The captain sat at the head of the table. Pierre, the chief mate, Alexi, Enrico and two other men sat around her. The captain nodded in her direction and they started the meal. The men were in deep conversation. She listened with half an ear, keeping her eyes on her plate, eating the deliciously prepared food consisting of roast beef and vegetables. When she was almost done with the meal, the captain addressed her. “Do you feel better after the bath and the stroll on the deck, Señorita?" Looking forlorn and far away Roberto wondered about the sadness. He wished he could reach out to her, but he knew that it would be futile at that moment. Remember the thorns. “Yes, thank you." Her eyes were still downcast on the plate before her as she took small bites of the remaining food. The men c