Here, eight stories above the Atlantic, she was surrounded by endless sea and cloudless blue sky. It was so clear that she could actually make out the curve of the earth at the horizon.She lay back in her deck chair while Alfie tucked a warm woolen blanket around her. “It’s cold out here, miss. I brought you a mug of hot bouillon. We can’t have you taking a chill.”“What is it about bouillon on this boat?” Sophie complained. “The wealthiest people on earth wouldn’t feed it to their dogs anywhere else. But here they swill it like it was the finest champagne!”Alfie was taken aback. “I can get you tea or chocolate if you prefer.”She laughed mirthlessly. “Pay no attention to me, Alfie. I’m having a terrible voyage.”“But why, miss?” Alfie enquired. “You’re aboard the finest ship in the world.”In answer, Sophie gestured over the rail to A Deck below them. The windows in the first-class lounge were open, and strident voices could be heard in a strenuous argument.
