The winner takes it all

Martha thought her plan was fool-proof, until her ex arrived¼

Martha scowled across the table at her husband as Voulez-vous' pounded through the air.

Terry looked a mess. He was slouched in his chair, eyes closed, snoring loudly. One of his shirt buttons had pinged off revealing a large stomach bulging through a white vest.

It was the fourth evening of their Caribbean cruise and they' d been invited to sit at the captain' s table to enjoy their meal and the cabaret an Abba tribute band. As always, Terry had had too much to drink and made a show of himself by laughing too loudly and telling risqué jokes. He had even pinched Agnetha' s' bottom when the band came over to the table for a chat during the interval.

The captain and his other guests laughed politely, but Martha was mortified.

How dare he embarrass her like that!

She hadn' t wanted him to come on the cruise in the first place. She had wanted to go with her friend Sal.

Sal' didn' t actually exist, but she could hardly tell

Terry she was planning to take her new young lover, Jason, could she?

But Terry scuppered her plans by insisting on coming along. After all, he' d reminded her, it was his money she' d be spending. Which was true.

It was his success as a businessman that first attracted her to him six years ago when, as a recently bereaved widow, they' d met through a dating agency. That, and his good looks

which, like his hair, had now sadly gone.

She no longer fancied him, but she still fancied his money and the lifestyle it bought.

Looks a bit the worse for wear, doesn' t he?' Adam Steel, the ship' s captain remarked, returning to the table after circulating among the other guests.

Martha' s face blushed red with embarrassment. She looked up at the captain and blushed again he was so good-looking with his sun-tanned skin and twinkling blue eyes. Then there was his uniform. Was there anything sexier than a man wearing a shirt with epaulettes adorning his shoulders?

I' m so sorry about my husband,' she stumbled.

Don' t worry,' he replied charmingly. Perhaps I could help you get him back to your cabin?'

Thank you,' Martha said. Once they' d got him back to the cabin, Terry collapsed on to the bed and fell fast asleep at once.

Looks as if he' s out for the count,'' the captain said. If you fancy a nightcap later, I' ll be at the bar.'

Thank you,'' Martha smiled back. An invitation if ever she heard one!

She looked around the cabin. It was large and beautifully furnished, it was one of the most expensive on the ship. She walked towards the sliding doors and stepped on to the balcony, where she was met by the sound of crashing waves, the smell of salt water and the sight of twinkling stars in a cloudless sky.

It was such a romantic scene what a pity she was with Terry.

There was a noise behind her. Terry had stumbled, drunkenly, on to the balcony.

What are you doing?'' she asked him.

I need a ciggie,'' he said, lumbering towards the railing, then he leant over and was violently sick.

Martha realised that if he fell overboard, no one would suspect a thing because of his inebriated state. Just one little push should do it¼¼

Martha, how lovely to see you,'' a voice spoke behind her. It sounded familiar

she turned around, but there was no one there.

Remember me?' the voice said again. It' s Raymond your ex-husband.' Raymond?' A shiver went down her spine. But you' re¼ you' re¼'

Dead?' he answered. Yes, that' s right murdered by you on that cruise ship we went on seven years ago.

You pushed me over the railing just like you' re about to do with Terry.'

Martha froze. She must be hallucinating there was no sight of Raymond. How could there be? He was long gone.

Terry straightened up and walked back into the cabin, fumbling for his lighter.

Martha started to follow him, then she felt someone, something, grip the scarf around her neck and pull her towards the railings.

What a pretty scarf, Martha,' the voice said. `A present from Jason?'

How did you¼?' she said, then screamed as she felt herself falling towards the sea.

Back on board, the tribute band were belting out another Abba classic, The Winner Takes It All¼' but Martha could only hear the sound of the sea as the waves swallowed her.