Alice-Miranda at Sea (11 page)

W
hen the pesky child and her lovely mother finally left the surgery, Nicholas got on the telephone quick-smart.

‘So have you found her yet?' he growled into the receiver. Tiny beads of perspiration formed along his brow. ‘What was she in? Oh, for heaven's sake, was that the best you could do? Well, I can tell you that you'd better find her and soon.'

Nicholas Lush slammed the receiver down. He couldn't believe his ears. This was awful. He slumped down in his chair and leaned forward on his desk, his head cradled in his hands.

The telephone rang.

He reached out and snatched it up. ‘What now?' Nicholas fumed. ‘It had better be good news . . . Oh, I'm sorry, sir. Yes, yes, had a little bit of bad news earlier but I'm sure things will be fine. You want to inspect the records this afternoon? Certainly, Admiral. Half an hour. Of course,' Nicholas patted away the perspiration on his forehead.

He reached forward and wiggled the mouse to wake his computer. Fortunately he knew well Admiral Harding's love of spot inspections.

Nicholas was up to date with his records for the week – mostly doling out the odd headache tablet here and there to the crew and, of course, yesterday there was the horrendous seasickness he'd dealt with when guests had come aboard. Annoyingly today's minor surgeries would take longer to record.

Nicholas's stomach gurgled and growled. He was eager to finish the pesky paperwork as quickly as possible and then, hopefully, the admiral would arrive on time. He didn't want to miss afternoon canapés, having been forced to skip lunch.

Nicholas entered the name Alice-Miranda Highton-Smith-Kennington-Jones into the computer. Her suite name appeared along with some other details about her age and parents. Nicholas typed his notes quickly.

Once he'd completed her record, he pulled the piece of paper containing the permission from the lad's mother from his top pocket. He'd forgotten to get the boy's full name from the steward.

Nicholas studied the handwriting. He could have sworn that it said A. Headlington-Bear. That was odd. She hadn't mentioned anything about a son when they'd been talking last evening. But then again, the woman was an appalling flirt and perhaps she'd thought he'd pay her less attention if she mentioned a child. He wouldn't have.

Nicholas brought up a new entry. He tapped in the surname Headlington-Bear. Three names blinked on the screen in front of him. Ambrosia Headlington-Bear, Jacinta Headlington-Bear and Neville Headlington-Bear. He entered Neville's name into the report and began to type the details of the incident when he glanced at the patient's age. Apparently Master Neville was forty-eight years old. That was odd. The records were linked directly to the National Health database. He entered Ambrosia's name. That was interesting. She was forty-one. Certainly a surprise, given she didn't look a day over thirty. He entered Jacinta's name. Age eleven. This was very strange indeed.

So, if the boy wasn't, in fact, Neville Headlington- Bear, then who on earth was he and what was he doing in Mr Headlington-Bear's suite? ‘Children,' Nicholas murmured. ‘Can't be trusted, can they?'

The doctor sighed. He rested his elbows on the desk in front of him, and exhaled through his clenched fist. Nicholas hit the delete button on the computer. Master Neville's surgery didn't need writing up at all. But the lad needed a house call.

Nicholas stood up. There was a sharp rap on the door. He really didn't have time for any more patients – there were other more important things on his mind.

‘Lush,' a voice boomed from the hallway.

‘Coming, sir.' Nicholas opened the door to find Admiral Harding flagged by First Officer Prendergast.

‘You're earlier than I expected, sir,' Nicholas gulped.

‘I hope everything is in order.' The admiral glanced at his watch. By his calculations he was exactly on time. He entered the surgery and looked around.

‘Of course.' Dr Lush folded his arms in front of him.

‘Prendergast here has kindly offered to assist you. I think we need a full stocktake of medication and other supplies and you don't seem to be too busy,' the admiral observed.

‘No, not busy at all sir,' Lush whispered through gritted teeth.

‘Well then, why don't you direct me to the records and you and Prendergast can start the stocktake.'

Lush looked at Prendergast, wondering about his offer of assistance. He knew him as a nice enough young fellow but in his experience the First Officer wasn't the least bit interested in the infirmary.

‘Not enough to do up on the bridge today?' the doctor asked his assistant.

‘Something like that,' Prendergast replied.

‘Well', Lush sighed, ‘this is the last thing I need today but at least I've got you to help.'

C
ecelia Highton-Smith accompanied her daughter back to the girls' suite.

‘Are you sure you're all right, darling?' her mother fussed as she propped her up on the sofa with some cushions. Alice-Miranda's foot was bandaged, although more as a precautionary measure than a necessity. In truth, just a bandaid would have been sufficient.

‘I'm fine, Mummy. Dr Lush did a wonderful job. It doesn't hurt at all.'

‘Now, what can I get you?' Cecelia enquired.

‘I am a bit hungry. Perhaps I could order something to have here.'

At that moment, the suite door flew open and Millie and Jacinta appeared.

‘Oh, thank goodness you're back.' Millie ran and gave Alice-Miranda a hug. ‘Are you okay?'

‘Did it hurt a lot?' Jacinta asked. ‘I mean it
was
massive.'

Millie shot Jacinta a death stare.

‘I'm perfectly fine. Dr Lush was so gentle. I could hardly even feel a thing,' Alice-Miranda reassured her friends.

‘I'm glad,' Millie nodded. ‘Because his bedside manner could do with some work. Come to think of it, Jacinta, you and he would make a great team.'

‘Why?' asked Jacinta.

‘Well, you're both so reassuring.' Millie raised her eyebrows. ‘Not!'

‘I just like to tell it like it is, that's all,' said Jacinta. ‘There's no point pretending that it was tiny when it was huge.'

‘It's all right, Jacinta,' Alice-Miranda smiled. ‘I love that you're always so honest.'

‘Dr Lush was a little bit cross with someone on the telephone before Mummy arrived. When I asked him why he was upset, he got very cross with me,' Alice-Miranda said.

‘Darling, you mustn't mind other people's business,' her mother chided. ‘Dr Lush is a very busy man and I'm sure he has lots of things on his mind. I think he's perfectly charming. Girls, I'm about to order Alice-Miranda a bite to eat. Would you like anything?' Cecelia asked.

Jacinta shook her head. ‘No, thank you, I'm full. I had spaghetti for lunch.'

‘I'm fine too,' Millie said.

‘Well, I think Alice-Miranda should probably have a rest for a little while after her lunch,' Cecelia decided. ‘What are you girls going to do?'

‘We can keep you company, Alice-Miranda,' Millie replied.

‘I think I might go to the gym, if that's okay,' Jacinta said.

‘Of course you should go,' Alice-Miranda replied. ‘I'll be fine. If you'd rather do something else, Millie, I'll be perfectly okay on my own for an hour.'

Millie said that she would stay while Alice-Miranda had her lunch and then she might go and find Lucas and Sep and see if they wanted to play a game before the storm arrived. The ship had begun rolling in the waves and the eastern sky looked like a giant black cloth was being rolled out towards them.

‘I've ordered you a sandwich, sweetheart.' Cecelia sat down beside her daughter. ‘Mr Winterstone will be here shortly. I have to go and see Charlotte about some of the wedding details but I could give her a call and see if we can do that later,' she fussed.

‘Mummy, don't be silly. Millie's going to stay for a while and then I'll just crawl up onto my bed and have a little rest. I think the medicine has made me a bit sleepy.' Alice-Miranda yawned.

‘All right, darling, but I won't be far away if you need me. Mr Winterstone can come and find me quick-sticks.' Cecelia kissed the top of Alice-Miranda's head. ‘Bye girls. I'll be back a little later to help you choose your outfits for dinner. Remember, tonight we're in the formal dining room for Bollywood night.'

‘I'm looking forward to that,' Alice-Miranda smiled.

Cecelia Highton-Smith left the room.

‘I don't think you'll be doing too much dancing,' said Jacinta, looking at Alice-Miranda's foot.

‘I feel fine, Jacinta, really I do. In another hour or so I'm sure I'll have forgotten all about that silly splinter,' Alice-Miranda replied.

Jacinta went into the bedroom to get changed into her gym clothes, emerging a few minutes later.

‘I'll see you in a while.' She picked up her towel and water bottle and headed for the door.

‘Bye,' Alice-Miranda and Millie chorused.

A few minutes later Mr Winterstone appeared, carrying a tray of sandwiches and a pitcher of lemon cordial.

‘Hello there,' Alice-Miranda said as he placed the tray on the low table in front of the couch.

‘Did you have an accident, miss?' Winterstone enquired, looking at her bandaged foot.

‘It was nothing, just a splinter,' Alice-Miranda replied.

‘That's not what I heard,' said Winterstone, raising his eyebrows. ‘According to Miss Jacinta, who I just had the pleasure of meeting again in the corridor, you almost required an amputation.'

‘Oh, for goodness sake,' scoffed Millie. ‘That girl loves a drama. It wasn't like that at all. Alice-Miranda tripped on the deck and she got a splinter – a pretty big splinter – but it's okay now.'

‘Yes, I'm perfectly all right,' Alice-Miranda smiled.

Winterstone pulled his tape measure from his inside coat pocket and swiftly began to set the table with exacting precision.

Millie pulled a face, wondering what on earth he was doing.

‘Thank you, Mr Winterstone. That's lovely,' Alice-Miranda beamed.

‘Very good, miss. Is there anything else I can get for you?'

‘No, thank you. Have
you
had a good day, Mr Winterstone?' the tiny child enquired.

‘Yes, miss, as good as any other,' he replied.

‘What jobs do you have to do on a ship?' Alice-Miranda quizzed. ‘Apart from look after us, of course.'

‘Just the usual, I suppose,' Winterstone replied. He didn't quite know where she was heading with this line of conversation.

‘Well, I hope you had some time for fun?' asked Alice-Miranda.

Fun. What a strange concept, he thought. ‘If that will be all, miss.' Winterstone retreated with a distracted air. Winterstone's life had been a series of robotic endeavours. He was a Queen's guard, and then when he got too old for the rigours of military life, he became a butler in the Royal Household. His life was regimented, everything in its place, everything as it should be. But this inquisitive girl stirred something inside him that he couldn't yet understand.

‘He's weird,' Millie grimaced when Winterstone was gone.

‘I think he's lonely,' Alice-Miranda decided. ‘I can't imagine that on a great big ship like this with loads of other people you could feel alone, but I think he does. When I mentioned the word fun, he looked like I'd just spoken in a foreign language. Isn't that sad? Imagine not having at least some fun every single day.'

‘How do you do that?' Millie asked.

‘Do what?' Alice-Miranda looked at her friend.

‘How do you know these things?' Millie smiled.

Alice-Miranda shrugged. ‘I don't know.'

‘Well, I'm glad that you do.' Millie squeezed her friend's hand.

A
lice-Miranda hadn't realised how hungry she was and devoured her turkey, brie and cranberry sauce sandwich with great gusto. She and Millie chatted about all sorts of things but when Millie touched on the topic of Jacinta's parents, Alice-Miranda frowned.

‘I wonder where her father is,' Millie said.

‘Yesterday I went to see Admiral Harding and find out which suite the Headlington-Bears were staying in. First Officer Prendergast said that it was Victoria and Albert, but when I found it, the nameplate only said Victoria. When I knocked, there was no answer so I assumed they were already upstairs. But then I turned around and there was an Albert Suite on the opposite side of the hallway. When I knocked, a boy answered the door, so First Officer Prendergast might have misread the register. Anyway, we did see Mrs Headlington-Bear at dinner. Her husband must be very busy with his work. Maybe we should go and have another look this afternoon,' Alice-Miranda decided before yawning loudly.

‘Yes, but you should have a rest first,' Millie advised. ‘You look tired and it sounds like we'll be having another late night. I can't wait to see Mrs Shillingsworth and Mrs Oliver doing their Bollywood dance moves.'

‘Mummy told me they've been practising for weeks, playing music while they've been doing the housework. Apparently Mrs Oliver has the shoulder- shrug perfected and Shilly can step-clap better than anyone. Are you going to look for Lucas and Sep?' Alice-Miranda asked.

‘Yep,' Millie replied.

‘I think I will have a lie down.'

Alice-Miranda half-walked and half-hopped to the girls' bedroom. Her wound had begun a gentle throb, not painful, but just enough to let her know there had been an injury. Millie helped her onto her bed and Alice-Miranda gathered Brummel Bear beside her.

‘Hello old man,' she greeted the tatty teddy. ‘Have you been enjoying the view?' Alice-Miranda had propped Brummel up to look out the windows before she left the suite that morning.

Staring out of the wall of glass towards the coastline, Alice-Miranda could see that the ocean had been transformed from its picture postcard stretch of blue into huge folds of waves. The ship pitched and lurched over the peaks and troughs.

‘Have fun with the boys,' Alice-Miranda called to her friend.

‘I won't be too long.' Millie waved as she headed out the door.

Alice-Miranda closed her eyes. In just a minute or so she was fast asleep. She dreamt of all manner of things: the wedding, their meeting with Mrs Headlington-Bear and that nervous boy called Neville. She awoke with a start only half an hour later, feeling as though she was falling through a hole in the sky. It took a few seconds to realise that she
was
falling. The bed underneath her dropped without warning and Alice-Miranda's tiny body took a second to catch up with the mattress. Outside, a coal-coloured sky was shredded by lightning and thunder like cannon fire rained from the heavens.

Alice-Miranda sat up and held onto the bedhead. Her foot seemed much better. The pain had gone completely. She decided to see if she could find Millie and Jacinta. Surely Jacinta couldn't still be in the gym – one slip and the treadmill would throw her like a cranky pony in these conditions.

Alice-Miranda stuffed her feet into a loose-fitting pair of slip-on shoes, grabbed a cardigan from the chest at the end of the room and made her way through the sitting room to the entrance hall. A couple of times the ship pitched more than she anticipated and she almost lost her balance. But being so small and with such a low centre of gravity, she quickly became accustomed to the rise and fall – and was quite enjoying the challenge.