Santa Cruise Read Online Free PDF Page B

to hoist his weight onto his right side, the left prong gave way and fell to the floor. Both of Dudley’s feet lost contact with the wall, and he began to sway back and forth on the rope like a would-be Tarzan.
    The crowd yelled their encouragement. He attempted to smile, looked over his shoulder, then landed with a thud on the deck as the crewman let him down too quickly.
    Nora and Regan did not dare look at their husbands.

6
    A fter he learned that he had to vacate his room, Eric’s feet barely touched the gangplank as he rushed back onto the ship.
    He could have strangled Alvirah Meehan!
    â€œTake your time packing.”
    Sure, lady. He had no time! He knew that that jerk Dudley was thrilled that he was being displaced. All this was Dudley’s fault. He had messed up the room count. Now Dudley, cruise director extraordinaire, would be sending an army of stewards to complete the eviction process. I know he hates me, Eric thought, especially since I got a bigger room. Dudley had a small room without a balcony, but if only I had that room now, I could make do. Eric realized that he was scared to death to face Bull’s-Eye and give him the bad news.
    Not wanting to wait for the elevator, he bounded toward the companionway.
    How am I going to hide them? Where am Igoing to hide them? How can I possibly keep them in my room in Uncle Randolph’s suite for three days? That guest bedroom is so small. And so is the closet.
    All I know is that I have to get them out of my room, and fast.
    â€œHo! Ho! Ho! Eric!” one of the passengers called to him. “When do I get my Santa Claus suit?”
    â€œAsk Dudley!” Eric snapped, as he hurried past. Then a thought occurred to him. He should get his hands on two of those suits. Bull’s-Eye and the Bean Counter, Barron Highbridge, could put the Santa suits on, and nobody would become suspicious if they ran into them in the passageway.
    Where were the suits? They had to be in the supply room on Deck 3, he decided. All of the Santas’ staterooms were on Deck 3. The people who gave of themselves got lesser accommodations than the people who donated money. The way of the world.
    Do I have time to go there? Before he could make a rational decision, Eric found himself heading for Deck 3. His set of master keys included a key to the supply room. Please let the suits be there, he prayed.
    Eric could hear voices in some of the stateroomsas he passed them. He must not be seen near the supply room. Passing the luggage that was still piled outside various stateroom doors, he pulled the keys out of his pocket and turned a corner. Way down the corridor he could see two people, but fortunately their backs were to him. He took giant steps to the supply room, put the key in the lock, turned it, and pushed open the door.
    To his delight, the Santa suits were hanging on a clothes rack. He quickly picked two of them that looked as if they might fit a short, portly Bull’s-Eye and a tall, thin Barron, two people who only gave gifts to themselves. He grabbed two white beards, two stocking caps, and two pairs of black sandals. The tropical Santas, he thought. In a cabinet he found a stack of black plastic garbage bags. He jammed all of the Santa paraphernalia into one of them. Time was running out. He was already sweating profusely.
    He left the supply room and raced up the companionway to the Boat Deck. He made it to his room without having to explain to anyone why he was carrying a trash bag. The DO NOT DISTURB sign was still there. He opened the door and braced himself for the stowaways’ reactions.
    Barron was stretched out on the pullout couch watching television and eating from a bag ofpotato chips. “Shhhh,” he warned Eric and whispered, “Tony just fell asleep. He’s been very cranky all day.”
    â€œWell, he’s going to get a lot crankier,” Eric snapped. “I’ve got to move you two.”
    Tony’s eyes flew open.