by forum member 'Botspot'
Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Conclusion
Standing in the bathroom doorway Daphne took
a hop, skip and a flying jump as she launched herself at the double bed in
middle of the room. She landed with a loud thud and a snap on the suitcase,
the full weight of her body slamming the lid firmly shut, compressing the
newly fresh-ironed clothes into place..
Lying there spread-eagled on top of the case, Daphne let out a satisfying
sigh and with the dexterity of an octopus, she firmly zipped the case
closed. Easing herself upright, she pulled the straps into position and
snapped the locks shut, and with a quick bounce to check that all was safely
locked, she dismounted gingerly from the bed.
In her exasperation to get the suitcase shut and the physical effort of
launching herself at it, she had caught her breast as she belly flopped onto
the case, wincing with pain she gently rubbed at it as she surveyed the
mayhem around her, her bedroom looked like a bomb had exploded and the clean
up operation had not begun
Her chest of drawers had all the makings of someone plundering the contents,
items of clothing lay limply over the side. Coat hangers bereaved of their
hangings lay in tangled heaps on the floor, empty bags upon empty bags
littered every available space, her wardrobe doors swung gently on their
hinges as she aim a deft kick at them as she lumbered pass.
With a quick nod of her head, she sprayed her feet apart, bent at her knees,
and lunged at the case, grasping the handle firmly with both hands. Huffing
and puffing she heaved with all her might and swung it none to gently to the
floor, with her back half bent she stayed stock still in fear that she had
given herself an hernia. Resting both arms on the upright case she
cautiously rose to a standing position, with her hands placed either side of
her back she stood upright letting out a small gasp and a quick exhale of
breath as she stretched tentatively backwards.
“oh god you haven’t locked the cases already, have you” said Jennie as she
bounded into the bedroom not looking where she was placing her feet, her
left foot caught in an empty plastic bag and sent her sprawling headlong
into the open wardrobe. Daphne with all the agility of a sleeping tom cat
reached out to save her, but in her doing so, landed on top of her, as
Jennie tried to grasp at the flaying hand of rescue as she went flying by.
Nothing but the silent tick, tock of an ancient clock
could be heard until the silence was broken with a hiccup of a giggle that
turned into a snorts of laughter, both women lay on the floor panting with
laughter as they sought out each others hands, gently clinging to each other
they pulled themselves to their feet.
“If you think I’m going to unlock that case, then you are mistaken. Do you
know what I’ve had to do to get that flaming thing shut?” growled out
Daphne, trying with all her might to hide the smirk on her face. “I only
wanted you to slip this in,” said Jennie handing a velvet box to Daphne, as
she peered at the mess that surrounded them. “What’s in it?” asked her
friend. “Just a little of something that will get our holiday underway”
answered Jennie. “Oh Jen you didn’t, did you” asked Daphne with a pained
expression. “No I didn’t miss clever clogs I didn’t and, it’s not what you
think,” said Jennie as she flopped onto the bed. Daphne eyed her friend
suspiciously and took a seat beside her “Sorry Jen love, I didn’t mean
anything by it, its just that you……her voice trailed away as she fought to
find the right words to admonish her friend.
“Look Daph, I promised I was finished with all that, that I would never
touch again with a barge poll. Please trust me on this” Jennie pleading of
her friend, “Oh alright” said Daphne as she pulled her friend to her feet,
“I’ll not say another word, if you can open a little corner of the case and
slip it in then be my guest” she said, while collecting random items off the
bed and floor. “You won’t regret it Daph” said Jennie hugging her friend
with glee.
The velvet box snuck into the case with ease. Jennie had the knack of
smuggling in contraband into places that Daphne never knew about until it
was too late, and in this case she would be again, too late. With her
mission accomplished Jennie set about helping Daphne put to rights the
disorder of the bedroom, thus the two women worked quietly and effectively
until some sort of order was established and the bedroom once more resembled
the sleeping quarters that it once was.
Pouring herself another cup of coffee Jennie could not hold on to her excitement any longer. “Aww Daph I can’t believe that today is here and we off on our very first cruise” I never thought it would happen, did you Daphs?” asked Jennie, as she sipped at her coffee. Over her glasses Daphne be levered a glance at her friend and with a smile on her face replied, “Of course I did, I knew it would come sooner then later, unlike you I was patient to wait for it.” Spluttering on a mouthful of coffee, Jennie let out one of her schoolgirl giggle’s and hugged herself, wrapping both arms tightly around her body she danced around the small kitchen she and Daphne shared.
The two women had been friends for a long time, meeting at the local single, bereaved and divorce club, that was held each week on a Wednesday at the local community centre just a few streets away from the flats where they both lived. Neither one knew each had existed in their tiny one bedroom flats, they neither saw each other coming or going as they went about their business, nor did they ever meet in any of the shops or pubs they both often frequented. Both women were the casts off of failed marriages, Daphne married for 25 years to a weasel of a man of 4 foot nothing or there bout’s, who went off with a 6 foot brute of a man, all greased hair and tattoo’s. It took Daphne a long time to get over that humiliation.
Jennie on the other hand, who at the time, was recovering from a serious illness was left, as she tried in vain to combat her spiralling weight gain, and to add to her misery her cold hearted callous husband went off with the local floozy, the blonde, buxom bombshell that was all tits and teeth, who worked in their local. In both cases, the teeth & tits were false, she found out from a kind interfering neighbour. Like Daphne the humiliation had took a long time to get over. In her case, she still fought it. She would often hit the heights of happiness only to plunge to the depths of sorrow whenever a remark or a look passed her way.
To Jennie the pain and hurt never really left her, her self-confidence had reached an all time low, ever since the lost of her baby. A much-wanted child she wanted to love and cherish, but never got the chance too, her pregnancy ended in the first six weeks, just after she found out that she was carrying her bundle of joy. Jennie’s despair had turned her into a walking, sobbing eating machine that her weight reached dangerous proportions that she turned to illicit slimming pills and drugs to combat the obesity that was engulfing her slightly overweight body.
Both women had needed each other they found that each had something to offer the other. Daphne’s no nonsense approach to life had been the savour of Jennie’s and Jennie’s often infectious outlook on life, when in her periods of happiness, had smooth out the rough edges to Daphne’s. The two women had not expected to like each other, never mind the hold of affection of love that had grown between them over the years.
Their friendship had deepened over the passing months and years that any harsh words or unkind acts of meanest would never be held against one or the other for to long. They took their up’s and downs, rough with the smooth on the chin, sometimes harbouring the occasionally resentment for a day or two. Neither could hold out on their displeasure for too long, one or the other would offer out the first olive branch of peace, which would be taken up with open arms, so that hugging, kissing and making up could take place. Making it that bit easier not to dwell on their short-lived spats. Laughter was often their best remedy, and most of the time cured their fractious arguments.
“Come on then Fanny by night, the taxi is waiting” said Daphne as she stopped Jennie from doing the highland fling in the middle of the kitchen. With one fell swoop of her hands, she collected the coffee cups, rinsed them and left them to drain on the side. Grabbing Jennie once more, Daphne edged her out of the door with a gentle shove to the middle of her back.
Both women exited their communal kitchen and walked along the corridor, picking up their baggage along the way dragging it to the front door. “Blimey what have you got in here the crown jewels?” said the waiting taxi driver as he bent down to grasp the handle of the case. “Bloody hell, I’ll charge you extra for this if I put my back out lifting this bloody thing”. With the poise of a Scottish caber thrower, he flung the cases into the boot. With a quick wipe of his sweaty brow, he opened the driver’s door of the cab and hauled his great bulk into his seat.
Daphne and Jennie neatly arranged themselves into the back of the cab, careful not to cause any more creases then necessary into their clothing. Resting their hand luggage on their knees Daphne addressed the taxi driver, “National coach station please “, with that order ringing in his ears the taxi pulled away from the kerb and set on its journey. “You ladies off anywhere nice”, asked the driver as he took a sharp turn, causing Daphne to tut under her breath. Jennie learn forward in her seat to rest her hands on the driver’s backrest, “Oh yes, we are going on a cruise to Egypt”, she said with excitement in her voice.
Pushing her back into her seat Daphne gave her a withering look. Addressing the taxi driver once again, she asked him that he slowed down, as they would like to get to the bus station in one piece.
Not one to take too kindly to that order, the driver pressed the accelerator to the floor, took a sharp bend too sharply that it sent Daphne sprawling back into her seat, her skirt riding up her thighs, as she tried to hang on for dear life on the back of the front passenger’s seat. With a quick glance in his mirror and a lecherous glare at Daphne’s naked thighs, he said, “Sorry about that love, other bloody drivers are maniacs these days”, as he pressed his foot on the brakes, avoiding slamming into the car in front, as it slowed down to accommodate the changing of the traffic lights.
Daphne straightened her skirt and pulled herself into an upright position. “That bugger did that on purpose, she whispered out of the corner of her mouth to Jennie,” I’ll show the bas…..”, “Now Daphne”, said Jennie stopping her friend from uttering her favourite swear word. “He may or may not have done it on purpose, but there’s no point making an argument out of it, we want to get to the station on time, don’t we?.”
Daphne took one look at her friend and with a scathing look to the back of the driver’s head muttered under her breath “I’ll get even with that slimy toe rag, you see if I don’t”, and with that she settled in her seat and remained silent until they reached their journey’s end.
Standing on the pavement outside of the bus station Daphne had a smug satisfying grin on her face as she guided Jennie into the station. She got even with the taxi driver after all by giving him a counterfeited ten-pound note for the fare. She knew the note was not kosher because the pimply youth at the local supermarket had said so as he took it from her for payment of her goods.
He had swiped it under one of those infrared light things and said to her “I can’t take this, it ain’t real, you got another one”, to this, she fished into her purse and handed him another he swiped that and this time he accepted. She put the fake one back into her purse on the pretence that she would hand it into the bank, but she had forgotten all about it, until now when she needed to pay the surly taxi driver. Serves him right the litigious fool, he would be ten quid down.
The young girl tapped on her keyboard and directed the women to bay 3 where their coach waited them to board. The girls set off in spirited steps of anticipation, while a gum chewing old man collected their cases who wielded his trolley like a zimmer frame in front of him, neither Jennie or Daphne could believe that this frail, old looking, scraggy bag of bones could move, never mind lift their luggage on to his trolley. However, out of the depths of the shadows came another old gent. Who with the dexterity of a muscle bound weight lifter chucked the cases onto his compatriot’s trolley with ease and without care. He followed his unsteady co-worker and steered him, like a kindly old uncle to the back of the bus, where the driver took over and loaded the cases into the side trunk of the coach.
The girls clamoured aboard taking up their seats mid way down the coach they settled down for the long journey to the airport. Jennie adjusted the air con above her head, fiddled with her seat belt, took up a discarded magazine from out of the netting on the back of the seat in front of her and lay back in her seat. Closing her eyes, her thoughts dance a way in her head. She could hardly wait for the delights of her cruise to grab hold of her and thrust her into a new world of experiences and beyond. Before too long her eyes became heavy, and with the gentle humming of the engine and the comforting chugging of tyres on the road she drifted off to sleep in the safe knowledge that the velvet box lay snugly in the depths of her case.
Daphne on the other hand delved into her bag that was already nestling between her throbbing feet. Fetched out a newspaper and proceeded to start the crossword. Peering occasionally over the tip of her glasses, which often slid down her nose to finish resting at the tip she watched Jennie sleeping peacefully besides her. Sighs of peaceful contentment issued from her brightly pink lips. Daphne like her friend was really looking forward to this short break. She knew that both of them needed a vacation, because gossip had reached her ears. Her weasel of an ex-husband, had moved on from his greasy haired tattooed lover, and was now shacked up with transsexual, one who was waiting for an operation to turn it from a woman to a man.
She needed to fortify herself from the onslaught of gossip she knew would come when she stepped out of the flat to resume her working life once again. She knew she couldn’t hole up forever, she had to start earning a living again, her divorce payout wouldn’t last out much longer.
Jennie’s low life scumbag of a husband, had also moved on, he was now living with the local celebrity from the travelling circus. The bearded ‘fattest’ obscene woman in the world, as it was advertised on the billboard. Moreover, to add insult to injury, and to open poor Jennie’s wounds again. He was now a father of three, something she knew she had to keep from friend until she knew her sweet loving Jennie could cope with the devastating news, news that she would have to deliver. Once she and Jennie were settled into the cruise, she would break it to her gently, she would hold her tight and let the floodgates of the emotionally charged dam of heartache burst forth, as Jennie cried her grief all over again. A prospect she wasn’t looking forward to at all.
Cruise Egypt's world famous river aboard this elegant ship, Sun Goddess that simply oozes class. From the decadent marble entrance to the beautifully designed cabins, the sophisticated dining room to the glorious sundeck, you will feel every inch the star as you take in the treasures of the Nile aboard this luxurious floating hotel.
Jennie read again the brochure, and took in the sight of the ship she would be traveling on for the next seven days. To say she was a little disappointed was an understatement of the fact. She thought and expected a much bigger ship would be waiting for them. Moored in its entire splendor, on the bank of the river Nile not this piffling little ship swaying back and forth in the caress of the river’s tidal water, her heart sank. Daphne had said not to expect too much of the ship, that it needed to be small to negotiate the length and breadth of the river they would be passing through. It would, she said meet with their needs but exceed their expectations, this she doubted very much as she looked upon it again.
Your private cabin is a tranquil and tastefully decorated oasis with plenty of space to stretch out with a large picture window. Not that you will want to spend much time here of course, you will be too busy unearthing Egyptian gems or making the most of the ship's facilities. By day, discover world famous sights, relaxing on the deck or escaping the heat of the day with a cool dip in the ship’s pool. Then by night enjoying international flavors in the inviting restaurant or taking cocktails in the comfortable sumptuous lounge you will love the warm, welcoming ambience, not to mention the first-class service, which helps ensure your Egyptian adventure is everything you imagined it to be and more.
She tried to take in what was before her eyes but she couldn’t. Tears begun to well up as she tugged at Daphne’s arm. Daphne sensing that all was not right with her friend turned from the man she was speaking too. Glancing at Jennie tear filled face she said, “Jen love I did say not to expect too much didn’t I?”, “That all good things come in little packages”, “Don’t judge just yet love, let’s get aboard and see what she is really like before you break out the waterworks eh”. Hanging her head in shame Jennie nodded her agreement quelling the small sob that was welling up in her throat. “Come sweetie, its not as bad as you think, we are going to have whale of time, trust me, you’ll see”, said Daphne giving her friend a comforting squeeze. Together both walked the small gangplank onto the boat.
A deep brown-skinned young man bowed low before them and welcome them on board ‘Sun Goddess’ and with his rich Egyptian toned voice speaking in unfaltering English invited the two to follow him as he guided them to their cabin.
Here the brochure didn’t lie as they entered their own oasis. Their cabin indeed held tasteful decoration. Brightly coloured silks endowed the twin beds. Two beautiful gathered satin canopies hung suspended from the ceiling, each shadowing a bed from the bright sunlight that streamed through the large window. Pure white muslin drapes, held back with roped tassels, were pined to small marble pillars at the head of each bed.
Lush animals skins of the softest fur lay sprayed on the cabin floor. To all intent and purposes, the cabin resembles a Bedouin tent out in the Sahara desert and Jennie was delighted with what she saw. She felt like she was some Egyptian princess.
Touching, feeling and breathing in their surroundings the two women glanced at each other and gasped with joy as they opened drawers, cupboards and doors. The little boat certainly packed a punch when it came to bestowing luxury on the cabin.
A sweet smelling scent drifted in from the open window and both Daphne and Jennie ran to it to find out were the delicious smell was coming from. Hanging from golden chain sat an ornate oval shaped pot its sides punctured with tiny holes where the aromatic smell drifted through.
“The fragrance you smell ladies is the Lotus Lily” Both women jumped with a start as they quickly turned to see a man standing in the doorway. He stood bare chested with arms folded across a lean glistening torso. The bottom half of clad in semi- transparent gossamer like linen, which draped in the form of a long skirt that settled at his ankle. A thin braided golden headband adorned his head.
Stepping closer into the cabin he said, “The Lotus Lily is the perfume of eternity, it is believed to have been created by the Gods themselves”. Wow muttered Jennie under her breath, “It certainly gives you that heady feeling doesn’t Daphs”?
“Ladies, please forgive me I have not introduced myself to you I am Emir your cabin attendant, it is my place to see that you want for nothing, I am here to please and serve you”. Daphne marched up to this polite man and shook him by the hand. “Please to meet you Emir, I am Daphne and this is my friend Jennie”. Jennie dipped a small curtsey before taking the proffered hand. “Please to meet you to Emir” she said somewhat breathless. The scent of the Lotus Lily was having quite a strange affect on her and she was becoming quite giddy.
“Madams, if you would please allow me unpack for you”, queried Emir with a delicate uplift of his trimmed eyebrow. “No not at all Emir, please, we are quite capable of doing it ourselves”, bristled Daphne. She certainly didn’t want a strange man rifling through her smalls. Emir raised his other eyebrow and bowed low. “As you wish madam”, he said.
Turning slightly so that he could address Jennie, he was about to pose the same question to her, but the words stayed on his lips, for Jennie had buckled at the knees and Emir had to step forward to catch the limp and falling figure in his arms. “Madam as inhaled too much of the perfume”, he said, “It has evoked the divine permanence in her”. Picking up the limp form, he laid her gently on the bed. Daphne seeing that Jennie looked rather peaky, rushed forward to minister aid and comfort to her friend.
“Jen love, you alright?” said Daphne, shaking Jennie gently. “Jen speak to me love”, Daphne enquired again. A soft low moan escaped Jennie’s pale lips and her eyes flicked open. “Sorry, what” she gasped out. “Daph what happened” she enquired as she lifted her hand to her damp brow. “You passed out love, on the scent of the Lotus flower”.
Emir stooped over Jennie, and taking her trembling hand said, “The Seshen, the sacred Lotus flower is a narcotic and it………he trailed away as Daphne said, “Typical of you, you sniffed too deeply and became high. Trying to contain the laughter that was beginning to bubble up inside she asked “You feeling better now sweetie?” as Jennie rose to a sitting position
With Jennie feeling more like herself again and with Emir on a errand to find a firmer pillow to replace the one on Daphne’s bed the women set about unpacking their belongings and storing them way in the ample storage that the cabin had to offer. Jennie even managed to hide the velvet box discreetly so that Daphne wouldn’t be able to find it, should she go looking.
Happy with their efforts the women began to realise that they were to feeling quiet peckish it had been a long time since breakfast. Deciding to go and explore the women quickly freshen up and stepped out of their cabin to see what the boat had to offer. They knew there was a restaurant for the evening meal but had no idea if there was place to eat, when you got the attack of the anytime day munchies. In addition, both women were gagging for a drink of the alcoholic variety, as they both had enough water today to hydrate themselves that they were beginning to feel like over soaked sponges.
Stepping out onto the open deck the girls didn’t realise that the heat outside had risen and that they were begin assailed by it what little wind blew across the deck offered no respite to their already perspiring bodies. Grabbing Jennie by the elbow Daphne manoeuvred her down the deck, Jennie offered no resistant at all she was beginning to think she was going to melt into a pool of wetness were she stood.
Spying a covered area at the back of the boat Daphne made her way in that direction. The girls settled under a lightweight canopy, here the breeze was much more welcoming and fanning themselves with their hands the women sat down in wicker chairs, upholstered to make the seat inviting to the weariest strained traveller. Looking about them, they took into their sights the other passengers, who mingled with others, with half filled glasses in hand.
A cacophony of sounds assailed their ears, muttering of different conversations wafted over them. The tones and tunes of different accents made them turn their heads, hoping that, someone would strike up a word or two with them as they ponder on what to do next.
Heading towards them on a mission of mercy, so he thought, headed a small stature of a man with a Panama hat perched upon his head. He was dressed in a light, cooling suit of crumpled linen, he made his way expertly through the throngs to stand before Daphne’s feet. Lifting her head and shielding her eyes, she greeted him with a small tense smile.
“Ladies”, he boomed, “You both look in need of sustenance”, with click of his fingers he beckoned a waiter to him. “Afton, old chap get these ladies a drink would you, there’s a dear fellow”. Prompting Daphne with a look, he indicated to her to speak up. Slightly blushing she said, “White wine and soda, please”, turning to Jennie, to ask what is was she would want, she was please to see that her friend was already following suit..
Daphne again looked at the man before her and clearing her throat to offer her introduction Daphne saw him lift his hand over her head and frantically wave to a dark suited man, who was leaning on the ships rails. “Parker old chap, over here”, he boomed again, “Come and meet these delightful ladies”.
From where she sat, Daphne couldn’t see the other man, until he sauntered up along side her. Bending slightly from the waist and offering his hand, he peered straight into Daphne’s startled eyes. Feeling a bit flustered she stood up, offering her hand in the process, she said “Daphne Meyer”. Lifting her hand to his cool lips, he left a light feathery kiss, which made Daphne colour up with awkwardness.
Watching with mild amusement etched on her face, Jennie took in Daphne’s demeanour and embarrassment and hugged it to herself. She had a feeling that the interchange between the pair would become more then fleeting then the exchange they shared now. The first throes of uncertainty crept over Jennie’s skin and she shivered, she would have to watch this one, he could throw her plans into jeopardy.
The slightly tipsy foursome had chattered and drunk until the light started to fade. They had missed dinner, but had eaten of various canapés that Afton, the drinks waiter brought along at frequent intervals. The conversation between them and several others, who had taken up seats in their quarter, had ebbed and flowed, that there were very few uncomfortable silences. If the conversation wasn’t about the cruise and what it would entail, it was about the Nile, the wild life they saw on its banks and the expectation of the ancient Egyptians monuments they would see.
Daphne and Jennie were feeling very relaxed that Daphne had already kicked off her shoes and let her toes wriggle free in the warm breeze of the night, glass in hand she raised it to Jennie and in the ensuing silence the women toasted each other. The corner where they now sat, on the top deck of the ship was empty, all the passengers except them had either made their way indoors or had retire to their cabins or like their earlier male companions were hanging out in the bar. They had left the delightful ladies as soon as the light began to fade, to prop up the bar and ogle any attractive female that happen to passed their way.
“Oh Daphs, what a funny day it as turned out to be”.
“Funny day as in ha, ha funny Jen or funny in a strange peculiar way”, asked Daphne.
“Both I think Daphs”, Jennie laughed.
Turning to her friend she let her voice fall a little, “Don’t you think those erm, men were bit too flirtatious with us, I mean after all we had only been introduce today, and they were buying us drink, laughing at our jokes and giving us the eye that I was practical embarrassed by it all.”
“Oh Jen you do make me laugh love, you were lapping it up, you were acting like some coy schoolgirl, fluttering your baby blues under your lashes, you minx”, chortled Daphne.
“I was not “, snorted Jennie indignantly. “I behaved meself, governor, surely I did”, she said mischievously, batting her baby blues, which sent Daphne off into peals of laughter, as she watched her friend playact. She knew that the drink was getting to Jennie, as her speech was slightly slurred and her body was becoming a thing of it own as it twisted and twirled in her seat.
Daphne knew it was time to get her to bed before she started into the singing phase, that Jennie often lapse into, whenever she was happy and merry. If she didn’t steady her now she would become more merrier, perhaps even drunk, and then god help everyone else, for Jennie was a force to be reckoned with, when intoxicated, she would become very loud, giggly and display wanton exuberance as her inhibitions left her.
“Come on old girl, time for bed”, said Daphne taking Jennie by the elbow and lifting her from her seat. “Now look here our Dahps”, slurred Jennie, “Less of the old, I am as old as the fellow I’m…….a bout of hiccups overtook her talking, as Daphne steered her, swaying and hiccupping down the deck and back to the cabin.
Both women collapsed on Daphne’s bed and saw that Emir had dimmed down the lights and turned back the bed. Daphne lifted her head slightly and saw Jennie’s flimsy nightwear folded carefully and neatly, as it lay tantalising on the pillow, beside it lay a Lotus flower. She made a metal note of this and turned to Jennie, but her friend was already off into dreamland, her gently snoring echoing out into the night.
Jennie woke with a sore heard and a parched throat. She had little recollection on how she had gotten into bed but she did remember most of the evening from talking to the men to the hiccupping back to the cabin on Daphne’s arm. She could even recollect that she had her friend in stitches as they sashayed down the corridor, laughing and giggling like two naughty schoolchildren, as they aped the men they had met and imitated the women they had spoken too. One woman in particular stuck in Jennie’s mind, she felt sorry for her as she recalled certain parts of the evening.
It wasn’t what she had said that had drawn her sympathy but the way the poor love had acted, while conversing with the different groups of people, the one on one conversation she so desperately sought. She was a plain, mousey woman with no sparkle to her eyes, or so it seemed, they held no emotion, they were devoid of any feeling or passion. They were like dark foreboding pools as they darted here and there, constantly on the alert; ever watchful in case her husband caught her eye to dampen her spirit. The corners of her mouth would droop the smile that struggled to break out would freeze, frozen to her face. Neither the up tilt lift to her smile or the lopsided grin to her laugh, would reach her eyes, a veil of pain and hurt would descend over them, leaving Jennie wondering what terrible heartache would cause this descent.
She knew from experience the battle and struggles to please a man, to keep him wanting you for him to look at you as a person in your own right and not another piece of his chattel. To accept and rejoice that you were another intelligent person whom you could to talk on your own level, and not, as some domesticated servant who tended to your wants and needs all the time. Or to be used and abused as if you were nothing. To cast you off like an old shoe that brought no comfort or ease of familiarity. To stamp on you needs, your wants and destroy the love you once shared, yes, Jennie was all too familiar to what lay behind the mousey woman eyes, hers had been like that once.
The husband in total contrast was the opposite to his wife, he was burly and ruddy cheeked, he oozed self-importance and cockiness, that Jennie wondered what in earth this mousey woman saw in him in the first place, never mind get hitched to the sod. The hairs on the back of her neck would rise in disgust as he opened his mouth to contradict or put someone right on an answer or question that someone had raised. Jennie could feel her teeth clench and her hands would roll into tight balls of angry fists, as he spouted his opinion on this or his detraction on that. To her he was a know it all, who knew Jack….., Jennie wouldn’t even contemplate what he knew, all she knew she didn’t like him one little bit.
She had wondered if some of the contents of the velvet box would become useful to the mousey woman, this she would have to contemplate more, after all when another sister was in need, she needs all the help she can get.
A low tapping came to the cabin door and Jennie shuffling herself further down the bed answered with a small squeak to her voice and bid them to enter. Emir entered carrying a laden tray on his upturned hand, balancing it with ease, he flung back the curtains and greeted Jennie with a hearty good morning she skulked further down the bed, her cheeks aflame with embarrassment because she knew she looked an absolute fright.
Daphne stirred grunts and groans issued from her mouth as she struggled to open her eyes. She tried to focus on Emir who was now standing beside the dressing table laying out the lavish breakfast he had brought. Clearing her throat and rubbing her eyes Daphne edged herself further up the bed, entangling herself in the muslin drapes that cocoon the bed, She struggled to a sitting position, huffing and puffing, which brought forth a titter from her sleeping companion who was still peering over her sheets watching Emir move gracefully about the cabin.
“Good morning Madams, I have taken the liberty of delivering you a warm soothing breakfast” “Would Madams like English tea or the tea of the Egyptians”? He enquired with a raise of his eyebrow. Daphne noticed that Emir was now fully dressed in a smart tunic of pale blue, the collar trimmed with the faintest thread of silver. The tunic reached his knees to meet with the darkest black of his trousers, which showed they been pressed to an inch of their lives, as the crease stretched down the length, looking razor sharp.
“Good morning Emir, English tea would do very nicely thank you”, said Daphne straightening the bedcovers while gathering her composure. “Egyptian for me,” croaked Jennie.
Both women now sat upright in bed, Jennie wearing a small bed jacket to cover her upper half. “Emir what time it please,” asked Daphne. “It is half way past the hour of eleven madam,” he replied, again with another rise of his eyebrow. “What” Daphne spluttered, spraying her English tea all down her front. “Good gracious Jen we have never slept in this late before, we’d better get up and at it,” she announced springing up from the bed.
To the mirth of Emir, Daphne started flinging things out of her drawers so she could prepare to get dressed and meet the day, well in this case the approaching afternoon. Chuckling to herself Jennie watched in wonderment as Emir followed Daphne about the cabin handing her items like her wash bag, her hairbrush and clips, even her underwear, which she had flung onto the bed in her haste. Stopping dead in her tracks, Daphne suddenly realised that Emir was still in the cabin, shooing him away with a forward flick of her hands, she gently edged him to the cabin door, turning the handle, he clasped his hands to his face as in pray, bowed low and winked at Jennie as he left the cabin.
Jennie was beside herself with laughter at the little spectacle that was played before her she that she almost choked on her own spittle as she said, “Daphs I’ve never seen anything so funny”, “Were you really going to get dress in front of Emir?” “Of course I wasn’t, who do you think I am, Queen Neferwhatsit face, she said whirling around to face Jennie.
“Nefertiti”, corrected Jennie, “She was queen of Egypt and the beloved wife of Amenhotep the Pharaoh,”
“I’ll give you Nefertiti and Amenhotep, you Amenho-hopit out of that bed and get dressed”, she said throwing a pillow at Jennie’s head, who in turn threw it straight back at her, which set them off laughing again. Their laughter floated outside of the cabin as Emir stood listening, shaking his head and laughing too he walked down the deck, musing to himself that these British ladies were certainly going to be an handful, and one in particular was all ready creeping into his heart.
Jennie and Daphne alternatively spent the last of the morning eating breakfast and getting ready.. They had agreed, the previous night to meet with their fellow passengers on the top deck for a pre- lunchtime drink so hurrying they finished off their preparations and left the cabin. If they had taken a moment or two they would have noticed that the boat was no longer moving it had stopped, they had reached their first destination Qena on the West bank of the river Nile.
On arriving in the lounge the women noticed that almost everyone were preparing for the mid-day excursion. Being of a lady who jumped in feet first and asking questions later, Jennie joined the milling throng, Daphne being more cautious tapped a young girl on the shoulder, who turned round in answer to the tap, all copper hair with gold slints bouncing in soft thick waves.
Daphne took in the girl’s high cheekbones and cool green eyes, all innocent and amused that she stood and stared for a while drinking in the young girl’s beauty. “Yes may I help you,” she enquired with a puzzled look. Daphne gathering her senses replied, “ I’m so sorry, I was lost in thought for a moment that I forgot what I was going to ask of you”. Enquiring again with her eyes the girl shifted her weight waiting for Daphne to say something.
Feeling foolish Daphne let out a nervous laugh “I’m so sorry I don’t know what's the matter with me today, sleeping in as sent my brain to mush,” she gestured helplessly with her hand to her head. The girl nodded as if understanding, but still she waited for Daphne’s question. “Yes, oh dear, let see now…..this gathering, is it for the tour to the temple of Dendera,” she enquired.
“Oh yes,” she nodded enthusiastic, “We are just about to disembark and take the short walk to the transport,” “Are you coming too?” “Well I guess we are,” Daphne said, pointing to Jennie to include her in the we.
Nodding to acknowledge Jennie the young girl turned to join her companions. Chatting excitedly, they moved along the line to stand at the small ramp that led from the ship to the bank. Joining the line Jennie and Daphne followed. Placing their hands on the rail, they cautiously walked the few steps off the boat and joined the milling crowd once again.
“Good afternoon ladies and gentleman I am Ravina your tour guide for the temple visit, could you please follow me please,” said a large brown skinned women, dressed in gypsy style clothes from head to toe, her feet made a jangle every time she took a step off the ground.
Falling in line and following behind her Jennie noticed that the tour guide wore little bracelet of bells around her ankles and every time her foot left the ground they would jingle a tinny sound. This kept the group amused as Ravina barked out orders for them to keep together and to watch were they tread as the ground was covered with loose stones and to keep in pairs that she had assigned.
The short walk brought them to a wide open stretch of sand and there in the mid-day heat was a surreal warping of awkward shapes of hundreds of camels. On first impression is a confused scene of humans in various states of repose, a few chasing animals in circles and of camels equally in repose, some standing, some sitting or half standing and half sitting.
The brownish colours of the animals ranged from dark coffee to nearly white blending with the white robes of their keepers. The camels were continuously chewing, moving their jaws to left and right in a slow but sure rhythm, as their teeth ground down the green of the ‘birseem’, their fodder of the Egyptian clover. Daphne nearly had a dickie fit when she saw them it never crossed her mind that they would be using the "ships of the desert," for their mode of transport.
“Attention please,” barked out Ravina, “Today you will be riding camel to Temple of Denedra, your cameleer will give instruction on how to mount the camel, please listen carefully,” With this she herded the group together in a semi circle and asked for one of the cameleer’s to come forward with their camel and show the group how to mount it.
Both Daphne and Jennie watched with trepidation they were uncertain if they could do what the rest of the group was now doing. Siding up to theirs camels and clambering board them. There were lots of shrieks of laughter and helpless giggles as some of the younger members of the group gainfully threw themselves onto the camels back, all the time the camels just kept on chewing.
Daphne’s & Jennie’s cameleer kept jestering with his head and arms that the two women should now stride their camels, with a lot of gentle poking and prodding from him he indicated that one of the women should walk sidewise on to the camel, lift their leg and stride the camel leaving a leg either side of the camel. The next person to take her place just in front of her. Daphne being the braver of the two stepped forward and proceeded to do as she was asked. Jennie watched on nervously, holding her breath all the time it took Daphne to stride the camel.
Settling in her seat Daphne hitched herself into a more comfortable position and urge Jennie forward to take her place. Jennie eyed the camel, then the cameleer and finally Daphne and approached the beast with a thumping heart and a nervous stomach. Gripping hold of the stump of the saddle she lifted her leg and threw it cautiously over the camels back, taking all of her weight onto her arms and pressing down, she hitched herself into position. Taking her hand off the stump and wriggling to get comfortable with her arms behind her the camel took this opportunity to get up, lurching forward Jennie let out the loudest shriek as the camel first raised its front legs followed by its back legs. Now in a standing position the animal thrashed its head from side to side as the cameleer hung to its tether.
The shrieking that Jennie was emitting startled the camel and it took off. Pandemonium broke out as the cameleer dug his heels into the sand pulling with all his might on the tether. More cameleers came to his aid as they tried to get the camel under control. They shouted and jabbered in a Egyptian as the animal fought to be free of its restraints.
The two women were white as sheets as they clung on, Daphne screeching at Jennie to be quiet for she was upsetting the animal. Taking heed of her friends words she tightly clamped her lips together and breathe deeply through her nose. The smell of camel sweat mixed with the smell of her own fear made for a giddy concoction that she nearly keeled over. Taking a grip of the saddle and her senses Jennie sat bolt upright, all of her muscles were as tense as a coiled spring. Her back ached and her thighs were singing to be free as she clamped them further into the camels sides.
The cameleer trying to restore order was whispering and soothing his animal, coaxing it gentle by stroking its nose and shielding its eyes from the people that surrounded him. It no longer tried to pull against the tether, but snorted out of its flared nostrils as the cameleer continued to stroked and pet the animals head and flanks.
Jabbering once again in Egyptian and indicting with his head the cameleer beckoned the tour guide over to him, gesturing with his free hand he pointed at Jennie and jabbered some more. The tour guide looked at Jennie and shaking her head asked her to release her legs, to stop clenching them as it was causing discomfort to the animal. Patting her leg, and with gestures of nods of his head, the cameleer and guide tried to reassure Jennie that if she relaxed and went with the animals movements the unease she felt would soon subside as become adjusted to animal gait.
With gentle encouragement and nods of the head, and the bright smile from the cameleer Jennie did as she was bidden and relaxed, but she was still fearful that she might fall off the animal back at anytime. With gentle whispering and reassuring taps to the shoulder Daphne added her aid and comfort and before long calmness and common sense prevailed and the two women sat astride their animal with a little bit more confidence then they first did, waiting expectantly for the next set of instructions from the tour guide. Their little episode to the proceeding was well and truly abated and harmony was restored.. The rest of the group waited patiently, some were laughing, some were sniggering and others were fearful as Jennie as they sat holding on to their camels as if their lives depended on it.
Taking her position once again in front of the group the tour guide issued out her orders. Telling the group to listen carefully to their camleers, not to dismount the camels until told to do so, to make sure they had enough water about their persons and to keep themselves covered at all time and so on and so on. She droned on so much that the cameleers were becoming restless they hopped from one foot to the other eager to get started. Sensing this the tour guide nodded to the lead cameleer, who took up his lash with a throaty grunt and a resounding smack to his animal hind quarters he urged him forward the others followed sedately behind him.
Daphne and Jennie found once they got over their initial fright the camel ride was like travelling through time and back to the age when people used camels as their main mode of transport. The gentle swaying of the animals slow steps as it moved through the sand gave both of them a great feeling of peace and purity as they sat there, enjoying the rocking and swaying of the animal as it made its way along the well trodden path. It occurred to both of them how acceptable it was riding a camel they could reached places in the desert where no other form of mechanical transport could get and this made for a more exciting trip then they anticipated.
Tired and exhausted from their camel ride and intoxicated from the sights they had seen the two women trudged wearily back on board the ship. Both were sweating excessively from the heat of the day, their clothes already saturated from their perspiration and that of the animal they rode that a peculiar smell was beginning to per mutate from both of them that they were in need of a cool freshening shower.
Jennie was the first to dive under the cool jets of water letting it run rivulets down her back. She held up her arms and lifted her face to the stream of water as it bounced and pinged off her grubby
face. It felt so good that she just stood there letting it cascade over her aching body, she made no move to wash herself as she drifted away on a daydream. A sharp knock to the door and admonishment from her roommate jolted her out of her reverie and she got on with her showering as Daphne paced impatiently outside.
Stepping out of the shower all nicely scrubbed, Daphne let out a umph!”About blooming time as well, what on earth were you doing in there,” she groaned. Jennie could see that Daphne was in no mood for explanations so she side step her and made her way to the dressing table. Throwing her glowering look Daphne stepped into the shower and set about washing the day’s heat and events from her aching body.
Jennie sat at the dressing table towel drying her hair when something caught her eye, turning slightly in her seat she paused as she let her eyes adjust to the glare of the sun, as it streamed through the open window, adjusting her position, so that she was hidden behind the soft billowing curtains she watched in amazement as the mousey woman husband grabbed his wife by the arms and pulled her along the deck. Something didn’t seem right she was bent over slightly as if she was trying to shield her body from some invisible attack. Her shoulders were almost hunched to her ears and she kept looking furtively over her shoulder………………………………………………………..
Daphne & Jennie had several other exciting encounters on their Egyptian cruise that I have little time to put them down on paper and I can only apologise to all of those who were following the story.
To conclude the ending of the story Jennie fell in love with Emir and he with her that they married and settled down in Cairo running a small hotel. Jennie fulfilled her maternal longings and gave birth to 3 children, 2 girls and a boy. They had many adventures running the hotel and met a lot of special people and the occasionally odd one or two
Daphne also found love but didn’t marry and lived with her partner in England they set up a small Travel agency speculating in Egyptian cruises and incorporated Jennie’s hotel in their deals. They often visited Jennie and became embroiled in many of their adventures
As for the secrets of the velvet box I will let you all draw your own conclusions but I will say only this that the contents were only used once and they had an unfortunate reaction or some would say a fortunate reaction on the mousey woman. So much so that inadvertently she became a total different person once she found out her husband was a two timing snake in the grass who got his come upperance in a startling way.
For the rest of the passengers on the cruise I would like to say I was going to develop a few of them further and one in particular would have had a starring role not only in Jennie’s life but in Daphne’s as well they would have become a pivotal part of the story, but alas we will never know now.
Thank you all for reading it and I hope many of you enjoyed it. So sorry for not finishing it.
Botspot.
The Velvet Box © 2008, Botspot
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