Alice-Miranda at Sea by Jacqueline Harvey Page A

replied.
    â€˜Well, that makes sense. It’s no wonder you’re so gorgeous then, is it? Jacinta – make sure you keep an eye on this fellow.’
    Jacinta wished at that moment for a giant trap- door to open up and swallow her mother whole.
    Millie sniggered. ‘It’s all right, Ambrosia. I think Jacinta’s already got that under control.’
    A spurt of bile rose into the back of Jacinta’s throat. ‘Thanks, Millie,’ she hissed.
    â€˜And who are you?’ Ambrosia had turned her attention to Sep.
    â€˜Sep Sykes,’ he replied, standing and offering his hand as Lucas had done.
    â€˜Well, hello Sep Sykes.’ Ambrosia’s eyes sparkled. ‘Glad to see my daughter has such good taste in young men.’
    â€˜Please, sit down, Ambrosia,’ Alice-Miranda invited.
    â€˜No, I’m sure I’m supposed to be somewhere else.’ Ambrosia glanced around the deck.
    An awkward silence descended over the table.
    â€˜Where’s Daddy?’ Jacinta asked.
    â€˜Oh, you know your father; it’s all work, work, work. Excuse me.’ Ambrosia tapped a waiter on the shoulder. ‘Can you tell me where I’m meant to be sitting?’
    â€˜I won’t be a moment, ma’am.’ the man scuttled off towards the maître d’.
    â€˜That’s a lovely dress, Ambrosia,’ Alice-Miranda commented.
    â€˜Yes, it is, isn’t it? I couldn’t decide what to wear tonight. It took me ages to get ready. I mean, it was a bit stingy of the hosts not letting me bring Henri or Tiffany with me. I usually don’t travel anywhere without them.’ Ambrosia inspected her manicured left hand as she spoke.
    â€˜Who are they?’ Lucas asked.
    â€˜Henri’s my stylist and he’s a total saint and Tiff does my hair and make-up. I must look a complete mess. It’s the first time I’ve had to manage my own look in years,’ Ambrosia complained.
    â€˜Well, I think you look very pretty,’ Alice-Miranda complimented her.
    â€˜Yes, lovely,’ Millie added, elbowing Jacinta in the ribs.
    â€˜You look fine, Mummy,’ Jacinta muttered.
    â€˜Why don’t I take a photograph of you and Jacinta?’ Millie offered. She picked up her camera from the centre of the table.
    â€˜Oh, of course.’ Ambrosia’s smile lit up the deck. She leaned in beside her daughter, cheek to cheek.
    Millie snapped three shots.
    â€˜Let me see,’ Ambrosia asked as Millie reviewed the pictures.
    â€˜Oh, that’s gorgeous,’ Ambrosia remarked. ‘We look like sisters, Jacinta.’
    â€˜Of course we do, mother.’ Jacinta stared off into the distance, ignoring Millie and her camera.
    The waiter returned. ‘Mrs Headlington-Bear, if you’d like to follow me,’ he offered.
    â€˜See you later, children.’ Ambrosia pranced off to be seated with Max and Cyril, the Highton-Smith-Kennington-Joneses’ stablehand and pilot.
    Jacinta wrinkled her nose.
    â€˜I can’t believe she didn’t know I was here,’ she finally said. ‘How else did she think she got invited?’
    â€˜Don’t be cross, Jacinta.’ Alice-Miranda put her hand on her friend’s shoulder. ‘At least she knows you’re here now, and you can spend some time together tomorrow.’
    â€˜I doubt it,’ Jacinta snarled.
    Alice-Miranda didn’t reply. She had a niggling feeling in the bottom of her stomach and right now she had no idea what to do about it.
    After the main course, Dr Lush appeared, dressed in his officer’s uniform. He proceeded to make his way around the deck, swanning from one table to the next, apparently attempting to charm every woman on board. He introduced himself to Ambrosia Headlington-Bear, who seemed delighted by the attention. He had been rather glad to remove himself from an obnoxious old biddy called Albertine, who had been making overtures about his having tea