Read Claire Gulliver #04 - Cruisin' for a Bruisin' for Free Online Page A

explained, but then Millie jumped in.
    “We met this couple, Pat and John, who have cruised many times. In fact, they took this same ship to South America in January so they know just how it works. They told us about the daily crossword puzzles as well as some tips about the shore excursions. They were very nice, weren’t they, Claire?”
    Claire nodded her agreement, handing her plastic card to the waitress who brought the coffees. “Lucy, do you need another?” She indicated to the waitress to charge her card including another for Lucy. They had each been issued a plastic card on boarding to use in lieu of money as well as an access key to their cabins. It was really a handy system and Pat had explained over breakfast the same cards would be used to swipe through a machine on leaving and returning to the ship at docking so the cruise line could always keep track of who was on board and who was not. It was simple to tuck the card in your pocket, so it wasn’t necessary to carry a purse or wallet while on board.
    “Well, Lucy, did you have fun last night? I was so out of it I barely knew when you came in.”
    “It was late. Millie pooped out, then Ruth, so I ended up with some people I met at the dance. We sat at the bar for a while, too long probably. But it was a fun start to our cruise. Oh, and I met the maitre d’. You know, the one who greeted us going into dinner last night?”
    Claire’s eyebrows rose. “I remember him, of course. And I also remember how good looking he is.”
    Lucy smirked, nodding. “Isn’t he? His name is Antonio Marcelous. He’s Italian.”
    “Didn’t Ian, Sean and Dr. Walmer stay to dance?”
    “Ian stayed a while. He’s a marvelous dancer as your mother could tell you.”
    Claire looked at her mother curiously. Seeing her slight blush she chided, “I thought you said you left early.”
    “I did. Well, earlier than Lucy and Ruth, but I danced plenty. My feet were telling me, enough!”
    “I saw Dickie enjoying himself with some of the younger people. They all left fairly early. I think Dickie may consider us too old for him, although he’s probably older than you, Claire. In fact, I was thinking of him as a candidate for you.” She looked pensive. “I don’t know if that will work.”
    Claire shook her head, she didn’t think she was Dr. Walmer’s type and she really had no interest in testing those waters.
    Millie checked her watch and then finished her coffee. “If we’re going to that lecture we’d better go get a seat.”
    Lucy gathered her things, looking around to make sure she had everything in her canvas tote bag. “Where is it?”
    “It’s in the theatre. I guess they expect a crowd. Come on, it’s on the deck above us. I think we can take the stairs faster than using the elevator.”
     
    *  *  *
     
    “Pull.” The shotgun barrel came up, followed the clay plate and then blasted it into tiny pieces which fell into the sea in the wake of the ship.
    “Pull!” Another target was demolished.
    Ian shook his head in admiration at his brother’s skill. “Whoa, I guess you must have fed the family well from your hunting trips. Maybe living in that Podunk town in the middle of nowhere was a good experience.”
    “You bet it was, and not just because of the game I shot. The people are solid, their lives are simple, their values sound. You would have done well to visit more often.”
    Ian stepped up to the rail, shouldered his shotgun and yelled, “Pull.”
    Finally, Ian gave up his attempt to best his older brother and they handed the shotguns back to the attendants and headed across the deck toward the door.
    The day was overcast, the wind cool, but here the Plexiglas barriers about the rail buffered the wind creating a balmy oasis. They passed the table where they sat talking last night, now peopled by passengers who liked to eat outdoors. A buffet had been set up inside to serve a casual lunch. People could sit outdoors or indoors to eat. Obviously,