The Voyage of the Golden Handshake Read Online Free PDF Page B

amazement.
    ‘Come on, mate,’ said someone. ‘It’s not often we have a party.’
    ‘No,’ said Albert, ‘and unless you sober up and clear up pretty quickly, this will be the last party you will have for many a year. And your last job!’
    He began to explain how it seemed as though there had been a ghastly mistake, and it appeared that Jason’s wife had not won the lottery, after all. Looks of amazement crossed the flushed faces of the once-jovial revellers, to be quickly replaced by expressions of panic and despair.
    ‘Hell’s Bells,’ said Andy. ‘Who’s going to pay for all this lot if Jason can’t?’
    Albert did not answer directly.
    ‘If I were you,’ he said, ‘I would clear this mess up and get the shop opened pretty quickly. You can worry about payment later. Come on, the lot of you. I’ll help.’
    Jason, who was too far gone to take part in any activity other than sleep, was left in the staffroom while the remainder of the staff set about clearing away the debris and piling up the cans of beans. An hour later, the shop was reopened for a final hour of trading and Albert departed for home sober, starving and not a little relieved that his fortune now seemed to be secure.

6
    Rear Admiral Benbow Harrington glanced at the brass ship’s clock in his study. It had been salvaged from the first ship he had commanded - the very vessel which unfortunately had sunk during a naval exercise off Southend-on-Sea. The fact that the maiden cruise of the SS Golden Handshake was due to take place in several days’ time from Southend Pier had caused the Admiral to pause and wonder if he might be tempting fate. However, he dismissed such thoughts from his mind and turned his attention to the meeting shortly due to take place with several of his senior staff members.
    Harry, the invaluable Harry, would be there, of course, for he had been responsible for the recruiting of most of the ship’s company. The Admiral was looking forward to making the acquaintance of Captain Peché Sparda, recently retired from long and distinguished service as Master of the Messina ferry and soon to be Captain of the flagship of the Golden Oceans Line. He was due to arrive at three that afternoon, along with his friend Enzo Bigatoni, the newly appointed Cruise Director. The irritation that the Admiral felt when these two senior officersfailed to master their Satellite Navigation system on the M25 had long since passed, for like many senior Naval Officers the Admiral was a religious man with a forgiving nature.
    A new person on the scene was also expected that afternoon - a certain Mr Radley Duvet (pronounced like the bedding) who also had been recruited by Harry and who would occupy the all-important role of Hotel Manager. For many years Mr Duvet had assisted his wife in the running of a Bed and Breakfast establishment in Scarborough and on occasions had taken a summer job running the canteen on the Dover-Calais ferry. Harry was convinced that he would have all the necessary skills to ensure that the ship was adequately provisioned and the passengers made to feel at home.
    At exactly ten minutes to three o’clock the Admiral heard a motor vehicle crunching its way along the gravel driveway in front of the house. He peered through the window of his study and observed a large black car which, for all the world, looked like the sort of transport that followed the hearse in a funeral procession. The doorbell issued its nautical chime and within a few moments, Lady Harrington was ushering a party of four into the study.
    ‘I’m sure you would like some tea,’ she said when the introductions were over and the party was seated. Without waiting for an answer she left the room and the Admiral took command.
    ‘Now gentlemen,’ he began, ‘today is an historic day. A daythat will go down in the annals of the Golden Oceans Line. You gentlemen compose the heart and soul of the Golden Handshake and we are meeting for the first time to agree