
Judith nodded then turned back as her name was called along with Ning’s and Tien’s.
“See you in there,” she said and moved off with the other two women. Ketty watched them go.
“You look worried,” Carlos said.
“I am worried. They’re so much more to me than staff and they each seem bothered by something. I’d hoped we’d get to spend enough time together on this holiday for me to figure it out.”
“Perhaps they’re just jittery or excited. This journey’s a new experience.”
“They’ve been like it on and off for months. Since before Christmas. Up until last December I thought of Ketty Clift Couture as a well-oiled machine, with dedicated, happy customers and staff. Recently I’ve lost a couple of long-time customers and there’s something not right with my staff…an undercurrent I can’t explain.” Ketty stared in the direction they’d all gone for lunch.
“You can’t do anything about it right at this minute. How about I get us that drink?” Carlos suggested.
“Thank you, yes. Definitely champagne for me, please.”
He rose and made his way to the bar. It was strange and yet oddly comforting to have someone to share her concerns with. Ketty’s original ideas about how this holiday would go were being tossed aside layer by layer. First Ning not wanting to come and then agreeing to at the last minute, the many changes to the cabin arrangements, Tien being so edgy, Lacey acting like a deer in the headlights, Birgit acting the opposite, Carlos nearly missing out altogether, Judith being on the verge of rudeness at times. And now they couldn’t eat together around the one table. That’s where Ketty found out so much about people, as they wined and dined. She’d wanted to be able to have that with her staff, hoping the holiday and the food and wine would loosen their tongues. Of course, all her plans had been based on her cruising experience and so far train travel was very different, despite Carlos’s assurances.
She wondered if she was expecting too much. Perhaps she should have kept this train experience to just her and Carlos, another of his Australian adventures they could have chalked up together.
The two of them had been more apart than together over the years but when they did meet up it was as if the time and the distance had been nothing. She’d loved having him to stay the previous Christmas and into January, and then again on his brief return in February. He’d fitted in to her life easily, making friends with her friends, and she’d enjoyed taking him to parts of Paddington and greater Sydney that were favourites of hers, seeing them all afresh through his eyes. It made her smile to recall their trip to the fish market.
ten
The previous December – Paddington, Sydney
On the morning of Christmas Eve, Ketty and Carlos were on the footpath outside her gate waiting for her neighbour Maurice to arrive with his car. They were heading to the fish market.
Maurice and his wife, Lee, had called over for drinks the previous night and Maurice and Carlos had hit it off straight away. It was during the evening that Ketty’s visit to the market had come up. She’d been annoyed at Maurice at first, suggesting it was too much for her to be getting the bus to the market – she didn’t have a car, had never needed one. His comments often challenged her independence but he’d gone on and reminded her how it was one of the busiest days of the year and he loved to drive his car so it was a win-win. Now as they stood in the shade waiting, Ketty realised Maurice had been right. The temperature was already uncomfortably warm and it would be easier to bring her purchases home in the car.
Lee’s little blue Suzuki slipped from the lane at the back of Ketty’s and pulled up in front of them, Maurice’s large frame crouched over the steering wheel.
Ketty opened the back door. “Good morning. I’ll sit back here so Carlos can have the front seat.”
“I’d rather be taking my car but we wouldn’t all fit,” Maurice grumbled.
“I must admit I was hoping to see your red Jaguar coupé,” Carlos said.
“I’ll take you for a spin another time, Carlos.”
“I look forward to it.”
Ketty settled into the back seat as Maurice whisked them away. He loved his Jaguar as much as his wife – more, Lee often quipped. He drove it nearly every day. He’d retired from his role as chief financial officer of a strata management business about six months prior and he hadn’t found being at home all day easy. Neither had Lee, from what Ketty gathered.
“Ketty tells me you’ve done a lot of travel, Carlos,” Maurice said.
“Working on cruise ships has taken me many places. And I’ve also toured on my own.”
“Any hints for more unusual destinations? Lee and I have travelled extensively but we want to find something a bit more off the beaten track with more rustic accommodation.”
