Never thought I would feel like a pirate, but today that’s exactly how I feel. I don’t know who this card is from and I don’t know how it has managed to get delivered to me whilst on a cruise with my friends. But right now, in my hands, I’m staring at a crumpled map.

“Let me see.” Sam jostles in closer to me, her chin perched on my shoulder. She has never understood the concept of personal space.

“Anna, hold it up so we can all get a look,” Torie said to my left. She’s a class teacher, always has been and always will be.

Jules, the alcoholic of the group, sidles up on my right side, the scent of red wine lingering on her breath.

“Where is this for?” I ask, holding the map higher so everyone can see. A flock of birds squawk past as if descending on troops back on shore, distracting me. A gust of wind blows the centre of the map into my face and my hair flies out, temporarily blinding me.

Tories pulls my left arm down and runs her perfectly manicured fingernail over the faded red dotted line on the map and looks out to sea. She was focused.

“Come on, Torie, what have you figured out?” Sam says, a little louder in my ear than I had wanted.

A group of young lads walk by, laughing and jeering, drinks spilling out of their glasses. It’s only 08:30 in the morning and they are sozzled. The one closest to us stops in front of Torie. “Alright, darling?” He sways towards her.

“No thank you,” Torie says and signals for him to keep moving. The lad looks defeated but Torie appears oblivious. The lads snigger as he joins the rest of his group and they walk away.

Whatever Torie has discovered is not apparent to me as I study the map more closely. One line goes towards the shore, and I have no idea where the other lines take us.

Jules trips over my feet, grabs my arm and pulls my down to the deck. Map still in my hands I land on my elbows and roll onto my back, crying out in pain. Why does she have to make a fool out of me as well as herself?

Torie grabs the map, her eyes squint as she looks towards the top right hand corner.

As I get back to my feet, I rub my elbows. Jules has apologised ten times or more but I’m not hearing her. I want to know what Torie knows. And judging by the look on her face, we are about to embark on a real-life treasure hunt.