Before them the swimming pool sparkled in the brilliant sunlight, but the other chintz-covered mattresses set round the pool in attractive array were unoccupied. The anchored ship lay quietly on the breast of the still water, and they could clearly hear the soft lapping of the sea against the ship’s sides and the mewing of seagulls as they swooped and dived around the ship in search of food. Most of their fellow passengers, including Patricia and Ian, were still ashore, unwilling to return to their floating home until the last possible moment, unwilling to waste a moment of the time allowed them on land, for they would be nine days at sea before reaching Colombo, their next port of call. To Claud, Port Said had, with familiarity, lost its original attraction. After a hurried drive around, he had found no difficulty in persuading his companion that there was nothing more to see.He rolled over on his side and appraised his companion through half-closed eyes. “You’re very quiet. Falling asleep?”“I’m just gloriously lazy.
