by S J Crabb
Laughing, I gesture towards Marcus who is snapping away on his phone.
“Too late, Marcus has already downloaded it to Facebook.”
Rachel looks annoyed.
“Typical Marcus. Nothing is sacred.”
Jenny dances over, pulling a smiling Flynn behind her.
“Hey, guys. Thanks for wearing the dresses. They’re amazing, aren’t they?”
I laugh softly. “You could say that.”
They squash in beside us as Luke returns with a bottle of tequila and some shot glasses.
He grins. “One for the road?”
Like giggling teenagers, we line up the shots and then raise our glasses simultaneously. Luke says loudly.
“To Mexico and the best damn honeymoon, a guy could get.”
Slamming our glasses down we take the hit and shake our heads as we feel the burn. Coughing, I look at Luke and squeak, “You forgot to add the lemonade.”
He laughs. “No, I didn’t. Tonight, there are no half measures. This is our last night and we must make it count.”
The others cheer as he refills the glasses and I laugh to myself. “Yes, lots of alcohol is needed to mend the hole in my heart at what tomorrow will bring.”
We head out to a nearby restaurant and I think the waiter pales considerably when he sees the huge party bearing down on him. Everyone is in high spirits and we draw many a curious look. I don’t care though because I have everything I need holding my hand. I laugh as I see Flynn running down the street with Jenny on his back and Jo and Pete holding hands and laughing together.
Once inside we are given a large table made up of several pushed together. The noise is off the scale as we all chatter excitedly. Elvis is laughing at something Marcus is saying and I know he will miss us when we have gone. They are two of a kind and their friendship has been one of the sweetest things to come out of this trip.
Luke puts his arm around me and whispers.
“I know you hate that dress but there is something incredibly sexy about it.”
He runs his fingers down my shoulder and I feel a delicious shiver inside. Way to go Becca. Bullseye, hole in one and Olympic gold. I feel as if I have won the jackpot in the love lottery with Luke. I want nothing more than to be alone with him for the time we have left. He appears unable to keep his hands off me even for a second and I absolutely love it.
We listen to Jo talking about the wedding - again. She chatters on as Pete just nods and smiles at her indulgently. She looks at us and smiles.
“We’re going to have so much fun planning this wedding together. I’ll arrange a planning session as soon as possible. I actually can’t wait to get started. There is so much to do and I will need one of those bride planning books that they sell in W H Smith. I’ve always wanted one and now I can, it’s a dream come true.”
She claps her hands. “This is going to be the best wedding in history.”
Rachel smiles but I see the sadness in her eyes.
I whisper, “Are you ok?”
She nods sadly.
“I was as excited as Jo once. My wedding was the best day of my life. Everything was perfect, and I had the rest of my life to enjoy my new husband. It certainly is a dream come true and I just hope that Jo doesn’t wake up from her dream as quickly as I have.”
I worry at her words. It’s as if she has given up on Lorenzo already. I smile reassuringly.
“It’s just an argument. You’ll get through it. It’s what tests marriages. You’ll see, Lorenzo will have missed you and you him. It’s my bet that as soon as you set eyes on him again you will wonder why you had doubts. Just you wait and see.”
She smiles thinly and I can tell she doesn’t believe a word I’ve said. As she turns to Mark, I see the spark ignite in her eyes again and sigh inside. Despite my optimism, I can tell that Rachel has given up on her marriage already. I will just have to be there for her when her world comes crashing down around her.
~*~*~*~*~
Chapter 35
So, here it is, the moment of truth. We are all packed and ready after a fashion. That rug/blanket thing of Captain Elviras refuses to be contained in my suitcase. Instead, I have just rolled it up in true Ali Baba fashion and tied it with a piece of string that Elvis found for me.
Luke is also packed and we stare at each other with stricken expressions. If it’s any consolation, Luke looks as upset as I feel and he sighs heavily.
“So, the honeymoon is over and now back to reality.”
I nod miserably. “Yes, life will seem extremely dull after the excitement of this week.”
I watch as he moves across and offers me his hand.
Come on, let’s go and take one last look at the view; I don’t want to forget a thing.”
I follow him to the balcony and my heart wrenches as I see the beautiful sparkling sea that surrounds the bay. Luke puts his arm around my shoulders and draws me close.
“I’m going to miss this - us, Becca.”
I nod sadly. “Me too. It’s been like a dream for the best part of a week. Despite what you may think, trips just aren’t usually like this.”
Luke laughs softly. “I’m glad to hear it.”
Then he turns to face me and pulls me close, tilting my face to his and whispers.
“I’m going to miss this place, but most of all I’m going to miss you.”
He lowers his lips to mine and I feel my heart breaking inside. How can I bear this, it feels so final? Despite our best intentions things will never be the same again. Real life has a habit of intruding and it will probably fizzle out. Luke will return to patrolling the nautical Neverland and I will return to the mundane drinks service. My days off will be spent organising a cupboard in my flat and striving for excellence in the housework department. Worst of all is the thought of my empty flat waiting for me. There is no one to talk to and no life outside of work to speak of.
Luke pulls back and looks at me sadly.
“Come on, let’s get this over with.”
With a sigh, I follow him inside and take one last look at the Love Palace. I laugh softly. “I’m going to miss this room. Despite everything, I’ve got used to it now. It almost feels like home and it will seem strange that my bed doesn’t move beneath me when I tuck myself in later on tonight.”
I look at him sadly. “It will also feel strange to be alone again.”
My lip trembles as the realisation hits home. Alone again! As always and 100% certain. Despite all our best intentions I’m a realist and know that real life will get in the way. This is it, the best week of my life has ended and the only thing I really have left are my memories.
Luke looks at me with concern and pulls me tightly against him. I hear his heart beating loudly within that strong, hard chest of lustness.
He growls. “This is our beginning, Becca. This is where it began but is most certainly not where it ends. We will find a way, I will make sure of it.”
Then he kisses me so passionately my toes curl. All thoughts leave me but one. I will cling onto this man with everything I have. If I have to enlist in the Navy, I will because some things are worth fighting for. I’m not talking about my country here - oh no, I will fight for my man because now I have found him, I am never letting him go.
The flight home is in direct contrast to the one out here. There is no excitement and everyone is feeling depressed and quiet. Luke is no longer the man in 12A. He has been upgraded to First Class sexy man. He is now sitting in luxury being totally spoiled by Rachel. Jo is no longer angry and is fussing over Pete by taking him in lots of drinks and food, arranged with little love messages on the side. Jenny is quiet and has withdrawn back into herself. I understand why though. At least I still have Luke for a few more hours, but watching Jenny and Flynn’s goodbye was heart-breaking. Like me, she must have doubts and I hope that she doesn’t lose the freedom of the person she has become.
Rachel is quiet and preoccupied and I wonder what really happened with her and Mark. More than mos
t she must be dreading returning home. At least my drama will end at the cabin door on arrival. Hers will be just beginning.
Marcus nudges me back to the here and now.
“Cheer up, Becca. There’s always another trip.”
I smile shakily. “Yes, not like this one though.”
He nods thoughtfully. “Yes, it was certainly eventful. I must say I had the time of my life. I told Elvis I would try to get on another trip soon. He told me that next time he would take a few days off and take me to his hometown and show me a really wild time. Apparently, they make Brighton sound like retirement city with the stories he tells. I’m going to make it my mission to chat up Tristan in crewing. It’s imperative I get out here, pronto.”
I smile. “Then get one for Jenny too. She will be hounding him too if I know her.”
Marcus grins. “Yes, this trip has been surprising in a lot of ways. Jenny’s transformation was astonishing. I hope it continues and doesn’t fizzle out when we return to the familiar.”
As I follow him out into the cabin with my drinks cart, I pray that we all get our happy ever after. I wonder where we will be this time next year.
~*~*~*~*~
Chapter 36
One Year Later
As I stare out of the window, it all comes rushing back to me. One year already. This time last year my world ended.
I remember the pain I felt when I watched Luke walk away. He left me in the same position as the one where I saw him for the first time. As goodbyes went, it was quick and clinical. There was no time for tears and no long drawn out emotional goodbyes. The fact he was seated in First-Class meant he got to leave first. As it turned out, he couldn’t get off there quickly enough.
Sighing, I turn away from the window and remember how my heart broke in two. I returned home to my empty flat and even the sight of Malcolm with his new flower did nothing to lift my spirits. Luke was gone and once again I was alone.
I still remember what happened as if it were yesterday.
I had taken a break and went to sit with Luke in the First-Class cabin. He had been pre-occupied most of the flight with catching up on emails and communications on his iPad. I still remember the look he gave me when he told me that he had to return to the submarine. All leave was cancelled, and they were being recalled as a matter of urgency. They were needed due to a diplomatic incident, and the mission was top secret.
I still remember the pain in my heart as he spoke. I tried to push away the doubts. This all seemed too convenient, too unbelievable and very much an escape plan. The Sailorettes words played on repeat in my brain as I tried to stay strong and pretend I understood. But I didn’t. I wasn’t strong, and it took all my inner strength not to shatter into a million pieces around him. There was to be no meeting of the parents and no extended honeymoon period. This was reality biting, and it bit hard.
Luke appeared upset but I could tell I had lost him already. His mind was suddenly back in the game and he seemed on edge and anxious.
I bite my lip as I remember the pain I felt when he walked away from me. Would I ever see him again? A small part of me had hope. However, the larger more practical part that I hate was admonishing me severely for ever thinking a man like Luke would want a woman like me.
My thoughts are interrupted by a knock on the door.
Shaking away the unpleasant memories, I move across and open it. Loud shrieks fill my ears as Jenny bowls into the room like a whirlwind.
“Becca, oh my God, I can’t believe it’s today. Who would have thought it would be today of all days? I actually can’t contain my excitement.”
I grin. “No, neither can I. Have you seen Jo this morning?”
She laughs softly. “In full Bridezilla mode. I heard her ticking off one of the receptionists about the noise outside her room last night. Apparently, she didn’t sleep a wink due to the lift moving endlessly up and down all night. She was moaning that she would have huge dark circles under her eyes and look older than her years. She also said she wouldn’t blame Pete if he took one look at her walking down that aisle and ran for the hills.”
I grin and smile at Jenny softly.
“You seem so happy Jenny. A traveller’s life agrees with you.”
She laughs happily and runs and jumps onto the bed. She stretches out and groans.
“Ooh, this bed is so soft. It’s been a hard few months on the ranch. I forgot how luxurious a double bed is.”
I laugh as I see her splayed out enjoying the comfort.
Moving across I join her and lie beside her contemplating the ceiling.
“Do you have any regrets, Jenny?”
She laughs softly.
“None at all. Leaving Jet Air was the best decision I ever made. I couldn’t get back to Flynn fast enough and even though I managed to get on another trip to see him, the month dragged by interminably.”
I smile at her happiness. Jenny did indeed leave everything behind and follow Flynn to Mexico. They didn’t stay there long though. They were soon on the move and travelled extensively throughout the year. They have just finished a stint on a Ranch in Arizona where they lived as cowboys for two months, earning their bed and board by working on the land. Jenny has never been happier, you can tell. Her shy ways disappeared under the bright lights of that hypnotist’s stage and never returned. She became Amazonian Jenny and has never looked back. One year on and she is still madly in love with her crazy surfer dude and living the dream. She rents out her mother’s home and stumbles from one crazy adventure to another. Life is good for Jenny and Flynn and even though we see so little of her, I wouldn’t want it any other way.
Jenny interrupts my thoughts.
“Well, this is all very nice and all, but I have been sent here on a mission that cannot be ignored.”
I laugh softly. “And that is?”
She grins. “Instructions from our leader. We must meet for breakfast in the matrimonial suite. There’s no getting out of it I’m afraid, you are to attend whether you like it or not.”
Grinning, I look down at my large fluffy white dressing gown and raise my eyes.
“Can’t I even get dressed first?”
Jenny giggles. “No, come as you are. It won’t matter it’s only us after all.”
As she pulls me from the bed I feel the excitement stirring within me. Today is going to be a good day.
We take the short walk down the carpeted hallway to Jo’s suite of rooms. The hotel is silent and I wonder what secrets the doors we pass contain.
As we reach the huge oak doors of the Presidential Suite, I feel the excitement grip me. I can’t wait to get started.
We knock loudly on the door and almost instantly it opens and I grin as I see Rachel smiling happily at us.
“Come in, Princess Bridey is holding court this morning and you’re late.”
We laugh and follow her inside.
The Presidential suite is amazing. It’s made up of several rooms all leading off the beautiful sitting room we find ourselves in. There is a little seating area set around a huge window overlooking the grounds. I can see the breakfast has arrived and my stomach growls as I smell the delights waiting for us.
We take our seats and wait for the bride herself to join us.
I look at Rachel and my heart leaps as I see the happiness in her eyes. It’s been a tough year for her but she appears to have come out of it intact and happy.
As she offers me some bucks fizz, I smile.
“How are things, Rachel? Is everything sorted now?”
She shakes her head. “Nearly. I’m just waiting for the decree absolute and then I will no longer be Rachel Marcini. I will be plain old Rachel Mitchell again and happier for it.”
She takes a sip of her drink and laughs. “Maybe today isn’t the best day to celebrate a conscious uncoupling.”
We all laugh and I think back to what happened when Rachel returned home.
It appears that she wasn’t the only one having lustful thoughts in the week
she was away. Lorenzo, it seems had been enjoying himself while the cat was away and she found him in a compromising position inside the food cupboard at the restaurant. It turned out that he had been sleeping with one of the waitresses in her absence and had decided that she was much more suitable wife material than his own.
I laugh as I remember that Rachel had apparently thrown every packet in the cupboard at them while screaming blue murder. By the time they exited the cupboard they looked like they had done ten rounds in a food fight boxing ring. The arguments that followed were intense and soul destroying and it wasn’t an easy time for them both. I should know because I gained a flatmate and had to listen to every detail of their marriage breakdown as it happened. Seeing Rachel today looking happy and animated makes my heart swell. It was a dark time, and I worried about her. She sank into a depression brought on by the thought that she had failed at her marriage. I think every emotion going passed through her this last year and it was a difficult time. Life has a habit of working things out though and I smile at her happily.
“Did Mark arrive safely?”
I smile as I see the spark ignite in her eyes as they sparkle with excitement.
“Yes, I picked him up from the airport last night. He’s off for three weeks and we are heading off on holiday to Antigua after the wedding. I can’t wait as this last few months have been hell.”
Jenny looks at her with interest.
“What happened again? I forgot how you both got back in touch.”
Rachel smiles.
“Well, as you know nothing happened in Acapulco, despite being extremely tempted. We kept in touch though and shared the odd Skype call and email. He helped me through a tough time and was just there for me whenever I needed someone to vent off to.”
She looks at me and smiles softly.
“Although Becca did an amazing job of that herself. You know, I will always be grateful for you getting me through it, don’t you babe?”
I nod and a look passes between us. The look of a true friendship that has shared the worst and best of times. Rachel and I are like sisters. We have a bond that will never be broken because of what we have shared during the worst moments of our lives. We got through an incredibly tough year with our friendship to hold us close and comfort our battered souls.
