The Voyage of the Golden Handshake Read Online Free PDF

‘Do you realise, Felicity, that there is only one genuine smoke-house left in the Isle of Man? I once stayed with Jumbo Chessington the Governor, and he was seriously alarmed at the state of affairs on the Island. Oak chips are what are needed. Oak chips.’
    Felicity, whose knowledge of smoking fish was limited, simply nodded her head in agreement.
    ‘Well,’ continued the Admiral, helping himself to a liberal spoonful of thick-cut marmalade, ‘today is the big day. If it’s fine I will meet the team in the garden where we should be able to have an uninterrupted briefing before the launch. Harry assures me that the sea trials have gone better than expected. He took the ship along the route he knows so well in Southern Italy, and apart from some difficulty in strong currents with the rudder, all seemed to be well.’
    ‘I hope he’s right, dear,’ Lady Harrington replied with asomewhat worried look. ‘A World Cruise is an ambitious venture, Benbow, and you can’t afford to have too many problems.’
    ‘All will be well, dear, don’t concern yourself. With my long experience in the Navy and Harry’s extensive knowledge of choppy waters, plus a seasoned Captain in Sparda, we don’t have a worry in the world.’
    Lady Harrington reflected silently on how frequently she had heard these self-same sentiments uttered by her husband across the years, and she shuddered slightly.
    The Admiral folded his napkin, picked up his daily copy of The Times and made for his study. He had only been gone a few moments when Lady Harrington heard her husband cry out.
    ‘Felicity, dear! Felicity, come here this instant. Make haste.’
    She rushed along the hallway to the study where the Admiral was seated with the Travel Section of The Times open before him.
    ‘Just look at this,’ he chortled in delight.
    Harry Parkhurst had certainly not wasted any time following the trials, for there was a half-page advertisement announcing the Inaugural World Cruise of the SS Golden Handshake.
    Rear Admiral Sir Benbow Harrington (Rtd)
    Owner of the Golden Oceans Cruise Line
    proudly announces the First World Cruise of a
    brand new addition to the company’s fleet
    the SS Golden Handshake.
     
    The Golden Handshake now sails alongside
    the Golden Guinea , the Golden Crown and the Golden Sovereign
    and is the Flagship of the Line.
     
    Applications are invited now
    for a place on what will be a unique experience.
    Tickets will be issued strictly on a
    ‘First come, first served’ basis.
    The Admiral picked up the receiver of the candlestick telephone and dialled Harry’s number.
    ‘Splendid work,’ he congratulated him. Today’s The Times is excellent. Well done.’
    Harry was duly modest in his reply.
    ‘My old friend at Carnard was helpful in drafting the text and we have been able to get a mention in all the local papers around the country. Just watch the applications roll in. We will certainly be oversubscribed.’
    The Admiral replaced the receiver and resumed staring at the newspaper. He remained at his desk throughout the morning-a happy and contented man.
     
    Back in Grimsby things were less tranquil. Albert hauled Jasonup from the floor and poured a glass of cold water over his head. News of the disaster had yet to reach the party-goers in the staffroom, and unfortunately Albert was the one who had to bring it.
    He gingerly opened the door to a scene of complete chaos. Mary Ellsworth, late of the stockroom, was performing what she considered to be a Spanish dance on the table. Crystal Weathergate, previously in charge of the drinks department, was surrounded by bottles from that said department, the majority of which were empty.
    ‘Albert, old pal’ cried Andy Pink, one of the van drivers. ‘Where have you been all my life. Come in, old friend. Take a pew. In fact take anything you like.’
    ‘Shut up, Andy,’ said Albert sternly. ‘Shut up, the lot of you.’
    A silence descended on the room as they all stared at him in