SYLVIE SASHAYED AROUND her cabin, spritzing perfume on her pulse points, singing “We’re in the Money” with great gusto but not really knowing the words. “. . .oh that’s right, honey, we’re in the money toni-i-ight. You are so handsome . . . I am so pretty . . . doo doo doo . . . we’re in the money . . . oh, that’s right, honey . . . we’ll get rid of old Violet . . . doo doo doo ... as quick as a bunny ...”

As Sylvie stepped into her cream-colored cocktail dress she realized she hadn’t been so excited about a man for a long time. Too long. Milton was just so nice. And what a gentleman. Spending time with him today had had the double-edged sword of reminding her what she’d been missing since Harold died. Forget the other creep she’d married. He didn’t count. But her life with Harold had been special.

This afternoon Milton had unknowingly brought on a resurgence of those feelings, of how right it can be when you’re with someone and there’s a chemistry. When the old bat Violet had finally gone to take a nap, losing round 2 to Sylvie and the ear patch, she and Milton had gone for a walk around the deck. He had taken off his sweater and put it around her shoulders when the wind started to pick up. She had felt like a high school cheerleader whose boyfriend had just given her his football jacket.

Don’t get carried away, Sylvie thought to herself as she fastened the hook on her dress. But I do hope some of my perfume stayed on his sweater. When he wears it again he’ll be reminded of me. Nothing like a smell to bring back memories. With my luck big sis will have borrowed it and he’ll get it back smelling like Ben-Gay.

Sylvie glanced at her watch. Six forty-five. I’d better get going, she thought as she reflected on all the times when she’d felt so alone at these Captain’s parties. How depressing. Well, tonight would be different. She had plans to meet up with Milton and Violet and would then introduce them to the people from her table, especially Lady Exner. If that failed, she’d enlist the help of Gavin to entertain the hardly shrinking Violet. That settled in her mind, she freshened her lipstick and started to sing “Tonight, tonight won’t be just any night ...”

Nora helped Luke with the studs on his tuxedo cuffs.

“I don’t know how guys who live alone can get these things on,” he commented.

“Well, I’m not going to let you have the chance to find out how they do it.” Nora smiled up at him. “You look so handsome. Especially in black.”

“As our daughter would say, it’s good for business.” Luke smiled back at her and leaned down for a kiss.

Nora frowned. “Luke, I’m so worried about her.”