Sally was no exception to the general rule; and made sure that she was ‘dressed to kill,’ for the last of the formal evenings before they were dragged back to the reality of everyday life.
“What do you think Robert; does this look ok?”
Robert was just slipping the Dirk into the top of his heavy parade socks, when he turned to see Sally in her outfit for the night. She had chosen a full-length dark green taffeta gown with a tartan bodice that matched Roberts Kilt perfectly. It was well fitted at the waist, and showed only a modest cleavage, but a tantalising glimpse of a woman in her prime.
“Honey, you look absolutely stunning! But never mind you…what about me!” He grinned as he did a quick twirl in his Kilt.
Sally laughed. “Oh, you are so vain sometimes Mr Lindsey!”
Sally opened the small safe, and took out his mother’s bracelet.
“Please don’t tell me your wearing that again!” He said, unable to hide his apprehension.
“Oh Robert, calm yourself will you. Agnes would be disappointed if I did not wear it!”
He looked at her unconvinced. “OK, on your head be it, if it gets lost Sally!”
Sally stuck her tongue out at him, causing them both to burst out laughing.
“Come on then; let’s do a turn around the deck, so you can show yourself off shall we?
Sally picked up a light wrap to cover her shoulders as they headed out the cabin and along the long corridor, before going out on deck to see the lights of Lisbon twinkling in the distance.
“My Sally, you certainly are a sight to behold!” Stefan approached them with Shirley on his arm. They had all settled into a kind of truce, with Sally just not sure what was going on in Stefan’s mind. However a compliment is a compliment, and Sally responded favourably as is expected in these situations.
“Why thank you Stefan, you don’t look too shabby yourself!” She smiled at him.
“Whilst this pair are complimenting themselves on their looks Shirley; I must say you look particularly elegant tonight!”
“Thank you Robert, and may I say I just love your Kilt – you certainly stand apart, from the usual round of dinner jackets!”
They all laughed, as Stefan looked bleakly at his dinner suit.
“I have to say Sally; I love your bracelet – it looks beautiful. Doesn’t it Stefan?”
“Yes indeed it does Shirley; see how the diamonds glitter under this halogen lighting – quite spectacular.”
Sally was pleased, and flattered at the compliments.
“Why thank you both. I must confess however it belongs to Roberts mother; it is a family heirloom handed down from his granny apparently.”
“This might sound a little cheeky my dear; but would you mind terribly if I tried it on – I so love nice jewellery!”
“Certainly Shirley, here you are.” She removed the bracelet from her wrist, and went to hand it over; just as a gust of wind blew her wrap from her shoulders. She quickly threw out her arm to catch the wrap; and the bracelet flew out of her hand, bounced off the handrail; and disappeared from view.
Time stood still for Sally, as she watched the priceless item vanish into the darkness. She almost fainted, and staggered for a chair; hand against her mouth. Shirley looked aghast; her face a picture of shock.
As the bracelet sailed from Sally’s hand, Robert dived to the rail; but he was too late – it was gone.
Stefan however, kept his wits about him and peered over the side, the only one to realise that the deck below was wider than the one they were on.
“There it is!” He cried out. Sure enough the bracelet was laying on a sun lounger, just a few feet away from the black turbulent sea.
He quickly raced down the steps and retrieved it, bringing it back to a tearful Sally.
“Oh Lord…I thought it was gone for sure!” She said, rewarding him with a huge kiss.
“Oh wait…let’s do that again!” Stefan laughed.
Robert patted him on the shoulder. “Well spotted Stefan. I have to be honest I was already wondering what I would tell my mother! Now…let’s get the hell inside, before I have a heart attack!”
It was the last day of the cruise, and the ship had already docked at Southampton, as Sally and Robert enjoyed their last breakfast on board the spectacular ship. Some passengers had disembarked already, according to their waiting transport times. They however were in no hurry as they could pick up the car at their leisure – within reason.
There had been no sign of Stefan or Shirley, causing them both to presume that they had gone off together, it was there-fore something of a surprise when they spotted Stefan headed in their direction.
“Oh hi Stefan; we thought you had gone already.” Sally offered, as he approached the table with a strange look on his face.
“Hi, I’m glad I caught you before you had gone, as you may be interested in what I have to tell you?”
They both looked at him, wondering what he was about to reveal.
“It’s no secret that you have been suspicious of my ‘relationship’ with Shirley.” He held up his hand, as they looked as if they were about to protest. “Truly, it is no problem – I understand completely. That is why I feel you may be interested in this note that I found addressed to me on her dressing table.”
Robert took the note, looking mystified. “Stefan really, we do not need to read your private correspondence!”
“Please my friends; humour me – I think you will be….how can I say it…slightly shocked perhaps?”
They both opened the envelope, and read the contents of the short note.
“Dear Stefan. I am truly sorry to do this to you, but the truth is that I am not a single woman. I am married, and have been for over 30 years to a man I only just realised I cannot live without. Recently we have been going through a ‘bad patch’ – I won’t bore you with the details - and I decided that I needed some time away to think.
Please do not think too badly of me; I for one very much enjoyed your company, and I hope that you are able to say the same. You are a charming young man Stefan, who has made an old lady very happy; I will remember your kind words and your generous spirit always.
Kind Regards,
Shirley. Xx
Robert and Sally just looked at each other, shocked – then Robert started to chuckle, and the chuckle grew into outright laughter. He held his sides, and rocked back and forth, as the look on Stefan’s face just fanned the flames of mirth.
Laughter is infectious, and soon even Stefan was joining in the laughter; the ship’s crew just looking on bemused by it all.
When finally the laughter had receded, and the tears had been wiped from swollen eyes; Stefan shook their hands in farewell. “I will miss you my friends; I wish now we had gotten to know each other sooner – such is life!” He said with a sadness that touched them both.
“Stefan, let me just say that if you ever want to settle down and do the right thing; then you are more than welcome to come visit us in Scotland.”
“Thank you Robert…as you know however, ‘doing the right thing’ does not come easily to a man like myself. However I will be sure to give you a call sometime, if only to reminisce on the vagaries of life!”
They watched their ‘Italian Stallion’ chat-up the attractive waitress on the way out the restaurant, and laughed together at the irony of it all.
“Well honey, time to get on our way I think; it’s a long drive to Aviemore!”
“Yes, and a new life for us both in the Highlands of Scotland – as Mr & Mrs Lindsey!”
She hugged Robert tightly, as she dreamt about a bright new future.
******
FINISH:
If you have enjoyed this book, then please recommend it – or the others in this series - to a friend.
Books Included In This Series:
Book 1. Sally’s Destiny:
Book 2. Sally’s Return:
Book 3. Sally’s Wedding:
Book 4. Sally’s Honeymoon
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Book 4a. Sally’s Life – The Story So Far: 4 Book Bundle
A. J. Temple’s Blog:
www.ajtemple.com
Sally’s Honeymoon: Book 4 Of A Contemporary Romance Short Story Series Page 7
