Back on Track, page 13
“Do you know that man?” Carlos asked.
“We met briefly – why?”
“I’m embarrassed to say I entered his cabin thinking it was ours. Must have been the jet lag.”
“Oh, no. I think it’s easily done. The carriages are identical but for their letters.”
“I was sure I was in the right place but there he was—”
“Mr Visser is his name.”
“I apologised and left quickly. Very embarrassing. We must remember to keep our door locked when we’re inside. Anyone could walk in.”
“Yes.” Ketty gazed after the cart. “I could hail you one of those,” she said.
“There’s no rush.” Carlos shook his head. “Walking is the best thing right now.”
The long string of carriages stretched off into the distance and Ketty stared a little enviously at the cart-load of people being ferried towards them. She was feeling a little weary herself but she wasn’t going to admit it.
“Tell me, Ketty, what are you thinking about our cabin sharing now?”
She glanced at him, the hint of a smile twitching at the corners of his mouth.
“We’ll manage admirably, like friends do.”
“Siblings.”
Ketty frowned.
“We’re brother and sister, remember.”
“Oh, yes.” She laughed and enjoyed the warm sound of Carlos joining in.
Judith stood in the corridor looking out the window. She’d offered to give Ning a moment’s privacy and had planned to sit in the lounge car but the pair strolling past on the path outside caught her eye. It was Ketty and Carlos looking like the perfect couple. They were deep in conversation. Carlos leaned in and Ketty laughed. They acted for all the world like a pair of lovebirds. At her age!
Judith glanced up and down the corridor. Thank goodness no-one else was around to witness their embarrassing behaviour. And as much as Ketty said it was none of anyone else’s business that they shared a cabin, Judith was sure people would make it their business, especially a couple of Carlos and Ketty’s age. People loved to gossip.
She could hear the two of them now, chatting to Caryn as they climbed back on board. Judith stepped back into her cabin so they wouldn’t see her. The bathroom door was shut and she could hear the shower was still running.
Judith paced the tiny cabin until the sound of the water stopped then she let herself out into the corridor again. She looked left then froze as she turned right. Carlos was walking away from her, a towel over his shoulder, a toiletries bag in one hand and his phone pressed to his ear with the other.
He rounded the corner. Judith followed cautiously. He was obviously headed to the single-cabin bathrooms in the next carriage. If he was out of the way, she’d slip back and talk to Ketty. When she came to the dogleg at the end of the corridor she halted. Carlos was in the kitchenette, but thankfully his back was to her.
“You’ve got to help me out, please.”
His desperate tone stopped Judith mid-backward step. Help him with what?
“It shouldn’t be for long.” He moved slightly and she saw the phone still pressed to his ear.
A door opened further down the corridor behind her. Her knees went to jelly. Carlos took a step further into the kitchenette and, holding her breath, Judith eased open the door of the toilet opposite and went in, closing it carefully behind her. She locked it then leaned against it, pressing her ear to the thin panel.
“I know. I thought it was all sorted.” Carlos’s voice carried clearly. “I don’t want Ketty to know about it.”
Judith pressed her ear closer as a long silence followed. Perhaps he’d walked away.
“Mierda!” He spoke rapidly in what Judith assumed was Spanish.
She huffed, not understanding a word, then started as his voice sounded right outside her door.
“Okay, okay, English.” There was a pause. “Yes, yes, I get it but I’m making some headway and I don’t want to frighten her off.”
Judith clamped a hand over her mouth to stifle the gasp that escaped. Whatever he was up to she didn’t like the sound of it.
“Ketty’s not a fool,” he continued. “She’ll soon catch on if I don’t…”
The door to the next carriage opened. Someone walked through and then silence. Once more Judith wondered if Carlos had left. Then he spoke again, his voice further away.
“All right, as long as you can do it soon. She’ll be none the wiser.”
Judith sucked in a breath to swallow the anger that threatened to erupt.
“We’re moving. I’ve got to go.”
Judith felt the gentle vibration under her feet and it continued up through her hand and cheek pressed against the door.
“I know what I’m doing. You just—” Once more his words were lost to her as the door opened and shut again.
“Hi, Carlos.” Birgit’s voice carried through the flimsy door. “Are you heading to the shower?”
“Yes. I’m giving Ketty some space.” Carlos was all charm again. “We’re going to meet for drinks in the lounge car later.”
“That’s where I’m off to. See you there.”
Doors continued to open and close and several different voices sounded outside until finally it was quiet again but for the sounds of the train picking up speed. Judith’s anger gathered pace with that of the train. She’d known Carlos was up to something. She’d heard of women being duped by men who took all their money and left them and Judith wasn’t going to allow that to happen to Ketty.
She eased the toilet door open a crack and peered out. The kitchenette was empty. Judith emerged from her hiding place and began to pace the long corridor just as Ning opened their cabin door.
“I’m finished in here now. I’ll meet you in the lounge car.”
Judith let herself in and began to fling off her clothes. She didn’t have time to shower, she’d simply put on a fresh outfit. She wasn’t sure how she was going to broach the subject of Carlos but she needed to warn Ketty.
Lacey glanced around the cabin that was identical to hers and yet looked somehow more stylish. The table was clear of clutter unlike the one in Lacey’s room, which was covered with drink bottles, sun and hand cream tubes, and Tien’s huge stack of travel brochures. They were neat, of course – Tien straightened everything regularly as she did her spare shoes tucked under the seat and all the items they’d stowed in the tiny shelves behind the door.
You’d barely know two people shared Miss Ketty’s cabin. A handbag was the only item tucked in the corner under the table where Lacey and Tien had stashed their toiletry and cosmetic bags. The shelves were neatly arranged with drink bottles, travel brochures and a scarf patterned in deep green and silver that was hooked over the rail and draped along the shelf. And Miss Ketty herself sat at the opposite end of the couch, fresh in the elegant moss-green linen dress she’d made for the previous Christmas. It was a sleeveless V-neck midi-length dress with a broad belt in the same fabric tied in a loose bow at the waist. Lacey had swapped her shorts for a long floaty skirt and her top for a plain black turtleneck T-shirt. She’d added a long gold chain that had been her gran’s in the hope it looked smart enough – Miss Ketty had warned them to come prepared to dress for dinner.
“You look lovely. Please do a spin for me.”
Lacey turned on the spot and Ketty reached over to pluck at the fabric of her skirt.
“It’s mesh.”
“Yes, so I made it double-layered.”
“The salmon pink is perfect beneath the black floral.” Ketty eyed her up and down. “And an elastic waist, simple yet elegant with the black top.”
“Not in the same class as your gorgeous dress. That colour and style is perfect.”
“I think I’ll be overdressed but I do love to change for dinner. It’s not something many do any more. Please sit down.” Ketty patted the seat beside her. “I’m glad I saw you in the corridor. I wanted to check that you’ve settled in all right. I’m sorry about all the shifting around.”
“I haven’t had to move.”
“I know, but as much as I love Tien I’m sure you would have enjoyed sharing a cabin with Birgit.”
Lacey lowered her eyes to avoid Ketty’s piercing gaze. “Tien and I get along fine.”
“Of course, but it’s good of you to be so accommodating – thank you. How was your tour?”
“It was great. The gorge was amazing and the colours…” Lacey looked up and paused, recalling the sandstone cliffs and her desire to replicate them in fabric.
“I know what you mean. I could imagine a range of garments coming out of what I saw today.”
“Oh, me too.”
“I thought you might.”
“Wide linen pants or long floaty skirts in creams and ochres worn with silk shirts, the fabric in patched blocks like the rock wall and…” Lacey had a sudden recollection of Judith lashing out at her in the kitchenette, her harsh words. Miss Clift shows some indulgence for your crazes.
“Don’t stop. You’ve such a great eye for design.”
“They’re just crazy ideas.” Lacey looked down, thinking about the sketches she’d started the moment she got back to her cabin but recalling Judith’s words made her clam up. Miss Ketty was probably planning retirement soon and she didn’t need the distraction of Lacey’s fanciful ideas, as Judith had put it.
“Your ideas are never crazy.” Ketty’s smile was warm, genuine, and she leaned forward and pressed her soft hand to Lacey’s. “You’ve so much talent, Lacey. I sometimes fear you’re wasted working for me.”
“Oh, no.” Lacey shook her head. “I love working at Ketty Clift Couture. The staff are all so talented each in their own way and with you overseeing…I’ve learned so much.”
“I’m glad you feel that way but if you ever saw an opportunity to extend your career somewhere else don’t feel you can’t and please let’s discuss it.”
“That’s very generous of you.”
“My staff are my family.” Ketty patted her hand again then nestled back in her seat. “I want what’s best for each of you. I’ve sensed there’s been some unrest lately. I hope you’d feel you could talk to me if there was anything…”
“You’re not retiring, are you?” Lacey blurted. “Selling to Judith.”
“No, I’m not. Where on earth would you get that idea?”
“It was something Tien said.” Lacey grimaced. “Only I couldn’t stay on if Judith owned the business.”
“Oh? Why is that?”
Lacey wished she could talk honestly. Ketty was so kind but she was also very close to Judith, and besides, what was there to say? Judith didn’t like Lacey and the feeling was mutual. How could they get past that?
“We’re two very different people,” she said carefully.
“It’s what makes the world go round but difference doesn’t mean one is right and the other wrong.”
Once more Ketty was studying her with such kindness the walls around Lacey’s resolve slipped.
“I’m really not sure why…Judith and I have never been close but lately her antagonism towards me has got worse.” She took a breath then blurted, “I’d go as far as to say she hates me.”
Ketty gasped. “Hate is a very strong word.”
“I don’t know how else to put it.” Lacey wrung her hands in her lap. “And lately it’s got worse.”
“In what way?”
Nausea churned in the pit of Lacey’s stomach but Ketty spoke so gently and she’d come this far. “Well, there was just the other day when Judith had brought cake. You were due back from the hairdresser and she cut it up for afternoon tea. She put a piece on everyone’s desk and when she came to mine she had none left. She said she was sorry, she’d miscalculated, but the look on her face said otherwi—”
Lacey jumped at a sharp rap on Ketty’s door. It cracked open.
“Ketty?” Judith called gently from the other side then stuck her head in. “Oh. I thought…I didn’t realise you had someone here.”
“Carlos has gone off to shower and change in the singles bathroom and he’s meeting us later in the lounge car. Lacey and I were making the most of some quiet time.”
“Oh.” Judith stared so hard Lacey was sure she could read her mind.
“I should go.” Lacey leaped to her feet.
“You don’t have to,” Ketty said.
“There is something I need to discuss with you, Ketty.” Judith looked pointedly at Lacey. “In private.”
“I need to go anyway.” Lacey stepped past her. Out in the corridor the door clicked shut behind her and Lacey put her hands to the wall to steady her trembling knees.
Ketty smiled at Judith to hide her annoyance. It was the first time in a long time that she’d had such a revealing conversation with Lacey and she’d been keen to hear her side of things. Ketty often enough heard Judith’s point of view when they had their Friday drinks, not that she said a lot about Lacey. In fact, now that she thought about it, Judith often talked about the others but said little about the quality of Lacey’s skills or her tenacious work ethic.
Somehow she’d pin down Lacey later but for now she was curious about whatever it was Judith seemed worked up about. She was pacing the tiny floor space in a fresh set of clothes but she looked dishevelled, which was unusual for Judith.
“Please sit down.” Ketty patted the seat beside her with a small sense of deja vu. It felt like her cabin had a revolving door. “Would you like some water? I must admit I’m looking forward to the lounge car and a sip of something stronger soon.”
“I don’t need anything, thank you.” She studied Ketty. “What were you and Lacey talking about? She looked quite upset.”
“Just chatting.” Ketty waved at the seat again. “Do sit down and tell me what you’re so bothered about.”
Judith sat but sprung up again as if she’d been poked with a pin.
“What is it?” Ketty smoothed her hand over the cushion to check.
Judith turned, her face creased with concern. “I’m worried for you, Ketty, and I don’t know how to start.”
“Goodness.” Once more Ketty patted the seat beside her. “You don’t need to worry about me. I’m perfectly fine. Why would you think otherwise?”
Judith sagged to the seat again. “You’re my friend, and you’ve worked so hard to build your business, prepare a comfortable retirement—”
“Why do people keep mentioning that?”
“Perhaps they’ve noticed you haven’t been as…present as you used to be?”
Ketty frowned. “Are you suggesting I’m losing touch?”
“Not at all.” Judith winced. “But you have been away often over the last few months and—”
“And you’ve ably filled in.”
“Thank you. You know I’m happy to but when you’re not there it’s not the same and I wonder if the others think you’re slowing down.”
“Good grief, I’ve taken a few days off to spend with Carlos.”
Judith raised an eyebrow.
Ketty huffed. “Several days perhaps,” she conceded. “And then I broke my wrist, but I was still able to be at work. I don’t believe any of that equates to slowing down, as you put it, and whatever they think, I’m not planning to retire any time soon.”
“I know. When I said your retirement I was thinking about the distant future…for when you do—”
Ketty glared at her.
Judith gripped her hands together and went on. “You don’t want to end up with no money like one of those women who lose their life savings.”
“Good grief.” Ketty frowned. Ketty Clift Couture was doing very well. The pandemic had provided a silver lining for her business thanks to a few clever changes, some of which Lacey had suggested. Ketty had spent a lot of money on this holiday – there’d be no Christmas bonus for her staff this year, and she’d taken some of the money from her personal nest egg but that was still healthy enough. “I’ve no intention of being one of those women.”
“This is so hard.” Judith groaned.
Unease fluttered in Ketty’s chest. Was there something about the business that she’d missed? “I really don’t know what you’re trying to—”
“I have concerns about…about Carlos,” Judith blurted.
“Carlos!”
“Something’s wrong with—”
“What’s happened to him?” Ketty half rose.
“Nothing but he’s acting a bit odd.”
“Oh, no, he’s fine.” Relief blew away the unease. Judith’s tangled way of talking had Ketty jumping to the wrong conclusions. “He’s suffering from jet lag but—”
“No, I mean I’m worried Carlos is…not who you think he is.”
“I know perfectly well who Carlos is. You’re not making sense, Judith. Are you sure you wouldn’t like some water?”
“You think you’ve known him a long time but how well can you really know someone you only meet up with every few years for a week or so?”
On occasion Ketty had thought the same thing. “I’ll admit we have a unique friendship but it works for us.”
“Do you know his financial situation?”
“It’s none of my business. Just as my finances are no concern of his. We act independently of each other in that regard. I really don’t know why you’re even bringing it up.” Ketty straightened. “It’s none of your business either.” Then in an attempt to lighten the moment she said, “Surely you’re not going to ask his intentions.”
Judith put her hands in the air. “I know he’s an old friend but—”
“Stop right there.” Ketty wagged a finger at Judith. “I will not have you cast aspersions on Carlos’s character.”
“Please, Ketty, hear me out. I don’t think he has money or at least not much of it.”
“He’s flown back and forth to Spain. That’s probably put a dent in his finances, not that it’s any of my…our business.”
“You don’t know he’s paid for those flights himself,” Judith muttered. “It could have been someone else. He’s lived rent-free at your place while he was in Sydney and probably with his cousin in Brisbane.”
“You have no knowledge of that.” Ketty glared at Judith, who had the good sense to look away. Carlos had tried to pay her for his accommodation but she hadn’t allowed it. When I visit you in Spain you can put me up, she’d said.
