Not too long now and dull grey skies and cold would be replaced with sunshine and heat. Just the thought was enough to make Christine giddy with excitement.
She inspected the cabin, making sure everything was up to snuff, taking a mental checklist of things they might require as she helped the staff member and her husband carry in the luggage.
Once all luggage was in the cabin, she sighed with relief and once again resumed taking in the splendour of her surroundings. Expensive paintings on the walls, a large flat screen TV, leather sofas, soft cushiony carpet, not a speck of dust in sight, ambient lighting, facilities for her elderly mother. The cabin was flawless and that was something coming from a perfectionist such as herself.
“Will there be anyone to attend to my elderly mother?” Christine enquired.
“Oh yes, of course, I can get someone to handle any daily routines, ma’am. There are service buttons throughout the cabin, so should she require anything at any point, she need only press the button and either I or someone else will be over to help immediately”. She turned to Martha, “If you need help at all, don’t be afraid to ask”.
“What time is dinner served? Also, will there be itineraries provided?”
“Seven pm daily, ma’am. We will have a ship wide banquet that you have the option to attend, but of course you may also visit any of our other restaurants on board if you so desire and most are open all day and night. There are a variety of different foods to try, so if you have any particular palette preferences, I’m sure there is something to suit you. Itineraries can be found on your bed and will contain all events occurring on the ship during the voyage, as well as details about the excursions. There is an information bay on every level you can visit if you have any questions, they will assist you in anything you might need in reference to the excursions. I should also inform you that banquets are an opportunity to meet the captain, Captain Photis Alexakis and other members of the crew. The dress code is formal and children are more than welcome”. As the lovely member of staff continued to run through the full list of things they should probably know, her husband Edward wandered off to explore, stepping out onto the balcony. Christine had no intention of reciting to him everything the fine young lady had taken the time to explain.
“So yes, I believe that about covers it. Like I said, you can find everything in the itineraries provided. There is also a first aid kit in the bathroom. Hopefully you won’t need it, but just in case. I don’t think I need to warn you about the balcony, though we recommend remaining inside if it gets windy, we’ve had no casualties yet on this cruise liner and we’d like to keep it that way, for your sake and of course ours. You’ll also find complimentary gifts in the cabin, buttered shortbread and bespoke Earl Grey blue flower Wellington Tea, a bottle of Chardonnay and after dinner chocolates. I hope we can cater to everything you might require and I bid you all a happy voyage. Would there be anything else you need?”
“No, dear, you have done a splendid job of explaining, I think we should be fine for the time being. We’ll just make ourselves at home now, I should guess”.
“Well, I shall take my leave then. I shall be back to check on you later”.
“Oh, yes, one more favour”.
“Yes?”
“What is your name?”
“Irini, ma’am, Irini Anastas”.
“That’s a pretty name, it sounds exotic, Spanish? Turkish?”
“Greek, ma’am”.
“Ooh, I’ve never been there, I’d like to go. Irini dear, could you take a photo of us?”
“Yes, no problem”, Irini replied, taking the DSLR camera from Christine.
“Just press the button there when you are ready”, Christine indicated, “Edward! Come over here, get in this!”
Her husband reluctantly dragged himself back into the cabin and took a spot between the two women, his wife and mother-in-law, before Irini could raise the camera to her face.
“Say cheese”, Irini instructed, to which they did, but there was no flash and after a moment of standing idle, it was evident that Irini was pressing the wrong button.
She lowered it and brought it over to Christine.
“Sorry, is it this button?” She asked, bemused.
“Oh no, dear, that one”.
“Oh, sorry they are so close together. Second time lucky”. She took a step back. “Cheese”.
This time the flash went off.
CHAPTER 3 - EDWARD
8:44am - 5 Days until outbreak
. . .
. . .
As Irini took her leave and his wife set about unpacking the bags, Edward returned to the balcony and gazed over the edge towards the docks of Southampton.
Little did his wife know he had once lived here, three long years of his life, three hard years of his life. Those were the years he would much rather forget, the years when his living standards were a cesspool of drink induced misfortune and terrible living standards.
If that accursed house and all the abhorrent memories it harboured had been reduced to nothing but rubble and dust in an intense inferno, it would truly be a blessing in disguise.
How long ago was that now? Far too long ago.
Luckily life had taken a turn for the better following those three years, albeit not perfect, but better and that was more than enough to ask for.
His father went on to rehab
