Sally’s Honeymoon: Book 4 Of A Contemporary Romance Short Story Series (3 page)

One of the features that really excited Sally was the ‘Ocean Rider’ This incorporated a powerful water system, that created enough of a continuous wave for individuals to surf on – ultimately falling sideways into the water flow, which would then propel them against the rear wall.

After spending some time walking the top deck of the ship – which even incorporated a running track that covered almost a full mile for every five laps – they headed inside to explore.
 

“I know I keep saying ‘Wow’ Robert, but I have to say it again.” Sally said, as she took in the size of the restaurant, surrounded as it was with feature windows; giving a truly panoramic view of their surroundings.

Everything about the ‘Behemoth’ was on an epic and grand scale. The main staircases and lifts servicing the central shopping arcade; were stunningly finished in a very modern style that spoke off ‘no expense spared.’ Even Robert – who was a real perfectionist – could not help but be impressed.

They made it into the restaurant area, and decided to take a window seat that offered the best view of Southampton. As with everything, the food on display, even for afternoon nibbles; was immense.

“Well then.” Robert said wickedly, as they approached the selection of cakes and sweets on offer. “Let the madness begin!”

Sally was soon heading back to the
table carrying a plate of cakes and holding a cold drink - promising herself that this extravagance would not happen every day. Squeezing past the table next to their own, her foot caught on something. She felt herself going over, but could do little about it as the plate and drink flew of her hands; spewing its contents over an elderly couple who had sat down at the table next to them. Sally herself, landed heavily in the passageway between the tables.

“SALLY!” Robert cried out as he quickly put down his own food rushed to her aid.

“Sally..are you ok?” Robert asked anxiously as he lifted her on to her feet.

“Ha
ha ha, I can’t believe I did that! What a way to start our first day at sea!”

“Oh my dear!”
A voice spoke up next to them. “I must apologise for that; it was all my stupid fault – I left my walking stick poking out into the isle!”

The elderly gentleman at the next
table, looked anxiously at Sally.

“I do hope that you were not hurt my dear – this is just terrible!”

“No no, please don’t concern yourself, accidents do happen sometimes. I’m absolutely fine, honestly – no bones broken!”

“Still, it was very careless of me. I’m still trying to get used to this blessed stick – who would have thought it could be such a hazard! Let me introduce myself by the way;
My name is Raymond and this is my wife Margaret.”

“Sally and Robert.”
Sally offered shaking hands with the couple.

Meanwhile the staff had rushed over to investigate, and clear up the mess. Once it was established that no-one was injured
, they went about the business of running a busy ship; while Robert and Sally re-charged their food, and acquainted themselves with their new friends.

Raymond and Margaret were both retired; veterans of cruising, and had decided to come on another one to celebrate their 45
th
anniversary. “While we’re still able to get around on our own two feet!” Raymond explained. “As you may guess from the stick though, that’s not likely to be for much longer!”

“Oh Raymond don’t be such a pessimist!” His wife Margaret chastised him.

“If you would just lose a bit of weight, I’m sure your knees would not trouble you half as much!”

She glared pointedly at the half eaten cakes on his plate

“Now now dear, just calm yourself down a bit will you – our young friends here will think me a glutton!” He winked at Sally, who could not help but laugh.

“Well, going by what I have heard – and now have seen for myself – you are in the wrong place for a strict diet regime I think!”

“Ah, words of wisdom I’m sure Sally. However I have an advantage over the mere mortal who finds himself in this situation – Margaret here, has a tongue sharper that any butchers knife – and she is not afraid to use it!”

His wife slapped him on the arm, while at the same time giving Robert and Sally the ‘see what I have to put up with’ look.

“So what about yourselves, is this a special occasion?” Margaret asked looking at Robert.

“
Well…no not really..” He winced as Sally poked him in the ribs. “Actually yes, we’re here on our honeymoon; we just got married a couple of days ago.”

“Oh, how romantic!
Congratulations to both of you. Isn’t this  amazing; you’re just celebrating the beginning of a new life together; and we are celebrating 45 years married!”

“Yes
, congratulations to you both.” Piped up Raymond. “Though it’s a bit depressing really; your just beginning an exciting new adventure; and we’re on the last chapter of the book!” He grinned at them both as Margaret shook her head.

“Well I suppose we’d better get going, and see if the bags have arrived in the room yet. Maybe we will see you over dinner?”

“That would be great Raymond.” Sally said. “Though with the size of this ship, it will be a miracle if any of us see each other again!”

They all laughed in acknowledgement of the statement; but promised to look out for each other. Going
their separate ways, they headed back to the rooms to unpack. Sally however was suddenly aware of the gentle throb of the engines; as the ship disembarked from the dockside.

“Oh Robert; let’s go on deck to see the ship getting underway!”

They managed to get a space by the rail-side as the crowds of passengers crowded to see the  monster ship pulling gracefully away from the dock, using the four Bow-thrusters on the starboard side of the vessel to push it into position for leaving the port.

With a blast of its massive ships horn; the Behemoth of the Seas left a drizzly Southampton, on its way to the Mediterranean Sea.

*****

Stefan joined the crowds at the rail-side. He had been on many cruises before, so this event really had little interest to him; however he was anxious to get on with his business. Funds were running low and the pressure was on to get a good ‘catch’ on this cruise. Already he had spotted several potential targets, and was mentally cataloguing them in his mind in terms of attractiveness, age and potential for conquest. Ideally he liked to choose the older less attractive single women; widows mostly, as they were the most vulnerable and easy to flatter.

Stefan was a handsome man in his mid-forties, who liked to keep himself fit, and appealing to the opposite sex.; Which, perhaps because of his Italian lineage, was never a problem for him.  Although a charming individual, with impeccable manners and an easy-going attitude that relaxed the ladies especially; Stefan was a con-artist. He however thought of himself as an adventurer; a risk-taker and seeker after pleasure. Unfortunately that kind of lifestyle took money – lots of it. A string of broken hearted and financially ruined ladies throughout Europe, laid testament to the effectiveness of his charms. The last victim had been a Polish lady in her late fifties who had recently lost her wealthy husband; and he had offered a shoulder to cry on. The affair had lasted for just 6 months before he grew tired of her – and managed to relieve her of a substantial chunk of her wealth; the time to leave came when marriage was mentioned – and the money was running out.

He had discovered some years ago, that cruise liners made for easy pickings when it came to finding vulnerable ladies of independent means. The passengers on cruise ships tended to be in the ‘mature’ age group; especially if you travelled out-with the school holiday season. Not only that; but cruise ships offered a unique service to single females in that they were generally regarded as exceptionally safe for single travellers. Who after all had ever heard of a single female being assaulted on board a cruise ship – unthinkable!

There-fore women who had lost their husbands, or who had never found one in the first place; or divorcees out looking for a good time, but in safe surroundings; often chose a cruise as the ideal holiday.

The timing of this particular
cruise he had to admit was not ideal, in that it was in the middle of the English holiday season – meaning lots of kids. However he would not let it ‘cramp his style,’ so he immediately set out on the first stage of his plan – To enrol in the singles club.

All cruise lines were aware that many passengers who booked a cruise by themselves, nevertheless liked to travel in company on the excursions; or have someone to perhaps share a meal with. Therefore a notice was immediately posted encouraging individuals who desired such companionship, to sign up for the singles club and meet passengers who were also travelling alone.

“Let’s hope the pond is full of colourful, desperate fish!”
Stefan rubbed his hands together gleefully, as he left the ships rail and made for the reception, to enrol in the ‘
desperate singles’
club.

The receptionist – herself an attractive woman in her thirties by his reckoning – gave him an admiring glance as he approached the desk.

“Good afternoon sir; how may I help you today?”
She said with the slightest hint of a Newcastle accent.

“
Ah..A vision from heaven to be sure. Perhaps a cocktail in the lounge later?” He laid on her his most charming smile, causing her to blush scarlet as she stumbled over a reply.

“
Um..Oh I’m sorry sir; but we really are not permitted to socialise with the passengers at all.”

“Yes of course.
How silly of me; but you can hardly blame a man for trying now can you!” He gave her a conspiratorial wink.

She laughed delightedly, pleased with the compliment.

“So how else can I help you sir? Apart from having a cocktail in the lounge that is!”

“Ah yes…I came to enrol in your sing
les club if I can?”

“That’s no problem at all
sir, I’ll just put your name on the list here. There is actually an introduction meeting scheduled for tomorrow at 2pm if you are interested?”

“Good, that sounds excellent; since you cannot join me for cocktails; it seems I will have to settle for whatever the gods bring me!”
He gave her a wry smile, as he turned away to start on his quest for likely targets for his charms.

Apart from the singles club, he had high hopes to engage with someone at the evening meal. This could be taken at a table shared with up to 10 guests, and if he had any luck there would be one or even two single women present. Failing that however there was no end of opportunities in the many bars and restaurants scattered all over the ship.
The indoor promenade was in itself an excellent place to ‘people watch,’ as you could sit for hours over a drink or a snack, without drawing any suspicion as to your motives.

He was busy reflecting over his options, when he literally stumbled over a lady who was in the process of rummaging in her handbag on the floor.

“Oh, my dear please excuse me! I am so careless sometimes.” He apologised as the lady in question got up from the floor.

“Oh please, don’t mention it – it is
all my fault, I seem to have lost my door key already, and I’ve only just arrived! The flustered woman replied.

“Oh that’s terrible – perhaps your husband has it? We men can be so thoughtless sometimes!”

“Oh if only! No the fact is that I am on my own unfortunately – I was just enrolling in the singles club in fact.”

“Eureka – A fish in the pond already!”
Stefan could hardly believe his luck. Here before him was a handsome woman, in her early sixties. Obviously not poor according to the jewellery on show; and single.
“Is it possible that I have literally just fallen over my ‘mark’?”
He thought joyfully.

“Well now isn’t that a coincidence – I have only just left there myself!”
He offered holding out his hand. “My name is Stefan, and I am very pleased to meet you!”

“Shirley.” She said as Stefan gallantly took her hand, and brought it to his lips for the lightest of kisses.

Shirley flushed red with pleasure as this attractive man – at least 20 years her junior – gave her his most charming smile.

“Now then Shirley;
how about if we go back to the receptionist, and see if you have perhaps left your pass on the desk?”

Sure enough the missing pass was with the receptionist, who gave Stefan a knowing look as he took his new friend by the arm as they left the desk; risking a backwards glance with a sly wink, at the attractive younger woman.

Shirley was herself rather flattered by the attention she was receiving, and agreed to Stefan accompanying her to her room. Stephan kept up the charm offensive as they headed along the corridors, stating that he was delighted that at least one of the ‘singles’ was young and attractive. Shirley took the compliment by slapping Stefan lightly on the arm, and shaking her head in high humour. On reaching the room, and having a peek at the interior, Stefan noted that it was a state-room on the more expensive upper levels of the ship; and had its own balcony. Shirley kept him at the door however, as they agreed to meet later in the Sky Bar for pre-evening meal cocktails.