After dinner the children went shopping. The ship’s stores were well-stocked. Each child bought something. Violet bought a blue T-shirt with West Wind printed across a white cruise ship, Jessie a roll of film, Henry a pair of socks, and Benny a red T-shirt like Violet’s.
They sauntered from one shop to another, halting at a jeweler’s window to study the rubies, diamonds, and emeralds. Going on they looked in a toy store, which was filled with stuffed animals. Their final stop was at a ship’s store with miniature cruise ships, sailor caps, and flags from all nations.
Grandfather had promised they could stay up for the late night buffet, so after shopping they walked around the deck, admiring the moonlit waters and the far-off lights of another cruise ship.
“Let’s go by the radio room,” Henry urged, “and see if they’ve fixed the radio.”
“Good idea,” Violet said. “I hope for Max’s sake that it’s repaired.”
When they arrived at the radio room, several officers were talking.
“Hi,” Benny said. “Can you send a message now?”
“Yes,” replied an officer. His uniform, decorated with gold braid, was sparkling white. He smiled. “Did you wish to send one?”
“Not me,” Benny hastily replied.
“We have a friend, though, who would like to,” Jessie said.
“Do you mean Max Greene?”
“Yes,” Jessie said, surprised that he knew who she was talking about.
“The radio has been repaired, but Max Greene was in some time ago and used the phone,” the officer said.
“Oh, good.” Violet sighed with relief. She was pleased that Max had got his message through after all.
“What was the problem?” Henry questioned.
“Several wires had been pulled loose,” the officer answered. “It wasn’t difficult to repair.”
Satisfied, Henry turned to the others. “Let’s head for the late night buffet.”
The officer chuckled. “Don’t eat too much.”
When they arrived at the grand ballroom, the display of food was spectacular. A dolphin ice sculpture dominated the colorful table of sandwiches, ham, cheeses, chocolate cakes, pies, ice creams, puddings, and coffee.
“What would you like?” Isaac asked, coming up behind Benny.
“Isaac!” Benny exclaimed, whirling about. “I’m glad to see you. I’d like a taste of everything.”
Isaac threw back his head and laughed. “Here,” he said, pointing at a huge cake, “try this lemon cake. It’s as light as a fleecy cloud.”
“I’ll have two pieces,” Benny answered promptly.
Jessie smiled. “Save room for that luscious-looking strawberry pie, Benny.” She turned to Isaac. “I’m Jessie Alden, this is Violet, and behind me is Henry. We saw you in the kitchen yesterday, but we didn’t introduce ourselves.”
Isaac bowed. “My pleasure!” He bustled to the counter and scooped up a cherry tart. “This is delicious,” he said proudly, eager to please them. “It’s one of my specialties.”
“Thanks,” Violet said. “It’s nice to have a chef tell us the best things to eat.” She hesitated, then added shyly, “Benny said you might let us help out a little in the kitchen.”
“That would be fun,” Henry said, helping himself to a large piece of coconut cream pie.
“How about tomorrow?” Isaac asked. “I need eight hundred dollops of whipped cream to top my raspberry tarts.”
Benny’s mouth formed a big O. “Eight hundred scoops of whipped cream. Wow! I’ll be at the kitchen early.”
“We all will,” Jessie promised.
“Good,” Isaac replied. “Come by anytime after ten o’clock.”
“We’ll be there,” Henry said quickly, with a nod.
Frowning, Tom Bishop rushed by them. “Hello,” he called briefly and then hurried on.
“Looks like Tom has other things on his mind than chatting with us,” Violet said, sounding puzzled.
“Odd isn’t it?” Jessie asked. “He’s usually so friendly.”
“Weird,” Benny mumbled. “And just when I wanted to ask him how much weight he could lift!”
When they finished eating, they went back on deck. They slowly stopped when they saw Heather. “Let’s say hello,” Violet said.
They waited patiently in the doorway until Heather had finished dictating a message to the radio man.
Heather tilted her head. “Just say, ‘Thanks for the roses. Everything is going along fine.’ End of message.”
Jessie glanced at Henry, who lightly shrugged.
“Hi, Heather,” Violet said.
“Oh,” Heather said, looking up, “how are you?” She brushed by them as she hurried out. “I must go,” she said apologetically.
“Let’s find Max,” Henry said, annoyed by Heather’s coolness.
They went to the cafeteria where Max was sitting alone, drinking coffee. He called to them. “Hi, won’t you join me?”
Henry sat next to Max. “The radio is repaired, Max.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Max answered. “I phoned in my message.” He still appeared agitated. “From now on, I’ll use the phone. It’s faster.”
Max’s business must be urgent, Violet thought.
“Do you want some dessert?” Benny asked, concerned that Max wasn’t eating anything.
Max shook his head and a flicker of a smile crossed his face. “Thanks, Benny, but I’ve lost my taste for sweets.”
Benny shook his head, not understanding how anyone could not like chocolate cake.
“As a matter of fact,” Max said, “I’m waiting for the radio man to bring me an answer to the phone message that I left on my doctor’s answering machine. I told the radio man where I’d be, so he should be here any minute.”
“I’m glad,” Jessie said. Maybe if his message was good news, Max could settle down and enjoy the voyage.
As they were talking, the radio officer approached Max. He leaned over and said, “I’m sorry, Mr. Greene, but no messages are coming through. It seems both the radio and the phone are out of order.”
Nervously, Max jumped up, upsetting his coffee.
Quickly, Violet grabbed a handful of napkins and sopped up the hot liquid. She wondered what was going on. Surely this was no simple mechanical difficulty. Not when both the radio and the phone had been knocked out. Was someone deliberately causing trouble for Max? |