Back on the Octavia, family and friends were catching up, nattering about this and that. There was still no sign of Jacinta’s parents so Alice-Miranda asked her mother if it was all right for her and the other children to explore the ship. Hopefully they would come across them during their sightseeing.

‘You’ll have to check with Aunty Gee, darling,’ Cecelia replied. ‘It’s her ship after all, and some places might be off-limits.’

Alice-Miranda found Aunty Gee chatting with her granny, Valentina Highton-Smith.

‘Hello Aunty Gee, hello Granny.’ She executed a perfect curtsy.

‘There you are, darling girl,’ Granny Valentina replied. ‘How are you enjoying the ship?’

‘It’s wonderful,’ Alice-Miranda beamed. ‘Aunty Gee, I’ve come to ask you a question.’

‘Yes, what is it, dear?’ The older woman leaned forward. Tiny flecks of powder sat in the smile lines which had taken up permanent residence on Aunty Gee’s face.

‘May we have a proper look around the ship, please?’ Alice-Miranda gazed up with her brown eyes as big as saucers. ‘I promise we won’t touch anything we shouldn’t and we won’t get in anyone’s way.’

‘Aren’t you just the most precious child for asking?’ Aunty Gee beamed at Granny Valentina. ‘Of course, Alice-Miranda, you can explore wherever you like, my dear – perhaps except the engine room – I fear it might be a little dangerous down there. Otherwise, just make sure that you turn up on time for meals and the ship is yours for the whole voyage. And who are you going to do your sightseeing with?’

Alice-Miranda beckoned to the other children who were milling about behind Granny Bert and her beautiful granddaughter Daisy, who often helped Cecelia out at home.

‘Aunty Gee, do you remember my good friend, Millie?’ Millie stepped forward and curtsied as awkwardly as she had the first time she’d met Aunty Gee at Highton Hall.

‘Dear, I’d remember that curtsy anywhere. You thought I was Mrs Oliver’s sister,’ Aunty Gee replied. ‘And look at dear Dolly over there today – it’s no wonder you thought we were related. I’d say she’s more my twin than anyone else on earth.’

Millie’s paprika freckles looked like they’d just caught fire and she managed a small grin.

‘And this is my friend Jacinta Headlington-Bear,’ Alice-Miranda urged Jacinta forward.

‘You’re the gymnast, aren’t you?’ Aunty Gee asked.

Jacinta beamed, thrilled to be remembered.

‘And you know Lucas, Uncle Lawrence’s son.’ Lucas stepped forward. Aunty Gee held out her hand, which Lucas gently took in his, then bowed.

‘Oh, you little charmer. Just like your father.’ Aunty Gee blushed.

‘And this is Sep Sykes. He’s Lucas’s room mate at Fayle,’ Alice-Miranda said. Sep hung back a little until Millie gave him an enthusiastic shove forward, causing him to bump into Aunty Gee.

‘I am so sorry, Your Majesty.’ Sep wanted to dissolve into the floor.

Aunty Gee waved her hand. ‘Oh don’t be silly, lad. That’s nothing compared to the treatment I get from those grandchildren of mine. Regard me like a hobby horse, climbing all over me, they do. It’s lovely to meet you, Sep. Welcome aboard the Octavia.’

‘Alice-Miranda,’ her mother called. ‘Are you going to take Annie and Poppy with you, too?’

‘I haven’t seen them,’ Alice-Miranda replied.

‘Oh, I know where they are, dear,’ Granny Valentina piped up. ‘I saw Lady Sarah and Lord Robert taking the girls to their suite. You know Sarah suffers terribly with seasickness. It’s awfully strange – poor girl turns green on arrival – I’ve seen it before. But after a day or so she seems to get her sea legs and she’s fine. Robert mentioned that the youngsters were feeling peaky too so it must be in the genes.’

‘Oh,’ Alice-Miranda frowned. ‘I hope they feel better soon.’

‘Well, off you go,’ Aunty Gee waved. ‘Have a wonderful time and don’t take any nonsense from the crew. They’re a scurrilous lot.’ She winked at Admiral Harding who was within earshot talking to Hugh and Lawrence.

Alice-Miranda, Millie, Jacinta, Lucas and Sep gathered together in the corner of the deck.

‘Where will we go first?’ Lucas asked the group.

‘Maybe Admiral Harding will have a plan of the ship we can borrow,’ Sep suggested.

‘It’s much more fun exploring without one,’ Millie replied. ‘Besides, the Octavia’s not that huge, is she?’

‘No,’ Alice-Miranda agreed. ‘Mummy said that the Octavia is not nearly as big as some of the other liners. I think there’s accommodation for around 300 guests with another 250 crew.’

Sep raised his eyebrows. ‘Still, it’s not exactly a row boat.’

Built just on thirty years ago, to exacting standards, the Royal Yacht Octavia was a sublime example of the best quality craftsmanship, from her polished decks to the maple wood panelling that lined the inside passageways. A recent refurbishment had ensured that she was still state-of-the-art. There was a main dining room and two smaller areas for more casual eating, an oak-panelled library with crystal chandeliers and a stunning drawing room, complete with grand piano, comfy couches and a cabinet full of glittering jewelled Fabergé eggs – apparently a gift from the last Tsar of Russia to Aunty Gee’s grandmother many years ago. The grandest room on the ship was the ballroom, which could accommodate all 300 guests and had an enormous dance floor. This would play host to several events on the voyage, including a Bollywood theme night and a pre-wedding formal dinner and, of course, the wedding itself, which would take place on the last night of the cruise.

On the upper decks there were opulent apartment-like suites, with an entrance hall, sitting room, bedroom, full bathroom and a balcony, while the suites on the lower levels were slightly smaller and not quite as luxurious.

‘Is there a pool?’ Jacinta asked.

‘I think so,’ Alice-Miranda nodded. ‘Mummy said it was on the upper deck and it’s fully enclosed with glass – so we can still swim if the weather turns.’

‘I expect that’s where I’m most likely to find my mother,’ Jacinta decided.

‘Well, come on, let’s go and see.’ And with that Millie led the charge up a narrow flight of stairs.