Love a Sailor Read Online Free

friends.
    “Kate, I’ll be back. I must go and look
after Clara. She’s in a bad way.”
    “Do that and then come and talk to me.
I’m better, over the worst of it, but don’t feel strong enough to get up yet,
and I could murder a cup of tea.”
    I hurry back to Clara, not looking
forward to the task of cleaning her up, but knowing she needs me. It’s even
worse than when I left a few minutes ago. Clara has struggled out of bed and
made it to the bathroom, but has been sick all over the floor by the toilet
where she has collapsed.
    “So sorry,” she says, as I help her to
her feet and support her back to her bed. Her clothing is rank and she’s
bedraggled and unkempt. Undressing her with gentleness, I give her a bed-bath
and pull a clean nightie on over her head and brush out her long blond hair. I
ring the bell for the stewardess and while I wait for her to arrive, I help
Clara over to an armchair where I sit her down and cover her up to keep her
warm.
    “You’re so good to me,” she murmurs,
taking hold of my hand and squeezing it.
    “You silly. You know how much you have
done for me, taking me in when my parents died and treating me like your
daughter. I’m happy to have a chance to look after you. Just you sit there
quietly while I get your room cleaned up.”
    I strip Clara’s bed and when the
stewardess answers my summons, I ask her to remake the bed with fresh sheets,
clean up the bathroom and see if she can find something to dispel the
unpleasant odor. Opening the French doors onto the balcony is out of the
question with the storm raging outside.
    While we wait for Jenny, the stewardess,
to finish her work, I hold a damp facecloth to Clara’s brow. “Clara, have you
managed to keep any food or drink down you today?”
    Her answer is to clutch her stomach and
begin retching, dry gulping heaves, showing that her stomach is empty.
    “You need the doctor. You are dehydrated,
darling Clara. It’s wicked that you are allergic to seasick pills. Kate isn’t
half as ill as you are.”
    Clara pulls my hand down from her
forehead and holds it against her cheek. “You’re such a love. If you think so.
I have to confess that I’ve never felt this unwell. It’s not a good start to
our glorious holiday, is it?”
    Jenny tucks in the last corner, plumps up
the pillows and turns to look to me for further instructions. “Shall I help you
get Madam to bed?” she asks.
    “Please,” I answer, taking hold of
Clara’s right side. Jenny springs to my assistance and together we maneuver
Clara into her bed and pull up the covers.
    Jenny fetches her bucket and cleaning
materials from the corridor and gives the bathroom floor a quick clean. Putting
an air freshener down on the nightstand, she inquires if there was anything
else she can do. I ask her to order some beef tea and dry toast from the
kitchen, hoping that Clara will be able to eat and drink a little, but when I
turn back Clara has fallen asleep.
    I dim the light, and leave the room to
visit Kate again. Sukey is still fast asleep and Kate is looking better. She
has some color in her cheeks and her demeanor is more relaxed. “How’s that cup
of tea coming along?” she asks.
    “Just about to order it,” I say, pressing
the bell for cabin service.
    I pull a chair closer to her bed and flop
down, tired from taking care of Clara. “You look much better, Kate. Do you
think you’re going to make it to dinner?”
    “Not a hope, but I think I’ll be all
right by tomorrow. I’m definitely on the mend. You’re so lucky that you don’t
get sea sick.”
    “In that case, I’ve a favor to ask you—”
I begin.
    “I don’t think I’m up to doing much for
you today,” Kate laughs.
    “It’s nothing active, as such. With Clara
still so ill, I should stay and babysit Sukey this evening, but I’ve been
invited to dinner. By the Captain, no less.”
    “What?” Kate sits up at attention, her
eyes sparkling with renewed interest in life. “You? You’ve