Charlie had given Morgy a list of candidates before he started his shift in the engine room. He’d hoped one of them would come into the bar tonight.
“The one I want to be like, of course.” Morgy then did a spot-on impersonation of the stacked blonde Charlie had seen by the swimming pool that afternoon. “‘What is your name again? Yes, of course, Morgan. I do remember seeing that delightful young man earlier today. Meet with him? Goodness, is that allowed?’”
Charlie held up his hand to stop Morgy’s performance before any of the remaining passengers heard him. “All right, Miss Oz! I know which one it is. Sandy blond hair and a great body. I saw her again this arvo on the Lido Deck by the pool.” He smiled as he remembered the crimson bikini she had on. “Her togs gave me a throb in the knob.”
Morgy winked at Charlie. “You do the same for me.”
Charlie shook his head. “Jesus H. Sufferin’ Christ, you’re such a friggin’ queen.”
“Yes, and proud of it. Can’t show it too much in here. It’s bad form.”
“You’re shit out of luck getting a chubby from me. I like women.”
“Can’t blame a girl for trying. One of these days, I’ll get you drunk and give you a head job.” Morgy tapped his lips with his index finger. “Or maybe, you’ll have your way with me.”
“Not bloody likely, mate. Never have, never will.”
Morgy smiled. “I’ve heard that before.”
“Now you’re hearin’ it again.” Charlie took another drink and waited. “Well, you going to tell me about the sheila you set up for me?”
“This one’s on the prowl. You were right, her name is Petula, but she says her friends call her ‘Pet.’ Came in here looking over every man in the bar. Seemed happy she hooked up with someone she fancies.”
“You think she fancies me?”
“I know she does. She asked me if you’re married, and what you do on the ship. You’d best be finishing that pint PDQ. I told her to meet me here at one, and I’ll take her to your cabin. If she sees you looking like a brown-eyed mullet, she’ll turn around and go back to her first-class cabin.”
“First-class? Not too shabby! Think she has money?”
“What do you care? It’s not her money you’re after.”
“You got that right, mate.” Charlie finished off his pint. “Gotta go and wash up. You got your key?”
Morgy patted the pocket on his red vest. “Right here. Don’t worry, you’ll have a naughty tonight.”
“I know I will. Thanks, mate. I’ll see what I can scare up for you next time.”
“Promises, promises.” Charlie left Morgy finishing his cleanup. He would be closing the bar directly, and then escort Pet to Charlie’s room.
Charlie took the authorized route back to his cabin, walking through the verandah and crossing the Lido Deck to the stairs that led back to the engine room. Just as he thought they would be, the swimming pools on the Lido Deck were deserted at this hour. Again he remembered seeing Pet that afternoon in her swimming togs. His mates called this the “Libido Deck” for good reason.
From the engine room, he took the stairs that led to the crew’s quarters on the starboard side of the ship. As he walked down the alleyway on C Deck toward his cabin, Charlie glanced at the locked door that separated the passengers’ quarters from the crew’s. In about fifteen minutes, Morgy would be opening it with his contraband key and bringing the sexy sheila to his room.
He didn’t have much time. After skimming off his soot-covered boiler suit, he jumped into the shower. With a woman coming, he made sure he scrubbed all the nooks and crannies thoroughly. He paid particular attention to his nuggets, hoping this sexy lady would do some teabagging.
Once he quickly dried, he put on some black trousers and a white shirt. He didn’t bother with shoes and socks, figuring he wouldn’t have his clothes on for long. He straightened his bunk and unearthed his stash of gin. Just as he set two glasses on his desk, someone knocked on his door.
When he answered, a curvaceous blonde in a sexy, low-cut blue halter dress stood there. Morgy was nowhere in sight.
“Charlie?”
“You’re Petula, right?”
“Yes. Morgan unlocked the door, and then pointed down the hall. He told me cabin 169. I’d hoped he wasn’t mistaken.”
“Nope, Morgy knows my cabin. We’re best mates. He wouldn’t steer you wrong.” Charlie stepped aside. “Please come in.”
“Thank you.” Petula came into Charlie’s small cabin. He gave her a once-over from behind. He almost whistled when he saw that the back of the dress dipped open nearly to her bum, and then it flared at her waist into a full skirt. She obviously didn’t have a bra on! Charlie could see most of her bare back.
He managed to get his wits. “Make yourself at home. Would you like a drink? I have some good Gordon’s gin. I can make you a gin and tonic.”
“That would be lovely. And please call me Pet.” She laid her clutch bag on his desk and sat down on the edge of the bunk. “They don’t give you fellows much room in these cabins, do they?”
Charlie smiled. “They save the good cabins for the paying passengers. We’re just the hired help.” He noticed Petula studying his old scratched-up desk.
“Are those initials carved into the wood?”
“Yeah. When my mates come in here for a drink, they leave me an autograph. That desk has history. Some of those initials are from other engineers who had this cabin before me.”
“You’re an engineer?”
“I’m a third assistant engineer. I just got off my watch. I do eight-to-twelve twice a day.”
Petula took the glass Charlie offered her. “That’s how you could be on the Lido Deck this afternoon. I wondered about that.”
Charlie pulled out his desk chair and sat down. “I saw you this arvo.” He gestured toward her with his glass. “Couldn’t help but notice what a good-looking woman you are.”
“How sweet of you to say that. I also picked you out of the crowd.”
“Did ya now? You weren’t put off by my being with the crew and not a passenger?”
“Quite the contrary.” Petula checked him out as he had her. “Most of the men I’ve met are old, married or pansies. You aren’t any of those.”
“Now, how would you know that?” Charlie moved from the desk chair and sat on the bunk beside her.
“It’s quite obvious you aren’t old, or a pansy.” She sipped her G and T before she added, “And I asked if you were married.”
“Who’d you ask?”
“The
