Death in the Middle Watch Read Free Page A

Mayor of some town up North. Knighted for his work for charities. Stinking with money. Did you notice her diamonds? They’re real, I’m told. Who on earth is this?”
    Mr Ratchett might well ask, for mounting the gangplank as though he was being televised, came a tall man wearing a brand-new yachting cap. Even before he saw the features, Carolus was certain that it was none other than the headmaster of the Queen’s School, Newminster. It was he who introduced the Purser.
    â€œMr Hugh Gorringer. Mr Ratchett,” he said. “Mr Gorringer is a well-known educationist.”
    â€œYou flatter me, my dear Deene. If a little of the distinction of the school I serve has rubbed off on its headmaster, it is all I ask.”
    The Purser nodded politely. He looked as though he believed he had met this kind before, which Carolus thought scarcely possible.
    â€œAn enchanting prospect you lay before us,” Mr. Gorringer continued to the Purser. “A veritable magic carpet, eh Deene? Lisbon! Tunis! Cat …”
    â€œMr Ratchett knows the route,” put in Carolus sharply.
    â€œOf course. I’m sure he does. The voyage, not the ‘route,’ Deene. We must remember we’re at sea now, or soon will be.As a writer, albeit of popular fiction, you cannot afford to make errors in maritime terminology.” He pulled Carolus aside. “By the way, my dear Deene. A small point but not a negligible one. I feel it due to the honour not of myself but of the school that I should be seated in the dining hall….”
    â€œWe’re together,” said Carolus incisively. “At the Chief Engineer’s table.”
    â€œI was going to say when you interposed with that information that I felt it my due, in the position I occupy, to be invited …”
    â€œNext to me, Chief’s table.” Carolus said rather brutally.
    â€œâ€¦ to occupy no less a place than that on the left-hand side of the Captain. Doubtless some distinguished lady will sit on his right.”
    â€œCan’t be done, I’m afraid. Competition too keen.”
    Mr Gorringer looked hurt.
    â€œI accept your explanation,” he said. “But I should have thought … However.”
    â€œSee you at dinner,” promised Carolus cheerfully. “You’ll be all right.”
    â€œI make no secret of my disappointment,” said Mr Gorringer, “but I suppose I am scarcely in a position to complain since the Company, er … Summertime Cruises, Isn’t it? … has been good enough to invite me as a tribute to Scholarship. Most appropriate. Very well then, we will meet at dinner, unless perhaps we might indulge in a cocktail as it is the first night on board?”
    â€œRight. The bar then. Seven-thirty,” said Carolus, turning again to Mr Ratchett who had been approached by a tall thin girl with spectacles and loose but somewhat feeble strands of mouse-coloured hair.
    â€œMiss Berry is going on one of our Cruises for the first time,” explained Mr Ratchett when he had introduced them.
    â€œI’ve been with the Tropical people and with Round-the-World-Away Cruises,” said Miss Berry toothily. “So I thought I’d try this. They say they get a very lively crowd.”
    â€œI feel sure they do,” said Carolus. “Mr Porteous tells me he aims for that.”
    â€œGood-O!” said Miss Berry. “I’m all for some fun, aren’t you? But I hope it’s not too rough.”
    â€œThe fun or the sea?” asked Carolus.
    Miss Berry laughed.
    â€œI can see you know your way about,” she said. “The fun, of course. There were some skinheads on the
Adelphi
last year. That’s a Tropical Cruises ship, but they don’t go further south than Casablanca. These skinheads, quite educated they were, tried to get hold of me one night. One of them said something about a gang bang, whatever that may be.”
    â€œI hope you